THE WARLORD (27 page)

The baron's mood
was
dangerous. Another restless night was not the only reason he wore a scowl. The conversation he'd overheard between one of his soldiers and a serving wench in the gardens was the cause. He'd taken a shortcut to the training grounds that morning and was passing the long line of tall arbors that separated the path from the herb plots when a voice from the other side made him pause.

"Do you think he will release her soon?" Kenric gave the bushes an odd look, for it certainly sounded as if they'd spoken. A moment later he realized there was a couple trysting on the other side.

"Aye," the soldier answered. "I have been with the baron many years. He is a hard man, but a fair one. He will free her when his temper cools."

" 'Tis
said they had a fierce argument," the wench confided. "Jane believes the baroness tried to run away because she feared her husband's anger.
I
would not want to be anywhere
near
the baron when he is in a rage."

Kenric could almost picture the girl's shudder. He was about to leave the couple to their gossip but was stopped by her next revelation.

"Everyone in the castle has continued the duties she assigned them. The steward says it is the only way we can show the baroness our loyalty. When she is allowed to return, Lady Tess will realize that we did not turn against her as the baron has."

"We are doing much the same," the soldier admitted. "Though 'tis no great task to scrape our boots and eat like civilized men. I think most of my comrades are enjoying the novelty of behaving as mere mortals."

Kenric eyed the bushes and contemplated the direction of the soldier's voice. Revealing himself at this point would be humiliating so he settled for another form of revenge. He poked his sword through the brambly growth, and was rewarded with a startled yowl. Having had his fill of eavesdropping for the day, he stalked away, grinding his teeth over his newfound knowledge. By the time he reached the training grounds, the fury that had simmered all week was back at a rolling boil.

The soldiers avoided the baron, recognizing a foul mood when they saw it. Robbed of sparring partners, Kenric went to work on a row of tall posts that had been driven into the ground. He used his long battle sword to hack away at the posts, swinging the weapon high overhead to strike one side then the other until the wood splintered apart. The gossip ate at him like an acid. None within the fortress knew the true treachery behind his wife's attempt to escape. Everyone thought they'd had a lover's quarrel and he was simply sulking over her means of retaliation.
No wonder Simon could not look him in the eye without the trace of a defiant glare.
They were all on
her
side. He wasn't about to make a fool of himself with the truth. Let them think her abused. Let them think him cruel beyond reason. What else should they expect from the Butcher?

"Milord?"

Kenric spun on one heel, startling Fitz Alan with the reflexive move that brought the tip of his sword to rest against Fitz Alan's neck. Fitz Alan took a prudent step backward.

"You know better than to walk up behind me. What do you want?"

"The joust," Fitz Alan reminded, aware that Kenric's thoughts were elsewhere. "The Italian is eager to test his mettle and you did agree to ride against him today."

"Tell Roberto his wish is granted." Kenric picked up the linen shirt he'd discarded earlier and wiped his brow before tossing the garment aside again. He stalked off toward his warhorse, muttering under his breath, "Best he prepare for a sore backside."

The joust was an unusual event for Kenric's men while they were in training. Such a knightly skill was unnecessary for the siege of Remmington and their days were spent practicing with the weapons of war. Yet the young knight from
Italy was new to Kenric's army and anxious to prove himself against such a legend. Some of the men tried to dissuade Roberto from his foolish determination, though most waited patiently for the arrogant young knight to be put in his place.

Kenric took the reins of his warhorse from Thomas and led the animal to the end of the practice field. It didn't take long to prepare for the match. Blunted ends were placed over the tips of the deadly lances, which eliminated the need for heavy armor. The blunting allowed knights to practice the joust without serious injury. Shields were the only protection necessary to deflect the blows, though everyone knew Kenric wouldn't use a shield with blunted lances. He preferred the punishment of the jolt to remind him of a rare mistake. He also knew his lack of armor intimidated his opponent.

The two contestants were just taking their positions on opposite ends of the practice grounds when a commotion arose near the gates that led to the gardens. At first Kenric thought his eyes deceived him. Tess could not be running toward him as if her skirts were afire, the expression on her face one of sheer terror. He believed it when he saw first one soldier then another tear through the gates in pursuit. The one in the lead finally overtook his prey, grabbing her arm and yanking Tess backward, nearly pulling them both off their feet in an effort to stop her. Kenric had the ridiculous urge to run the man into the ground for daring to touch her. It didn't matter. He was a dead man already for allowing her to escape in the first place, as was the second man who'd come to a stop a few paces away, his hands resting on his knees to catch his breath.

Tess was indeed several pounds thinner than the last time he saw her, almost gaunt. Kenric was amazed when she summoned enough strength from her frail body to break free again and continue the flight toward her husband, as if she expected to find safety there. He dismounted, crossed his arms, and waited. She skidded to a halt before him, about to speak when the soldier caught up to her.

The soldier grabbed the long end of her braid and gave her a vicious jerk backward, trying to avoid being clawed again by her nails. He never saw the blow from his overlord coming.

Kenric's grip on Tess's arm was painful, but less so than the soldier's grip had been on her hair. Noticing at last that he was naked from the waist up, she bowed her head and remained silent as he issued a curt order and the fallen man was dragged away. She was thankful for a few moments to catch the breath that had been robbed by her flight. The rest of his men backed away to a respectful distance, though every pair of eyes watched them.

"Thank God, I'm in time," she panted, still winded by her run.

Kenric grabbed her arms and gave her one hard shake, then lowered his head to within inches of her face. "You have just condemned your two guards to death. Tell me, Tess. Was your brief bid for freedom worth the price?"

"Nay, milord!
I was not fleeing. My guards were tricked, for I could not take the time to explain the danger. There was not time."

"What danger?"

"You are in danger." She nodded toward the other end of the field, toward Kenric's opponent. "He means to kill you."

"Roberto?" He'd expected a tale, but this one was fanciful, indeed. "You think the Italian intends murder?"

"I was working on a tapestry and closed my eyes for just a moment, but I saw everything in my vision. The blunting on his lance will break away when it strikes your shoulder and the poison used on the tip is potent enough to kill anyone within a day. I know
this sounds
—"

"I've heard enough." His gaze found Simon and he motioned him forward with a jerk of his head.

"You do not believe me," she stated flatly.

"I believe you made a very stupid attempt to escape the solar and cooked up this story when it was obvious you were going to be caught. I believe you came to me when you were cut off from whatever escape route you'd planned this time, thinking I would be fool enough to believe your lies. That is what I believe, Tess."

"You must be right, milord." She bowed her head and stared at the ground. "I am sorry that I disturbed you."

Sorry that she disturbed him? He couldn't believe how easily she dismissed two deaths. She was colder than he'd suspected. Watching her twist her braid, he realized the trait did not necessarily manifest itself each time she perverted the truth and made note to remember that fact. But she was lying now. She wasn't the least bit sorry. He resisted the urge to slap the mouth that lied so blatantly, knowing he'd probably snap her neck.

"Milord?"
Simon drew to a halt at the baron's side.

"Take her back to the solar. I will deal with her later."

Kenric turned and walked away without a backward glance. Simon held one arm forward, indicating that Tess should
proceed
him from the grounds. He didn't haul her away or even take her arm to escort her. With a field full of men and her husband's wrath to prod her, no one would think that she would do anything but return quietly to the solar to avoid further trouble.

Tess waited until Kenric was a good distance away then turned and started walking slowly toward the gates, glancing once over her shoulder to judge Simon's distance. She breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he was several yards away. It was all the head start she needed. Her hands fisted in her skirts and she lifted them past her knees, bolting toward the Italian. She wondered if she could reach the end of the field and snatch away the assassin's lance before anyone knew her intent. Men began shouting and she heard Simon's angry bellow, but she kept running, knowing they would never catch her in time.

So caught up in her determination to reach the end of the field, she wasn't immediately aware of the implications when Roberto lowered his lance and crouched down to position himself for the attack. Only when the Italian spurred his horse forward did she realize what was about to happen.

Tess skidded to a halt, confronting her peril head on as the great warhorse tore up the turf between them. The deceptively blunted lance lowered to eye level and her blood froze at the sight of the man's ghastly smile. She heard Kenric shouting her name but couldn't move. She stood as still and silent as a cornered rabbit, too terrified to take a step in any direction.

There was no longer a doubt in Kenric's mind about the truth of Tess's story. He tossed aside his useless sword as he rushed forward. There was no doubt in anyone's mind about the fact that he would never reach her in time. Even Simon was too far away. Watching the mounted warrior bear down on the small, defenseless figure, Kenric was certain his heart was being ripped from his chest. He shouted at Tess to run but she wouldn't or couldn't move. She was going to die before his eyes and he was powerless to prevent her murder!

The arrow appeared from nowhere.

One moment the Italian was smiling, the next, an arrow shaft protruded grotesquely from his left eye. The sight so shocked Tess that she was shaken from her stupor. She turned to run toward Kenric and safety. Roberto toppled backward and the lance fell uselessly to the ground. But the warhorse hesitated only slightly before galloping on. To a horse trained for war as well as tourneys, anything running on foot was an enemy and he changed direction to pursue Tess, intent on trampling anything in his path. Another rapid volley of arrows struck the animal's head and neck, slowing but not stopping his charge.

Tess ran past Simon toward Kenric, sure she could feel the animal breathing on her neck. A nudge on her back propelled her forward, right into Kenric's outstretched arms. He lifted her effortlessly and kept running.

Tess heard the agonized, inhuman scream just as the massive bulk of the horse flew by them. Simon had somehow grabbed the reins and brought the horse's head down, sending the animal's body careening over its broken neck. Kenric didn't dare stop until he knew they were out of the animal's path. He finally slowed to a walk then dropped to his knees when he was certain they were safe. His arms were wrapped around Tess so tightly that they squeezed out what breath she had left. Loosening his grip, he cupped her face then slid his hand lower across her throat until the palm rested against her chest, needing the reassurance of the frantic heartbeat he found there.

"You are not hurt?"

Kenric knew his voice betrayed his lingering fear. He'd never been so terrified in his life. Another moment and she would have been dead. He couldn't even begin to fathom the fact that she'd just risked her life to save his. It defied logic. Kenric wouldn't allow himself to consider the possibilities. Not now, anyway. He would wait for a quiet moment alone to torment
himself
with such musings. Right now there was a traitor in Montague and his possible accomplices to deal with.
Just as soon as he felt able to walk again.
God, he'd almost lost her!

"I'm just a bit winded." Her voice was soft yet uncertain when she questioned him. "You believe me now?"

Kenric glared down at her, unreasonably angry that she'd risked her life so foolishly to prove her point. Then he realized he'd be dead if she hadn't done just that. He settled on a disgruntled frown.

"Aye."
That simple answer opened a whole new kettle of fish, but he didn't want to deal with the startling accuracy of his wife's vision right now. "You are certain you were not harmed?"

"I am fine," she assured him with a smile. Kenric was amazed by her composure, her ability to smile so soon after her brush with death. It occurred to him that he would never know how her mind worked. "It is over now?"