The Silken Cord (16 page)

“I would have helped her if I could,”
Wulfgar said.

A sneer twisted Jenkin’s face as he raised
the ax and stepped closer to Wulfgar. “It was because of you that
she needed help. If you hadn’t been convicted, Lord Carlinham would
never have come to rule Glyndwr. Peace would have continued along
our border.”

And Wulfgar would have married Ariana at her
father’s bidding. No one needed to die. Peace and trade could have
reigned between their people.

Although Jenkin’s reasoning seemed a bit
warped, Wulfgar felt the weight of responsibility heavy on his
shoulders. He’d failed Ariana. Now, he was determined to make
things right.

Several anxious moments slipped by as the
two men glared at one another. Wulfgar was tensed and ready to
fight.

Finally, Jenkin backed away, turned and
disappeared into the forest. Wulfgar relaxed his shoulders and
stared toward the main campfire.

Doubt filled his mind. Who was he? A slave
only. He could do little to help his betrothed. Yet, he must find a
way.

* * *

Cynan Castle stood upon a rocky promontory
overlooking the River Teme. The river flowed from mid-Wales, south
of Newtown in Powys, and flowed through Knighton where it crossed
the border into England. Ships could bring supplies up the river to
the castle or provide defense should there be a siege. The river
also provided an ideal escape route. Further downstream, rapids
frothed white over large rocks and sunlight glanced off the murky
waters. Grassy hills surrounded the mote where sheep grazed
peacefully.

Overlooking the area for miles around, Cynan
was an imposing site. It controlled the surrounding lands and
commerce in the area, a haven to the local farmers and townsfolk.
At one time, there’d been safety within the castle walls. Now Edwin
ruled Glyndwr and there was only treachery and fear.

Made of gray stone quarried and brought by
ship up the river, the castle was a magnificent site. The tall keep
rose high to stand guard over the land.

The town was surrounded by a stone palisade.
Looking at it from the shelter of the forest, Ariana could believe
the castle impervious to attack. The outer curtain wall stood more
than fifteen feet high, the inner curtain wall easily double that.
It would be more than difficult for her men to breach the
walls.

Surrounded by rocky cliffs on the north and
east, a moat had been built on the south and west. The towers of
the keep rose to well over fifty feet. This day, the drawbridge was
lowered and a lone wagon and driver plodded along the dirt road
toward the portcullis. The wheels of the wagon rattled noisily as
it crossed the drawbridge and entered the keep.

“There’re three entrances to the town,”
Wulfgar spoke low as he and the other men gathered around to plan
their strategy. “Soon it will be night, and they’ll raise the
drawbridge. That’s when we’ll make our move.”

Fifty-three men, mostly Welsh, had joined
their cause. Recruited from Ariana’s people during their stay at
Lake Elan. They’d traveled at night, praying no one saw their large
party and warned Edwin. If they could get inside, they had enough
men to take the castle.

Huddled within the darkness at the forest’s
edge, they listened to Wulfgar’s instructions. Austin stood back,
deep in the shadows, keeping their horses quiet.

Staring over a fallen tree trunk, Ariana lay
upon her stomach on the soft leaves littering the ground. The scent
of rich, loamy soil reached her nose. The dampness of the ground
felt cold against her body and she shivered.

Jenkin lay on his stomach to her right and
Wulfgar joined her, lying on her left. Raulf and the other captains
crouched nearby, listening as Wulfgar explained the terrain.

Each man had been armed with swords and
battle-axes. They planned to move quickly under cover of night. Not
wanting to be hampered by heavy chain mail, they instead wore
woolen tunics and hose.

“We will avoid the town.” Wulfgar spoke in a
loud whisper so all the men might hear. “Raulf tells me the
townsfolk are yet loyal to me, but I fear many of the people have
now sworn fealty to Edwin.”

“They’ll not support him,” Raulf vowed.
“Carlinham takes their wealth and abuses their daughters. They hate
him and have sworn fealty at the point of his sword. It was a
hollow vow to appease Edwin and save their skin, nothing more.
They’ll fight for you, my lord.”

Wulfgar inclined his head. “There’ll come a
time when we’ll need their help if we’re to regain Cynan.”

“See there are no guards on the towers,”
Raulf observed.

“Edwin is a fool.” Wulfgar smiled with
relish. “He’s harried the Welsh so much that he doesn’t believe
they would dare attack. He’s let down his guard.”

Ariana’s mouth tightened and she brushed a
small stone away from her elbow. “And he’ll now pay dearly for
it.”

“I’d love to have Carlinham at my mercy.”
Jenkin sneered.

Wulfgar snorted. “You’ll have to fight me
for that joy.”

“The people of the town gathered together
the coins so I could buy you at the slave market.” Raulf cast a
sheepish glance at Ariana. “Still it was not enough. I’ll go speak
with them and we’ll be ready when you open the sally port to let us
inside.”

The sally port was a small back door, which
enemies often overlooked and commonly used during siege so that
troops could sally forth in secret. It was a good plan.

If it worked.

Ariana shook her head. “I’ll not jeopardize
Dafydd’s life. We have enough men to take the castle without
warning the townsfolk, yet.”

Raulf’s eyes widened with amazement. “But I
must give them a warning so they can prepare.”

Ariana shook her head, her jaw set
stubbornly. “No, one of them might warn Edwin. Then, all will be
lost.”

Jenkin tensed beside her. The other men
shifted nervously.

“We mustn’t fight amongst ourselves,”
Wulfgar interceded. “It’ll be as the princess says. You’ll wait
until we open the door, then send a messenger to the town’s
people.”

Jenkin relaxed but Raulf continued to fume,
his ears red with anger.

“We’ll secure Prince Dafydd first,” Wulfgar
informed the men. “Then, we’ll take the castle.”

“And if something goes wrong?” Raulf
asked.

Wulfgar clenched his teeth, his expression
solemn. “Nothing will go wrong. I hope we are undiscovered, but we
could bring company for you to greet with your swords. I’ll open
the sally port and lower the ladder so you can get inside and take
the guards unaware. Be ready.”

Raulf hefted his ax and skimmed his thumb
across the razor-sharp edge. “We’ll wait along the cliff. If you
don’t open the sally port by dawn, I’ll go to the town and seek
help there.”

Ariana ignored his threat as she looked at
Wulfgar. “I will accompany you into the castle.”

Each man stared at her with surprise. Raulf
rolled his eyes and snorted.

“It’s too dangerous,” Jenkin objected.
“Think what Edwin would do if he caught you.”

“You and Wulfgar will protect me.”

Wulfgar sighed, his brows lowered in a
troubled frown. “Jenkin is right. It’s too dangerous and you’ll
only slow us down. You should remain here.”

Ariana sat back and jutted her chin. “I’m
quite swift and will not slow you down one bit. I’m going, so don’t
try to stop me.”

Wulfgar saw the stubborn set of her
shoulders and the thin line of her lips. He knew she would follow
unless he bound her hand and foot. “Jenkin, speak some reason to
her.”

“Princess, please.”

“That’s enough.” She held up a hand to
silence them.

Wulfgar ran a hand through his hair, making
it stand on end. “It’s clear you’ve been spoiled and are used to
having your way.”

Her jaw hardened. Wulfgar almost laughed,
but refrained from doing so. She was a beautiful woman with her
long hair braided down her back and her nose crinkled up. He wanted
more than anything to kiss her. Instead, he tugged on her arm. “We
must speak in private.”

Ariana crouched low as they moved back into
the sheltering trees. When they stood in the deep shadows, she
whispered for his ears alone. “I’m going, Wulfgar. My men won’t
bind me. I’m their princess and they’ll obey me. Nor will they
allow your men to do the deed, so don’t suggest it.”

Wulfgar winced. Could she not do as he asked
just once? “I’ll not be able to fight freely on your brother’s
behalf if I have to defend you also.”

She smiled and her eyes sparkled like blue
sapphires. “I’ve seen you in battle and have every faith you’ll
protect both my brother and me from harm.”

Her words of confidence warmed his heart.
But what if he failed her again?

The treetops shivered as a breeze whispered
past. Wulfgar shifted his weight, snapping twigs beneath his feet.
Glancing over his shoulder at their waiting men, he leaned his head
down close to her. “We will travel through water, Ariana. We must
swim and your long skirts will pull you under. Even now, the secret
passage may have been discovered by Edwin and covered over. I don’t
know if we can even get inside. If we find the passage closed off
and you can’t hold your breath long enough, you might drown.”

Fear lurched through him when he thought of
her gasping for breath while he tried to get her to the surface.
He’d never forgive himself if she died.

Ariana lowered her hands to her knees and
lifted her skirts to pull them over her head. Wulfgar’s eyes
widened as he watched her remove her dress. Beneath her chemise,
she wore a man’s woolen shirt and britches. The coarse material
looked scratchy and uncomfortable but he realized she would have
little trouble becoming tangled in her clothes.

He eyed her shapely form. “I see you came
prepared.”

“I won’t be left behind. I know how to swim
quite well. My brothers taught me.”

Wulfgar glowered, hoping his angry look
might deter her where wisdom did not.

She shook her head and met his gaze with
boldness. “I’m going and that’s final.”

She reached to her waist where she wore a
man’s thick belt. Inside a leather sheath were her slim daggers. He
had no doubt she would use them if need be.

Turning, she returned to the edge of the
forest. Jenkin frowned at her mannish garb, his lips thin as he
tossed a look of anger in Wulfgar’s direction.

Wulfgar lifted his hands. “Don’t blame me.
You know she has a mind of her own.”

Jenkin growled. “More of our men should
accompany us, princess. What if the Norman slave betrays you? He
could hand you over to Edwin, thinking to gain clemency for
himself.”

True, but Jenkin could as easily betray her.
If Dafydd were dead, Jenkin could become king. Her people believed
in him and would follow him with little trouble.

Ariana touched her hand to his sleeve. “I
trust both of you and God to see us safely through this day. I’ll
be safe, Jenkin. Wulfgar knows you’ll hunt him down and kill him
should he betray me.”

Her words were spoken loud enough so all
could hear. Jenkin’s gaze rested on Wulfgar, incinerated by
hate.

“I vow it.” Jenkin’s voice was low.

Wulfgar met Jenkin’s gaze and the two men
regarded each other.

An abrasive laugh slipped from Jenkin’s
throat. “Perhaps today you will be killed and we’ll be done with
you for good.”

Wulfgar shook his head. “Not likely.”

“We shall see.” Jenkin responded in a light
tone. “The day is still young.”

Wulfgar gave him a chilling glare. “We leave
when the moon is full.”

Under cover of night, Wulfgar, Ariana and
Jenkin swept across the clearing to the palisade. With Wulfgar
leading the way, the trio followed the deep ditch surrounding the
foot of the wall.

Ariana stumbled and Wulfgar reached for her,
his strong hands clasping her arm, lending support.

“Are you all right?” His warm breath brushed
her cheek.

She shivered in the dark. “I’m fine.”

His strong fingers curled around hers and he
squeezed her hand once, then let her go. She would have held tight
to his hand, but Jenkin’s disapproving gaze made her draw away.

They circled the town and stole their way to
the castle. Not a single watchman stood upon the towers of the
town. Ariana smiled to herself. It’d be so easy to attack and take
control. Edwin was a fool, a cruel brute hated by many. In a matter
of time, his own people would turn on him. Men like Edwin were
often found dead in the forest, an arrow through their hearts,
killed by an unknown assassin.

The moon gleamed brightly above with little
cloud cover. Stars winked down at them and they had no trouble
seeing their way to the castle moat. They crouched amidst the
shadows on the south side, where the gatehouse entrance towered
overhead. The castle inhabitants had raised the bridge and lowered
the portcullis. As Ariana inched along the cold stonewall, she
could see no way inside.

Panic climbed up her throat. What if Wulfgar
had lied about the passage? Perhaps he had tricked her and would
now try to use her to gain advantage for himself. Jenkin was close
by her side, but he was little defense against Edwin’s army should
Wulfgar betray them.

Wulfgar touched her shoulder and Ariana
jumped.

“We must swim through the moat,” Wulfgar
whispered to both her and Jenkin. “It’ll be difficult to see. Take
one end of this rope and tie it around one of your hands so you
don’t become disoriented and lose your way in the dark water. I’ll
take the lead and pull you to safety should you become lost.”

“Where is the entrance?” Ariana asked
quietly.

Wulfgar’s eyes glittered in the night. He
blinked and spoke low. “You’ll see soon enough. But be warned. The
passage is small and we will be cramped. You’ll need to stay close
until we’re inside. Though I planned for a passage, I didn’t make
it easy to enter or leave. Otherwise, it would not be a secret for
long.”