Chapter thirteen
There was nobody at the Hall's lobby when Fredrika peeked behind the parlour's door.
- The way is clear; she whispered and opened the door.
Richard stepped into the lobby carrying the unconscious Ashley.
- Her chamber is at the second floor, Fredrika advised.
- I see that the ancient chivalry is not dead after all, Mr. Raglan pointed out calmly.
Fredrika turned around and saw him standing a few feet away.
At first a panic stoked on her and she tried to hide Ashley and Richard.
But then she remembered that Mr. Raglan and King Richard knew each others already.
He came closer and Fredrika told what had happen.
- Quickly Your Grace take her to her room before somebody else comes here, he urged.
Richard started to clime the stairs and soon he vanished in to the dark.
- So the Stanleys are on foot as well.
- At least one of them.
- When there's a smoke there will also be fire, I bet that Henry Tudor is also somewhere close.
- You mean Henry VII?
- Yes.
Freezing fear pierced Fredrika and she felt the cold sweat on her back.
- How are you feeling, Mr. Raglan asked worried.
- I'm a bit tired and frustrated but it will pass after good night sleep, replied taking herself under the control.
- Are you sure?
- Yes, don't worry about me.
Mr. Raglan patted her lightly on her shoulder and they wished good night to each other.
When she got to the upstairs she peeked carefully to Ashley's room.
She was laying on her bed in deep sleep like nothing had ever happen.
Fredrika closed the door soundlessly and leaned against the corridor's wall.
She closed her eyes and whispered to the darkness:
- Please give me strength to carry on and courage to face my enemies.
The darkness around her was silent but it moved.
She felt a light touch on her arm and the familiar scent of must surrounded her once again. She let him to take her to his gentle embrace.
- I'm scared, she confessed.
- Don't be I'll take care of you, he replied.
They stood there silently for long time just hugging each other in the dark.
- I wish I could be as brave as you are.
- I'm not braver than you, I just conceal my fear.
- How?
- You know me.
- Not as good as Mr. Raglan does.
- Even he doesn't know all of my secrets. And only few will.
- Will I be one of the few?
- Only you know the answer to that.
She wanted to tighten up her grip about him but he was gone already.
The darkness around her was silent and immobile; there was nothing inside of it anymore.
A hollow feeling gnawed inside of her hearth and she wanted it to go away but it didn't.
She had never experienced such of feeling before and she wasn't sure how she should have reacted on it.
However she shut it away and decided not to tell anyone.
Fredrika felt herself so tired and she slouched to her room and fell asleep right away when her head touched the pillow.
On her dream she was with him again although she knew that he wasn't real.
He was hers alone and there wasn't evil around them at all.
He was so different from all the other men she had once known.
She wanted to tell him everything but there was no need of it, there was no need for words.
Beyond her restful sleep Henry VII slapped Thomas Stanley on his aching cheek.
- If you want something to be done properly you got to do it by yourself. Don't you agree with my Lord of Stanley?
- Yes Your Majesty, Stanley replied and tried not to cry for pain.
- Very well, tomorrow night.