Outside the de Rohan Residence
Paris, Kingdom of France
“Is that Tanya?”
Jeremy cocked an ear then nodded. “I’d recognize that bark anywhere. Something’s wrong.”
David urged his horse toward the gates of the de Rohan estate, the reinforced heavy wood doors closed. “Open the gates! It’s Jeremy and David, Sir Marcus de Rancourt’s squires!”
There was no reply, though David could hear activity on the other side. He didn’t wait, instead dismounting then leaping at the gate, shoving upward with his left foot, gaining enough height to grab the top. Jeremy pushed David’s feet from below, and he swung over, dropping to the ground and drawing his sword as the two shocked guards stood staring at him, unsure of what to do. He reached back and shoved the latch aside, kicking the gate partway open, Jeremy taking care of the rest, joining him with his bow at the ready.
“Where is Lady Joanne?” demanded David, aiming the tip of his sword at the nearest guard’s throat.
“She’s under arrest, by order of Lord Charles!”
David glared at him. “That’s not what I asked.”
“There!”
David looked to where Jeremy was pointing, and spotted Lady Joanne and her chambermaid being shoved across the courtyard by several of the guards, one he recognized as the Captain of the Guard they had wounded in Crécy-la-Chapelle. He glanced at Tanya to his right, still tied up from where he had left her earlier, the dog straining against her leash, desperate to get involved.
And she was exactly the distraction they needed, as the two guards at the gate finally drew their swords. Jeremy buried an arrow deep in his man’s chest as David swung, opening the belly of his before the man’s sword cleared its scabbard. David surged forward, toward Tanya, and swung his sword, slicing her leash. She leaped forward, tearing toward those who would threaten the women, as Jeremy let fly another arrow, dropping one of the guards before they took notice of their arrival.
Tanya reached them before another arrow could be shot, taking down another guard, leaving only the captain. He spun toward them, his sword at the ready, then turned to swing at Tanya.
“No!” Jeremy let two arrows fly in quick succession, dropping the man in his place, his sword clattering to the cobblestone as he collapsed to his knees.
“Kill them!” he cried before his voice turned into a gurgle, blood sputtering from between his lips.
David turned slowly in a circle, Jeremy pressed to his back as Tanya continued to grapple with her prey. Half a dozen of Charles’ guards encircled them, swords drawn, another half-dozen staff with pitchforks joining them. David reached out and grabbed Lady Joanne, pulling her then Beatrice toward him, placing them between him and Jeremy.
“Now stop right there! If you come any closer, I promise you death, though not necessarily a swift one!”
One of them laughed, the others joining in. “We’re twelve, you’re two.”
David smiled. “I’m happy to see you can count.” He pointed at the man. “Tanya! Get him!”
Tanya looked up, then to where he was pointing, releasing the mangled arm she had been tearing at, then bolted toward her new target. Jeremy put an arrow in the shoulder of the nearest guard as all were distracted by Tanya’s charge. She leaped through the air and the man dropped his sword, raising his arms to protect his face. The mastiff slammed into him, bringing him to the ground, the snarling beast a terror to behold.
“Tanya! Get him!” David pointed at the next nearest guard, and she released, sailing through the air at him.
“What goes on here!”
David swung toward the new voice, and breathed a sigh of relief as four of the King’s Personal Guard rode through the gate, their swords drawn. “Tanya!” David smacked his leg and the dog broke her grip, returning to his side, panting happily. He stepped toward the new arrivals.
“I am David, this is Jeremy. We were sent here by our master and Templar knight, Sir Marcus de Rancourt. This woman, Lady Joanne, is under our protection. These men were accosting her when we arrived.”
The captain of the new arrivals leaned forward in his saddle. “You said Sir Marcus de Rancourt?”
“Yes.”
“We were sent here by him to arrest Louis Forbin. Where is he?”
David pointed at the body. “I think this is him.”
Lady Joanne stepped forward. “It is. These two brave men and their faithful companion saved us from whatever fate my corrupt husband had in store for us.”
“Your husband is Lord Charles?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Then you need not fear him any longer. We arrested him a short time ago. I have orders to bring you to the Court immediately. The King awaits.”
David bowed slightly. “We shall, but first we have one more task.”