With not even a servant to attend to him, Theodoric sat before a barren fireplace. He dared not to build a fire as the smoke could tip Geoffrey's soliders, and several had already made their rounds this evening. No way would Theodoric allow himself arrested and tried for a plethora of heinous crimes. The Ninegates magistrate, now discarding his "loyalty" to the House of Fairfax, would soon carry out the execution himself, taking a peculiar delight in watching Theodoric die.
He sat there brooding over what to do next. Surely he knew to where he had to go: to Wellbrooke where he had few friends, one being Lord Haveron. That good nobleman who recently blessed Theodoric's bequeath of lands in Wellbrooke owed Lord Fairfax many favors. He would have to give Theodoric temporary shelter and means of escape to lands unknown. Where would he go after that? Theodoric had it all planned out. After his loyal personal atttendant Aidan brought his master to this house, Theodoric made the servant swear to tell no one of his whereabouts lest Aidan find himself in dire straits. The servant would collect Lord Fairfax at dawn, take him to Wellbrooke, then accompany him to...Where?
Theodoric pondered how things got so out of hand. He thought he had it all together, everything so carefully plotted and planned that no one would suspect the underlying chicanery. Yes, he did have Mirinda and Medra's parents killed; Ulric and Murie owed many debts and once too often voiced their opposition to their lord and master. The last straw came when Ulric threatened to air publicly Theodoric's dirty laundry, the hiring of "Edgard" being the most damning. Ulric knew the truth about the man claiming to be the Blue Knight, and he had proof the man was a sham. Theodoric wanted no loose ends, no one to mess up what he saw as a sweet deal, so he had the couple murdered.
Of course, Ulric and Murie's murder was one in a string of outrageous crimes committed either by Theodoric's own hand or his hired henchmen. The rape of Mirinda was one, and that crime was "retribution" on the sole grounds that Medra was rumored to be a witch. But why savagely violate the girl's fourteen-year old sister when Lord Fairfax could have simply called out Medra publicly? Surely the Ninegates magistrate and parish priest would have condemned the girl then put her to death. Theodoric could not exactly provide an easy answer, but what Ostric and his companions did was enough to shut up the girls, make them learn who truly holds sway over all on Ninegates. Why should a second-rate would-be sorceress and her mousy sister get the better of him.
The same for Griselda's favoite maid, Lucy. How dare she give cheek and show outright disdain to his lordship's hired man. All they were doing was what any red-blooded young man would do when approached by a pretty girl. She took offense? Hah! The shameless tart led them on then complained to Griselda that the men took "undue liberties". Lucy had it coming, and Theodoric himself took peculiar delight in joining the gangbang. How much the girl screamed and called him all sorts of filthy names, which only fueled his anger further, thus fanning the flames of his baser passions.
She tried in vain to fight off all four men, but it was no use. Her tears and pleading were not, to Theodoric's thinking, for mercy but screams of delight and enjoyment.
Griselda...
What had become of his wife, the lady who supposedly vowed undying love and devotion? Theodoric wanted very much to chastise Griselda; however, after the games, when he returned to the house, she was not there.
No, let her be for now. In time, Theodoric will send for her, once he is settled somewhere. Then he will take care of her, make her suffer all the fury and pain. That much she deserved for years of utter disloyalty and deception. He planned to keep her with him, a virtual prisoner. No way would she ever disobey or dishonor ever again. After all, he did take her from the bosom of the man who truly loved her.
...What was his name? Fergus?
Theodoric, Lord Fairfax, a man accustomed to life's comforts and finer things, sat all alone in a cold, dank, darkened drawing room with no fire to warm him nor anyone with whom to converse. To him, he did nothing wrong. Let the faker Ostric and his equally duplicitious companions pay the ultimate price. As far as Theodoric was concerned, he will never be caught. He had Aidan's word.
******
"Edgard, the true Blue Knight. At last we meet."
It was late, and Geoffrey hadn't intended to conduct business this time of night, but when he learned the identity of his evening caller, he simply made the time. Many loose ends had to be tidied up; too many cloudy facts had yet to be uncovered.
"Your Grace," said Edgard as he graciously accepted the refreshment of wine and cheese offered, "I am sorry things turned out so badly at the tournament. I had hoped to reveal myself in other ways, but given what Theodoric did...Give away lands in Wellbrooke to my imposter...I had no choice but to go along with Lady Fairfax's–"
Geoffrey nearly fell out of his chair and knocked over his wine cup. Composing himself, he said, "Lady Fairfax knew about this? I had no idea!"
"Yes, sir. Her ladyship contacted Lucy Rivère shortly before the tournament. As you know, Lucy was a victim–"
"Yes, yes," answered the magistrate, "I knew about the poor girl's misfortune. However, I, as part of my pledged loyalty to Lord Fairfax, I had to, so to speak, look the other way."
"I completely understand, sir. But with those charlatans incarcerated and awaiting execution, surely Madame Rivère will finally see justice done."
From this moment on, Edgard explained as best he could how the Rivères happened upon the third child. "I know you think they had only two children, but there is another boy, Bertram, who didn't come with his family because..."
He stopped himself, gathered his thoughts, then continued.
"Sir, Bertie was an orphan. Madame Rivère found the infant on the church doorstep. Both she and Emery reared the child as their own, but with money being in short supply, they could not afford another mouth to feed."
"When I suffered most grievous injuries at the hand of Ostric and his men, the Rivères took me in, nursed me back to health, and generally made me part of their family. They had no idea who I was until Emery espied me in the bath. He noticed the birthmark and realized at once my true identity. I made them swear not to reveal who I was until the right time. Of course, with Lucy in regular contact with Lady Fairfax, I was privy to what Ostric and Lord Fairfax were doing...And in my name!"
The magistrate then asked, "Is that how you became aware of Lucy's...er..misfortune at the hand of Lord Fairfax?"
Edgard replied, "That, and of what that fake and his companions did to another young girl, a child at that!"
He continued, "When I asked of the other victim, Lucy told me that she knew the girl and her sister, and of the tragedy that befell the parents. It was not until she and Emery's little foundling began to mature that it became apparent the identity of the birth mother. I believe the girl's name was Mirinda."
When Edgard uttered that name, Geoffrey did a double take. Mirinda...the same child who was so savagely outraged by "Edgard" years ago. The same who married Fabian Martel, Lady Fairfax's brother. His Honor had to ask, "Does Madame Martel know her child still lives? Does her husband know?"
Edgard answered, "That I am sure. Little Bertie is here in Ninegates now. But there is something else I should tell you about the child. When I approached the Rivères, and proposed underwriitng the boy's education and future career path, it was understood that whatever property of mine would naturally, upon my death, become Bertram's. Theodoric, in giving those lands to my imposter, had no idea his document would be that binding. I mean, you have read it yourself. It clearly states: 'Edgard of Helmsbourne, known as the Blue Knight, now owns clear and free those lands in what is known as Wellbrooke.' I wonder if..."
"If Lord Haveron," Geoffrey rejoined, "knows of Theodoric's sudden generosity. I can tell you this: Lord Haveron sent a message this very afternoon stating that fact, and he is en route here. Should be here by now. There is something else you should know: Lord Fairfax, having no heirs, bequeathed his entire estate to 'Edgard'. That means, my good man, you, as the true Blue Knight, if Theodoric should die any time soon, stand to inherit all."
******
As darkness fell over Ninegates, at last did the townspeople settle in for the night. Such drama and excitement for one day, and there was much more to anticipate come morning.
At the Nine Raven, a few patrons, lingering over their ale and wine, discussed the events of the day. Some expected it all: the revelation of the sham artist who took on the identity of the Blue Knight then wormed his way into Lord Fairfax's confidence. Not that there was any love lost for Theodoric. The townspeople had longed for the day when his lordship would get his comeuppance for years of violent tyrannical rule.
As it stood now, the nefarious nobleman has skipped town, possibly seeking asylum in some neighboring shire or perhaps left the country altogether. Lady Fairfax was missing as well, and many placed bets on whether Griselda would finally reunite with her one true love. Oh yes, that was common knowledge amongst the people, that Theodoric, in his zeal to possess everyone and everything, forced Griselda to marry him. The lost love? He had yet to show his face, but some wondered if the stranger, Fergus, was that man. It had been so long ago. Oh well, once the faker Ostric and his criminal companions are executed at dawn, something good will come out of all this chaos.
Simon Inskeep, fretting over Alice's lenghty absence, almost didn't notice the middle-aged woman accompanied by the cute little boy. Rather late for the little one to be up, but Simon didn't seem to mind. In fact, the more he studied the blond-haired boy, the more he wondered if the child was any relation to those girls, Medra and Mirinda.
Hmm...handsome little lad...He does favor Mirinda, although it has been a good many years since that girl left Ninegates...I wonder if this is the child...There were rumors she was with child after those ruffians outraged her so...
"Excuse me, Mr. Inskeep," said Gracie as she approached. Simon roused himself from his reverie and acknowledged the woman's presence.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Is Edgard of Helmsbourne still in town?"
Simon seemed surprised at such a question. "Why, yes, he is. He said he was to meet with our local magistrate. Why do you ask?"
Gracie replied, mindful that Bertie was not within earshot, "I was instructed to bring the boy to Ninegates then contact Sir Edgard once we arrived. But it is rather late, and the boy needs to go to bed."
Simon nodded. "When Sir Edgard returns, I will convey that fact, Miss Gracie."
The nurse said nothing more then ushered Bertram upstairs to join his family. Simon watched as Gracie and the boy ascended the stairs then wondered what business does Sir Edgard have with the child. Could this child not be that sham knight's, but Sir Edgard's? Can't be, because Bertie looks too much like Mirinda, and that lady hadn't been with another man since the rape...
She is married now, to Lady Fairfax's brother, but they have no children...What a calamity once that boy learns who his real father is, and what a shock for Mirinda when she meets the child she abandoned years ago...
******
Back at the magistrate's office, Sir Edgard had already wrapped his business with Geoffrey. Now that they knew the ramifications of Theodoric's actions, there were many issues with which to deal delicately. A child needed to be reunited with his birth mother, that is if such an arrangment was at all suitable. Perhaps Mirinda would reject the child, and Bertie likewise; after all, the Rivères were the only parents he'd ever known. Then Geoffrey had to find Theodoric with all deliberate speed. What a shock once his lordship learns the true fallout of his hasty, underhanded actions.
His Honor was about to retire for the night when one more caller arrived. The young man apologized for disturbing the judge, but he had pertinent information concerning Thedoric.
"Your Grace," said the man, not bothering to remove his hat or cloak, "the one you seek is currently in hiding at the old l'Aigle house. He is alone and plans to leave at dawn's first light."
"He is still there now?"
"Yes, sir."
Geoffrey reached into a compartment behind his bookcase and produced a small wooden chest. Opening the box, he took out a plain cotton bag. Handing it to the man, he said, "I thank you, Aidan, and accept this as a token of my appreciation. It is all there, as I promised."
Not waiting to count the money, Aidan smiled then bid Geoffrey a good night.
TO BE CONTINUED...Go to Chapter 15
Copyright©2003, 2004 by Pepper Shriver* (PRP). All Rights Reserved.
*My pen name :-)