Page 24 of Lionheart

"Howwere you able to leave without being followed?"

"Bypretending to be ill and taking to my bed. I wanted to be with you when youstorm Cragdon. And I wanted to tell you that presently Lionheart's armyoutnumbers yours. The barracks was too small to hold them all, and the overflowhave bivouacked in the outer bailey."

"Wehave a plan," Daffid said. "While half our forces create a diversionat the outer walls, the other half will enter through the tunnel and take theunsuspecting Englishmen by surprise."

"'Tis a good plan," Vanora allowed, "but you must not kill Lionheart.He is a favorite of Edward's and should be captured and held for ransom."

"Ican promise naught," Daffid said. "You should not have left Cragdon.When we lay siege to the fortress, you will remain behind at Draymere where itis safe."

"Nay!I left Cragdon so that I might ride with your army."

Thethought of Lionheart's death did not sit easy upon her. She needed to be onhand to prevent unnecessary slaughter. When Llewellyn’s forces gained control ofCragdon, she intended to make sure that bloodshed was kept to a minimum. TheEnglishmen were more valuable to Llewellyn alive than dead, especiallyLionheart. The ransom would go a long way to help her people's cause.

"Nay!"Daffid stubbornly maintained.

Vanoraturned to Llewellyn. "What say you, Llewellyn?"

"Yourdetermination is as strong as your sword arm, Vanora," Llewellyn said."I can find no reason to deny your request."

ChapterFive

Three daysafter Vanora had taken to her bed, Lionheart stood before her chamber door, hisanger building as Mair stubbornly refused him entrance. The blasted woman wouldtell him naught except that Vanora's fever was raging and 'twas likely she wascontagious.

"Thinkyou I am afraid of infection?" Lionheart roared. "I would see yourmistress for myself."

Mair stoodlike a rock before the door, arms crossed over her ample bosom. "I cannotallow it. Vanora is sleeping and should not be disturbed."

"Christ'sblood, woman!" Lionheart roared. "Think you I would hurt yourmistress whilst she is ill?"

He heardnot Mair's answer over the commotion below. He turned to see Giles and Brandonbursting forth from the staircase onto the gallery.

"Lionheart!"Brandon cried, panting to catch his breath. "Llewellyn’s army is marchingtoward Cragdon."

"Howcome you by that information?"

"Theywere sighted by the patrol."

"Continue."

"Thepatrol took to high ground and remained unobserved as the army marched past.They returned to Cragdon by a different route to report their sighting."

"Howlong do we have before they arrive?"

"Severalhours. They were moving slowly through the forest to accommodate the footsoldiers."

"Surpriseis on our side. Waiting for Llewellyn to attack the castle can only lead to along siege," Lionheart said after considerable thought.

"Whatare you going to do?" Giles asked.

"Weshall ride out to meet them. Why wait for the attack when we have the elementof surprise on our side? We will turn their siege in our favor."

"Ourforces are ready to move out at your command," Brandon said.

"Wewill ride forth as soon as the men are properly armed," Lionheart said."The sooner the better. Find Alan and send him to fetch my weapons."

Havingoverheard the exchange, Mair wrung her hands in dismay. If all had gone asplanned, Vanora would be with Llewellyn’s advancing army. What was to become ofher poor lamb? Briefly she considered divulging Vanora's secret to Lionheart.Were he aware of her secret identity, mayhap he would spare her during theupcoming battle. She decided to confer with Father Caddoc before deciding on acourse of action.

As luckwould have it, Father Caddoc was in the village on a mission of mercy. Duringthe time it took for Mair to make up her mind, Lionheart and his forces leftthe keep.