At Bayard’s signal, the company of knights broke from the darkness of the forest and bore down on the hunting lodge. There was only one door to the structure and the knights surged through that portal with a speed that clearly startled the occupants,
The festivities following the meal ended rather abruptly. Simon’s guards were astonished when the “minstrel” drew a blade and felled one of them before they could defend themselves.
“We are besieged!” Simon cried as he drew his blade. The other men leaped to their feet and the battle began. The hall rang with swordplay, and Bayard scanned it even as he fought his way toward Simon.
There was no sign of Esmeraude. He had hoped to reassure her with Andrew’s presence, hoped that she would guess he was close at hand and perhaps make her way to a
