Honor & Roses (37 page)

“Who are these men?” Alric asked. “They go armed? Do they have horses?”

“Most have a horse, and all bear arms. Morris called them mercenaries.”

“How many?”

“About forty of them. Most speak Welsh to each other.”

Alric grimaced. Pierce must have sent a fast rider to warn Theobald of what happened. “What of Octavian and the others?”

“Not here. They were escorted back to Cleobury. Not violently, for Octavian kept the others from drawing steel. But they’re prisoners, I think.”

“Did Theobald say so?”

“Theobald never came here. He sent Sir Rafe in his stead.”

Alric felt sick. “Rafe speaks for Theobald?” At every turn, his one time friend seemed to become more his enemy.

“He must, because all the mercenaries followed his orders. Every man who was at Malvern Castle was taken.”

“But
you
were not.”

The boy shook his head. “No, sir. Sir Rafe looked right at me, but seemed to not see me. I was afraid to say a word.”

“You’re lucky,” Alric said, though Rafe must have recognized Edmund—unless he deliberately ignored the boy’s presence. “So am I, for you’ve already helped me. You can help more…if you’re willing?”

“I’m your squire, sir!” Edmund looked deeply offended at the idea of not assisting.

“So you are. But you’ll be safer if you stay here and be my eyes for now. Say no word out loud that you have seen me. I’ll return soon to take back Hawksmere.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If you can get in to see Morris,” Alric went on, “you may tell him what I told you. And then listen to him in all things—he’ll know what to do. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good, now go. Wait for a message from me. God keep you.”

The boy ran back toward the manor, and Alric wheeled his horse around to the main procession, still a half mile behind. Cecily and Rainald rode side by side, their faces reflecting his concern.

“I have news,” he said, “of the worst sort. Hawksmere is taken.”

“Oh, no,” said Cecily. “What happened? How do Octavian and the others fare?”

“Apparently, they were escorted to Cleobury, under guard. We must hope they are safe, though I fear for them now.”

“Someone got word to Theobald? So quickly?” Cecily asked.

“Someone we know,” Alric said grimly. “Rafe led the party that captured Hawksmere.”

Rainald said, “Where can we go now?”

Alric tried to think of the closest place of refuge. “I have one idea. Luc of Braecon is a man I trust. He might be found at his favored home, which is only two days’ ride.”

“What if he’s not in residence?” Cecily asked. “We can’t ask them to shelter all of us when their own lord can’t approve it.”

“There’s no other choice,” said Alric. “The road to London is too risky. We could meet with trouble well before we found anywhere that would take us in.”

“There is one place that will shelter us without question,” Cecily insisted.

“Where?”

“Meaholt.”

“What is this place?” her father asked.

“It’s the last place anyone would think to look,” Cecily said eagerly. “And our number is small enough that we would not overwhelm them.”

Alric shook his head. “Cecily, it’s far too dangerous. For them and for us.”

“What are you not telling me?” Rainald pressed.

“Meaholt is a hamlet not far from Cleobury,” Alric explained. “It’s inhabited by lepers.”

“That’s mad!” Rainald burst out.

“No, it’s brilliant,” said Cecily. “Theobald has always feared it. Mercenaries won’t go there—they’ll take their pay and leave first! But Father,” she added, “I know the folk at Meaholt. They will help, and they’ll be able to tell us what’s happening at Cleobury.” She turned back to Alric. “You know it’s true! They hear all the rumors and news, because they go out to beg and new travelers join them.”

Alric nodded at last. “Perhaps it is the best choice. But we must move quickly, and take another road to reach it. No one from the village or from Cleobury can see us.”

The party went roundabout to avoid any chance of being spotted. The element of surprise was vital. When the group reached the hill west of Meaholt, Alric signaled a halt.

“Shall I go down?” Cecily offered. “They know me. I won’t alarm them.”

“You know the residents we hope to find there,” Alric corrected. “But we’ve no idea who is living there now. I’ll go, my lady. The residents have met me as well.”

“That makes good sense,” she said meekly.

Alric was a bit suspicious at her acquiescence, but then he smiled. “With luck, all is well and you’ll see your sparrows before nightfall.”

Casting a final glance at Cecily, he walked off alone, descending into the valley of Meaholt.

* * * *

Less than one hour later, Alric returned with the news that the whole of Rainald’s party was invited into Meaholt.

Hearing that, Cecily addressed the group. “We are welcome in Meaholt, but know that it is a leprosarium.”

There was a collective reaction, as the group shifted and exchanged muttered comments.

“I have come here many times,” Cecily said. “I never took sick and feel no fear. However, if you do not care to enter Meaholt, no one will be forced to do so. You may stay close by, and we’ll send word.”

Rainald looked down at Meaholt, his eyes calm. He would never show hesitation, even in the face of a dreaded disease. “I will go,” he said. “I place my trust in God.”

Robin also stepped forward. She would go anywhere her lord did.

One by one, the others agreed to join them. This little band had followed Rainald for years, some of them having been with him almost since his exile began. Now that their lord was returning home, they wanted to join him.

Cecily walked at the head of the group, eager to see the friends she never expected to see again.

The residents came out to greet her, calling her name and waving.

“Robert!” she called. “Edwina! Hello, Bertram!” she said to the young man approaching with a smile on his face.

“My lady!” a girl’s voice cried out. “You’ve come back!”

Cecily turned, recognizing it as familiar but not quite fitting into this scene.

Then she saw the face of Runild, the maid from Cleobury.

“What are
you
doing here?” Cecily said.

“I live here now, my lady,” Runild responded, more shyly. She caught up to Bertram, who took her hand.

“Are you ill?” Cecily asked, searching for signs of disease. She saw none. Her cheeks were rosy, and she looked as strong and hearty as ever.

“No, my lady,” Runild said, her gaze locked on the ground. “I have nowhere else to go. I can’t live at Cleobury and my family sent me away.”

“Why?”

“I’m with child.”

“Oh.” Cecily was taken aback. “Will they not permit you to marry the father?”

“I would rather die a leper than marry the father!” Runild spat on the ground. Then her despair returned. “Not that I told them who it was. I dare not.”

Cecily glanced at Bertram. From his behavior, it was clear that the young man cared for Runild and she for him.

“It’s not mine,” he said quietly. “Though I’m willing to raise Runild’s child as my own, if she’ll have me as husband.”

“I don’t deserve you, Bertram,” Runild said. “Not after what I’ve done.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” he said hotly.

“I don’t understand,” Cecily said. All the joy of seeing those she loved in Meaholt fled upon seeing how distressed the young couple was. “What has been done to Runild?”

“I can’t tell you,” Runild whispered. “He’ll hurt my family.”

“The family that kicked you out!” Bertram snapped.

“Only because I can’t tell them the truth!” she said. “I know they still love me.”

“Who will hurt them?” asked Cecily. “Tell me, Runild.”

The girl shook her head.

Cecily leaned forward and took Runild’s hand in hers. “Runild, you have served me and my family since you were little. Have I ever given you cause to mistrust me? If you have been wronged, I will find justice for you.”

“Tell her,” Bertram urged. “Don’t let that bespawler get away with what he’s done for so long.”

Runild leaned toward Cecily’s ear. “You’ve come back, which seems like a miracle. You will help me? You promise?”

“On my honor,” Cecily vowed. “Tell me.”

“It was Laurence,” Runild whispered.

The truth was so far outside her experience that it took Cecily a moment to connect the name to a face. “Laurence of Cleobury? You mean Theobald’s clerk?”

The maid nodded, her face red. “He kept after me. He’d get me alone, and make me…do whatever he said. If I didn’t, he’d have my family kicked out of their home. He said he could do it with a stroke of his pen. He would make it look as if my father hadn’t paid the quarterly rent. Who could contradict him when he could show a record to support his lies? So I did what he demanded.”

Cecily remembered seeing Runild and Laurence in the courtyard so many weeks ago. “Oh, my dear. If I had known…”

“He warned me not to say a word,” Runild said. “It was horrible, but I had no choice. It went on for weeks, and then he came to my bed one night. He said if I didn’t let him lie with me, he’d have my father accused of stealing. He’d be hanged, and my mother would have to raise the children alone…”

Cecily could barely see, she was so angry. “He told you that?”

“And if I mentioned it to anyone, he’d do far worse. I was terrified. I couldn’t say no. So I let him…”

A thin sigh sounded next to Cecily. Robin had come up to her and heard the last few words, gleaning the rest of the story from the expression on Runild’s face.

Cecily said, “The sin is all his. You are not to blame.”

“Then why did this happen?” Runild moaned. “I did what he wanted! He hurt me, and he’s still in the manor, and I’m out here. I’m pregnant and ruined, and my own blood won’t speak to me. If not for Bertram, I would have drowned myself in the river.”

“I’ll make Laurence pay for this,” Cecily promised. “He’ll not get away with hurting an innocent girl.”

“Runild wasn’t the only one he hurt,” Bertram said in a low, furious voice. “After I learned what happened, I heard similar stories from a few others in Bournham. Laurence has done this for years. Always with girls of villein families—never freemen who might stand up for their rights. He keeps the books, so there’s no one to say otherwise if he declares someone didn’t pay rent or what’s due to the lord. It’s a learned man’s word against that of a villein woman. Theobald knows which side to take.”

“I am not Theobald, and I will see that Laurence is punished.” Cecily released Runild’s hands. “You have my word.”

Robin tugged at Cecily’s sleeve then. “You’re wanted at the chapel, my lady. Rainald and the others are gathering there.”

Cecily nodded and turned to leave, casting a look back at Runild and Bertram.

Robin kept close by her. “All the more reason to defeat this Theobald, yes?” she asked. “His underlings are as corrupt as he is.”

“I won’t stand for it,” Cecily muttered.

“First you must return as the lady of the manor,” Robin reminded her practically. “After that, you may seek justice for others. Come, let us join the men. We have a battle to plan.”

* * * *

Alric looked up as the two women entered the chapel, which had been put to use as a council chamber, being the only place large enough to accommodate the task.

Cecily was flushed with anger. Robin stood near her, and she also looked rather fierce. But there was no time to inquire further. For the moment, they had to learn all they could of what happened after they left Cleobury.

Alric, Cecily, Rainald, and Robin were soon joined by a few others. Bertram arrived, as did Robert, the gaunt leper who seemed to speak for Meaholt.

“What news of Theobald and his doings?” Alric asked them.

“Scant news,” Robert said. “Only one day after you all left for the north, Theobald issued orders that none from Meaholt can enter the manor grounds. He has also told the town that they should turn us away at the gates.”

“Why?”

“He says that leprosy will break out if we step among them—as if we who are truly sick can even walk so far.”

“How do you manage to get food?” Cecily asked in concern.

“Oh, the townspeople have their own minds,” Bertram said. “Not all listen to Theobald, and some still provide us charity. We dare not show ourselves too openly, though, for fear he’ll send his men to burn Meaholt.”

“He will do so anyway,” Alric said grimly, “sooner or later.”

“If we had enough men, we could attack Cleobury,” Rainald said.

“My lord,” said Alric, “You have not seen Cleobury since you gave it to your brother years ago. He’s fortified it heavily. We can’t take it without considerable numbers, more than we have now.”

“Theobald has purchased the loyalty of all the local petty lords,” Cecily added. “So we’re alone.”

“Yes,” said Alric. “However, I am familiar with Cleobury’s defenses. Theobald asked me to check on them earlier this summer.”

Rainald’s eyes brightened. “You know a way past them?”

“I might. It would be risky, and only one or two soldiers could get inside. But if we succeeded, we’d be able to sneak to the gatehouse and open it to a force outside before the guards could react. Then we’d have a fair fight.”

“My brother never had a taste for fair fights,” Rainald noted. “Very well. Let us refine your plan.”

Alric paused. “I would feel better if we could have a pair of friendly eyes see the inside of Cleobury first.”

“What do you mean?” asked Bertram.

“We need to know if Octavian and the others are actually there. We must also know if they are all prisoners, and what’s planned for them. What they told Theobald and how he’s reacted.”

“But how will we get inside to get a message to him?” the young man asked. “Theobald will be twice as alert now. The residents of Meaholt are all known to the guards of Cleobury. You can’t go, sir. Nor can Cecily.”

“You need a stranger.” Robin stood up. “I’ll go to the manor. Tell me what this Sir Octavian looks like. I’ll get word to him.”

“It’s dangerous,” Alric warned her. Since learning Robin’s true nature, Alric found it difficult to treat her as a boy, regardless of how she dressed or acted.