Part 33
"I do not feel comfortable leaving you here alone." Alexander stood close to Isabel, not touching her, but near enough that she could feel the warmth of his body. "I do not understand why Maxwell is allowing it. You are going to be defenseless asleep."
She smiled slightly, allowed herself to reach out, taking his hand in hers and squeezing lightly. "I am not really asleep when I dreamwalk Alex," she explained. "And I will be perfectly safe here." She gestured behind her at the small cottage to which Alexander had accompanied her. It was Lord Edmund's hunting lodge, the one where Maxwell had left Evander on the day he had married Elizabeth.
It was also where she was going to enter the dream plain in order to locate Michael - in order to reassure them all that her brother and sister and Elizabeth still lived.
"Maxwell and Mary will be back as soon as they locate where the Sheriff's men have camped for the night. We cannot let those taxes slip through our fingers," she added. "Bargaining with them might be our only hope."
Alexander sighed heavily, looked away for a moment. He obviously knew that she was right but it still displeased him. She tried to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat.
Isabel knew that her relationship with Alex was still undefined in any way. She had kissed him that one time, but he might have misinterpreted it as sisterly or some such nonsense. They [I]had[/I] ended up in each other's arms because he had been trying to keep her warm after all, in the way he had admitted he often warmed Mary and Elizabeth. It might have meant nothing more than that to him.
She also knew that he was deliberately keeping his distance because of her betrothal to Michael. She had told him it meant nothing to her, but he was an honorable man. He would not interfere, not while any sort of understanding still existed between she and Michael. She would have to be the one to pursue things with him - if any sort of opportunity ever presented itself.
And now, there was no time to pursue anything. He was leaving in moments to ride hard for London in search of Queen Eleanor. All of her energies had to be expended on the others, on saving her siblings and her new queen.
"Very well." Alexander shook his head. "I will return as soon as is humanly possible. I only pray that the Queen is following her usual yearly custom and is presently keeping court at the Tower."
"Godspeed." Isabel smiled sadly at him, squeezed his hand once more and then stepped back to allow him to mount Max's stallion, which he did in one smooth motion, despite his heavy chain-mail.
He stared down at her for a long moment before saying quietly, "Be careful. I implore you Bella."
"I will."
She watched him until he disappeared into the dense foliage, headed back towards the King's Highway.
It was only then that she allowed herself to raise her hands to her face. Shudders racked her body. She had never been more afraid in her entire life.
Every person she cared about in this world was presently in danger and she felt helpless to do anything. Dreamwalking seemed like such a small contribution. Not for the first time, Isabel wished that she had paid more attention to Max and Michael's admonishments that she should learn to use a bow or a sword, for self-defense if nothing else. At least then Max would have taken her with him in pursuit of the gold. But she had understood his reasoning that she would be a liability. Mary's steady bow was all he needed and if his plan went well, he would not even require that.
Taking a deep breath, she shook back her braids and straightened her back. Perhaps her gift would only be a small help, but if she could bring comfort to Michael in his time of need, at least it would not be in vain.
Several minutes later she had a fire started in the hearth within the small cottage, taking some of the chill from the air. It threw light across the room, ridding it of the shadows the darkening sky outside was creating.
It was time.
It had been many a month since she had dreamwalked. She enjoyed her gift, but having been acquainted with very few people until recently, it had lost some of its charm. Visiting her brothers, Tess, Lord Edmund and every servant at Castle DeHarding in their dreams had lost much of its luster after the thousandth time.
And so, she felt slightly unsettled and nervous as she lay down on the bed, could feel her heart racing as she tried to envision her betrothed - her brother - wherever he might be. It took the utmost concentration to enter another's consciousness, and she could not even focus on her own.
Closing her eyes tightly, Isabel tried to picture Michael's face in her mind, but all she could find was a great white space.
[I]MICHAEL![/I] She tried calling out to him with her heart. All she heard in return was a deafening silence.
She was concentrating so hard, her heart almost flew out of her chest when, after what seemed like moments, she heard an answering cry. [I]Isabel![/I]
[I]Michael! It is I! Are you safe?[I]
[I]Isabel![/I]
It took her a full minute to realize that the voice was not coming from her mind at all. In fact, it was coming from very near her ear.
She could feel his breath on her neck as she sat up with a gasp.
Alexander was on the edge of the bed, a concerned expression on his face.
"Isabel! Are you quite well?"
She felt a moment of utter joy at the sight of him, and then the completeness of her failure struck her like a blow. "I can not find him!" She exclaimed, heard her voice crack as tears filled her eyes. "He is nowhere!"
Alexander took her hands in his, drew her close, until she felt his arms come around her in a comforting embrace. "I waited for what felt like forever before I disturbed you. But when you started crying in your sleep, I could not refrain from waking you. I am sorry if I spoiled it."
Glancing through the open door, Isabel could see that she had been lost on the dream plain for far longer than it seemed. It was full night now, the moon hanging low in the sky and throwing light across the cottage. The fire that she was sure she had just set moments ago had burned to mere ashes in the hearth.
"He is nowhere Alex! I think..." She threw her arms around his neck desperately. "I can't help but think that he no longer exists."
Alex pulled back slightly, lifted her chin with his finger. "He is fine Bella. I am sure of it. You are just overwrought. I am here to help you."
She frowned slightly at that. "You [I]are[/I] here! Why? You should be on the way to London!"
"I could not do it. I had barely left here when I realized that I could not just leave you here all alone." He admitted, looking down, sounding ashamed. "I went to the convent of St. Mary and I asked them to send a messenger. The Queen is the convent's patroness. She will accept their word that she must come to Nottingham."
Isabel closed her eyes briefly, understood his embarrassment. Because the way that her heart jumped at his words was entirely inappropriate considering the circumstances.
And yet she could not be sorry. "I am glad," she whispered. His head shot up and she smiled at him. "I need you Alexander of Whitfield. I never need [I]anyone[/I], but I find that I do need [I]you.[/I]"
He looked astonished, but she barely noticed because she had closed her eyes and tentatively brought her lips to his.
His mouth was warm and comforting. His hands came up to cup her face as he gently returned the pressure.
"I have wanted you from the moment I lay eyes on you." He admitted against her temple after they had broken the kiss and sat comfortably wrapped in each other's arms.
"I have waited for someone like you for my entire life." Isabel replied, smiling slightly. "You make me feel safe Alex, in a way I never thought would be possible on this world."
"I will always keep you safe and close my angel." Alex's voice faltered slightly with emotion. "And now you can try to dreamwalk Michael again, because I will stay with you and pull you back should anything go awry."
"Thank you."
Moments later, she lay with her head cradled against his chest. She could feel his hand stroking her hair lovingly as she closed her eyes and went in search of her brother.
This time it was so simple, it literally took her breath away.
One second she was with Alexander and the next she was not.
She was standing in the corner of a dark, dank dungeon. Isabel's heart entered her throat as the smell of the place entered her nose, as shapes began to form from the blackness.
"Michael."
He was chained to the stone wall across from her, his chin buried against his chest, clearly unconscious. Isabel realized that this must also be his state in real life. The ease with which she had visited him, after she had let go of her fear in Alex's arms, told her so.
But, this was not real. She was not truly with Michael and he could [I]not[/I] stay unaware in his mind. She knew that she could make him speak to her if she really tried. "Michael! Wake up." She hurried across the cell, fell to her knees beside him, gently stroked his bruised face. "Michael! It is Bella. Please wake up!"
He groaned, shook his shaggy head, slowly opened his eyes, blinked several times, as though trying to focus on her. "Bella?" He croaked.
"Oh Michael! What have they done to you?" Isabel knew that she already had tears on her cheeks, although she was trying to hide her panic at the state he was in, even in his subconscious. "How did this happen?"
"We were captured." Michael replied, staring at her in confusion. "I don't know how. One minute Elizabeth was speaking to Queen Eleanor, the next I awoke in this cell to Sir Kyle's ugly face."
"How can you not remember what happened Michael?" Isabel asked gently. "You must think dearest. We have to know what occurred so that we can help you."
Michael closed his eyes, appeared to be thinking. "There's nothing Belle. It's all just a blank."
Isabel frowned slightly, wondered if perhaps the wall Michael was encountering in his mind was also the reason she had had such difficulty gaining access to his dreams earlier. But the question remained, what was blocking his memory?
"Do you know if Elizabeth and Tess are well?" She asked, thrusting the concern aside for the moment.
"I have heard nothing." Michael told her, sounding incredibly guilty. "I cannot believe I was so stupid as to allow Elizabeth to endanger herself like this." He paused. "Is Maxwell very angry?" He asked, sounding like he was preparing for the worst.
"He was at first. All he cares about now is getting you all back." Isabel reassured him. "We will save you Michael."
They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment and then Michael closed his. "Don't Isabel. I want you to concentrate on Elizabeth and Tess. You cannot help me. There is no way you will be able to penetrate the dungeons. Just leave me here. It will be better this way."
"Don't be ridiculous!" Isabel snapped, reaching out and shaking him. "We would never leave you here. Just as you were willing to risk your own life to save Tess, do you not think that we would do the same for you?"
Michael swallowed convulsively. "There is no point Bella. It is too late for me."
He closed his eyes again and turned his face away from her. "Michael! Look at me! What are you saying? What are you not telling me?" She could feel her fear rising within her, knew that she was right. He was keeping something from her, some vital piece of information.
But he refused to look at her. In fact, she could feel him pushing against her now, not physically of course, but mentally. He was forcing her out of his mind.
"MICHAEL!" She fought desperately against him, but his will was too strong.
The last thing of which she was aware in his mind before she came back to awareness was his voice, as though from a great distance, calling after her. "I love you Bella! Be happy!"
She could feel her breath coming in great gasps as she slowly opened her eyes. Alexander was still gently stroking her hair, seemed unaware that she had returned.
"Michael," she whispered.
"Isabel?" Alex jumped beneath her. "Are you awake?"
"Yes."
He heard the note of panic that was beginning to creep into her voice as she began to recall the details of what had just transpired in Michael's dream. "What is it?" He sat up slowly, bringing her up with him.
"We must find Max," she told him, beginning to rise. "Something is horribly wrong Alex! Michael is alive but I think he was trying to hide from me that that would soon not be the case!"
"What do you mean?" Alex demanded, although Isabel was sure he knew.
"We must go to Nottingham immediately." She jumped off the bed, smoothing her hair down, forcing the desire to completely lose control to return to the deep recesses of her heart. "He tried to hide it from me, but I felt his fear Alex." She swallowed, glanced at him, clenching her hands in front of her. She could not explain how she knew, likely something Michael had betrayed in his thoughts when she had been connected to him. But she [I]knew[/I] that she was right. She took a deep breath and simply blurted it out.
"They are going to execute Michael."
To be continued...
"I do not feel comfortable leaving you here alone." Alexander stood close to Isabel, not touching her, but near enough that she could feel the warmth of his body. "I do not understand why Maxwell is allowing it. You are going to be defenseless asleep."
She smiled slightly, allowed herself to reach out, taking his hand in hers and squeezing lightly. "I am not really asleep when I dreamwalk Alex," she explained. "And I will be perfectly safe here." She gestured behind her at the small cottage to which Alexander had accompanied her. It was Lord Edmund's hunting lodge, the one where Maxwell had left Evander on the day he had married Elizabeth.
It was also where she was going to enter the dream plain in order to locate Michael - in order to reassure them all that her brother and sister and Elizabeth still lived.
"Maxwell and Mary will be back as soon as they locate where the Sheriff's men have camped for the night. We cannot let those taxes slip through our fingers," she added. "Bargaining with them might be our only hope."
Alexander sighed heavily, looked away for a moment. He obviously knew that she was right but it still displeased him. She tried to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat.
Isabel knew that her relationship with Alex was still undefined in any way. She had kissed him that one time, but he might have misinterpreted it as sisterly or some such nonsense. They [I]had[/I] ended up in each other's arms because he had been trying to keep her warm after all, in the way he had admitted he often warmed Mary and Elizabeth. It might have meant nothing more than that to him.
She also knew that he was deliberately keeping his distance because of her betrothal to Michael. She had told him it meant nothing to her, but he was an honorable man. He would not interfere, not while any sort of understanding still existed between she and Michael. She would have to be the one to pursue things with him - if any sort of opportunity ever presented itself.
And now, there was no time to pursue anything. He was leaving in moments to ride hard for London in search of Queen Eleanor. All of her energies had to be expended on the others, on saving her siblings and her new queen.
"Very well." Alexander shook his head. "I will return as soon as is humanly possible. I only pray that the Queen is following her usual yearly custom and is presently keeping court at the Tower."
"Godspeed." Isabel smiled sadly at him, squeezed his hand once more and then stepped back to allow him to mount Max's stallion, which he did in one smooth motion, despite his heavy chain-mail.
He stared down at her for a long moment before saying quietly, "Be careful. I implore you Bella."
"I will."
She watched him until he disappeared into the dense foliage, headed back towards the King's Highway.
It was only then that she allowed herself to raise her hands to her face. Shudders racked her body. She had never been more afraid in her entire life.
Every person she cared about in this world was presently in danger and she felt helpless to do anything. Dreamwalking seemed like such a small contribution. Not for the first time, Isabel wished that she had paid more attention to Max and Michael's admonishments that she should learn to use a bow or a sword, for self-defense if nothing else. At least then Max would have taken her with him in pursuit of the gold. But she had understood his reasoning that she would be a liability. Mary's steady bow was all he needed and if his plan went well, he would not even require that.
Taking a deep breath, she shook back her braids and straightened her back. Perhaps her gift would only be a small help, but if she could bring comfort to Michael in his time of need, at least it would not be in vain.
Several minutes later she had a fire started in the hearth within the small cottage, taking some of the chill from the air. It threw light across the room, ridding it of the shadows the darkening sky outside was creating.
It was time.
It had been many a month since she had dreamwalked. She enjoyed her gift, but having been acquainted with very few people until recently, it had lost some of its charm. Visiting her brothers, Tess, Lord Edmund and every servant at Castle DeHarding in their dreams had lost much of its luster after the thousandth time.
And so, she felt slightly unsettled and nervous as she lay down on the bed, could feel her heart racing as she tried to envision her betrothed - her brother - wherever he might be. It took the utmost concentration to enter another's consciousness, and she could not even focus on her own.
Closing her eyes tightly, Isabel tried to picture Michael's face in her mind, but all she could find was a great white space.
[I]MICHAEL![/I] She tried calling out to him with her heart. All she heard in return was a deafening silence.
She was concentrating so hard, her heart almost flew out of her chest when, after what seemed like moments, she heard an answering cry. [I]Isabel![/I]
[I]Michael! It is I! Are you safe?[I]
[I]Isabel![/I]
It took her a full minute to realize that the voice was not coming from her mind at all. In fact, it was coming from very near her ear.
She could feel his breath on her neck as she sat up with a gasp.
Alexander was on the edge of the bed, a concerned expression on his face.
"Isabel! Are you quite well?"
She felt a moment of utter joy at the sight of him, and then the completeness of her failure struck her like a blow. "I can not find him!" She exclaimed, heard her voice crack as tears filled her eyes. "He is nowhere!"
Alexander took her hands in his, drew her close, until she felt his arms come around her in a comforting embrace. "I waited for what felt like forever before I disturbed you. But when you started crying in your sleep, I could not refrain from waking you. I am sorry if I spoiled it."
Glancing through the open door, Isabel could see that she had been lost on the dream plain for far longer than it seemed. It was full night now, the moon hanging low in the sky and throwing light across the cottage. The fire that she was sure she had just set moments ago had burned to mere ashes in the hearth.
"He is nowhere Alex! I think..." She threw her arms around his neck desperately. "I can't help but think that he no longer exists."
Alex pulled back slightly, lifted her chin with his finger. "He is fine Bella. I am sure of it. You are just overwrought. I am here to help you."
She frowned slightly at that. "You [I]are[/I] here! Why? You should be on the way to London!"
"I could not do it. I had barely left here when I realized that I could not just leave you here all alone." He admitted, looking down, sounding ashamed. "I went to the convent of St. Mary and I asked them to send a messenger. The Queen is the convent's patroness. She will accept their word that she must come to Nottingham."
Isabel closed her eyes briefly, understood his embarrassment. Because the way that her heart jumped at his words was entirely inappropriate considering the circumstances.
And yet she could not be sorry. "I am glad," she whispered. His head shot up and she smiled at him. "I need you Alexander of Whitfield. I never need [I]anyone[/I], but I find that I do need [I]you.[/I]"
He looked astonished, but she barely noticed because she had closed her eyes and tentatively brought her lips to his.
His mouth was warm and comforting. His hands came up to cup her face as he gently returned the pressure.
"I have wanted you from the moment I lay eyes on you." He admitted against her temple after they had broken the kiss and sat comfortably wrapped in each other's arms.
"I have waited for someone like you for my entire life." Isabel replied, smiling slightly. "You make me feel safe Alex, in a way I never thought would be possible on this world."
"I will always keep you safe and close my angel." Alex's voice faltered slightly with emotion. "And now you can try to dreamwalk Michael again, because I will stay with you and pull you back should anything go awry."
"Thank you."
Moments later, she lay with her head cradled against his chest. She could feel his hand stroking her hair lovingly as she closed her eyes and went in search of her brother.
This time it was so simple, it literally took her breath away.
One second she was with Alexander and the next she was not.
She was standing in the corner of a dark, dank dungeon. Isabel's heart entered her throat as the smell of the place entered her nose, as shapes began to form from the blackness.
"Michael."
He was chained to the stone wall across from her, his chin buried against his chest, clearly unconscious. Isabel realized that this must also be his state in real life. The ease with which she had visited him, after she had let go of her fear in Alex's arms, told her so.
But, this was not real. She was not truly with Michael and he could [I]not[/I] stay unaware in his mind. She knew that she could make him speak to her if she really tried. "Michael! Wake up." She hurried across the cell, fell to her knees beside him, gently stroked his bruised face. "Michael! It is Bella. Please wake up!"
He groaned, shook his shaggy head, slowly opened his eyes, blinked several times, as though trying to focus on her. "Bella?" He croaked.
"Oh Michael! What have they done to you?" Isabel knew that she already had tears on her cheeks, although she was trying to hide her panic at the state he was in, even in his subconscious. "How did this happen?"
"We were captured." Michael replied, staring at her in confusion. "I don't know how. One minute Elizabeth was speaking to Queen Eleanor, the next I awoke in this cell to Sir Kyle's ugly face."
"How can you not remember what happened Michael?" Isabel asked gently. "You must think dearest. We have to know what occurred so that we can help you."
Michael closed his eyes, appeared to be thinking. "There's nothing Belle. It's all just a blank."
Isabel frowned slightly, wondered if perhaps the wall Michael was encountering in his mind was also the reason she had had such difficulty gaining access to his dreams earlier. But the question remained, what was blocking his memory?
"Do you know if Elizabeth and Tess are well?" She asked, thrusting the concern aside for the moment.
"I have heard nothing." Michael told her, sounding incredibly guilty. "I cannot believe I was so stupid as to allow Elizabeth to endanger herself like this." He paused. "Is Maxwell very angry?" He asked, sounding like he was preparing for the worst.
"He was at first. All he cares about now is getting you all back." Isabel reassured him. "We will save you Michael."
They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment and then Michael closed his. "Don't Isabel. I want you to concentrate on Elizabeth and Tess. You cannot help me. There is no way you will be able to penetrate the dungeons. Just leave me here. It will be better this way."
"Don't be ridiculous!" Isabel snapped, reaching out and shaking him. "We would never leave you here. Just as you were willing to risk your own life to save Tess, do you not think that we would do the same for you?"
Michael swallowed convulsively. "There is no point Bella. It is too late for me."
He closed his eyes again and turned his face away from her. "Michael! Look at me! What are you saying? What are you not telling me?" She could feel her fear rising within her, knew that she was right. He was keeping something from her, some vital piece of information.
But he refused to look at her. In fact, she could feel him pushing against her now, not physically of course, but mentally. He was forcing her out of his mind.
"MICHAEL!" She fought desperately against him, but his will was too strong.
The last thing of which she was aware in his mind before she came back to awareness was his voice, as though from a great distance, calling after her. "I love you Bella! Be happy!"
She could feel her breath coming in great gasps as she slowly opened her eyes. Alexander was still gently stroking her hair, seemed unaware that she had returned.
"Michael," she whispered.
"Isabel?" Alex jumped beneath her. "Are you awake?"
"Yes."
He heard the note of panic that was beginning to creep into her voice as she began to recall the details of what had just transpired in Michael's dream. "What is it?" He sat up slowly, bringing her up with him.
"We must find Max," she told him, beginning to rise. "Something is horribly wrong Alex! Michael is alive but I think he was trying to hide from me that that would soon not be the case!"
"What do you mean?" Alex demanded, although Isabel was sure he knew.
"We must go to Nottingham immediately." She jumped off the bed, smoothing her hair down, forcing the desire to completely lose control to return to the deep recesses of her heart. "He tried to hide it from me, but I felt his fear Alex." She swallowed, glanced at him, clenching her hands in front of her. She could not explain how she knew, likely something Michael had betrayed in his thoughts when she had been connected to him. But she [I]knew[/I] that she was right. She took a deep breath and simply blurted it out.
"They are going to execute Michael."
To be continued...