Heart Of Vengeance by Tracy Cooper-Posey

Author:Tracy Cooper-Posey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gold Imprint

***

If York was ever to fall into enemy hands, Stephen thought, it would surely fall because of treachery within. The strongest walls could not withstand betrayal from within. Or, to be accurate, he mused, looking at the rough stone walls that crowded his shoulders, intrusion from beneath. For they were far beneath the ground. Deep enough to reach under the river itself, Merriman had assured him. The tunnel they traversed was hewn out of living rock. It smelled damp and disused.

A few paces ahead, the man Ranulf had introduced to him simply as Merriman walked with a brightly-burning torch. He had spoken little since he had appeared out of the night, save to give curt instructions for silence, or to watch a step. He had shown Stephen into the opening of the tunnel, which emerged from beneath an oak tree that grew right on the very edge of a sharp embankment on the other side of the river from the city walls. Merriman had unlocked the small, hidden portal and glanced at Stephen.

"In times of siege, you understand?"

Stephen nodded. This was a bolt hole, for when running was the only option.

For a little time now the tunnel had sloped gently upwards. Ahead, Ranulf's torch picked out regular shapes in the walls. The walls themselves smoothed out.

Stonework. They had reached the roots of the castle.

Another door, larger this time, black with age and moisture, barred their way. Merriman reached for another key, slipped it into the lock and tried to turn it. After two such attempts, he turned to Stephen. "My lord?"

Stephen put his weight on the key. The mechanism revolved with a rusty shriek. He put his shoulder to the door and shoved. It opened reluctantly. Dust and debris pattered around him from the lintel. The hinges gave a mournful squeal.

Stephen stepped through and looked around. This was the castle proper, but the room looked abandoned.

Merriman followed him and turned back to the door. "If I can impose upon you, my lord?" he whispered.

Stephen shouldered the door closed and obliged Merriman by inserting and turning the key. Merriman accepted the key back and held up his torch. The room stretched for as far as the eye could see. The ground was uneven, natural earth, rocky and dangerous in this dank, dark place. He heard the scurrying of small creatures.

"Where?" Stephen asked shortly.

Merriman stepped forward confidently, leading Stephen through the man-made cave. Shortly his torchlight reached far enough to reveal a gaping mouth in the rough wall ahead, with regular shapes at the foot of it. Steps.

They climbed, Merriman's torch fluttering in an unexpected breeze, up into a cellar proper, with regular walls and flagstone floor. Still, moisture dripped incessantly. Hidden claws scurried away at their approach.

More steps. Merriman carefully extinguished the torch, and they climbed the last few risers in total darkness. Stephen saw the chink of light as Merriman opened the door. It was dazzling after the dimness they had traversed.

Merriman blocked a little of the light as he

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