Knight Quests by C.C. Wiley

Author:C.C. Wiley [Wiley, C.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-07-24T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Drem knelt on the edge, marveling at the thick darkness of the water. He fisted his sword, preferring to do battle with a hundred men than wait for Brigitte to show herself. Where can she be?

“The parley has failed. The stubborn fools refuse us entrance. Harfleur must be taken by force.” Nathan clasped his shoulder. “Come. We’ve waited long enough. The king’s big gun is ready. We’ll blow it open.”

“Patience.” Drem cringed. “She won’t let us down.”

“She’s French. And a woman.”

“Nay. She is fierce.” His hand trembled as he wiped his mouth. He stared at the water’s surface, willing her to come up for breath.

“That she may be. But there are many who are against her. You know that.” He squeezed Drem’s shoulder, making him wince. “Accept it.”

“You saw the light. Just as Piers said. And this is where he told us to wait.” He glared at Nathan and jerked out of his hold. “We stand firm. We wait. We gave her our vow. Just as she gave us hers.”

“What is the plan after? Have you thought of that, young Drem?”

“She’ll tell us when she arrives.” Drem turned. “Please. Don’t order the miners to retreat. Not yet. Give her a few moments longer . . .”

A wavering movement caught his eye. What would a fish be doing in this brackish water? Curious, he bent down on all fours. His heart thundered in his chest. Could it be?

His fingers cramped as he searched the frigid water.

“What do you see?” Nathan said from behind.

“Brigitte.” Drem ignored the snort and reached out. Fabric slipped through his grasp. “’Tis her.”

He jumped into the rushing stream and struck out toward the swirling material. He caught it. A skirt. Relief flooded him as, hand over hand, he reeled it in.

“Nay,” he cried, his voice hoarse with emotion. He threw the empty skirt to the shore and clambered after it.

Panting, he lay on the rocky ledge.

“Sorry, Drem,” Nathan whispered before abandoning their position.

The emptiness Drem felt matched only one other time. When he was a lad and a fortnight had passed since he had been taken from his family. He had felt all was lost.

And then, soon after, he had realized life had just begun.

Drem pushed up. His arms shook. His knees ground into the stone. “I’m here! Brigitte, I’m here!”

A shadow moved. It sent sheets of water raining over the tunnel floor.

The beauty rose up. Brigitte’s gasp broke the silence like shattered ice. Then she sank.

“Brigitte.” Drem dove in. He caught her, dragging her body to his chest. Stripped of all warmth, she was rigid and unyielding. Together they fell from the water.

He shoved her hair from her face. A ring of gray surrounded her purple lips. A bruise formed on her forehead as blood trickled into the arch of her brow

Drem knelt beside her and wept. Tears for her courage. Tears for her stupidity. Why hadn’t she trusted him? They could have found another way.

He lay beside her. Too far away. He could not let her go so soon.

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