Chapter 10: Wickham Shares A Secret
"How do you know that man?" Darcy's voice, low and hissing, was pure rage in that moment.
Elizabeth stumbled in her answer. "He was a traveller that my sisters and I ran into in the Great Plain. He promised me the secrets of my memories, and Lydia had snuck out to meet him when you…when she was attacked by the ogres."
Darcy nodded. He ordered Lydia down from the elm tree, and made all of them walk back to the oak, where Sir Bennet had lately been lolling about.
"The stench will be bad, but it will only be for a short while. I reckon that Lydia will be unable to keep herself from calling Wickham over."
Indeed, as the clearing came more into view from the road, Lydia started hollering to Wickham. Elizabeth noted that Darcy kept a strong hold on her sister, preventing Lydia from rushing to greet Wickham, though Darcy himself remained hidden, crouched partially behind Lydia and partially behind the oak.
It took Wickham some time to reach the path leading off from the main road. He must have undoubtedly heard Lydia, as he quickened his pace to the large circular area near the oak.
"Well, look who it! Fancy running into you ladies here," Wickham said with a broad smile. "What on earth is it that brings you here?" As Wickham stepped closer, his nose wrinkled up to the stench of the death body, entrails now spilling out.
"One could ask you the same thing," Darcy said as he suddenly sprung up. "Hands up where I can see them, and no sudden moves. On to your knees, Wickham."
All colour drained from Wickham's face, but he did as instructed.
"How do you know him?" Elizabeth asked, to receive silence as a response. Meanwhile, Lydia was writhing in Darcy's grasp, desperate to get away.
"Let. Me. Go."
"In good time," Darcy said. "The more you struggle, the more it will hurt." That helped Lydia reduce her squirming.
"Are you going to kill me?" Wickham asked.
Lydia gasped. "You're going to kill him?!"
Darcy stared at Wickham, hate and fury emanating from him in waves. Elizabeth truly feared that they would soon be digging two graves. "Hasn't there been enough blood spilt for a day?" she asked.
Darcy remained silent.
"Well, if death isn't on your mind…" Wickham said, as he started to stand. However, Darcy's free hand was pointing his sword at Wickham in no time, making Wickham ease back down on to his knees. "Darcy, we're both unwanted Saxons in dangerous Briton territory. What say you that we call a truce?"
"How do you know him?" Elizabeth repeated, louder this time.
Darcy seemed to struggle with her question. "We were raised in the same home."
"Practically brothers," Wickham added unhelpfully.
"Brothers don't rob each other," Darcy ground out.
"He stole from you?" Elizabeth asked in surprise, and this time Darcy at least nodded in response.
"I needed to make my way in the world!" Wickham protested.
"You have only yourself to blame; it was your drinking that got you thrown out of the army. And then you stole from my family, the people who cared for you since your birth."
"You could afford to lose some wealth. And Georgiana will get over it…she will become an adult and realise that these unfortunate things happen to everyone."
"Georgiana is dead," Darcy said flatly.
"Who's Georgiana? Lydia asked. At the same time, genuine horror crossed Wickham's face as his steady knees buckled.
"Darcy, are you alright?" Elizabeth asked.
"Georgiana was my younger sister. The most innocent, pure soul you could ever imagine. This man here convinced her that they were in love so that he could steal some family heirlooms, no doubt to sell them in lands where they would not be known or recognised. After he was long gone, unable to bear neither her shame nor her broken heart, my sister took her own life."
Elizabeth could not begin to imagine the horror of losing Jane. She reached out to touch Darcy's shoulder. "I am so very sorry to hear this. No one should have to bury a beloved sibling like that."
"Darcy…you must know…I had never intended for Georgiana to come to harm…"
"Be quiet. I would have killed you already, if not for Miss Elizabeth's plea, and may do so yet. Be grateful that this noble soldier has already sacrificed his life today, and I've no mood to take a life as unworthy as yours so soon thereafter. Does that sack there carry the stolen goods?"
Wickham gulped and then nodded. "I've already sold some items."
Darcy snorted in disgust. "You will leave those here when I am done with you."
Wickham nodded once more, this time eagerly.
"Get up. You will finish digging this grave, and help me bury this man."
"He is one of Lord Brennus' men," Wickham stated, as he stood and got a better look at the man. "I needn't tell you what danger you are in now, having killed one of his men."
"I don't need you to teach me about my circumstances," Darcy retorted. "Dig."
"We will be at the monastery soon," Elizabeth said, "where my father will protect us. It is only a matter of a few hours before we are safe."
Wickham looked at Darcy in surprise.
"Dig." Darcy motioned to the fallen soldier's sword. "Their father is Sir Bennet."
Wickham raised an eyebrow. He picked up the sword, and looked at the half-dug grave. "Well, where is Sir Bennet?"
"He went off to spin a tale about this soldier's death to Lord Brennus. What are your plans, Wickham, if I choose to spare your life?"
"I was on my way to the village by the river. I heard that they have some Saxon elders…I was hoping that they would find some work for me to do. I have no certain plans. I also…as you know, this is Querig country. I had hoped to gather some information to help convince our King to pardon me."
Darcy turned to Elizabeth. "We will not be going to the monastery; I fear that it will be too dangerous. We will hike north of here, closer to the river, and make camp for the night. We will head to the monastery tomorrow. You, Wickham, will assist us with the grave, the camp, and anything else we may need tonight. Depending on your performance, you may yet live to see another worthless day."
Wickham, who had started digging, paused to quiz Darcy. "Why are you saddled with these women?"
Darcy, ignoring Wickham, nodded to Elizabeth and Lydia. "I will keep a watch on him, if you can resume your positions by the road, though darkness has almost fallen and I do not foresee anymore unwanted visitors."
Darcy finally released his hold on Lydia, who promptly ran in the opposite direction of the road; namely into Wickham's arms. "Oh, Wickham, you have no idea what adventures I have had!"
Elizabeth watched in tired amusement as Lydia hurtled herself at Wickham; he barely had time to toss aside the sword he was digging with and grab Lydia by her arms before she toppled them both to the ground.
Suddenly, Wickham recoiled in horror from Lydia, holding her arms. He stared at her wound, before pushing her as far away from himself as possible.
"Good grief, Darcy! What have you got yourself mixed up in!? Get away from me, woman!" Wickham shouted, as he finally pushed Lydia on to the ground.
"Calm down, Wickham, there is no need for hysterics," Darcy said, oddly enough in a pacifying voice, and Elizabeth wondered at the change in attitude. Darcy moved closer to Wickham. "I have everything under control. Just finish the grave. There's no need to panic."
Lydia sat on the ground, tears pooling in her eyes. Elizabeth rushed to Lydia, pity overcoming her. Lydia's lower lip trembled. "It's just…it's just…"
"It's just an ogre's bite," Elizabeth supplied, hoping that it would ease Wickham's hysteria. Surely, a man that was travelling alone through such dangerous terrain would not be put off by an ogre's bite; besides, neither Darcy nor Bingley had acted like it was a big issue, being Saxons. "It will heal soon enough, and besides, the monk Jonus is known to have –"
"Ogre's bit? Ogre's bite?" Wickham gave a crazed laugh.
"Wickham," Darcy said warningly.
"They think it an ogre's bite!" Wickham had dropped the sword and had clearly lost all sense of digging. He was gesticulating wildly and looked both mad and frightened. Elizabeth felt afraid just looking at him, as if fear was contagious. Lydia covered her face in her hands and wept quietly.
Wickham continued to yell. "Good god man, do you not understand the danger you are in?! You, me, and this entire country! Darcy, leave these women here and let's you and I make a run for it while we have the chance! We can yet make it out alive if we try!"
"Wickham, I said – "
Elizabeth spoke at the same time as Darcy. "What do you mean, think it an ogre's bite?"
"This is no ogre's bite, you foolish woman!" Wickham screamed. "This is a dragon bite!"
A/N:Yes, it is short, but it was a perfect spot to end the chapter!