Chapter 8

After Mary had taken Father Nickolas to the great hall for the noon meal, Riddick hid the contracts away in his office and decided to check in on Carolyn. Volunteering to stay with her patient while she ate, he sent Agnes on her way.

Observing the sleeping girl, Riddick could see the difference in her face since their fever induced talk last night. The red in her cheeks had died down and her face wasn't quiet as pale as it had been. He touched her forehead with the back of his hand and was pleased with the coolness of her skin.

He paused, taking a good look around the chamber. This had been his mother's solar for as long as he could remember. While he now slept in the Masters chambers next door, there had been no reason for him to be in these chambers in the years since his parents had died. With no wife or sisters, his was truly a bachelor's household. If it wasn't for Mary he was sure it would have all fell to ruin by now.

He was looking at the books on a shelf when he heard the familiar hollow of mounted horses approaching. Giving the window a wide berth, he circled the chamber until he was able to stand in the shadows and still get a good look at the courtyard. Riddick watched as the carriage door opened and Lord William Johns stepped out.

Entering his own chambers, Riddick strapped on a short sword and tucked another into his boot, slipping back into Carolyn's chambers just before Mary and Agnes came bustling up the stairs with news of their visitors. Moving over to the fireplace, he leaned against it casually, crossing his arms over his chest. The door opened as James led the way into the chamber followed by Lord William and another man Riddick assumed was his Sergeant-at-Arms.

"Riddick," Lord Johns said as he brushed by James coming a stop before Riddick.

Riddick looked down his nose at the smaller man before raising an eyebrow with a smirk.

"Johns. I see you got my message."

"Yes, something about an intended betrothed."

Riddick motioned to the other side of the chamber as he leaned away from the fireplace and walked to one side of Carolyn's bed, joining James who was already there.

Lord Johns joined them on the other side. "And just what made you think that she belonged to me?" he asked looking down at Carolyn's swollen and bruised face, the imprint of his ring still lingering.

"She said the name William just before she fainted and being the only William that I know of nearby, I thought I should let you know, just in case she had managed to escape your clutches."

Johns looked at him sharply. "You mean she had no papers, no identifying information with her at all?"

"No, none, but if there had been I'm sure that the yearlings that were tearing her to pieces probably took care of that.

"Yearlings? You mean you found her in the Black Forest."

"Two nights ago."

Johns turned a deadly look on the man beside him before turning his attention once again, to Riddick and the woman between them. Reaching out he ripped back the sheet covering her body looking her over coldly. Riddick laid a hand on James' shoulder to keep him still when he realized that James knew Carolyn was awake.

Meeting Riddick's eye over the bed William lifted a shoulder. "I've never seen this girl before in my life. And even if I had, who'd want this scarred up piece of garbage lying in bed beside them?"

The only sound in the chamber was a gasp of outrage from Mary.

Lifting his hand, Riddick reached up pulling off the eyepatch he was wearing never taking his eyes from Johns.

Johns threw his head back with a laugh. "Why don't you keep her?" He whispered conspiratorially at Riddick with a wink. "Looks like the two of you are a match made in heaven."

Flipping his cloak back down over his shoulder, Johns marched out of the chamber, his Sergeant-at-arms at his heels.

Riddick squeezed James shoulder. "Please make sure that Lord Johns finds his way out of my Realm."

Looking over at Riddick, James squared his jaw. "It would be my pleasure, Brother."

Mary and Agnes still stood rooted on the other side of the chamber. "Mary?" Riddick asked never taking his gaze from Carolyn, "would you and Agnes please see to my chambers?"

Mary nodded her head, taking Agnes by the arm. "Aye, Laddie. We'll be right next door should ye need us."

"Thank you, Mary."

When the door had closed behind the two women, a sob left a panicked Carolyn's throat as she tried to sit up and Riddick attempted to cover her with the sheet at the same time. As she continued to struggle to get out of bed, Riddick sat beside her taking her gently by the arms as she began to cry. "Please, please let me go. I have to leave. He knows where I am now."

"I won't let him hurt you again, you're safe here. I promise."

Dropping her head as great gulping sobs ripped through her body, Riddick gently wrapped his arms around her doing his best not to hurt her healing injuries. He held her until she had cried herself to sleep, weak from her fever and injuries. Laying her down gently, he pulled the rest of the bedding up over her and sought out Mary.