Blind Impulse (32 page)

Juliana
hugged her tightly.  “You realize, Alyna, that if you go, Simon and I will have no choice but to accompany you.”

“
I would be disappointed if you didn’t,” Alyna replied.

Juliana giggled again and released her.  “Now you must get some rest.  You do not want
to fall from your horse tomorrow.”

Alyna lay back, gripping Juliana’s hand, her humor vanishing.  “This has to work, Juliana.”

Juliana smoothed her hair from her face.  “Try not to worry yourself over it, Alyna, your father was right when he said you must
consider your child.”

“
I know,” she replied squeezing he
r eyes closed.  “I just miss Garin
terribly.”

“
I know, we all miss him.  He will be back with you soon, Alyna, I know it.  And that reunion will be something you will remember and treasure for the rest
of your life.”

Alyna felt hot tears escaping but couldn’t stop them.  Would she have a memory
to treasure, or the sheer torture of failure?  If they failed, would she be able to raise their child alone?  Would she see every day so much of Garin in the babe
only reminding her what she had lost? 

Suddenly she understood a part of the pain her father suffered
b
ut still it was not the same. 
H
ow could Alyna survive knowing Garin still lived, locked away, forbidden the happiness and joy of his family...of anything?

Perhaps hell was nothing like what was written in the chansons, but in a tiny rectory a stone’s throw from Kirkoswald.

Chapter Eighteen

The thick morning mist beaded on the hood of Alyna’s cloak.  The retinue from Kirkoswald left in fine form, as efficient as a battle force.  Alyna and Juliana rode palfreys, surrounded by Garin’s knights on their h
uge destriers.  Simon and Geoff, also riding their war horses, led the entourage flanking Johannes on his rangy courser.

Alyna battled her nerves but riding helped settle her.  It was an activity she always enjoyed but rarely had the chance to do.  Of cour
se, as a child, her father always made certain she could sit a mount well.  She gazed at the stretch of smooth road before her and suddenly longed for a gallop.  She chuckled to herself, imagining her father’s discomfiture if she followed her heart’s desir
e.

Abruptly she grabbed Juliana’s hand.  “How do you feel about a race?” she whispered.

“
A what?” Juliana asked, her face paling.  But then her gaze turned to the road and a mischievous spark ignited in her eyes.  “A race sounds like great fun indeed.”  Sh
e paused and looked at Alyna sternly.  “Are you certain you are up for it?”

“
Believe me, this is exactly what I need.  If I go left, and you go right, we can pass my father and Simon without them being nary the wiser.”

Again Juliana looked to the road, her
gaze intent, but then the spark faded.  “Alyna, we can’t, this type of thing....” her voice faded.

“
Is what your father rebuked you for,” Alyna said.  “I know Juliana and he was wrong.”

Juliana nibbled on her bottom lip.

“
Look,” Alyna said tilting her hea
d, about two furlongs ahead is a crossroad.  The first to reach it wins.”

“
I don’t know, Alyna.”

But Alyna also saw in her expression a longing to try.  “I dare you,” she whispered.

That was all she need say.  Juliana’s head lifted and her back straightene
d.  “All right.”

Alyna grinned.  “Ready?”

Juliana returned her smile.  “Aye.”

“
Go!” they both said at the same time, driving their heels into their mounts.

Alyna’s palfrey responded instantly, launching herself forward and around the three men in front of
them.  She shot a glance sideways and spotted Juliana flying past Simon.  Alyna stood in her stirrups and encouraged her mount as they passed the men and returned to the road, Juliana right beside her.

“
Alyna!” her father roared.

Alyna laughed joyously and
pushed her mount harder.  Side by side, she and Juliana galloped toward the crossroad.  Juliana’s mount surged slightly ahead, but Alyna’s responded to the challenge and drew even.  Nose to nose, their mounts trading the lead with every stride, they rode,
Juliana and Alyna laughing and shrieking like little girls.

They reached the crossroads in a dead heat and pulled to a stop. 

“
I won!” Juliana said, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

“
I won!” Alyna declared, also laughing.  By the saints, it fel
t good.  For a moment she did not have a care in the world, all of her worries vanished completely.

“
Alyna!” her father bellowed.  The retinue galloped toward them and stopped.  “What in God’s name are you doing?  You could have killed yourself.  Juliana,
what has gotten into you?  I would have thought you learned your lesson--”

“
Father, nay!” Alyna cried and silenced him.  “Juliana has no fault in this, it was my idea.”

“
What were you thinking?” he roared, his face red with anger.

For an instant, Alyna wan
ted to cower but then she saw Simon smiling, gazing at Juliana with a spark in his eyes.  Johannes fought to cover his grin and failed.

Alyna lifted her chin.  “I was just having a bit of fun, father,” she said, even his anger could not quell the happiness
within her.  “I thought after all of this I earned it.”

“
God’s teeth, woman!” Geoff snarled.

“
Sir Salkeld,” Johannes said gently, “I pray belay your anger and look at her.”

Geoff spluttered, glaring at Johannes.  “What mean you?”

“
Look at your daughter,”
he said, grinning.  “I must say, since I have arrived I have not yet seen such a bloom in her cheeks and the vibrant life in her eyes.”

Her father glared at her but then blinked, his anger fading a bit.

“
Father,” she said gently.  “Remember our conversatio
n after Garin nearly worked himself to death over the practice dummy?”

“
Aye,” he said suspiciously.

“
Perhaps, sometimes, even a lady needs something more than her sewing or tending to kitchens.”

Abruptly Simon threw his head back and roared his laughter. 
“She’s got you there, Salkeld.”

Geoff bristled but quickly deflated as he looked at her, his angry expression easing.  Then he chuckled, shaking his head.  “Aye, Simon,” he said.  “And Johannes, I think you are right.  The bloom in her cheeks is pleasant t
o see.”

Alyna laughed, and looked at Juliana.

“
I still won,” Juliana said, smiling.

“
Nay,” Alyna replied.  “I won.”

“
Ladies,” Simon said.  “It seemed to me that you both ended the race evenly.”

Juliana pouted but Alyna knew it was only for show.  “Very wel
l,” she said, and straightened her shoulders.  “Alyna, and I will have a rematch at another time.”

“
Now wait a moment,” Geoff began.

“
After she has this baby,” Juliana retorted.  “I will not have her claim any extra weight slowed her mount.”

Alyna started
laughing so hard she doubled over.  “Aye, Juliana,” she gasped. 
“We will have our rematch.”

Her father also chuckled and Alyna looked at him in surprise.  He held out his hand to her.  “Come my daughter,” he said, grinning.  “’Tis good you chose this plac
e to end your race, for here must turn to reach
Croglin
.  And I would not enjoy chasing you down the trail to turn around.”

Alyna chuckled and pushed her mount forward.  She gripped his hand firmly in hers.  “Let us be off, father.  I am most anxious to se
e my husband.”

“
As well you should be,” her father said.  “Perhaps he can restrain your errant impulses.”

Johannes laughed.  “Woe unto him if he tries.  I tell you again, Salkeld, I see a father’s daughter in her.”

“
Aye,” Geoff replied and squeezed her han
d.  “That you do and I am most proud of her.”

“
As well you should be, Salkeld.”

Alyna felt her jaw go slack and she stared at her father in shock.  Sudden tears blurred her eyes.  Her father finally admitted his success in raising her alone, and his pride
that he saw himself within her.  To Alyna, no greater compliment could be paid. 

****

Alyna breathed a sigh of relief when the entourage arrived at the rectory.  It was actually a beautiful place with a high tower in the center of a walled court.  The m
ain building sprawled around the tower, forming a large square of halls and pathways.  In the courtyard, monks tended to a large garden with a beautiful pool and waterfall.  Thick ivy crawled over the walls and upon trellises.  Alyna gazed at it in appreci
ation.  If Garin could enjoy the sunshine in the gardens, perhaps even working with the monks to tend the plants, then maybe it wasn’t so terrible for him.

No doubt she would find Garin, although unhappy, comfortable in his living, especially considering the large amount
Chause
demanded from
the barony for his care, an amount which increased every month.

Her father dismounted then moved to assist Alyna from her horse.  As she gained her feet,
Chause
and Father Thomas exited the rectory with a handful of ecclesiastical guards.

Johannes scowled.
  “Arch-deacon
Chause
, Father Thomas, I come to you as a brother in Christ.”

“
Who are you?”
Chause
growled.  “And why have you brought these women with you?”

“
Such an unchristian greeting.  I am Johannes of Kent, in service to the Bishop Frances of London.
”  He paused and handed him a scroll case.

Grumbling,
Chause
read the scroll, his eyes widening.

Johannes pulled the tightly bound manuscript from his pack.  “I have been charged with reviewing this situation and have grown quite concerned.  In the name of
Bishop Frances, I formally request to speak with Garin Swein.”

Chause’s
face reddened.  “That is impossible, Swein is not allowed to have visitors.”

Johannes scowl deepened, his green eyes flashing furiously.  “I will see Garin Swein, your lordship.”

“
I c
annot in good conscious allow that, brother.  Swein has become unpredictable and dangerous.”

Alyna’s stomach lurched.  What had they done to him?

Johannes stepped forward.  “You will allow me to see him,
Chause
.  You have no choice in the matter.”

The eccl
esiastical guards drew their weapons.  Geoff and Simon reacted instantly, pushing in front of Johannes, their swords drawn.  Garin’s knights also stepped forward, surrounding Alyna and Juliana.

Joh
annes arched an eyebrow.  “S
hall we shed blood on holy
ground because you chose to disobey the mandate of a bishop?”

Father Thomas motioned harshly to the guards.  “Put away your weapons.  Johannes has every right to enter.”

Chause
glared at him but the guard obeyed and stepped aside.  Johannes moved forward w
ith Geoff and Simon still flanking him.  As a group, the knights followed, keeping Juliana and Alyna surrounded.

“
Women are not allowed in the rectory!”
Chause
cried.

“
These two are,” Johannes growled and kept walking.  Father Thomas led them inside, with
Chause
behind them, raging his objections.  Instead of turning for the main part of the rectory, Thomas led them to a door and descended a long flight of wooden stairs. 

Torches lined the walls, casting an eerie glow, and a foul smell assailed her.  Alyna
’s heart pounded harder and she shivered.  The air was cold and damp, a far cry from the warmth she had sensed in other parts of the rectory.  At the end of the corridor, she spotted a huge oak door with heavy metal banding.  She saw the large lock on it a
nd her step hesitated.  “What have you done to him?”

“
Chause
ordered he be kept here.  I fear the confinement does not sit well with him, lady.  He has indeed become very dangerous and unpredictable.”

Suddenly she heard an inhuman snarl.  The door lurched
as the occupant in the cell threw himself against it.

“
Dear God,” she whispered, hurrying past her father.  “Open this door now.”

“
Lady, it is not safe.”

Her stomach twisted as tears streamed down her cheeks.  Sweet Mary have mercy, this would ruin their b
id entirely.  “Open it.”  Her voice remained soft but intense.

Thomas shrugged and turned the keys in the lock.  The banging stopped.  Geoff and Johannes both tensed, fearing the worst.  The door opened and Alyna saw nothing but darkness.  “Sweet Jesu,” sh
e said and stepped into the cell.

A low growl came from her right, she heard someone move slightly.  Garin lunged forward, roaring like a raging lion.

“
Garin!” she cried, jumping backward.  “It’s me!”

He missed with his lunge and Alyna immediately retreate
d.  “Garin, please.”

Again he bellowed, turning toward her.  Alyna automatically returned to the exercise they worked on in his room
. He lunged again and a second time she darted out of the way.
  “Garin, it’s me.  It’s Alyna,” she said, purposely keeping her voice soft and gentle.  “Rememb
er, you must control your anger and use your other senses.”

He turned sharply again but did not advance, gulping deep breaths.  He took one step forward, into the light from the open door.  Alyna
’s heart nearly broke
.  His long hair was filthy, matted and
tangled.  A ragged beard grew from his face.  His body, although still gloriously strong and perfect was smeared with dirt.  He wore only torn braies.