Page 124 of Bold Angel
“Why have they left us alive?” Girart gazed blankly after them, the dust of their departure still marking their trail. “I do not understand.”
Ral’s fingers tightened on the handle of his bloody sword. “We are alive because Stephen wished it. ’Twas exactly what he planned.”
“But why, my lord?”
“He means to demand a ransom.” Ral swore a savage oath. “He means to bring me to ruin one way or another.” Ral glanced around him then strode toward a loose horse grazing among the trees. The long-legged bay had belonged to one of Malvern’s fallen men.
“How fare the others?” Ral asked, leading the bay horse forward.
“Two dead. Four injured.”
“Are the wounded able to ride?”
“Aye. Even now they gather their horses.”
“Good, then we are away.” The sooner they reached the keep, the sooner he could gather what remained of his forces and send word to his supporters that he would need more men. He didn’t allow himself to think of Caryn, of what vengeance Malvern might seek against her solely for being his wife.
He only knew one thing for certain—this time he would not fail her.
Chapter Twenty-four
Caryn winced as the horse stepped into a rut, jarring her stomach against the hard ridge at its withers. She was bruised and battered from her journey through the forest and the tall knight’s brutal treatment. She was thirsty and tired and afraid.
What had happened to Ral? Had he been injured, mayhap even killed? She had worried every step of the way, yet she believed with all her heart that he still lived. She would know, something told her, if aught untoward had occurred.
At present, another worry loomed before her, for as she turned her head, she saw Malvern’s green and white colors, then the appearance of a huge green silk tent. The tall knight pulled rein on his horse, and she felt rough hands lifting her down. As her feet touched the earth, one of them shoved her toward the tent. When she reached it, the flap was lifted and she was thrust inside.
At the sound of coarse laughter, Caryn turned, but it was not Lord Stephen that she saw. Instead it was Beltar the Fierce, his greasy black hair and beetle-browed face just as harsh as she remembered.
Malvern sat beside him. “Welcome, my lady,” he said as though she had merely strolled in for a visit. “’Tis kind of you to join us.”
“Kind? Thatis what you call your vicious abduction?” Though she addressed herself to Malvern, she surveyed the interior of the tent, noticing the riches, the lustrous silks, heavy tapestries, and exotic furs. Her eyes widened as they returned to Beltar, for she suddenly noticed the slender blond woman, gagged and bound hand and foot on the thick Persian carpet at his feet. “Ambra!”
Beltar chuckled gruffly, and Caryn tensed. “What does she here? And why do you so mistreat her?”
“I am afraid your friend was not nearly as reasonable as you, my lady. Mayhap you can convince her ’tis in her best interest to cause us no more trouble. If not, she will remain just as she is.”
Caryn hurried to her friend’s side. There were bruises on her cheeks, and dried blood marked her lip. “H-How did she come to be here?”
He chuckled again. “’Twas simple, really. A message was sent that she was needed in the village. My only mistake was in sending just two of my men to fetch her. They look nearly as battered as she.”
Caryn smiled with a hint of satisfaction. Reaching down, she clasped Ambra’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Will you agree to cause no more trouble?”
Ambra nodded.
“She will do as you wish.”
Beltar made a motion and the ropes were cut from Ambra’s hands and feet. Caryn removed the gag.
“You are all right?”
“I am fine—no thanks to them.” Ambra rubbed her chafed wrists while Caryn turned a hard look on Stephen.
“What is it you want from us?”
“’Tis not what I want from you, Lady Caryn… although at a later time, once my sister arrives, you may be certain there will be much that I will demand. At present, what I want is the ransom I mean to collect from your husband.”
“And Ambra? Is she also to be ransomed?”
