Chapter Twenty #3
Kress nodded quickly, looking to Achilles and shocked to see that the man was distraught as he looked down at Susanna.
“Oh… Sparks,” Achilles said, deeply grieved. “Come with me, lass. I will make sure you are healed, I swear it. ’Twill be all right.”
Kress could see, in that instant, that the hateful relationship Achilles had with Susanna in the beginning of their association was something that was long gone.
It had been replaced by something warm and caring; he could see it in Achilles’ expression.
He felt rather stupid for not having realized it sooner, but he’d been preoccupied with his own romantic intentions.
He watched as Achilles bent over and scooped Susanna into his arms, holding her tenderly against his chest as he headed back towards the tavern.
As Achilles headed off, Kress turned to Alexander.
“I must go after Cadelyn,” he said. “Can you hold the line here? I have a feeling this peace is tremulous at best, especially with the Welsh involved. They may try to follow.”
Alexander nodded swiftly. “Go,” he commanded quietly. “Get the lady out of here. Send word when you settle.”
“I will,” Kress said. Then, he paused, a flicker of warmth coming to his eyes.
“Sherry… there are not words to express what you mean to me or the gratitude I feel. Tell The Marshal… tell him that Cadie is safe and that she is with me, and that I shall love her for the rest of my life. That will not be what he wishes to hear, but when you tell him everything, I know he will understand. He is not unreasonable.”
Alexander put a gloved hand to Kress’ cheek. “You think so, do you?” he said, grinning wearily. “I said send word when you settle, but I did not say tell us where you are. It is better if you don’t. Be safe, my friend, and take great care. If you ever need me, I shall come.”
Kress squeezed Alexander’s arm, feeling deeply emotional at that moment.
He and Alexander had been through a great deal together, for many years.
But at this moment, the situation seemed so very final.
Perhaps he would see Alexander and Achilles and his other friends again, or perhaps not.
But at the moment, it seemed like a small price to pay in order to keep the woman he loved safe.
Dropping his hand from Alexander, he reached out to affectionately smack Bric on the shoulder before rushing to the stables and confiscating the first horse he came across.
When Kress disappeared from sight, Alexander and Bric retreated back into the tavern, following Achilles’ trail and leaving Tatius in the kitchen yard with his dead brothers, a confused army, and a renewed sense of control.
He was the earl, after all.
When Nesta and her Welshmen came into the kitchen yard shortly thereafter to see what had transpired, the sight of the bodies of Atilius and Fabius caused her and her cohorts to pause in confusion.
But that confusion didn’t last long. Realizing everything they’d hoped for had been compromised with the shocking deaths of Atilius and Fabius, the unexpected sight of Tatius back in control of his army was enough to send the Welsh running.
They didn’t get very far, however.
Reinforcements had arrived.
Christopher de Lohr and the incoming de Lohr light brigade, with Antoninus de Shera riding proudly alongside the earl, were just approaching the south side of town when they stumbled upon a panicked lady astride a muscular charger that was far too much horse for her.
When she sobbingly told the tale of five Marshal knights in a life-or-death battle behind The Crown and Anchor Inn, Christopher made haste to send his mounted cavalry into town just as the Welsh were fleeing.
As a result, Nesta and about half of her men were captured.
And Kress, chasing after Cadelyn astride an old horse that hadn’t much speed, or much of anything else, was met by Christopher and Antoninus as he exited the city limits.
Reunited with Cadelyn in joy and relief, he felt comfortable enough to take the time to tell Christopher what had happened and the situation with Cadelyn’s life.
But he didn’t wait around for de Lohr’s advice or approval.
He had no time for such things as the sense of urgency was clawing at him.
The sooner he put distance between Cadelyn and the Welsh, the better.
Directing Christopher to speak directly to Tatius de Shera, who was still in the kitchen yard behind The Crown and Anchor Inn, Kress mounted Samson and hastily departed.
With the lady holding on tightly behind him, Kress tore off to the south, making way southeast to a main road that would take them north, straight up through Lancashire, up through Cumbria, and on into Scotland.
Freedom was up there – freedom from those intent on hurting Cadelyn.
But most of all, freedom and safety for Kress and Cadelyn to start their new life together.
As far as they were concerned, Scotland was the best possible place they could be.
And Goliath followed them all the way.