Hearts Across Time (The Knights of Berwyck: A Quest Through Time Novel ~ Books 1 & 2) (11 page)

T
he flames
before
her feet burned bright orange as particles of grey ash rose high above her head, disappearing into the night sky. In the depths of the fire, the flames ignited in the deepest of blue, somehow reminding Katherine of Riorden’s eyes. It was a large bonfire, larger than Katherine supposed she should have made. But Brianna and Emily had complained of being cold. Against her better judgment, she had built up the wood until it became a roaring blaze in the night. The women were warmer while they attempted to sleep on the hard, uncomfortable ground, but Katherine was more concerned the flames were a beacon, telling all and sundry where they were. They were alone…in the dark…with no one to protect them.

Well, perhaps that was not completely true. There were two that kept to the outskirts of their camp, keeping watch. Although she was grateful to have Tiernan’s men keeping an eye on them, they were still strangers. She wasn’t so sure Riorden would be pleased to know that rebel forces were in the area, no matter their good intentions for the women’s safety. She was on edge, sensing something hovered in the darkness beyond her sight. It wasn’t a good feeling.

No sound could be heard in the darkness surrounding them other than the snapping and popping of the dry, ignited wood. The eerie silence set Katherine’s nerves on the brink of panic, causing her to keep a constant vigil on the shadows beyond her vision. She was definitely antsy and kept waiting for something to jump out at them from the night. Emily would have said to be on the lookout for a zombie invasion. It was about the last thing they needed right now.

Juliana stirred beside her and opened her eyes. She sat up and stretched, insuring her knife was still close at hand. “You’ve been up all this time?” she asked sleepily, seeing her friend nod. “Get some sleep. I’ll keep watch for a while.”

“No. It’s okay. I’m wide awake anyway and couldn’t sleep if I tried.”

“You never did sleep well away from home, even when you were camping, did you?”

Katherine only shrugged in response. Taking up a stick next to her, she began poking the fire. “I’m sorry I got you into this mess, Jewels. I know you don’t like the outdoors any more than Emily.”

Juliana gave a small laugh. “As if you could have known what would happen to us. Besides, there must be some reason for the rest of us to be here. Aren’t you always telling us that everything happens for a reason?”

Katherine gave a heavy sigh. “I suppose,” she said, letting her words linger in the air.

“At least I’m not as big of a paranoid as Emily. She’s such a germ-a-phobic.”

“Oh, don’t kid yourself, Jewels,” Katherine smirked knowingly. “You’re not too far behind her, not that I blame you, working with patients all day long.”

“At least you and Brie seem to be in your element, Katie. You were both born for this time period.” Juliana lifted her foot up, showing off her high heels. “I just love these shoes.”

“I don’t know how you can stand in those things, let alone walk in them.”

“They’re just so darn sexy. Besides...they’re comfortable.”

Katherine gave a muffled laugh. “I’ll take your word for it, dear.”

“You should get a pair when we get home,” Juliana suggested, but Katherine’s face fell at her words. “Sorry, sis.”

“Don’t worry about it.” An awkward silence momentarily filled the space between them as Katherine continued prodding the red hot coals. “Who would have thought it would be possible we’d be thrown back in time? At the moment, I’m trying to remember why I’m even here,” Katherine said, ever so softly.

Juliana reached out and grabbed Katherine’s hand. “My dearest sister of my heart, you know why you’re here. If you could have seen the way he looked at you from our perspective just a few days ago, you wouldn’t even begin to question the reasoning behind this miracle.”

“But he’s not here,” she whispered with a slight tremble in her voice.

“He will be,” Juliana said confidently. “Don’t lose your faith in him so readily, when you’ve not yet had the chance to really learn to love him fully. That, too, will come only with time.”

“Next you’ll be telling me to just have some patience,” huffed Katherine.

Juliana quietly laughed. “Patience is a virtue, or so I’ve heard before.”

“Ugh! That was never one of my strong points!”

“Yes, well, I have to admit, it’s not mine either,” Juliana said as she reached out once more and patted Katherine’s arm.

Placing the stick next to her, Katherine leaned upon the log she had been using as a support for her aching back. It was a poor substitute for a cushioned chair, but it was all she had at the moment. She drew her legs up with her arms and put her forehead to her knees. She would just rest her eyes for a minute or two.

Katherine jerked awake with a start. Alarmed she had fallen asleep, she wondered what she had subconsciously heard that disturbed her slumber. She listened intently to the noise of the forest until a man’s voice was harshly raised in an earsplitting roar of pain. It was followed closely by the distinct sound of steel sheering off steel and loud manly curses coming closer to their campsite.

Their small haven erupted into chaos as at least half a dozen men swarmed into the vicinity. Katherine yelled at her friends, who quickly got to their feet and prepared to defend themselves. She watched in horror as one of Tiernan’s men was brutally slain right before her very eyes. His gaze met hers across the flames as a long saber protruding from the man’s chest was removed from his back. His dead body tumbled to the ground in a heap.

Emily screamed, and the sound pierced the night as it echoed off into the distance. Katherine threw the knife she had held in her hands, tossing it towards her friend. It landed but inches from Emily’s feet where it stuck into the dirt. Emily didn’t hesitate as she quickly picked it up and, with a firm grip, brandished it in her hand. Now, the only weapon Katherine had available to her was a cast iron skillet. She reached down and picked up the heavy iron. She had no problem with whacking a few heads, if this was her only alternative.

The filthy men who advanced towards them grinned devilishly, showing their rotting and missing teeth. They came closer into the fire light, making obscene gestures and lewd remarks that caused Katherine to flinch, despite her knowledge and language of modern times. The women tried to keep themselves back to back, but it was soon apparent the men’s objective was to split them up. They were clearly outmaneuvered before Katherine even realized what they had planned.

All hell broke loose as Brianna began her movements from her self-defense classes. It was obvious the two men, who had hoped to overtake the smallest of their group, had not planned on her putting up much of a fight. Since they were at such close range, Brie’s bow and arrows were of no use, but at least she was holding her own.

Katherine struck one of the men in the head with the heavy skillet and was satisfied when he fell to the ground moaning. She turned to help Juliana. There was no need as it seemed that Jewels was doing her best by slashing out with her knife and inflicting cuts to her assailant’s skin. She was fast as lightning and it was an impressive sight. Now if she would only quit her inappropriate laughter that seemed to be consuming her as this only appeared to egg on the goon bent on doing her harm. It was a terrible habit of hers whenever she was nervous.

A scream resounded in the air, and Katherine turned again to see where the newest threat to them lay. Her own shriek resonated when she yelled Emily’s name and watched as two of their attackers were dragging her friend into the woods. Emily was cussing and kicking up a storm, but the two brutes that had her captured were the biggest of the lot. She watched in terror as her friend was backhanded and Emily became still. With her senseless, their burden had been lightened, and they had no difficulty disappearing into the night.

Katherine was about to run after Emily when suddenly her own ankle was grabbed, and she fell roughly to the ground. It was just her dumb luck to have underestimated the villain she had hit over the head. His gruff laughter rang out, giving her cold chills.

“My yer a pretty lil thing, aren’t ye, me dear,” he drawled. “I can ’ardly wait to ’ear ye a moaning beneath me.”

“Dream on, buddy,” Katherine cried out as she hurled the skillet at the man’s arm in a downward plunge. A sickening snap, along with the man’s cry of pain, was heard as she met her mark. She scooted her legs beneath her and stood staring at the bone piercing his limb in a gross display of oozing flesh and blood.

“Ye bloody bitch!” he bellowed in rage, making a grasp for her with his good arm.

“Go ahead and try it, you jerk, and I’ll break the other one,” she taunted menacingly.

Fury blazed in his eyes as he made a sweep for her, narrowly missing the skillet that was once again aiming for any part of him Katherine could reach. She watched in terror as he picked up a log of considerable width and now easily knocked the iron from her numb hands. He continued pursuing her until she unknowingly backed herself up against a large oak tree.

She felt his breath on her neck as she tried to kick and punch her way out of the predicament she now hopelessly found herself in. It was no use and, from the sounds she heard, Brianna and Juliana weren’t fairing any better than she was. They were completely and totally outnumbered.

Her assailant was using his body to keep her pinned to the tree until she felt the man’s uninjured hand on her. Dammit! She’d rather die than be raped by such a vile specimen of vermin who was already fumbling with his hose, knowing the prize had been won.

She was prepared for the worst, but instead began to pray for a miracle.

R
iorden urged
his
horse forward to leap over the low shrubbery. They landed into what could only be termed as mayhem. His stallion reared and pawed its front hooves wildly in the air. Quickly pulling his sword free from its scabbard, he made fast work of the menacing fool who came towards him. He gave no further thought to his adversary, who fell dead beneath his horse’s hooves. He took quick note of the scene and the location of the women. One was missing and two were in the process of being dragged, most unwillingly, from the area. When he espied Katherine, he glared daggers at the buffoon who dared touch her thusly. Her eyes were tear filled as she caught his eye from across the flames of the fire, and he saw her wordlessly speak his name.

’Twas enough. Riorden’s battle cry rang out, and the sound echoed harshly into the night. His comrades-in-arms began to fill the area, and the ruffians began to scatter, now that well-armed and mounted knights took the advantage of those on foot.

“Follow them!” Riorden ordered, and Danior, Gavin, and Aiden took flight through the trees. He jumped down from his horse, as Patrick grabbed the reins, and approached the man who had been assaulting Katherine. He watched as the man adjusted his hose. This only infuriated Riorden, all the more. But he was brought up sharply when a knife was skillfully lifted to Katherine’s throat.

“Move, or I’ll do ’er in.” The man threatened, urging Riorden to distance himself.

“You will release the lady,” Riorden ordered through clenched teeth.

The man laughed and only tightened his grip on Katherine, taunting Riorden, as if he was denying him a tasty treat. Riorden took a menacing step forward.

“Did you think I but jested?” the captor jeered.

Checking his advance and holding his stance, Riorden sheathed his sword when he saw the ne'er-do-well dig his dagger into the fair skin at Katherine’s neck. A small trickle of blood appeared whilst Riorden clenched his fists. Not trusting himself to lessen the distance between them, he placed his hands behind his back and fingered the hilt of his own dirk, hidden beneath the folds of his garment. He stood silently, waiting for his opportunity to strike. He did not have to wait long.

A cocky grin appeared on the man’s face as he lowered his hand holding the knife at Katherine’s neck and made short work of fondling her breast. He gave it a hard squeeze, and a cry of pain wrenched from her lips.

“I always did like me more’n a ’andful.” He laughed arrogantly.

They were his last words. At lightning speed, Riorden flicked his dirk to land squarely in the ruffian’s forehead with a sickening smack. His eyes rolled back into his head. Riorden made a grab for Katherine before she too was yanked down to the ground. The man fell, landing in a heap at her feet. Her knees buckled as Riorden caught her. He pulled her close, his heart beating rapidly within his chest.

She squeezed her eyes shut, wrapped her arms around him in a death grip, and began shaking to her core. “Oh God, Riorden,” she whispered numbly.

“’Tis all right, Katherine. I have you now,” he whispered as he, too, felt himself trembling from having to watch the possibility of her life pass afore him.

Opening her eyes, she peeked around his head to stare at the man with a dagger protruding from his forehead. She made a strange sound of distress that he had never heard from a woman afore. “Is he dead?”

“I should think so, my lady.”

“I think…I’m going to be sick.”

“’Tis something one gets used to when one goes to war.”

“Are we at war?” she questioned with a frightened look in her eyes.

“We are always at war with someone, Katherine. ’Tis dangerous times we live in.”

She stood quickly and searched the glen. “My friends! You’ve got to find them, Riorden.”

Before he could answer, two men jumped from the bushes and began to engage Patrick, who swung his blade to defend himself.

“My lord!” he yelled, obviously feeling he was in need of assistance.

Quickly pulling Katherine to a nearby tree, he cupped his hands in order for her to lift herself up to one of the lower branches.

“But I’m afraid of heights,” she said fearfully.

“Do as I command, woman!”

As she placed her foot into his hands, Riorden deftly lifted her with ease until Katherine had her arms wrapped securely around the tree trunk, instead of his neck. He pulled his dagger free and again flicked it with amazing accuracy. It, too, hit its mark and one of the men fell dead.

He watched as Patrick stumbled on a low lying root. Thinking his prey was at a disadvantage, the assailant leaned forward to deliver the kill. Instead, he found Patrick’s sword brought up at the last minute and the predator was all but skewered on the boy’s blade. Afore he could fall on the youth, Riorden leapt to Patrick’s aid and gave the dying man a swift kick, sending him sprawling to the ground. He heard Patrick gasp for air.

“You did well, Patrick,” Riorden praised the boy as he helped him rise from the dirt. “Dristan would be most pleased with your display of sword work this night.”

“Do you really think so, my lord?” Patrick said, as if the stars from heaven had come down to shine upon him.

“Aye! But you must still do me a favor and guard my lady whilst I go aid her friends,” Riorden declared. “Do you think yourself up to the task?”

“But of course, my liege,” Patrick puffed himself up that he should be given such an honor.

“Good lad.” Riorden came to stare up into the tree limbs at his frightened lady. She appeared as though nothing would make her loosen her hold. “I shall return, Katherine. Patrick here will stand guard over you.”

He watched her shake her head as if she dared not speak. But then, she surprised him with a request. “Before you leave, will you give me that iron skillet lying there on the ground?”

He handed it up to her, but how she maintained her position whilst holding the heavy iron was beyond his ken. She was like a frightened cat stuck up in a tree. If he had the time, he would have jested with her.

Riorden left his horse and set off on foot, running at a pace born from years of training. One did not get into the condition he was in by idly sitting afore a fire, eating and drinking one’s fill day after day. He was used to his daily regime of training, and it felt good to feel as if he was of use again.

He had not gone far, when he heard strange laughter emanating close by. It sounded most odd, given the circumstances the women found themselves in. He came upon Danior, and he found his friend had his hands full with the woman called Juliana. She had been tossed face down across Danior’s lap and saddle. Riorden watched in amusement as Danior landed a hearty slap upon her bottom. It had the desired effect Danior must have been looking for, since the woman at last quieted. Riorden raised his brow in question at such an action.

Danior only shrugged. “I could not get her to stop her uncontrollable laughter, and it seemed the only answer,” he said with a satisfying smirk to Riorden’s unasked question.

Another giggle erupted, along with a hiccup, from Juliana. “I couldn’t help it,” she gasped out between her mirth,” that jerk broke my heel.” She gave a little ladylike snort that turned back into laughter as she began mumbling about her shoes, which she waved in the air. Whatever further response she was attempting to make was lost to Riorden, when Danior headed in the direction of Katherine’s camp with his burden, who suddenly found her voice and began to curse most profusely.

Riorden stopped to listen to the sounds of the forest and to determine the direction he should now take. He saw two men on the ground and ’twas obvious Danior had dispatched them to a warmer clime. He saw another, barely visible underneath some brush, whose hand moved. Riorden proceeded cautiously. He pulled at the man’s arm, but saw he barely lived. He should have been surprised by the colors the man wore to distinguish himself, but in truth he was not. Seeing his wound, Riorden knew there was not much he could do for the man. He began to rise, only to have his ankle taken in a surprisingly firm grip. He squatted down to hear the Irishman’s dying words.

“Must save Lady Emily. I swore to protect her,” he managed to say before his last breath left him.

Interesting information, to be pondered on later, Riorden noted. Once again, he did not progress very far when he came upon his brother and young Brianna. He watched in mild fascination as the youthful girl let out an ear splitting sound, much like her own attempt at a womanly battle cry. He had never heard the like. Her voice rang out with determination.

Yet, this is not what immobilized Riorden as he came to a skidding halt. His mouth hung open as he watched this tiny woman deftly twist his brother’s arm until he somersaulted onto his back. Gavin must have been just as bemused as Riorden himself was, viewing her moves. He continued to scrutinize her in shocked bewilderment ’til Brianna smartly again twisted Gavin’s arm, causing his brother to now lay face down eating dirt, to put it mildly. Everything happened so fast, he would not have believed it, if he had not seen it for himself.

Riorden called her name, but she continued to hold Gavin’s arm with her knee positioned most firmly in his back. Riorden smiled at the vision of this tiny warrior. He laughed, thinking Gavin had at last met his match.

“’Tis my brother Gavin you have firmly pinned, Lady Brianna, and given the opportunity, I am sure he will explain he was only trying to help,” he exclaimed.

“Oh dear,” she said, clearly embarrassed. She took her foot off his back. Stretching out her hand, she politely stood, offering to assist Gavin from the ground. He, in turn, looked aghast that a woman would propose such aid, as if he needed it, or to think he would actually accept such a service.

Riorden gave his brother a satisfying smirk as Gavin rose of his own accord. Gavin glared at him, wiping at the open cut bleeding from his chin. Riorden watched in amusement as the now contrite Brianna began to coo at Gavin, like a little mother hen, as she tried to stem the bleeding.

“I cannot believe it,” Riorden chuckled, “bested by a woman.”

“Shut up, Riorden,” Gavin shouted as he began to lead Brianna back to the camp.

Three down, one to go
, Riorden thought, and if he were to have his guess, Lady Emily would be the toughest one of them all. He was not far off the mark, for he began to hear shouting up ahead. He quickened his pace and drew his sword in front of him ’til he once again came to a standstill, watching a most baffling scene unfold afore him.

There, afore his eyes, stood Lady Emily. Her tunic was torn. She held the fabric together with one hand whilst she prodded, for lack of a better term, a stick at Aiden, who tried to take it from her. ’Twas not too often that Aiden stood almost eye to eye with someone, especially a female. Yet, there she stood, holding her ground with one of the best knights he had ever known.

“I told you, buster, to keep your hands off me or you’ll regret it!” she shouted and poked him again in his midsection.

“Stop that!” Aiden commanded. His words held no worth, for she smacked him again, this time on his upper arm.

“I won’t, unless you leave me be. I appreciate your help with those two idiots over there, but I don’t know you. I’m certainly not about to go anywhere with you, mister!”

Aiden held up his hands, as if to surrender. “Has anyone ever said you talk too much?” He made a grab for her and was rewarded with a stinging smack of her stick. “Give me that, wench!”

“Ha! Wench, am I? A few minutes ago you were thinking me more than some low bred wench, I’m thinking,” she yelled, and brought down her stick upon his head.

Aiden had had enough and grabbed her. Twisting her around, he at last was able to remove her weapon from her grasp and throw it off into the woods. “There! Will you now listen to reason, lass?” he said soothingly.

She brought her foot down upon his, but it made little impact with the boots he wore. She swore, hopping up and down, holding her sore foot. “Now see what you made me do? I’ll be limping for days,” she screeched.

“Aiden!” Riorden called. “If you are done aggravating the Lady Emily, perhaps you can make your way back to camp. He means you no harm, my lady.”

She quieted and pushed her way from Aiden’s arms. “Nice to see you again, Lord de Deveraux,” she purred smoothly, throwing a scathing look in Aiden’s direction. “I just knew you’d find us sooner or later.”

Riorden gave a slight bow and watched Aiden leap into his saddle.

“Come ride with me, Lady Emily,” Aiden offered gallantly. He held out his hand for her to take, which was refused.

“No thanks. I’d rather walk,” she fumed, and marched off in the direction of camp.

Riorden watched her go and looked up at Aiden, who had a look of admiration on his features.

“What a woman,” he said, smiling, and sent his horse off into a gallop.

Riorden began his trek back through the forest and ran at a brisk pace. He could only imagine what awaited him when he returned back to camp. He gave a hearty laugh and quickened his pace. He would hate to miss anything that would surely prove entertaining if not baffle the mind.