Chapter Ten

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day.

Psalm 91: 5

Darrin shot out of his bed, donned his breeches, grabbed a tunic, his sword, and then raced down the tower stairs. Near the pigpen, he spied the shepherd, Rollin, and Theo standing on the edge of bloody pig guts and body parts.

“What happened here?” Darrin asked.

Master Oddo, who was given charge of the livestock, wailed and fell to his knees. “I swear, lord, I had nothing to do with this. When I checked last night, all was well. The swine were fine. Even ask the lad who slops the pigs.”

“Get up, man.” Darrin held out a hand and helped Oddo to his feet. “No one is blaming you. Go get this lad and then get others to help clean up this mess.”

The shepherd nodded and wiped his tear-streaked face. “Thank you, sir. I told my missus that you were a fair man, I did. I told others too.”

Darrin waved off. “Yes, yes. Now go get the lad.”

After a little more groveling and a nodding, Oddo left in search of the boy. Darrin took count as to what had happened. At least ten pigs, if not more, had been slaughtered.

“Whomever did this did so quickly.” Theo pointed to the side of the pen which was streaked in blood. “They picked up the young pigs and one by one slit their throats and ran a sharp knife down their bellies.”

“Aye, and this side of the pen is farthest away from the other livestock,” Rollin added, kicking his boot against a bloody rope. “My guess is they napped one, muzzled it posthaste and then did the deed. This was a well-planned attack by someone who knows this keep.”

“Agreed.” Darrin examined the appearance of his closest knights. Sir Rollin still looked spotless, his boots shiny and his tunic a pristine white. His hair glistened with water. Clearly he had just washed, but that revealed nothing. Rollin was always clean and spotless. Darrin’s gaze then swiveled to Theo. Dirty and matted as ever; however, not a drop of blood could be seen through his filth. Except Theo’s hands did look a mite cleaner.

Then Darrin surveyed the entire area. The pen was on the edge of the bailey and shadowed by the château walls. Anyone could slip along the edges without being noticed. “The attack was meant to scare us but has instead revealed one of our weaknesses. We’ll double the guard along this section.” Darrin spied a few more possible spots where invaders might choose to enter the keep. “Sir Rollin, take a few men and check every corner of the bailey. Report anything that looks suspicious.”

“Aye, my lord.” Rollin took one more look at the pig entrails and wrinkled his nose. “Only a monster would do this.” The knight turned and left, calling to a few of his men.

At almost the same moment, Oddo returned with the lad who had slopped the pigs last eve. “Here he is.” Oddo pushed the trembling lad forward.

“I swear, sir, I know naught what happed. I gave the feed and called for Master Oddo to lock the gate.”

Oddo reddened and cuffed the boy on the back of the head. “That isn’t what his lordship asked you.”

“Stop.” Darrin raised a hand and let his gaze drop over the lad. Dirty and crusted with mud like most peasants, but again, not a smattering of blood on his person. “You sleep close by, do you not?”

The boy nodded his head.

“Then, pray tell, did you hear or see anything last night?”

Fearing another bash on the back of the head, the lad looked at Oddo. “I’m sorry, my lord. But I slept like the dead last night on account of the celebratin’. One of the servin’ wenches brought me a cup of honeyed mead from the hall. Best I ever had. I couldn’t keep me eyes open after that. I slept until Master Oddo woke me.”

If the boy was bleary-eyed this morn, the only person Darrin could admonish was himself. After all, he gave the servants permission to participate in the merriment last eve. Or the mead might have been tampered with. “Very well then…What is your name?”

“Ancel, sir.” The boy bowed his head as if he still expected to be punished for what happened here.

“Well, Master Ancel, then I do not believe you can be held accountable for what has happened. And I believe you should break your fast immediately. Go tell the cook to give you a plate of leftover hearty meats. By the way, do you remember who brought you the mead?”

Ancel shrugged. “Never saw her before.”

Which meant she could have come soon after Darrin arrived. New knights to a keep always drew fresh whores looking for a protector. No doubt, she was long gone with coin. “Thank you, Ancel. You may go.”

But the lad did not move. “Beggin’ your pardon, but I doubt the cook will listen to me.”

Darrin smiled. Had the bold lad been born under different circumstances, he would have made a fine squire. With a motion of his hand, Darrin beckoned one of his knights. “Take Master Ancel to the cook and make sure he gets a fine plate of food.”

“My thanks, sir,” Ancel said before striding after the knight like a proud page.

“Master Oddo,” Darrien bellowed, his charity gone. “If you wish to keep your position as keeper of my pens, then you will never hit another lad nor anyone else under your authority again. Do I make myself clear?”

Oddo slid his cap off his head and crushed the material between his fingers. “Aye, my lord. It will never happen again.”

“Good. I want you personally to oversee the cleaning up of this mess,” Darrin ordered.

Oddo’s face drooped, but he did not utter a word. Instead he took small steps backward, bowing as he went.

Darrin scanned the disarray at his feet one more time, then looked at Theo. “Come.”

Quickly the pair strode away from the pens and up the battlement stairs. There, Darrin stopped and surveyed the wall above the pens. “These walls are secure.”

Theo casually leaned against the stone barrage. “They did not come over this wall. Our problem lies within.”

“Aye, I know every stone and corner of this keep from my youth.”

His friend raised a brow. “If you know every corner, then why did you send Blossom to inspect every cranny?”

Why indeed? Darrin rolled the thought around in his mind. “He’s been here after my uncle took control. If changes have been made, he might know of them or find things I have overlooked.”

“And you trust him to do this?” The wariness in Theo’s eye said it all.

“You do not trust him? Even after you have fought side by side with him in battle?”

Theo laughed and shook his head. “You have been at this game as long as I. It takes more than a few battles to trust a man. You should have sent me to check the keep.”

Could Theo be jealous of Sir Rollin? A certain amount of rivalry between knights was good. It kept the men sharp and ready, but if not held in check, it could erode the workings of the keep. On the other hand, Darrin had never known Theo to be jealous of anyone… Nay, that was not true. Theo had been quite upset when Sir Hugh de Maury challenged him at an archery competition for Lady Eleanor’s hand. Theo’s loss had spurred him to follow King Richard to France. Still, looking at the mangy man, no one could ever think him to be full of zealous pride. He also had more experience in battle and at being a knight. Hence another reason Darrin trusted him.

“I have already given you a task. You are to watch my lady… Oh, no.” Darrin looked to the rising sun. “I must go.” He turned toward the battlement stairs. “I’m late.”

“Late for what?” Theo asked.

“Morning prayers,” Darrin shouted over his shoulder.

Theo’s laughter followed Darrin down the steps. “You praying. The chapel might fall down around you.”

* * *

Faith had heard the ruckus in the bailey, but Nun refused to let her see what was going on until after their morning prayers. “There is nothing that is so important that cannot wait until after we have spent time with God.”

Of course, she was right, but nevertheless, Faith could not curb her curiosity. When she entered the chapel and only found Father Chabot, her spirits fell. Darrin had promised. Surely whatever happened in the bailey had taken precedent, and he had just forgotten about his pledge. Yet she could not be sure of the truth.

She knelt with Nun in the front of the chapel altar. Father Chabot began with a morning Psalm. Faith tried to remain focused as the priest droned on, but her thoughts kept swaying to Darrin and where he could be. A nudge in her ribs and a stern look on Nun’s face returned Faith to her prayers.

The good father paused mid-sentence when the chapel door creaked open and heavy footfalls made their way to the front of the sanctuary. Faith was tempted to look up but knew such an action would be met with another of Nun’s jabs. Whoever entered must have taken to their knees a half a hand behind her.

When Father Chabot resumed the Psalm, his voice seemed much lighter, as if he, too, was pleased with the new arrival. When he finished, the chapel door squeaked on its hinges again. A shuffle of feet sounded behind Faith. Oh, the temptation was great just to take one peek.

Before she could, Father Chabot began another prayer and then another. Finally, he announced, “Let us all say the prayer our Lord taught us.”

More than one male voice joined Faith as she said, “Our Father, who art in Heaven…”

When morning prayers were done, Faith looked up to see Darrin, but also Sir Rollin and a few of his men. “How wonderful that you all came,” Faith said, looking only at Darrin.

But he did not seem as pleased as she, for he immediately turned to Sir Rollin. “I gave you a task to complete. Are you finished already?”

One would expect Sir Rollin to cower at his lord’s inquiry, but he did not. He turned his blue-hazel gaze to her, bowed and then casually looked to Darrin. “I began and then I remembered my obligation to God. I immediately ordered those with me to come to the chapel. God must always come first in our lives, above all other commands.”

The comment brought a visible stiffness to Darrin’s body, but he did not reprimand Sir Rollin further.

“How nice to know that your faith has grown since the last time you were at Château du Vent Doux,” Nun said, coming to Sir Rollin’s side with Father Chabot.

The revelation brought a tight smile to Sir Rollin’s face and a noticeable ease to Darrin’s shoulders. Neither man moved, but stood almost toe to toe and eye to eye. ’Twas the first time Faith noticed that both men were almost the same height, though Darrin seemed to have a little more muscle. However, if it ever came to a game of sport, Faith would not want to wager the outcome.

“I suggest you return to your duty,” Darrin said in a low voice.

This time Sir Rollin seemed eager to comply. He bowed towards her again. “My lady.” Then he gave a curt nod to Nun. Without acknowledging Darrin or the priest, Sir Rollin departed but left a chill in the chapel air.

Faith reached out when Darrin planned to follow. “A word with you, my lord.”

He stared at the hand on his arm as if it were a strange object that he had never beheld before. “My lady, I have pressing duties.”

“Please,” she begged.

Nun cleared her throat. “We are so glad that you joined us this day, are we not, Father Chabot?”

The priest clasped his hands in front of him. “My prayers have been answered. I do hope some of my words have given you enlightenment this day.”

The blank stare of Darrin’s face gave proof that the priest’s Psalms had fallen on deaf ears.

“I am sure we all were spiritually uplifted today,” Nun answered, coming to Darrin’s defense. She wrapped her arm through Father Chabot’s and started walking him to the chapel entry. “I was hoping we could discuss Psalm forty-three? It’s meaning is a little perplexing to me.”

“Nun is as crafty as ever, changing the priest’s thoughts.” Darrin said, turning toward Faith. “What do you wish to speak of?”

Her heart kicked up a beat at the intensity of his gaze. Her tongue seemed to grow wide and her throat grew tight.

He took the fingers that still rested on his arm and held them tight in his. “Faith? Are you ill?” His gaze rested on her bruised cheek. “You look a mite better today.”

Her given name freely spoken loosened her lips. “I want to give you my thanks for coming this morn.”

He smiled. “In truth, I did not hear a word, so fixed was I on being late.”

She laughed and shook her head. “I must confess, nor did I. My thoughts fixed on your presence.” The smile fled his face, replaced by a stony stare. She should have kept her thoughts private. “I-I am sorry for my boldness. But I am happy you plan to keep our bargain.”

A pause lingered between them. Then he raised his hand and softly touched her bruised cheek. “Are you, now?”

A warmth sped through her and just as quickly disappeared when he dropped his hand to his side.

“Forgive me,” he whispered.

A thought to grab his hand and put his fingers back on her cheek seized her. If he asked her to fulfill her marriage vows now, she would gladly comply. Her gaze caught the cross above the altar. Loathing and contrition filled her soul. How could she think of such things here?

He then stepped back and bowed. “Until later.”

Later. What did he mean? Later in the bailey? Later in the hall? Later in her chamber? A warm blush heated her cheeks. His footsteps took him closer to the chapel door. She should let him go. But she could not…not yet. “Sir Darrin. I heard a commotion in the bailey this morn. Is everything all right?”

A heaviness settled on his features and his shoulders slumped. “Nay. At least ten young piglets were slaughtered last eve and their remains left. I fear we have intruders who wish to bring harm and fear to Château du Vent Doux.”

She rushed to his side. “Do you have any idea who would do this?”

Again he shook his head. “I sent Sir Rollin out earlier to check every corner of this keep in search of clues. I fear his presence at prayers this morn may have spoiled any chance of finding the culprits. They could be anywhere by now.”

Faith put a hand to her heart. “I pray not. Mayhap there is something I can do?”

A stiffness swept down his body, chilling her heart. “Nay, my lady. You have done quite enough.”

On that, he left the chapel. Faith leaned against the cold wall, a lone tear slipping down her cheek. He spoke of the past, of her betrayal of him. Why could he not see the truth? Why could he not hear? Why would he not believe she only wished to help and heal him?