Great Protector (31 page)

Arissa
shrieked in terror, watching as the arrows roared over the top of the wall,
pelting the bailey below with their heat and death. Most landed in the dirt, a
few struck targets, and the entire horde of soldiers and knights swung into
action.

The
unmistakable sounds of a battle filled the air, the distant sounds of destriers
screaming and men shouting their confusion and excitement. The battlements were
jammed with Lambourn soldiers, as well as Richmond's troops and those from
other neighboring houses. It was ironic that Lambourn possessed all of the
reinforcements she would ever need; unfortunately, the enemy had trapped them
inside the walls like a great herd of captured cattle.

Corralled
inside the massive edifice, there was naught to do but defend as best they
could against the onslaught from an enemy who had used the shielding cloak of a
winter fog to mask their approach. On the battlements and in the bailey, the
soldiers prepared with determination and patience borne from men who had seen
battle time and time again. They would defend, repel, and hope they did not die
in the process.

Deep
within the structure of Lambourn, William and Maude were roused from a deep
sleep to the news that their beloved castle was under attack. Maude cried as
William donned his armor, staunchly determined to defend what was his. As the
rest of the household became aware of the situation, fear and terror ran
rampant. Several important households were sheltered within the seat of the
Berkshire earldom and, should it succumb, a great many important people would
fall victim.

But
nobles and servants alike took comfort in the fact that a multitude of soldiers
were housed within Lambourn; surely she would not fall with hundreds of men to
protect her from the invaders. And, surely, she would not crumple to defeat
with Richmond le Bec leading her defense. One of Henry's greatest military
minds was at the head of their protection.

Surely,
they would emerge unscathed. The identical prayer reverberated throughout every
room and ever chamber in the frightened, assailed fortress. A prayer for
deliverance.

Lambourn
was under siege.

CHAPTER
TEN

By
noon, the fog had barely lifted and the heavy smell of smoke and death permeated
the thick air. The battle had been ugly and fierce, and as Arissa sat high in
her bower with Penelope, Emma and Regine, they still hadn't received
confirmation as to whom, exactly, they were at war against. The faceless, evil
enemy beyond the walls occupied their every thought and their gloom was as
weighty as the fog that cloaked the countryside.

Penelope
couldn't stop sobbing. Daniel had been in the heat of the battle since the
beginning and she was terrified for him. Emma had taken to biting her nails to
the skin while Regine and Arissa stood by the lancet window, watching the chaos
as it progressed. It was still so hazy that it was difficult to make out much
at all, but still, they stood vigilant. Waiting for the moment when the fog
would lift and the hellish chaos below would be revealed.

The
group barely spoke, nor did they eat. A great deal of upheaval was occurring
within the realm of their beloved home and as frightened as they were, there
was also a degree of anger. Who would be so bold as to disturb their peaceful
existence? What malevolent bastard was intent upon invading their lives?
Questions to which there were no ready answers.

Sometime
that morning, Arissa did not remember exactly when, she had changed out of her
brocade robe and into a heavy surcoat of gray and white linen. Underneath, she
had swathed herself in thick, soft woolen undergarments that protected her
against the cold. Her lovely hair was gathered into a net as she stood by the
window, stoically observing the white-shrouded battle. It was remarkable that
she had managed to stay so calm in light of the fact that she had never before
witnessed a skirmish. Lambourn hadn't seen a siege in over forty years.

"What
do you suppose is happening?" Regine asked softly, breaking into her
thoughts.

Arissa
tore her gaze away from the scene below, glancing at her sister. Strange that
in spite of the fact Regine had obscenely invaded her privacy the night before,
Arissa felt closer to her baby sister than she ever had. As if they shared a common
bond, a common secret. When Regine had appeared at her door shortly after dawn,
they had simply hugged each other in fearful silence.

Arissa
shook her head, returning her attention to the bailey. "I do not know. It
seems to have quieted somewhat."

Penelope,
her eyes red and swollen, stumbled to the window.

"Have
you seen Daniel?"

Arissa
put her arm about her friend's delicate shoulders.

"Nay,
Pen. In fact, 'tis difficult to see anyone with the fog as heavy as it is. But do
not fret; I am sure Daniel is safe."

Penelope
whimpered, terrified that Daniel was somewhere below, lying dead with an arrow
through his heart. As the three women gazed out over the compound, a heavy rain
began to fall.

It
was no time before the bailey was a swamp of muck. The men-at-arms quickly
became soaked through to their woolen undergarments, whereas the armor shielding
the knights afforded them slightly better protection against the icy rain. The
conditions of battle quickly became even more miserable, if such a thing was
possible.

They
were so busy in their attempt to gain a glimpse of the courtyard that they were
barely aware when the door to Arissa's chamber squeaked open. Lady Livia
stepped into the room, smiling timidly as several pairs of eyes turned to her
in rapid sequence. Noting that her daughter had chewed her fingers bloody with
apprehension, she reached out to gently still the young, worried hands.

 "We
are serving the nooning meal in the hall," she said in a pleasant,
entirely forced tone. "It would do you good to be free of this room for a
time and enjoy the offered fare."

Emma
had no choice; her mother had her by the hands and was pulling her to stand.
When Penelope shook her head miserably, Lady Livia simply took her by the arm
firmly and encouraged her toward the door.

"Come
along, Arissa, Regine," she said resolutely. "The battle will not be
won or lost if you leave your post by the windows."

"Who
has attacked us?" Arissa asked quietly, her eyes still riveted to the fog
beyond her window.

Lady
Livia paused a moment, reluctant to answer. After a moment, she sighed faintly.
"We cannot be sure, but your father believes it to be de Rydal."

Arissa's
eyes widened abruptly and she whirled to face her mother's lady-in-waiting.

"Revenge!"
she gasped. "They are seeking revenge against Richmond!"

Lady
Livia nodded in resignation. "We have not been able to confirm this
information with Sir Richmond. He’s had his hands full since the attack
began."

Arissa's
calm had fled. Ovid de Rydal was intent upon killing her beloved, at the
expense of Lambourn no less. Vengeance for the attempted murder of his
conceited, pompous, dull-witted son.

Terror
flooded her veins. Richmond had said Ovid would not attempt such a bold action
as to declare war against his liege. He had been wrong.

"You
have not seen Richmond at all?" she asked, her thin voice quaking.

Lady
Livia shook her head. "He was on the battlements when the attack occurred.
I am told had it not been for his sharp eyes, we would have been caught
unaware. Thank God he had been on duty this night, not sleeping in his chamber
like the rest of us."

Arissa
nearly winced, her desperate request resounding in the depths of her mind; she
had asked him to stay the night with her. Her stomach twisted with the
sickening realization that if he had done as she had asked, Lambourn would
probably be in a great deal of trouble at this moment because he would not have
been up on the battlements to sense the impending attack. Richmond's own words
suddenly came to bear, reminding her of the element of fate.

All
things happen for a reason, Riss. Good or bad.

She
was grateful that he had not remained with her as she had begged. Not only
would Lambourn have been compromised, but Richmond's men would have come
looking for him. And they would have found him where he was not supposed to be
- in her bed.

Saying
a silent prayer to God for his foresight and wisdom befalling the chain of
events, she followed Lady Livia from the room.

***

David
and Lyle had been fighting alongside Lambourn soldiers since before dawn. It
was a perfect situation for them; the Lambourn soldiers thought they were from
a different house, and the soldiers of different standards thought them to be
from Lambourn. Each faction believed them to be serving another. It was a
perfect cover.

The
siege was something they had not anticipated. They had managed to return to
Lambourn during the evening, losing themselves in the crowd and waiting for
word to reach Ovid de Rydal that Richmond le Bec had made an attempt on his
son.  

They
had fully expected le Bec to retreat from Lambourn after the ugly confrontation
with de Rydal simply to ease tensions, but he had refused to comply with their
plans. Instead, he had remained as steadfast as ever before. It was apparent
that Richmond le Bec was not a coward, and unwilling to run from anything.

As
frustrating as that had been, their annoyance had been fed when he had managed
to shadow Lady Arissa as if physically attached. No man, or woman for that
matter, was allowed near the girl as Henry's watchdog stood guard. And they
couldn't help but notice what a lovely, fragile creature she was; white skin
and black hair and rosy, full lips. Aye, she was a beauty unworthy of Plantagenet
loins in their opinion. Her striking loveliness was better suited to a Welsh lass.

Even
now as they toiled in the heat of battle, Richmond le Bec was grossly occupied
with holding Lambourn. Wise enough to be aware when advantages presented
themselves, David and Lyle realized that if they were going to abduct the lady,
there would be no better time. The problem, of course, would lie in removing
her from the fortified walls.

There
were limited possibilities; the blockaded servants entrance that led to the
huge field where yesterday's games had taken place, the sealed front gate, or
literally climbing the walls and lowering themselves down the other side. And
not one of those three options looked particularly attractive harboring an
unwilling captive. Still, they had to try. Owen was depending on them.

Leaving
the battlements had not been difficult. It had been as simple as formulating an
excuse to their superior officer that they were going for ammunition supplies
and fresh water. Once in the midst of the ankle-deep mud of the bailey, the
guarded fortress lay straight ahead.

Having
been at Lambourn since the day before, they had familiarized themselves with
all known entrances to the bastion and moved confidently for the servant’s door
near the kitchens. David and Lyle were seasoned veterans, thinking soldiers
that had been at war for more years than they cared to recall. Their movements
were confident, the gestures unhurried, as to not attract attention. As easy as
they had anticipated it would be, they moved past the soldiers lingering by the
kitchen portal and were engulfed by the warm interior of the fortress.

The
servants were in a panic, rushing about in chaos. David and Lyle moved slowly
through the crowed, bumping into people as the pretended to have a sense of
purpose. In faith, they were attempting to orient themselves to the interior
layout of the castle to best determine where the Lady Arissa might be held.
Logic dictated that she would be kept to her rooms during a crisis and they set
about to determine the best route to the second floor.

Nearing
the gallery, their eyes fell on a host of people cluttering the huge room,
nibbling nervously on bread and talking between themselves. Their trained eyes
scanned the room for the dark head of their intended target as they struggled
to maintain their casual manner.

Fate
was on their side; the servants and household troops were so concerned with the
events occurring outside that they scarce gave the two unfamiliar soldiers a
passing glance.

Like
preying beasts, they sought their victim.

***

"I
am simply not hungry," Arissa said listlessly, turning to her mother.
"And I furthermore cannot believe that father chose to involve himself in
this battle. He’s not been to battle in twenty years!"

Lady
Maude did not wish to be reminded of her husband's whereabouts. In spite of the
cool temperature of the gallery, she fanned herself furiously in response to
her daughter's statement.

"'Tis
his castle, dear, and he’s compelled to defend it," she said weakly.

"Richmond
and Daniel and the rest of them are defending us," Arissa replied with a
touch of bitterness. "Father will only get in the way."