Warriors Of Legend (22 page)

Or perhaps he feared nothing.

A spark of hope shot through Kate’s terror, warming her heart. She looked up at the great knight before her. Either he was an absolute fool or there truly was nothing to fear.

Nothing about Micah’s presence bespoke foolishness. He would not waste his time or energy with that. But confidence radiated from him. Kate had just seen his skill working with his men, his ability to fight. If anyone could protect her it would be Micah de Montfort. Did he not say, only moments ago, that he would never allow MacLeary to touch her? He would not give his word lightly. She had to believe in him.

Kate took a hesitant step forward. Micah smiled down at her and her heart soared with the wonderful reward. He tucked her arm firmly under his. Slowly, he turned toward the hearth, and one step at a time, led Kate toward it.

If his men thought her strange they made no obvious gesture of it. They did not stare or comment. A few glanced in her direction and one or two bowed as she passed, then they moved out of the way.

***

Micah watched Kate closely. Never before had he so clearly witnessed the evidence of sheer terror on a person’s face. But Kate conquered her fear enough to step forward. His heart swelled in fierce pride. He had seen men foul themselves and run from battle, screaming. And they only confronted mortal men. Kate defied the bodiless ghosts of her memories – demons who would not fall under a sword. That fact Micah also knew first hand.

He lead Kate to a chair before the hearth and had her sit, then took his place, standing beside her, the position of guard. Micah waved a servant over and had him fetch a cup of wine. Kate took it with shaking hands and drank deeply.

Her gaze traveled over the men, who after acknowledging her arrival, ignored her. A few shot confused glances at Micah but he remained steadfast. He looked down at Kate and saw her eyes travel to the rafters.

“None of that,” he said gently and crouched next to her chair. Kate’s eyes locked on his and he smiled. “Keep your gaze on what is real.”

She nodded mutely, but her face turned whiter by the minute.

Micah knew he had to get Kate to concentrate on his men. He had to force her mind to acknowledge they were not MacLeary’s soldiers. Micah pointed to one of his knights. “That man there is Sir Thomas of Glastonbury. The cross around his neck is said to have a bone from Saint Peter in it.”

Kate blinked at him. “Really?”

Micah shrugged. “That’s what Thomas boasts. He says that while he wears it he is
‘Petros’
and I must agree, I have never seen him sway in battle.” He turned and nodded toward John. “You’ve already met John Warin, he’s my second in command and best friend.”

His gaze fell on Hubert the huntsman. He had long blond hair and merry green eyes. Hubert stood fit and powerful, a good man who enjoyed life and laughter. “Hubert also has his own talisman,” Micah said and gently took Kate’s hand in his. “He wears a medallion of Saint Hubert.”

“The patron saint of hunters and foresters?”

“Aye, lady. Hubert joined my army on the way here. He’s fantastic with a bow and he can track like a hound. Unfortunately, he’s always disappearing at the worst times. I can never find him when I need him.”

Kate swallowed hard, her eyes locked on Micah. Her fingers clutched at his hand and he gave hers a reassuring squeeze. Micah grinned up at her. “Hubert drives John to distraction. He will disappear and we search all over the place. Just when we are ready to give up, he walks up behind John and scares him witless.”

Kate’s lips actually lifted in an attempt to smile and Micah’s heart soared. Her courage amazed him. He spotted movement in the corner and his grin broadened. “The two lads over there,” he said and pointed, “are my squires. The tall boy with blond hair is William, he’s twelve. The dark haired lad is Roger, he’s ten. Both are more trouble than they’re worth.”

Kate watched the boys for a moment as they played a game of dice in the corner. Her brow blurred into a slight frown. “They do not seem troublesome.”

Micah relaxed considerably. Her voice, still unsteady, grew stronger. “I speak in jest, lady, they are very good lads. But, as all boys their age, they have an energy I cannot fathom.”

Kate’s smile returned, brighter than before. “That I can understand.” She uncoiled just a bit more and Micah watched her gaze travel over his men, returning most often to William and Roger. He wondered if she found the boys less threatening. Kate controlled her fear, but Micah did not wish to push her too far too fast. He stood and tugged her to her feet. “That’s enough for today, lady.”

Kate looked up at him startled but nodded.

Micah escorted her from the hall, noting as they walked past his men, she stepped closer to him. Micah allowed his hand to slip around her waist and pull her under the shelter of his arm. He enjoyed the feel of Kate’s body next to his, but told himself that his true reason gave her a sense of security. Micah had vowed no one would harm her again. He meant it.

They reached the foot of the stairs and Micah stopped. “Are you hungry?”

“Nay,” Kate said rubbing her temple. The stiffness seeped out of her and her shoulders slumped. “I’m just exhausted right now.”

“Then you should rest before Marjorie has my head on a platter.”

Kate smiled and Micah released her. She moved to the stairs and stopped. “Micah?”

“Aye?”

“Thank you.”

He grinned and bowed with a flourish. “I am happy to be of service.”

She returned his grin and walked up the stairs. Micah rejoined his men, feeling very pleased with himself.

Chapter Four

The next few days Micah escorted Kate on several pilgrimages to the great hall. She noticed many times his men were gathered but they always bowed politely and made no move to engage either of them in conversation. Kate did not know if Micah had instructed them not to or if they simply knew their leader well.

One evening, Micah brought her to the great hall and she was surprised to find it empty. This new situation terrified her more than the hall filled with people. In her mind, Kate could better hear the creak of the ropes and more clearly see the shadows of her family. She would have bolted if it had not been for Micah’s hand on her arm.

As always, he steadied her with his gentle voice and confident bearing. Micah escorted her to their chairs then moved a small table closer. Kate spotted a chess board.

“Do you know how to play chess?” he asked as he set up the pieces.

“A little,” she replied and gave him a shy smile. “I am certain my brother only taught me enough so I could valiantly lose to him.”

Micah grinned, entrancing Kate by the way it brightened his face. Too much of the time she found him dour. She liked seeing his smile, even if it was a bit wolfish. Micah started explaining the game and Kate fought to concentrate on his words.

***

Micah was absolutely astounded as they played their game of chess. Kate not only learned quickly but had an excellent grasp of tactics and basic battle strategies. He sat back and admired her as she contemplated her next move. Unfortunately for Kate, his experience proved far greater. No matter her study of the board, he had still put her king in check.

Micah watched Kate, seeing her unguarded and intent. Her gray eyes glittered as she examined the board and her brow furrowed slightly. Kate was as beautiful as any woman Micah had ever seen and definitely the most courageous.

Her face was still much too pale but he realized as his gaze traveled over the delicate hollow of her cheek, she was regaining the weight she had lost.

“Ha!” Kate said and startled Micah. A deep flush rose on his face.

Kate’s hand moved with confidence and she took his queen with her knight. Micah blinked, amazed that he had not seen his error before. A strange feeling coiled in his belly. He had been surprised only by a few people and had learned his lessons well. Never had a woman played him for a fool.

Micah forced down his irritation, facing the truth. He allowed himself to be distracted by a beautiful woman and had made a critical error.

***

Kate’s smile of triumph faded when she saw the emotions play over Micah’s features. His jaw tightened, his nostrils flared slightly, and his blue eyes glittered dangerously. She swallowed hard and sat back.

“What’s wrong, Micah?”

Micah’s smoldering gaze jerked up from the board. He stared at her for a long moment then smiled ruefully. “Now I know why your brother didn’t teach you all of the rules. It is rather embarrassing when a lady beats you at your own game.”

Kate returned his grin and rubbed her stiff neck muscles. “You haven’t lost the game.”

“Yet,” he added. Micah’s brow furrowed. “Are you all right?”

“I…I think so.”

“You should rest.” He stood and offered his arm. “Besides, the break will give me time to ponder a way out of this predicament.”

Kate chuckled and accepted his arm.

Micah walked her to the stairs, bowed, and left.

The corridor leading to the sleeping rooms stretched long and narrow. At the end it opened to a landing, then more stairs ascended to the left. A torch halfway down had gone out and the glow from the one next to her cast an eerie light. Kate’s heart lurched, the darkness reminded her of the dungeon hall that had led to her prison.

Kate snorted to herself and straightened her shoulders. She was being foolish. This was not the passageway to her prison. She would not allow herself to turn tail and run because of a silly torch. Micah had just spent days teaching her how to face her fears. Kate refused to allow his lessons to go to waste. She lifted her chin and stepped forward.

Halfway to her room, a terrible reek of decay and death assailed her, destroying her peace of mind. She heard the screams of prisoners under MacLeary torture. Kate closed her eyes.
It’s not real. It can’t be real.
But her senses betrayed her. She opened her eyes and the corridor to her prison blurred before her.

Kate’s terror was so tangible she could touch it. She could embrace it and lose herself to it, then she would no longer feel the pain of fighting. Perhaps she was mad. Perhaps the time with Micah was all some strange hallucination brought on by MacLeary torture; her mind’s desperate attempt to save itself. Her head felt like it was going to split.

MacLeary’s laugh echoed, again and again. So many times he had walked the corridor to Kate’s prison, terrorizing her but never entering her cell, leaving the beatings to Stephan. She blinked furiously.
It’s not real
.

At the end of the passage, MacLeary stepped out of the shadows. Kate staggered backward and screamed until her lungs burned.

***

Micah stopped mid–stride when he heard Kate’s cry and sprinted after her.

He hit the stairs running and looked up. Kate cowered, screamed and backed toward the stairs. She was going to fall. Micah lengthened his stride and caught her as she toppled over.

“Kate?”

Lost to her terror, her body contorted in his arms and her moan made Micah’s hackles rise. He glanced up and searched the darkness for whatever reason the corridor terrified her. He had to get her away. Where could he take her? The great hall was too much for Kate in this state and he did not dare return her to her room. Abruptly, Micah lifted her into his arms and charged out of the castle.

The cold wind bit through Micah’s thin tunic but at least the sun broke through the clouds. He turned for the gardens. The chill of fall had stripped most of the trees but the grounds lay peaceful and serene. Kate sucked the cold air into her lungs, her hands clutching his tunic. Micah found a bench and cleared off the soggy leaves. Gently he set Kate down and held her to him.

“Easy, Kate, ‘tis all right now,” Micah whispered, stroking her hair.

Kate buried her face against his neck, sobbing, her tears hot against his skin. Her fingers still had a death grip on his tunic.

Micah steeled himself. Her hair smelled faintly of spice, her skin incredibly soft beneath his hand. “Look, Kate, you are outside. You are no longer a prisoner of the castle.”

This gained her attention. She gulped down a sob and Micah felt her shift to peek at her surroundings.

“I am in the gardens?” her voice was tremulous.

“Aye, lady.”

Kate inhaled deeply, and Micah had the distinct feeling she savored the fresh air.

“What happened?” he asked. His fingers traced down her cheek although he tried to stop them.

“The smell…the screams…I thought MacLeary had returned. I saw…” Her voice broke.

Micah sighed. Obviously Kate’s memory had been so powerful she thought she was back in that terrible cell. He decided not to push her but still had to ask one question.

“Why did you face the corridor if it frightened you so?”

Kate pulled away and looked up at him. A new chill replaced the warmth against his chest.

“You taught me to face my fears.”

Micah blinked at her. His actions had led her forward, even in the face of pure terror. His work had caused her to make a leap of faith.

He smiled and hugged her tightly. “Beautiful Kate, you truly have the courage of a knight.”

“I do?”

“Aye, lady, you do. But remember one thing. You never have to face your fears alone. Please call on me next time.”

Kate relaxed against him and said nothing but Micah knew she understood his point. She shivered and he wished he had a cloak for her. Micah was unwilling to give up the warmth of Kate’s body against him and the solitude of the garden. But this cold was not good for her.

“We need to go back inside before you catch a chill.”

Kate nodded but did not move away. Micah smiled, she did not wish to leave either.

“Do you know how much I’ve missed these gardens?”

He looked down at her in surprise, moving her hair away from her face.

Her bright eyes gazed at the stark trees. “Even in fall this place is beautiful and peaceful.”

“Ma chérie automne,”
Micah whispered then clamped his jaw shut, not believing he had said the words out loud.