A/N: I apologize for my long absence. I was blocked for a while and I had a lot of other things going on so that's what took me so long.
rp: This is for you. I really hope you have a chance to read this today, before you head off. Best of luck to you in the Peace Corps!
Nadia: Thanks as always for your very enthusiastic reviews! I'm glad my cliff hangers worked as I'd hoped they would. :) Now you will be rewarded for your devotion to the story.
SAngel, June Bug, and Kookle Wrenford: Thank you, thank you, thank you for your feedback! This story has been near and dear to my heart for some time and I am so glad you've enjoyed it.
Royal Novelists: Thanks for the e-mail. It's nice to know that someone was missing my story and eager for it to continue. When I stared this account I vowed that I would not let more than a week pass without an update and I violated my own vow. Thanks for waiting faithfully for me to get my act together. :)
And to anyone else who's read and reviewed or read and not reviewed, thanks for taking the time to look at my story. Exposure is a writer's dream and I am very happy to have been able to share this story with an audience.
*****
Chapter 38
It did not take long for the German and English armies to continue their push toward Paris. The strength of the French army had been seriously undermined by the heavy casualties they had suffered at the hands of the more powerful and more skilled English and German armies. Good fortune truly seemed to be on their side as they learned that a great many of the French soldiers who had not been taken out by their armies were soon rendered useless by the rampant spread of pestilence that ran throughout the unsanitary French camps. Those men that did not die of the sickness were far too weak to prove an effective defense against the Germans and the English. Rhain and Ludwig captured town after town with unprecedented ease.
With each step that brought him closer to Paris, Rhain's impatience grew but his prudence grew as well. He could now clearly see the signs that Mordrid did not really care if France was defeated in the war. His vendetta was personal and it was obvious to Rhain that all Mordrid cared about was punishing the English king and his betrothed. As a result, Rhain knew that the man was unstable and he knew that any plans for storming the castle would have to be very well-laid if they were to succeed. He, Ludwig, and Edwyn spent countless hours strategizing until they came up with a plan that they felt had the best chance of succeeding.
The city of Rouen soon fell and it was there that their plan was launched. They remained in Rouen for several days, not because they needed the rest, but because they were hoping to confuse and panic the French king. They divided the army into several different contingents and marched them off in different directions with orders to take different towns. This would enable them to divide what was left of the French army and to divert some of the remaining soldiers from Paris. They also dressed several different men in the garments and armor that Rhain normally wore and had them ride off in several different directions so that the King of France would receive several different reports of the English King's whereabouts. The bulk of the remaining army was divided in three, with Ludwig, Rhain, and Edwyn each leading one branch of the army. Rhain would be disguised by wearing the clothing of the earl of Worchester. The three would attack the city before converging at one point, at which time Rhain and Edwyn would infiltrate the castle with a contingent of their best knights and rescue the lady Keelin. Rhain spent the night before their attack in unceasing prayer, Edwyn at his side the entire time. Ludwig had agreed to take on the responsibility of preparing the armies and smoothing out any last-minute wrinkles so that Rhain and Edwyn would be free.
Well after midnight, the two men finally ceased their attitude of prayer, Edwyn insisting that Rhain needed his rest.
"You must be clearheaded on the morrow if we are to succeed," Edwyn told him.
Rhain knew he was right but he also knew that he would not possibly be able to sleep that night. "How shall I sleep knowing that Keelin is locked in that tower and that her life rests in my hands? What if I fail? How will I live with the knowledge that I was the cause of her untimely death?"
"We shall not fail," Edwyn told him, firmly. "We will triumph over the evil intentions of Mordrid. Come, get some rest. I know you think that you will never close your eyes this night but peace will be with you and you will sleep."
The king was skeptical but he decided to appease his friend by lying down. At first, terrifying thoughts swirled through his head but Rhain soon chased them away with prayers rather than allowing them to overcome him. Before long, Edwyn's words proved to be true and Rhain closed his eyes and slept.
He was awakened before dawn the next day by Edwyn. Edwyn helped his friend dress in his armor before clasping the king in a tight embrace.
"Do not fear, Rhain, but have trust in God. Your cause is righteous and true. Before night falls again, your lady will be safe in your embrace," Edwyn told him.
"I pray you may be right," Rhain said, fervently.
King Ludwig was announced and Rhain and Edwyn greeted him with a great deal of gratitude. "Ludwig, you have proven yourself the truest of friends. When my father was killed on your soil, I was grateful for your sympathy but I could never have asked for the support that you have since shown me," Rhain told him.
"There are so few just men in this world and your father was one of them. On that day, you had my sympathy but it was when I discovered that you were as just a man as he that you gained my unqualified support," Ludwig told him.
"I could never show you the depth of my gratitude for your friendship in both of my times of great need," Rhain told him, feeling a lump in his throat.
"Friends are always present to help during times of great need," Ludwig said.
"And I shall be for you," Rhain vowed. "Let it always be said from this moment forth that Rhain and Ludwig were among the truest of friends."
Ludwig clapped Rhain in a swift embrace before parting. "I wish Godspeed to you both," he told Rhain and Edwyn.
"And to you as well," Edwyn said.
"I shall see you again when we have proven victorious," Rhain told him.
"I look forward to seeing you both again," Ludwig said. "And your lady as well."
Alone once again, Rhain and Edwyn took a few moments to pray for a successful campaign. They embraced once more before Edwyn was off.
"Godspeed to you, dear friend," Edwyn said to him.
"Godspeed to you, dear friend," Rhain replied.
As soon as Edwyn left, Rhain turned away from his tent and went to his horse. This was not his normal steed as his had been given over to one of the Rhain imposters. This horse was of a different color and of a somewhat different temperament. Although Rhain longed for his own horse, he was more than happy to ride one that was unfamiliar to him if it meant that he would soon be riding off on it with Keelin. He knew he would put up with any hardship to see her safely returned to him.
Dawn was just beginning to show its first streaks when Rhain and his men rode toward the French castle. His men were serious, intent on their mission, and Rhain had never seen them quite like this before. They were the best of knights and were always serious when riding into battle but he had never before seen such intense looks of determination on their faces. He knew that Mordrid's audacious kidnapping of the lady Keelin had struck them to their very core. They had always fought for the protection of England but now their country had been struck in a very personal manner and the reality of their mission was more apparent than ever. It was unnervingly clear to them that they were fighting for the future of their land.
It was not long before the stones of the castle were evident. As they approached, arrows began to rain down upon them, although in less than great numbers, causing Rhain to give thanks that the information his spies had gathered about the weak state of the French army was correct. The German and English siege weapons soon rolled into place and began to rain destructions upon the outer walls of the castle. It did not take long before the armies were able to infiltrate the structure and Rhain broke off from his group of men, heading for the designated meeting spot at which Edwyn would be waiting with their carefully chosen knights. Rhain's heart pounded so fiercely that it was the only sound he was able to hear, in spite of the cacophony of battle.
When he arrived at the site, Rhain was so grateful to see that everything was going according to plan that he wanted to weep. Edwyn's men had succeeded in using their siege weapons to lay waste to another section of the castle's outer wall through which they would be able to enter and from there take a direct path to the west tower. As soon as Edwyn caught sight of his friend, he lifted his hand and the men began their rapid progress toward the castle. They rode at breakneck pace, slashing through French soldiers with their swords but not slowing until they reached the castle's entrance.
Leaping from their horses, Rhain, Edwyn, and the knights rushed the entrance just as several more French soldiers tried to exit through the door. They were quickly dispatched and the English entered the French castle. They could hear the hue and cry go up that the castle had been entered and they knew that they had very little time. They progressed stealthily through the castle, meeting surprisingly little resistance, before they reached the tower stairs. Multiple guards were posted at the door at the base of the stairs and it took a few moments for Rhain and his men to eliminate them. Once they had, they found that the door was locked.
"Find the key! We have little time!" Rhain hissed at them as he rifled frantically through the garments of one of the dead guards.
A few moments passed and Rhain began to sweat in earnest as his fear began to overtake him before Edwyn successfully recovered the key. He quickly slammed it home into the door. Rhain rushed toward it but Edwyn held him back, ushering a few of the knights before them.
"You cannot lead, you know that," Edwyn hissed at him. "There is no telling what is at each turn of these stairs."
Rhain knew Edwyn was right but the few seconds longer that he had to wait were like torture to him. He gritted his teeth as the knights began their ascent, clenching his fists until Edwyn loosed his hold on him and allowed the king to follow his men up the stairs. They all proceeded with their swords drawn and it was not long before they had need of them. Rhain lost two of his men on the stairs and his frustration mounted due to his inability to take the time to mourn the two men who had been two of his finest knights. Vowing that Mordrid would pay dearly, Rhain pressed forward.
As they reached the top of the stairs, they could hear a great commotion coming from the barred door behind which Keelin was surely being held. As badly as Rhain wanted to rush directly through that door, there were French soldiers to be dealt with before the king and his knights could even contemplate such an action. The king fought his way through three men before he was finally able to reach the door.
Unable to control himself any longer, Rhain cried Keelin's name, the word tearing from his throat as he smashed through the door.
*****
Keelin could hear the noise from the stairs long before the Englishmen reached the top. It was soon obvious to her that the French could as well for the door to the chamber opened and several came rushing in. Seizing her opportunity, Keelin thrust her hand into her pallet and pulled out the pewter mug. Her heart was pounding with a combination of excitement and fear. She could not believe that Rhain was finally here but she did not know if he would succeed in rescuing her. As the Frenchmen rushed forth to try to subdue her, Keelin struck out at them with all her might.
Her strength seemed superhuman as she wielded the mug like a weapon of great power. Her senses were heightened, her vision unnaturally clear as she swung the weapon. She felt a split second of satisfaction as she smashed the mug down upon the skull of her French kidnapper and tormentor. She swung again and connected with the jaw of another man, scarcely even hearing the sound of his jawbone shattering as a result, for her concentration was focused on her next target. Keelin managed to take down three men before someone came up behind her and grabbed her wrist just as she was lifting her arm to smash the mug down on another Frenchman. Her wrist was viciously twisted and she cried out in pain. Her fingers went numb and the mug tumbled from it and, for a moment, there was silence.
There was no need for Keelin to turn around to know that it was Mordrid who had seized her wrist. It throbbed so painfully that she feared it was broken and she wanted to sob out loud. Aside from Mordrid, she could see three conscious Frenchmen in the chamber, all of them tensed for an attack. Keelin attempted to struggle once more but another quick turn of her wrist changed her mind. Mordrid's free arm snaked around her waist and he pulled her up against his body, crushing his hand into her abdomen with such force that all of the breath rushed from her body, leaving her dizzy and struggling to remain conscious.
The sounds of the Englishmen drew nearer and the five conscious occupants of the chamber listened in silence to the dying screams of the French guards outside of the door. Keelin went as limp as possible against Mordrid for two purposes. She hoped to cause him to think that he had succeeded in rendering her unconscious and she was trying to get as close to him as possible so that his hand would not be pressing into her with such force, allowing her to draw a fuller breath. Her act was so convincing that it was not long before Mordrid loosened his hold on her somewhat and she was able to breathe more easily. She concentrated on keeping her breaths shallow enough that he would not notice them but deep enough that she could regain some of her strength.
By the time the door flew open, Keelin had regained her breath. She opened her eyes a hair's breadth and, to her immense joy, saw Rhain and Edwyn rush in with multiple knights. Her joy was short-lived however, as Mordrid jerked her against him once more, snapping her head back so that it lolled and then rested against his shoulder. All movement in the chamber stopped. Keelin felt something cold press against her neck and she realized that Mordrid held a dagger to her throat. Fear flowed through her veins like ice and she concentrated on maintaining the façade of being unconscious, knowing it was her only defense at the moment.
"Fool!" Mordrid roared, with an insane laugh. "You have gone to great lengths to rescue your lady but did you not wonder how you made it this far with such ease?"
Keelin's sense of terror increased as she heard the sound of countless footfalls on the stairs. She realized that the French guard had simply lain in wait for Rhain and his knights. They were now all trapped in the tower. Keelin felt all hope rush from her, leaving her limper than ever. She wanted to lie on the floor and weep over their defeat.
Mordrid laughed maniacally once again. "You will suffer," he said, his voice a deep growl. "I will see you suffer the greatest of mental and physical anguish before this day has ended. I will begin by using your love against you, just as I have since the beginning of this war. I will make you see how little she was worth your trouble and what a fool you have been to allow her to seduce you."
Keelin kept her eyes almost entirely shut but she could see through the small slit she allowed herself. The look on Rhain's face broke her heart and she closed her eyes fully, unable to bear it. She could plainly read utter anguish and hopelessness in his expression. At that moment, more French soldiers marched into the chamber and stationed themselves next to the door. Mordrid moved over to them, dragging Keelin along with him. She opened her eyes a slit once again and found that she had a clear view of the stairs.
"How should I do away with you?" Mordrid asked Rhain. "I would enjoy sinking my sword into you as I did your father but that is too quick an end. Nay, I think I should stretch you on the rack first. What do you think, my dear?" he asked.
Keelin watched as Alinda stepped forward. The woman she had once called a friend had an evil smirk on her face and Keelin heard Rhain, Edwyn, and his knights gasp in horror.
"I think you should lock him in a cage and let the rats eat away at him," she replied. Mordrid chuckled appreciatively.
"'Twas you." It sounded as though Rhain spat the words out. "You lured Keelin from the castle."
"Keelin is a pitiful fool," Alinda sneered. "Look at your precious lady now. What do you think of her? If you think she looks ill you have seen nothing yet."
Out of the corner of her eye, Keelin saw a slight movement. She kept her gaze trained on the spot as Alinda and Mordrid continued to rant and rave. After a few moments, she saw an unmistakable movement and, to her great surprise, she realized that there was another person on the stairs and that person was King Ludwig. Hope surged through Keelin once again and she had to control herself lest Mordrid feel the pounding of her heart.
Counting her heartbeats, Keelin allowed several minutes to pass. She could scarcely even hear what Mordrid and Alinda were saying anymore. She concentrated on pretending to be unconscious while watching the stairs in an attempt to figure out how many men were behind Ludwig. Gathering her wits about her, Keelin decided that even if Ludwig was alone on the stairs she would rather die trying to escape Mordrid's clutches than allow him to capture and torture herself, Edwyn, Rhain, and his knights. Taking the deepest breath she dared, Keelin slammed her heel down on the instep of Mordrid's right foot while simultaneously slamming her left fist into his groin area. The dagger fell from Mordrid's hand and he released her so suddenly that she fell to the ground with a painful thud. Momentarily stunned, she looked up and saw Mordrid crouched over in pain. The French soldiers were standing stock-still with expressions of shock on their faces and Keelin knew that she had created the opportunity for which everyone had been waiting.
Ludwig's men began to surge up the stairs and Keelin sighed in relief until she realized that Alinda had let forth an unearthly wail and was headed straight for Keelin, Mordrid's dagger positioned over Keelin's heart. Acting on instinct alone, Keelin pulled her arms tightly into her body and rolled out of Alinda's path. Alinda had already begun to slice the dagger down toward Keelin and the momentum of her thrust knocked her off balance. As Alinda stumbled, Keelin kicked out at her legs, knocking the other woman off her feet. The dagger fell out of Alinda's hand as she hit the ground and clattered against the floor. Keelin lunged for it and, once it was in her possession, she went back for Alinda, grabbing a length of the woman's hair and winding it around her fist. She yanked Alinda's head back and held the dagger against her former friend's neck, dragging her along until the two of them were out of the way of the fray.
Anger and rage flashed through Keelin but she was also overcome with an immense sadness. "How could you?" she asked Alinda, careful to keep the dagger strategically positioned.
"Because you are lower than dirt," Alinda hissed. Keelin could see that Alinda was about to spit on her and she pressed the flat of the dagger against Alinda's throat, choking her slightly. "Your so-called king is a pig, wallowing in your filth," Alinda managed to choke.
Keelin realized then the depth of the other woman's hatred for her. Her heart was broken at the betrayal of her friend, a woman whom she had trusted almost implicitly, but Keelin knew that Alinda was irrevocably gone. She had been overtaken by Mordrid's greed and lust and she was every bit as evil and irredeemable as Mordrid.
"May God have mercy on your soul," Keelin said. She pressed the dagger more forcefully against Alinda's throat, making it impossible for the other woman to speak.
Turning her attention to the battle, Keelin's eyes scanned the melee anxiously for Rhain and for Mordrid. She could see Rhain at the far end of the tower's chamber. He and two of his knights were engaged in a sword battle with three of the Frenchmen but Keelin could see that the French would soon be overcome. Turning her gaze toward another corner of the chamber, Keelin saw Edwyn fighting by King Ludwig's side, helping him to fend off three other Frenchmen. Keelin continued to look around the chamber frantically until she caught sight of Mordrid. He looked like a man possessed as he slashed through two of the German soldiers, intent on his pursuit of Rhain. Keelin's stomach turned at the sight of such violent death and she had to avert her gaze, her heart pounding painfully in her chest.
What seemed like an eternity passed but was in reality no more than a few seconds. Edwyn and King Ludwig had fended off their attackers and Edwyn and another knight were now headed across the chamber. The knight grabbed hold of Alinda's arm and, at Edwyn's nod; Keelin released her hold on the other woman and relinquished both her prisoner and her weapon to the knight, who carried both toward the chamber door. Edwyn opened his mouth to speak but before he could say a word, Keelin saw a Frenchman bearing down on them.
"Behind you!" Keelin cried.
Edwyn whirled around, sword at the ready, but the Frenchman continued straight for Keelin, with the obvious intent of running Keelin through with his sword. Once more instinct kicked in and Keelin dropped to the ground and rolled out of the way. Before she knew what was happening, she was scooped up off the floor, thrown over Edwyn's powerful shoulder and headed straight for the door. She struggled in protest, frantic not to leave Rhain behind but Edwyn ignored her struggles and carried her through the door and to safety. Dropping her on her feet, he left her in the care of several German and English knights and ran right back into the chamber.
Keelin rushed immediately to the door but the knights would not let her open it. However, they did not prevent her from grabbing the bars in the door and pressing her face against them so that she could see what was happening inside of the chamber. She watched as the Germans and the English swiftly brought the French to heel. There were bodies strewn across the floor and Keelin could see that, amongst the Frenchmen, there were many English and German men. As the French were eliminated, Keelin was stunned to see that Edwyn, King Ludwig, and many of the other men stepped back along the walls of the chamber, leaving the middle space open. Their eyes were riveted on something Keelin could not quite see. Turning her head at a painful angle, she finally managed to catch a glimpse of the scene that held them transfixed and her blood promptly ran cold. Rhain and Mordrid were at the far side of the chamber, squaring off against one another.
