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Nileschuckled, and said, “That gullible husband of yours, thought I was helping him.If Avery failed to kill him, I knew the warning, sent after the fact, wouldallow me to stay close to him until another opportunity arose."
"Aye,you certainly had Brant fooled, into thinking he could trust you. And before, Iwas too young to be considered a reliable witness against you," Isabelsaid. "However, I am not anymore."
"Itdoes not matter what you know," Niles said. "I did not count on you,or the boy. However, that might actually help me. Brant was quite off his game,when he returned here alone, after you two wed. When you vanished with the lad,he was struggling again, not to get despondent. He could easily haveoverindulged in spirits, and met with an accident. Then, I could control hisholding for many years, as the lad’s guardian. Until I acquire an heir, yourson is in line to inherit my fiefs, too. Since I also have a copy of the book,I know the secret passage is off this chamber. You are going to be leaving withme tonight, or you son dies.”
Hereached down, to lift the babe out of the cradle, and realized it was just adoll, under the blanket.
Alarmed,Niles asked Isabel, “Where is the boy?”
Theknights, William and Byron, stepped out from behind a dressing screen. Isabelstarted to light more candles, to brighten the chamber.
Sheanswered, “He is in his father’s chamber. Did he say enough to arrest him, andsearch his castles for the girls?”
Williamnodded to her, and then told Niles, “You Sir, are under arrest for murder,attempted murder, kidnapping, knowingly impersonating a high official...”
Realizinghe had been set up, Niles said, “You deceitful witch. We should have justkilled you.”
Hejumped on to the bed, lunging toward Isabel. She pulled her feet back, androlled away from him, coming to her feet on the floor, beside William. Theknight quickly stepped between her, and the despot.
Withthe two knights now between him, and Isabel, but the door right behind him,Niles decided to attempt an escape. He moved into the dark passage, which wassuddenly flooded with light, when Angus lit a torch near the next room. Withthe path to the rear stairs blocked by Angus, Niles ran toward the main stairs,and began to descend. He knew if he could get to the cellar, he might stillgain access to the secret passage, and escape to fight another day. Torcheswere lit in the hall, bathing it in light. William, Byron, and Angus, ran afterNiles, with Isabel following. From the top of the stairs, Isabel saw Hyram, oneof Brant's top knights, in the hall with his sword drawn, blocking Niles pathof escape. Niles had traveled there with three of his knights. Two of them, whohad bedded down on the floor in the hall, rose and drew their swords, confusedabout what was going on. She watched, as Hyram ordered Niles to surrender, buthe choose instead to draw his sword. Several ofBrant’s Knights, who were sleeping in the hall, followed Hyram’s lead, andsurrounded Niles men, who quickly surrendered. Isabel stood transfixed,watching Niles and Hyram circle, amidst the clash of swords. Clearly, the Dukewas not going to be taken into custody, easily.
Then,Isabel was picked up from behind, carried into the Solar, and dropped on thebed. She missed the sword fight, that ended with thedeath, of the most despicable titled Lord, Isabel had ever met. Twas likely agood thing, Brant thought to get her away from the events in the hall, sherealized later. The wounds from sword fights she had seen after the fact, were nearly enough to make her wretch. Though, afterdepositing her safely in his bedchamber, Brant went right back out to watch.
Aftera while, things quieted down. Byron, who had been in the antechamber, to keepher out of the way, came in to tell her Niles was dead. That was good news toIsabel, who realized the last couple of days, had been long and difficult. Shedecided to wrap a blanket around her shoulders, and lie down to rest, for alittle while. When A
WhenIsabel awoke the next day, she could tell by the sunlight streaming into theroom, it was very late. She stretched, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. A
"Well,I see you are not quite going to sleep till the noontide. I came in, when theywere cleaning up downstairs to sit with you, but you were sleeping like ababe," A
"Trappingmurderers is tiring work," Isabel told her mother, flippantly. Then, moreseriously, she said, "William, Byron, and I, got no sleep the night beforelast, tipping my hand, as it were, to Niles."
"Howcould you get yourself involved, in something like this? My God, you could havebeen killed," A
"Itis not like I set out, to get involved with murderous thieves, Mother. Averystarted all of this. Most of what I have done, was toprotect myself, and survive the situation I was forced into," Isabelstated, defensively. "After Nathaniel was born, then he was in danger,too. Do you expect me not, to try to protect my child?"
"Itappears you forgot something, while you were fighting criminals," A
"Somehow,I think Brant is going to figure out, that I did not do what he thought. Nileswas livid about Nathaniel. Another child, seemed like it would put me in a lotmore danger. When he got notice that I was to be granted control of myresources, Brant made his position clear. He said if I did not return Nathanielto him, he would knock down my Castles, until he found his son. What do youthink his position would have been, if he knew that I still carried his secondchild?" Isabel posed to her mother.
WhenA
A
"Waitfor me," Isabel said.
Shegot a clean gown from her trunk, and slipped it on. A
Inthe hall, Isabel discovered Robert, and Kate, had arrived. Nora met her nearthe stairs, to ask if she would like some thing to eat, and she nodded in theaffirmative. She walked to the table, where a serf explained that breakfast hadbeen served late, due to the excitement during the night. Brant and Robertwalked over, and sat down by her at the table.
"Wouldyou like to explain yourself, yet, or is there more to come?" her husbandasked.
AsIsabel was about to answer him, the door opened. William and Hyram entered, andapproached her. As they joined the others already seated at the table, Isabelgave them a questioning look.
Hyramreplied, in answer to her look, “They found one of the girls, though she is inrough shape. She had been badly abused. According to the serfs, two othersdied. However, there are also a couple of girls missing, from a nearby village.Some suspect Niles in their disappearance, too.”