Chapter II:
Author's note: The intro is almost over and James will be appearing soon as will Sirius.
England 1204
As Falcon entered the chapel and saw his Ladyship on the bench praying, he felt guilty for being the bearer of such bad news. He himself had been surprised when the messenger had arrived galloping to the front door of the mansion.
He silently approached the bench, preparing himself for what was to come. He'd known Lily for a short period of time but couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She was so young and yet she had been threw so much already. Her husband had never given her the time of the day and so she lived her life in fear of what might happen if she showed her true self.
Falcon had had many conversations with his mistress and was surprised to see how smart she actually was. Even in her young years could she pinpoint the decay in the Church, but she seemed to be such a believer. Was it just a front she put on to keep the Baron off her back? He would think of this later for the news he bore would change everything.
As he made his way to the front of the little room, the priest jumped right in front of him before he could say a word.
"Father! Dear Lord, you scared the living daylights out of me!"
"Now Falcon, I know you are a sinner but must you say such blasphemy in my presence? Have you no respect whatsoever for the house of our Lord?" cried Father Macby.
"Please Father, I come bearing important news for the lady. If you would just…"
"Your news can wait young man. You should be ashamed of yourself! Coming here, like that, disturbing the peace. This is a place where the lost may be found, where they may confess their wrongs and be taken into God's bosom. Have you no respect?" Father Macby preached.
Falcon had long since given up on the Church and didn't bother to attend Sunday mass if he could avoid it. Father Macby had tried his hardest to make the young man see his point of view, preaching and saying that all it took was a willing confession, a few hail Mary's and a pardon to gain God's grace. Every time Falcon had accompanied Lily to the chapel, he would have to listen to the old man's complaining and it was starting to grow quite tiresome.
Macby shook his head. "You have a black soul, Falcon."
Falcon knew he was jesting with him but paid no attention to it. "There is another matter of more importance than my confession," he began. "I've just received word…"
The priest didn't let him finish. "Today is Good Friday! What could possibly be more important than that? You must get your priorities straight and confess your sins come Easter. With your attitude, you'd probably have to beg for God's forgiveness! It would be a proper start, do you not think so?"
Falcon tried to stay patient. "I gave you my apology Father but I see now that it is useless to gravel at your feet. You still haven't forgiven me."
"That I haven't."
The young man frowned. "Please try to understand, Father. I am the third steward here in less than a year and intend to keep my post. I was ordered not to let anyone into the keep, even Lady Lillian's brother, Sirius, was not to enter by order of Baron Gruder. If her ladyship hadn't intervened you'd probably be camped outside that wall, unless you gave up and returned home."
"I won't be going anywhere until the return of your Baron and you'd best take note of that. Why, if he hadn't left the Macfee lands under the care of those incompetent pigs he calls vassals, I wouldn't have even come here. They are causing havoc everywhere they go and are massacring anything they come by. The lands are completely destroyed and the people have fled towards the Potter clan. Do you know what this means? If they pledge loyalty to him and make him their lord, all hell will brake loose!"
Falcon, although not too familiar with the Scot's situation, was still caught up in the story. Time was of the essence and there wasn't much left.
"Are you implying that Potter might come to England?"
"I'm not implying," the priest countered. "I'm stating a fact. If Potter does come, you'd better start counting your blessings for you will need them. The Baron won't even know what hit him until Potter's blade is at his throat. And trust me, you do not want that on your conscience."
Falcon shook his head. "He wouldn't even get threw the doors, the guards would be right on him."
"Don't be so certain of yourself. The man is cunning and practically invincible! He is a true warrior, no one could ever match up to his skill. You don't want him here Falcon."
Falcon sighed. "None of that really matters now. I have held my breath too long and must now reveal my reasons for this visit."
"But of course boy, pray interrupt my speech so as to shut me up quicker," mumbled Macby
"You see Father, I have just been sent word. Baron Gruder is dead." he let out in a single breath as he watched the look of surprise appear on the priest's wrinkled face. "He fell during battle. He lost his footing and fell from a cliff, I'm certain there is more to this but not much has been said. I'm sure the King will give a more valid explanation than any I could ever come up with."
Macby gave a harsh gasp, then quickly made the sign of the cross. He bowed his head, readying himself for prayer. As he finished, his tone grew quieter. "Good Lord above. What is to become of Lady Lillian?" he asked.
"I was hoping you could help me and keep her calm as I tell her the news. She fears most priests and for good reason but I know she trusts you." Falcon urged.
"I have only known her for two short weeks, surely that is not enough to gain the confidence you speak of. And why does she distance herself from priests to begin with?" Macby questioned, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Her confessor is Bishop Bolton…"
"You needn't say more," Macby frowned in disgust. "The Bishop's reputation is practically tarnished with his theories on life. A messenger from God, my anty! He couldn't tell his behind from his elbow even if he had a map to find them!" he stated with a sigh. "Poor lass, she doesn't deserve the pain of loosing her beloved. How long had they been married?"
"Three years at the most," Falcon added. "but the Baron was gone for six months!"
"Does she not have any family near here?" inquired Macby
"Only her brother. But Lord Sirius has enough troubles of his own and can't very well take care of Lady Lillian himself. He would have to send her back home to her parents and I fear the journey would weaken her."
"That does pose a problem, doesn't it?" said Macby, scratching his bald head in thought. "You must tell her at once, not too quickly though, you don't want the poor child to faint dead away.
Come, we shall surmount this obstacle together and pray for success."
The two strode up to the altar where Lady Lillian had been knelt for the past half-hour, head bowed and hands tight in said prayer.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Lily saw the frightened look on her steward's face when he came rushing in and wondered what was the cause of his distress. She knew Falcon didn't enjoy the quietness of the church and was surprised by his appearance. He seemed to be in quite a hurry to get to her but was cut off by father Macby; the lecture would be long.
She kept her line of sight straight ahead and tried her hardest to make out the subject of conversation that was going on only a few feet away. She could vaguely hear the frustrated tone of Falcon. "Father Macby must be giving him a hard time for having missed Sunday mass." she thought while she fixed the small hole in-between the fine bricks of the altar. The crack was practically unnoticeable unless you were standing right in front of it and served as a perfect hiding place for the document.
This was her secret: a two page document written by the hand of her King, addressed to her husband. The darn thing shouldn't even have been in her possession but when she had read it's contents she couldn't believe her eyes. The pieces of parchment held the key to King John's demise and could be used against him in the situation the English and the Scottish clans found themselves in. These were dangerous times during which no one could be trusted and Lily had put herself in the middle of it all by keeping the document hidden. Not one person knew of it's existence, even Gruder thought he'd destroyed the letter but clearly it was not so.
Once again, she turned her head to the two men who were now walking towards her with a look of resignation drawn all over their faces. Lily raised from her kneeling position and took a step forward, meeting them halfway threw.
Falcon bowed as Father Macby placed himself beside Lily. "My lady. I hate to be the bearer of such terrible news but I no longer find myself capable of silence."
"Spit it out Falcon before sundown!" urged Macby.
"Falcon, what is it?"
"My lady, your husband, I am sad to say, is no longer with the living."
Both men waited for a reaction but got none. Not sure she had heard correctly, Falcon repeated.
"The Baron is dead Lady Lillian."
Still no reaction. Lily's face had taken on a deathly pale color but still she emitted no sound. Her hands had fallen to her sides and now formed two balls, her nails digging into her fair skin. She shook her head in disbelief, slowly backing away. "You lie. How can you tell me such falsities Falcon?"
Trying to soothe the poor girls mind, Father Macby placed a hand on her shoulder. "He tells the truth Lady Lillian, I assure you."
She could hold her tears back no longer and sank to the floor sobbing. The two men were at a loss of words, Lady Lillian had only been married for three years but what a bond she must have had with her husband to grieve so.
"Are you all right Lady Lillian?"
"I wish to be left to myself now. Please swear to me that what you say is true, that you are not jesting with me." she begged.
"It is as I have said, I promise."
Lily nodded in acquiesce. "I must pray."
They quietly left, deciding it would be best for her to be alone for a while. When they had gone Lily let out a loud cry, bowing down to the altar while repeating a mantra.
"Thank you God! Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you…"