The Valcourt Heiress (Medieval Song 7)

Jason of Brennan’s standard.

She calmed herself. Sir Halric couldn’t get to her this time. She was perfectly safe behind Wareham’s walls. “Will you tell him you know who he is?”

Aleric shook his head. “Garron always says that knowledge is vital and it is always wise to keep it close. We will see what the cur tries next.” He gave a fearsome smile as he shouted down to Sir Halric, “Nay, I cannot allow you and your men to enter. You were here before, you killed nearly all of us, and those you didn’t kill nearly starved to death, what with the bands of men you left outside the walls to prevent us from hunting.”

Sir Halric yelled, “I have never before been to Wareham. I told you I heard of a deadly attack, and my lord, the Earl of Exmouth, wishes me to give you aid. He and Lord Arthur were friends. It pains him that such misery has visited Wareham, and thus I am here to help you.”

Aleric said to Merry, “I doubt that sincerely. But one thing is clear—the Black Demon does not know Garron returned to Wareham. He sent his man here, expecting to find naught but human misery, that or an empty castle with only rotted corpses within the walls.”

“Do you think he believes this time he will find Arthur’s silver coins? Do you believe someone told him where to find the silver, and that is why he has returned?”

“Evidently so.” Aleric looked back down at the inner bailey, at the scores of people staring up at the ramparts, all of them armed—hammers and handsaws and wooden boards and the women stood there as well, silent, ready. He saw old Miggins holding an iron pan in her gnarled hand, her look ferocious. He saw no fear on those raised faces, men or women, and was pleased. It was Merry, he thought, and wondered what she’d said to the women.

Aleric said to her, “Whoever he is, he is a bad liar,” and he yelled down, “The Earl of Exmouth? He was Lord Arthur’s friend? I did not know. This is an excellent, selfless offer. But where are the scores of pack mules with all this aid you are offering us?”

“I have left them under guard in the Forest of Glen. Who is that girl beside you? She looks familiar to me. What is her name?”

Aleric saw that Merry had turned to stone beside him. He called down, “How could she look familiar to you? She is naught but a priest’s byblow.”

“When I enter Wareham, I will look at her closely and tell you.”

She turned away from the rampart wall and pulled her cloak over her head.

Aleric shouted, “I would be a fool to lower the drawbridge for you to enter and finish your butchery. You will take your leave. The postern gate is closed and guarded. Return to the Earl of Exmouth and tell him Wareham will survive without his assistance.”

Sir Halric turned his head and gave a slight nod. In the next moment, an arrow flew within two inches of Aleric, but he was already in motion, dropping to his knees, pulling Merry with him. Merry was shaking, couldn’t help it, with both the knowledge that Sir Halric would probably realize who she was and that an arrow had nearly gone through Aleric’s chest. That was close, very close.

Sir Halric shouted, “Curse you for an idiot, let me and my men enter! I must do my master’s bidding. You have no choice—it is certain death if you do not obey me.”

Aleric yelled back, raising his head only enough so he could see Sir Halric, “I wonder, does the Earl of Exmouth even know who you are, sirrah? Why don’t you tell me your name?”

A rain of arrows flew toward them. Aleric raised his shield over his and Merry’s head, as did all the men crouched down on the ramparts walkway. He said softly, “Nay, don’t move, not yet. Keep down.” He didn’t look away from the soldiers outside.

As for their people in the inner bailey, none were hurt, thank St. Flavin’s crooked thumbs. Aleric heard

angry, muttering curses, and grinned.

Aleric didn’t raise his head above the stone wall. “What will you do when your archers have shot all their arrows? I have told you the traitor you planted before in our midst is no longer here to let you in. Will you swim the moat? Will you place ladders against the walls and climb them? There are enough of us to kill you if that is what you will try. We are safe from you. Leave!”

“I have told you, I had no part in Wareham’s destruction! You will do as I tell you or I will starve you out! Do not be a fool, no one will leave Wareham, no one. You will all be dead in another week. Then my men will scale your walls and it will be over. I will not kill you if you allow me to enter now. I told you, I will give all of you food.”

“What is it you want?”

“I search for what Lord Arthur stole, nothing more.”

“You know Lord Arthur is dead. You searched for hidden silver coins before, but you did not find it. What makes you think you will find the silver this time?”

“I was not ever here before! I have been told—damn you, lackwit, allow me to enter! We will take the silver and be gone.”

“Who told you where the silver is?”

“That is none of your affair! Let us enter!”

“What is this? You no longer wish to feed us? Come, what is your name?” Aleric thought he would burst out of his armor, his anger was so great.

“Don’t you make sport with me. Let down the drawbridge!”

“So he is not going to give me his name.” Aleric sighed, then turned and nodded to the kneeling archers. “Now!” They rose as one and shot their arrows. Three men on horseback fell to the ground. Sir Halric didn’t fall, but an arrow grazed his neck, furrowing a deep trench. Merry saw the blood flow out even from where she was.