With Chapter Twenty-Six, we are tightening the screws all around. We begin with Judy in labor, and go from there... Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Six
Morning was breaking, but no one in the room noticed. They were concentrating on only one thing – Judy, and her contractions. In the room with Judy were Diane and Alex, with Meara coming and going. She kept the others outside informed, as they gradually became aware that Lady Judy was in labor. The contractions were getting more frequent, but their intensity had been dulled slightly by Diane’s teas. Judy was able to move about in the bed but could find no position of comfort. She asked after Bob, and if he was coming. So far, no news from the watchtower.
“Alex, do you know anything of Bob?” Judy asked after her last contraction. “Is he coming?”
“All I know is he’s safe wi’ Hermes.” Alex answered. “What I also know is Charlie Stephens is on the way here, with Tom.”
“Charlie Stephens…you know I’ve got some misgivings about him. In our time he was a bit of a slimeball – not someone you would trust. And now you say he’s coming here, and he’s bringing something for me?”
In that moment, Judy was suddenly afraid. She did not know what she should be afraid of, but she knew that if she needed medicine from her time and place, there was likely something brewing. And she was now in labor, and her husband was somewhere else on the island – definitely not by her side where he belonged.
“Oh, Alex, I am suddenly scared, but I don’t even know enough to understand it. There’s something, though, isn’t there? Can’t you tell me what it is?”
“Lady Judy, I canna’ give it a name, but I can tell ye that I shall be here by yer side – that is a promise.”
The contractions hit again, and Judy just concentrated on clearing her mind. She couldn’t waste her energy on fears which she could not even name.
Tom had decided on the route, and from their position, the path he chose took the four of them right by Lough Teagle, and right over the place where Bob, Hermes and Kevin had been attacked. Tom immediately note signs of a struggle. He halted their progress. Tom and one of the guards got down off their horses, but Tom told Charlie and the other guardsman to stay mounted.
As Tom and Angelo searched the grounds, Charlie and Gylland stayed on their horses, quiet, yet nervous. It was Angelo who discovered Kevin’s body, which had been left to rot on the footpath, leading down to the lake. Anger seethed through the men as they looked about the area. Gylland made a wider circle, looking for any sign of the attackers. Charlie stayed where he was, worried but trusting.
After searching the area, finding no present threat, Tom decided the things to do would be to dig a temporary grave for Kevin, then to have Angelo and Gylland follow the trail that the attackers left, and determine where they had taken Master Robert and Hermes. They would then do two things, the first of which would be to arrange a rescue party for the two prisoners, and second, to arrange for a proper Christian funeral and burial for Kevin. Meanwhile, Tom would take Charlie to Castle Kearney as expeditiously as possible, and then quickly join up again with the two guards.
Tom and Charlie then said their goodbye to the two guards and took off again in the direction towards Castle Kearney. Charlie was left shaken by all that had happened, especially when he found out about Bob and Hermes being taken prisoner, and it was Charlie who going to Judy’s side with medicine that he didn’t even know how to give. It would be so much easier if a doctor could be there to oversee it all.
“Does it ever slow down in your world?” asked Charlie. “Or do you have to keep doing these heroic deeds?”
“Actually, Master Charlie, it has just been for the past month that I’ve had to be on this constant run. It is my hope that I shall have some time with Drachma ere long. He is not well, is old and my time with him is too precious. But for now, it would appear that I shall stay busy as ever.”
“Even though I’ve not met Drachma, I would dearly love to. For one thing, it seems to have been Drachma’s doings all along which got us here.”
“Indeed, it was.”
“There is so much I’d like to ask him.” Charlie said this, realizing that he was not likely to get any direct answer to his questions. “How much longer until we get to Castle Kearney?”
Tom’s answer made Charlie realize that here was a chip off the old block.
“It will be, at the very least, three more hours. And yet that depends on factors over which it would appear that we have little control.”
By the time Marilyn, Lisa, Fausto and the prisoners arrived at Shepperton Castle, it was getting late in the afternoon. The castle struck Marilyn with awe. She had seen Castle Kearney, and that was awe-inspiring in its own way, but as they went up to the gate, and came inside, Shepperton’s majesty was overwhelming.
They were met at the inner gate by a contingent of guards, and the prisoners, other than Count Gregorio were taken off to the dungeon. Marilyn was looking about in her continued state of awe.
“Oh, Fausto, I thought that your castle was magnificent, but this one is truly something to behold.”
“Aye, m’lady – it is as you say. Now, the men here at the gate are runnin’ to tell Lord Craycroft of your arrival, and also of Lisa’s and the count’s presence among us. We shall have to wait to see what they want done with all of us.”
So, Marilyn and Lisa contented themselves with staring and pointing out the incredible features of the amazing structure in which they found themselves. The tall turrets, and the grand courtyard, from where the merchants were taking down their wares, packing up and leaving the castle. The bustle and smells of the fires being put out, the presence of oxen, leather works, and tin wares – all with an atmosphere of controlled chaos, like the end of carnival day.
The guards came back, along with Aaron, who said, “all of you are more than welcome to come up and meet with Lord Craycroft and Lord Derrymoor. The lords ask only that the count not be tied up, and he may come up as a guest. It will take some time for the preparation of the dinner meal, but you will be welcomed with appropriate food and drink.”
They followed Aaron into the keep, down the grand hallway, then up the stairs coiling upwards. He then took them down an ornate hallway, with tapestries and rugs on the floor, and busts of nobles along the way. Eventually, he turned left into a sitting room, the likes of which Marilyn had never seen. There were numerous, not matching, comfortable chairs. There were small tables, rich carpets, paintings and tapestries on the walls. Greeting them were Craycroft and Derrymoor, who treated all as if they were royalty, including (and especially) Lisa.
Lisa and Marilyn were asked to sit between the two lords. Lisa had never been in someplace as grand as this room. She simply gaped at the ornate and comfortable furniture. She felt acutely out of place, and gripped Marilyn’s hand.
As the servants brought around some cheese, fruits and bread, along with drinks, Craycroft began, “For those of you that do not know me or the earl, let me begin with a sincerely meant welcome. I am Craycroft, present lord of Shepperton. And to my side is the ruler in fact of Shepperton, the earl of Derrymoor. Now, if you would be so kind as to introduce yourselves, and tell us of your situation, beginning with our esteemed Forest Guard, Fausto.”
“M’lords, I remain a humble Forest Guard,” said Fausto, who was somewhat uncomfortable in his chosen chair, due to his bulk. “My job has been to maintain as much order as possible within the confines of the forest. But lately, I have had the pleasure of guarding Lady Marilyn since she arrived in our realm.
“Oh, thank you,” he said, as he was offered the food and a drink of ale. “Now, Lady Marilyn has shown herself to be a woman of both valor and substance.
“We did, at the order o’ Tom, rescue a number o’ your people, most of whom have been sent to Castle Kearney, but some of whom were still with the count o’er here, and they were rescued later by meself an’ others. They be now on their way to Castle Kearney, and I did bring the count and a number of his men wi’ me to Shepperton.”
“Let me ask you, my good man,” Derrymoor asked, “were any of the count’s shipboard persons and goods at all involved?”
“I think not, m’lord.”
“Very well, and how many men did you bring as prisoners back with you?”
“Nineteen, sire.”
“And so, we now have, with your nineteen men, forty-one in sum, counting the others delivered to us yesterday.”
Craycroft continued on the same line, “Allowing for the loss of three men in your initial rescue, does that sound about right, Count Gregorio?”
Gregorio had been silent until then, and in his thick accent said, “It does sound correct. And might I say, your giant man, here has been a true gentleman. I have been treated with courtesy.”
“I am so glad to hear that. Well, then let me make you an offer, Count Gregorio,” said Derrymoor, “As you may or may not have heard, we have been attacked by a man of true evil. Does the name of Antoine LeGace mean anything to you?”
The count inhaled sharply. “That man is from the devil!”
Derrymoor continued, “Well, it is he who has attacked us. And I am asking you to consider the following offer. In exchange for the freedom for you and your men, and a steady supply of Shepperton pots, would you be willing to join forces with us against this unholy enemy?”
There was a moment of silence, as he swallowed, and then a solitary tear fell from his eye, before answering. “Yes…of course. It shall be… as you say”
Aaron appeared at the door, and with him were Jeanne and Sylvie.
“Mama!” cried Lisa, and she ran into her mother’s arms.
“Me Lisa! You’re safe!” Turning to Craycroft, she asked, “who do I need to thank fer me daughter’s safe return? Oh, ye have no idea what she means to me.”
Lisa answered her mother’s question, “The girl’s name was Maggie. She rescued me from the boat.”
“Did you say Maggie?” asked Craycroft.
“Oh, aye, sire, ‘twas her. She took me from the boat, an’ she brought me to Lady Marilyn’s care – her an’ Fausto. They brought me back t’ me mum.”
“I can tell you this, if Maggie was involved, then your presence among us must indeed be something of significance. Can you tell us, what of Melchior?”
“Only that she told me not to worry, that he would have his day.”
At that, Jeanne sighed heavily. “So, he was all right as ye left the boat?”
“Aye, m’lady. He seemed to be all right, as I could tell.”
With that news, Jeanne murmured a soft prayer of thanks, as the tears of gratitude flowed freely down her cheeks.
Craycroft then turned particularly toward Marilyn, and spoke to her softly, “Now, m’lady, Marilyn, it is with pleasure that I meet you. And it would seem that you do, indeed, have much to tell us. Would you be so kind, then, to join us for dinner? And who among these persons would you like to have join you for dinner?”
“Oh, Lord Craycroft, if it would not be too much trouble, I’d like to have everyone here join us.”
Craycroft’s eye twinkled as he said, “I am so glad. It shall be as you wish!”
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