Enemy of My Enemy

“Weseem to have a lot more men leaving with us, than we had when we arrived,” shecommented to Brant. “Are you expecting some trouble?”

“No.I just had some of them ride in ahead of us,” Brant answered.

“Why?”Isabel asked, when he offered no explanation.

Helooked at her for a moment, in indecision.

Thenhe answered, “To keep track of you. I thought if you had any ideas, about notreturning home with me, I might need them to change your mind.”

“ShouldI consider myself your prisoner?” Isabel asked.

“Youare my wife,” Brant answered. “You were determined to go to London. I took youto London. Now, I am taking my wife home. If you had decided not to be my wife,you would be remaining in London, a little longer. At least until my men couldbring you home, as my prisoner.”

“So,if I decided to go along with my mother, you intended to kidnap me, and hold meprisoner?” Isabel asked. “What is the difference between being your wife, andbeing your prisoner? Either way, I am stuck with you.”

Brantreplied, “I would think there is a big difference, between wife, and prisoner.As my wife, you have an order from the Crown, granting you control of yourresources, which I will honor. You have free movement around our home, and with proper escort, may go riding, or walk to thevillage. Obviously, as a prisoner, I would have to curtail your activities, tosee you did not escape.”

Hereached out, covering her hand that held the reigns, to her mount.

Hecontinued, “You are getting that cornered look, thatprovokes you to try, to get away from me. Control it. You will not get awayfrom me, not for long, anyway. Certainly not, with our sons,which you are not willing to leave. I believe we just established, thatthey need both of us, did not we?”

Theyrode in silence, from then on. After a few minutes, he released her hand.

Chapter 23

Knowingthe ride home would take several days, Isabel did notpay much attention to the landmarks they passed, at first. However, when thelandscape began to look very familiar, she first suspected, thenbecame certain, that they were nearing her father's stronghold. She was alsocertain, that it was not on any direct route, to Brant's home. As none of theothers, had said anything, they must have known in advance that he intended togo there. It was late in the afternoon, they wouldhave to stop for the night soon. But why would Brant want to spend the night atthe same Castle, where she had held him prisoner?

Soonher Castle came into sight, and in no time, they were riding through the opengate. When they entered the hall, Isabel discovered the serfs were busypreparing for their arrival. Brant had sent a messenger the previous evening,to give them time to prepare the bedchambers, and food. Isabel had beenuncomfortable all day, after her husband’s admission, that he had no intentionof allowing her to leave him, did she want to. Being here,increased that anxiety. Some of the things that had been done to him here, manymen would consider worthy of punishment, ranging from flogging, to death. Branthad never really done anything, to retaliate for all her possible wrongs,against him. She was confident, that he would not harm her physically, but thatwas not necessary to make her miserable, she had already learned. Isabel, onceagain, found herself thinking her husband was someone she did not really know,or completely trust.

Brantescorted her up to the Lord’s Chamber, so she could cleanup a little from thedays travel, or rest for a while if she wanted. Her sons, and the serfs chargedwith their care, would be in the room across the passage. After he left her,the Castle mistress came in, to see if her Lady,required any special assistance. Isabel laughed at her choice of words. Theserf knew of Brant's imprisonment, and had been involved in drugging him andhis men, the last time they were here. She told the woman no, then asked theserf to get her, her favorite wine, when she came down to the hall, later. Shewas a bit frazzled from the day’s events, Isabel explained.

WhenIsabel descended to the hall, Nathaniel, Eric, and Ha

Brantwas at the Lord’s table, indulging in tankards of alewith the men that had traveled there with them, as well as some of the CastleKnights. He noted that Isabel was playing with their sons near the hearth,which was a normal activity. Yet, a short while ago, she had been drinkingwine, which was a little unusual. Isabel tended to use it as somewhat of acrutch, to relieve stress. She was here, surrounded by her people, whom she hadcontrol and authority over. Would he find her gone, again?

Themeal passed without incident, much to Brant’s relief. He was a little nervous,after his last visit. Isabel seemed to be more interested in her wine, and lessinterested in food or conversation, than normal. After she finished eating, shereturned to amuse the lads, until bed time. Shortly before it would be time totake the boys upstairs, Brant joined his wife. When it was their bed time, hecarried Nathaniel upstairs.

Oncethe children were in bed, Brant took Isabel’s arm, to steer her across thepassage, to the Solar. There, he picked up a bottle of wine, and after checkingto see that the passageway was clear, lead Isabel to the back stairs. Outsideof the back entrance, three of Brant’s men were waiting, one holding a torch tolight their way. As they walked away from the building, three additional menfell in behind them. Isabel had begun to panic, when her husband walked her outof the main residence. Now, realizing he was walking toward the jail, she triedto pull back, but he just handed the wine to a knight, and picked her up to carryher to the door.

Insidethe jail, he took the wine, and told his men to see that they were notdisturbed.

Leadingher into his former cell, he said, “Sit down, Alisa.”

Whenshe did not move, he pressed her gently into one of the chairs, at the small tablethat held two chalices, and a few candles. He poured the wine, and handed her achalice, then sat down in the other chair.

“Didyou enjoy your visit to London, Alisa?” Brant asked, as he motioned for her todrink the wine.

Sheraised the glass to drink as he had indicated, wondering what he was up to.History said, this would end in the bed, in the otherroom.

“Whydo you do that? Call me Alisa, sometimes. Is that just to remind me of 'mydeception', that you so frequently mention?” she asked, setting the wine down.

“Ilike Alisa,” Brant said, as he leaned forward to refill her drink. “Sheunderstood, she had no right to refuse me. You on theother hand, always seem to be difficult, and argumentative. Drink up, love.”

“Youknow she does not exist, right?” Isabel asked. “Nor really, does that Isabel, that kidnapped you. After my sire’s death, I did alot of things, that I would never have thought ofdoing, a few months earlier. As far as being difficult, it is always in theback of my mind, that you have many very good reasons to be angry. You shouldwant some revenge.”

“Fora long time, I had no idea what was going on. I had everyone telling me tocooperate,” Brant said. “I certainly was angry. I believe, I should have beentold some things, that were kept from me. That is allbehind us, is it not? Right now, I want you to cooperate. Drink up, Alisa.”

“Asyou wish, My Lord,” Isabel said.

Shepicked up the wine, and drained the chalice.