Warriors circled around Buttercup, protecting her rider. Swords were already drawn and ready.
Luke immediately realized his escort was outnumbered at least two to one. Although Luke’s men were excellent warriors, the numbers would make victory difficult to achieve. Having circled around Gillian and Anne, Luke and his men would not allow anyone to break into the inner circle. Still, fighters descended upon the group from both sides.
“
Simon! Take Lady Gillian and Anne to the castle. Make haste!” Luke commanded. “We will hold them off as best we can. When you reach my father, have him send whoever he can to assist us.” Furiously the warriors fought to clear an escape hole.
Before she had cleared the circle, Gillian felt hands clutching at her clothing. In the melee she was nearly unseated. The strain from the backward tug ended immediately, however, as Gillian watched in horror as Luke’s sword was lowered on the man’s arm, cutting completely through just above his wrist. A shred of cloth had been ripped from her gown and was still in its assailant’s grip as the hand fell to the ground. The night barely had time to scream when his helm was split by another blow from the Simon. Looking up, Gillian saw Simon screaming for her to go. On Simon’s command, Gillian kicked Buttercup in the flank and Luke slapped her horse hard on the rump. At the same time, Gillian dug her heel into Buttercup’s side. The horse jolted, and Gillian was off on the ride of her life. Her skills as a horsewoman would possibly decide whether she would live or die. Anne’s chestnut mare was riding hard in pursuit but unable to keep up with Buttercup.
At first Simon had them run hard along the road in order to put some distance between themselves and the marauders, but when the horses tired, Simon directed the two women to move into the cover of the forest.
Simon was a seasoned warrior and followed the best escape route he could think of. They followed a valley for some time where the trees provided some measure of cover from any pursuers. Its only problem was that it left little room to maneuver if they were discovered.
When they entered the trees, Gillian realized that Dog had not rejoined them. “Where is Dog,” she whispered to Anne?”
Anne looked as bewildered as Gillian. “He may be injured,” she said. But seeing the look of despair on Gillian’s face made her stop. “Of course, he may have stayed to protect Sir Luke. The animal has developed an attachment for the knight.”
Gillian smiled. She appreciated Anne’s optimism, even if it was only on her behalf.
The three took a rest in a small clearing surrounded by some dense trees. Simon said he had been in this part of the woods many times and knew the terrain well. Gillian trusted his instincts. The knight took the lead along the trees. It looked as though they might make it to their destination, Gillian’s new home.
As they rode, Gillian became nervous. As much as she trusted Simon, she also realized that if he knew these parts as well as he said, then others would too.
Her fears were realized when as trio cleared the end of the small patch of forest. A sound of horses turned Gillian’s attention over her shoulder. There, just a small distance away, came three riders from a valley paralleling their woods. They were riding hard in their direction and Simon bid the women to ride hard over the hill and down the other side.
Simon immediately turned to face the men. As he spurred his horse, he yelled back at the women, “Follow the valley east. You may have a chance if I hold these men off.” Gillian opened her mouth to speak. “Do not gainsay me,” he shouted. “Ride. It is your only chance.”
There was no other option. Gillian and Anne were on their own again. They would follow Simon’s directions and ride hard.
At first they saw no one behind them. It appeared that Simon had been successful in holding off the attack. Then, as they were about to disappear around the hillock, one horse and rider came streaking across the meadow.
Even with the short rest for their horses, the animals were now winded. The horse behind them was running fresh and fast. It would be difficult to stay ahead.
Luke watched as Buttercup moved outside the protective circle of warriors. Rage struck at him as a hand grabbed out at Gillian’s gown. His sword struck the offender’s hand. He raised his sword for another when Simon gave the man such a fierce blow that it split the man’s head to his chin. As he took on another assailant, he could see through the corner of his eye the three ride off down the road. His attention turned as another rider approaching with his sword drawn. He pulled his horse back at the last minute rendering the rider’s reach ineffectual. Turning his destrier and urging him forward, Luke struck the first blow at the base of the man’s neck. He heard the bone crack as the man fell immediately to the ground. He realized that these men were not soldiers but brigands who were neither disciplined or practiced.
Luke charged ahead to even the odds on two attackers engaging one of his men. Without the hauberk and leather plates, these highwaymen had little chance of success, but they seemed determined. Luke wondered what would prompt such an attack?
As the first wave of attackers fell, the rest of the men charged. The numbers were more evenly matched now, but Luke’s men were weary. As if singling Luke out from the rest, two men set upon him at once. He took two severe blows to his thick leather jack. The sword sliced deep into the leather armor and knocked some wind out of him, but it did not cut his flesh. Like so many, these close calls only spurred Luke to fight harder. He attacked like a madman. Soon his persistent strikes proved successful and the men lay bleeding in the dirt. With their injuries severe enough to keep them from rejoining the battle, he returned to the fray. Each of his men was fighting a single fighter now. Luke, disregarded the idea of allowing each of his men to fight alone. Time was too important. He placed himself behind each of the adversaries, one at a time. With a swift blow to their heads and necks, Luke quickly killed three of the remaining fighters.
Just as the fight was coming to an end, Luke heard the hooves of warhorses pounding down the road. He stood at the ready, tired but willing to fight to the end. To his relief, it was his father with a fresh contingent of fighting men. In moments of their arrival the remaining attackers were subdued and being lead away toward the castle.
Phillip Thornburgh dismounted from his dapple gray destrier and approached. Father hugged son. Each was relieved the other was still safe and unharmed.
“
What happened? It looks like you had quite a time of it? Where have you hidden my bride?” He slapped Luke on the back. “Is she as beautiful as they say?”
Luke’s face paled. “It appears that my offer to pay double for the head of anyone who would attack Lady Gillian has not had time to spread far or wide enough. Simon rode off with Lady Gillian and her maid some time ago. We were sorely outnumbered, and I feared for the ladies’ safety. I was hoping she would meet you along the road. And yes father, she is beautiful. She has the face of an angel.”
Phillip’s face darkened. “Do you have the strength to ride with me? I swear if anyone hurts my bride, they will be praying for a short life.”
“
We are in agreement, Sir. Lady Gillian has the sweetest temperament. I will help you send any man who has harmed her or her maid straight to hell. But we must hurry, I believe we must ride hard to aid Sir Simon.
Gillian and Anne rode straight for the forest. Their only hope would be to ride in the shadows and hope the man following them would lose their tracks. Hiding deep in the woods, Gillian lead them through the low valleys and up steeper slopes. They even rode through a small brook hoping the running water would wash away any clue of their trail.
Now hopelessly lost, Gillian decided to follow the brook out of the forest to get her bearings. As the forest thinned and shafts of light mottled the damp forest floor, Gillian heard the whinny of a horse, very near by. Anne kicked her horse into motion and galloped toward the meadow. Gillian was a second later in her retreat and in that instant of hesitation she felt the well-muscled arm of the pursuer close around her waist and her injured rib. Why did everyone feel the need to grab her around the middle? The pain cut off her breath at first. Throwing her belly down over the horse he dashed off through the woods. Not taking a chance on being followed by the other woman, the man rode a long distance before he put Gillian to the ground.
Gillian was not going to be taken this easily. Picking up a branch, she rushed toward her abductor and swatted the horse on the snout. She hoped the horse would buck the rider off, and if she was lucky she might even ride it off before the man could grab hold of her.
Everything worked just as she planned, the horse rose violently and the man fell backwards. The only problem was the horse didn’t appreciate her hitting him and wouldn’t cooperate. Before she could mount the saddle, the man dove and caught her by the hem of her dress. She tripped and heard the fabric of her gown tear. The man struggled to his feet and tackled her around her hips. He ripped her away from the horse then landed on her with his full body weight. The combined mass of armor and man caused her to momentarily black out.
When she awoke from her stupor, her wrists were lashed together with leather straps and secured to the trunk of a tree. Her feet were bound as well, effectively limiting any motion. Other than her warm woolen dress, she was shivering. It was bone chilling cold. Then she understood. She was nearly naked from the waist down and could feel the icy air rush over her naked flesh. Only her chemise protected her from the brigand and the cold air that was seeping through the woods.
She prayed Luke or Phillip would come for her. If she was fortunate, they would find her before this man or one of his friends would have his way with her.
Throughout the night, Gillian shivered herself awake. She knew the man, or men, wouldn’t dare light a fire. She only hoped
she would still be alive come morning.
By dawn’s light Gillian’s body ached miserably with the cold, and she needed to relieve herself. Barely able to move, Gillian slowly raised her dress. Hoping no one was watching, she started to relieve herself.
“
You’re awake, My Lady,” the man said.
Gillian froze and dropped her dress as best she could. From the sound of his voice, she could tell he was sitting only couple of feet away from her. He had obviously watched the entire spectacle. She jumped when his hand brushed over her high firm breasts and gave a squeeze.
“
You are a costly prize, my lovely,” he said.
“
I…I don’t know what you mean.” Gillian replied. The jaunty tilt of her chin hid the paralyzing fear she had of this man. She didn’t dare show her fear or he might claim her body. He might do that anyway, but she had to try to keep him off balance. But she was so cold she could barely think.
“
Your uncle paid us good money to steal you away and kill those knights you were with. Now your dear husband will pay a great sum of money for the privilege of bedding a sweet little thing like yourself. In the end, everyone is happy.
Gillian’s insides may have shaken with the cold but her body remained solid and firm like the tree trunk she was tied to. The man leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers. She could smell the rotting teeth. Pressing her lips tightly together she prevented the invasion of his tongue into her mouth. She felt bile rise in her throat and fought to keep it down.
Luke and his father set out with ten men to locate Gillian, Anne, and Simon, then hunt down their abductors if necessary. It was easy for them to find where the three had left the road. It was also easy to see that several horses, possibly three, had followed.
Luke prayed that Simon had been able to fight off any attack. Experience told him that with the numbers available to stop his men, Simon would be badly outnumbered as well. The group had several minutes lead on their search party but following tracks, no matter how easy they might be to follow, still took time.
At dusk, they found Simon. His destrier stood nearby grazing on the soft grass: waiting patiently for his master. Simon’s leather jack was scarred deeply on his chest and shoulders. Blood flowed from several wounds, but he didn’t appear mortally wounded.
Finding him still standing over one of the men, it was obvious the battle had been long and hard and had only just ended. Simon raised his hand to signify everything was all right. He then walked to his horse, swearing he would go after Lady Gillian and Anne.
As he mounted the animal, Simon said, “I know that at least one man was able to ride on after the women. I fear for their safety. We were ambushed at this spot, and I sent the two women on ahead while I fought off the attackers.”
Luke and his father looked down at the slain men. Phillip was immediately impressed. He had done well in battle.
“
I understand your eagerness to continue Simon, but it is already sundown and if we lose these tracks, we may never find them tomorrow. We will have to camp here and set out at first light. Having grown up in the area, Luke knew there were many places to hide if you were familiar with the countryside, but the women were new arrivals and unfamiliar with the lay of the land.
Luke had little consolation in sharing his impressions of Lady Gillian. He told his father of her strength and abilities. The tale of how Katherine had offered a reward for Gillian’s capture and her uncle’s beatings forced Phillip to his feet on more than one occasion. The older man could not abide with cruelty to innocent women. And it sounded as though Gillian was as sweet as she was innocent. The stories fueled the ire of both men and those swordsmen sitting around listening.