End of days

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

"You killed Rayford as well. You ordered the ambush that led to his death."

"Aye. After he escaped my first attack, I decided that the second time I would employ overwhelming force, to make sure he died."

"Did you use Langston to make the first attempt to kill Rayford?" Leah Rose asked. "Langston?" Cardel scoffed. "That milksop? Whatever gave you that stupid idea? "So Langston was not here at Merclif spying for you?" Leah Rose asked.

"Nay. Enough of this drivel. You will order your castellan to turn the castle over to me. You will make it clear to him that I am now the rightful owner of Merclif." "She cannot do that as I am still alive," Rayford stated as he entered the chamber from the concealed door. Rayford drew his sword, advancing toward his enemy.

Wyham followed close behind. "Your full treachery has now been exposed, Cardel," Wyham declared. "You are under arrest for the attempted murder of Lord Merclif. I will take you to King Henry for his judgment."

Cardel snarled and lunged toward Leah Rose, grabbing her arm. He pulled her in front

f him, holding a knife to her throat. Rayford and Wyham halted.

"One more step and she dies," Cardel barked.

"You stinking coward," Rayford said. "Let her go and face me

like a man."

Cardel dragged Leah Rose back toward the door. "She is my guarantee of safe passage out of here."

Rayford advanced toward Cardel, but with her in danger between them, she knew there was little he could do. His eyes seemed to bore into hers as if he willed her to act. Leah Rose calmed as Rayford's training filled her mind. He had shown her how to use an opponent's superior strength against him. He had taught her to be merciless when facing the enemy.

Raising the knife she had concealed against her skirts, she grasped it with both hands as she dug it into the hand Cardel held at her throat. With all her strength she pushed the knife down into him, forcing his hand away from her. Cardel yelled and flung her away from him, into her husband's path. Rayford jumped over her as she sprawled on the floor and trapped Cardel against the closed door, his sword at Cardel's throat.

"Drop the knife," Rayford ordered.

Cardel threw the knife down. Rayford kept his blade at Cardel's throat as he pulled the older man's sword from the scabbard at his side. Rayford stepped back slightly, a sword in each hand.

"Wyham, get the rope so I can tie him up." "Nay," Cardel gasped. “Nay."

He brought his fist up to his chest, as he fought for breath. Leah Rose stared as Cardel slumped to the floor. Rayford stood over his enemy, both swords poised over the man's body. When Cardel did not move, Rayford went down to one knee beside him.

"Wyham, take this sword while I check him." Wyham left Leah Rose's side and went over to Rayford, taking Cardel's sword from his

hand. He remained on guard as Rayford put his hand to Cardel's throat. After a moment, Rayford stood. "He is dead." He looked over at Leah Rose. "You are bleeding. Are you all right?"

"What?" Feeling dazed and unsteady, Leah Rose raised her hand to her throat to find a

trickle of blood. "He must have cut me." She pulled her hand away and stared down at

the smear of scarlet on her fingertips.

"Leah Rose, will you be all right?"

"Aye," Leah Rose whispered.

"Wyham, take care of her."

"Aye, I will. You go ahead."

Rayford pulled the chamber door open.

Ralph turned from his post guarding the door and gasped. "Milord! You are alive!" "Aye," Rayford responded. He glanced toward a gaping Matthew and the two dead bodies lying on the gallery floor. "What happened here?"

"Sir Hugh gave us orders to make sure Cardel's men did not go into the chamber. When they heard sounds of a struggle, they attempted to enter. Matthew and I stopped them."

"Good. Cardel is dead. Remove his body from the bedchamber immediately. Then take all three bodies out of the donjon."

"Aye, milord," Ralph and Matthew responded in unison. "Where is Sir Hugh?" Rayford asked.

"He is securing the castle, milord," Ralph replied.

Rayford went down the stairs into the empty hall. He strode through the deserted inner bailey toward the stables. The servants and villeins had been instructed to remain in the unused lists in the outer bailey, protected from danger, during the confrontation with Cardel. A few of his men-at-arms were standing in front of the stables with the marshal.

The stable master was the first to spot Rayford. He gave a shocked exclamation and crossed himself. "Tis a ghost!" he cried.

""Tis no ghost," Rayford said. "I am as alive as you."

"God be praised!" the marshal exclaimed. "Geoffrey," he addressed the soldier who stood with his mouth wide open, "where

is Sir Hugh? What is the situation?"

The young man snapped to attention. "Sir Hugh is on the crenellations, main gate. I know not how the battle in front of the castle is going, milord." above the

"My thanks."

Rayford headed toward the southeast turret on the outer curtain and rapidly climbed the stairs to the battlements. Ignoring the shocked exclamations that greeted his appearance on the allure, he headed directly toward Belwick, who stood over the main gate. "How goes it?" Rayford asked as he halted next to his castellan and surveyed the battle

scene on the far side of the river.

"Cardel's forces are defeated. The knights put up a fight but were quickly dispatched by the king's troops. The men-at-arms swiftly surrendered when the knights were killed. Victory is ours, milord."

"Good."

Dead bodies were strewn across the meadow. Two soldiers were trying to corral the horses while the majority of the king's men disarmed the enemy force. A group of Merclif troops crossed the drawbridge to assist in the capture. is secured, you may let the servants and villeins return to their

"Since the castle work," Rayford said.

"Aye, milord."

"And Hugh, please make an announcement that I am very much alive. I do not want anyone else to mistake me for a ghost."

"Aye, milord," Belwick said with a slight grin.

"Release Langston from prison. Ask him to come to my solar at his earliest

convenience."

"Langston has been exonerated?"

"Aye."