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reject me then, for having shown up in his life when he was already a renowned knight and
powerful baron.
Bridgett could see his misery by the pain that filled his face.
Then when Lothar imprisoned and beat him, I was repeatedly tempted to go to him.
Why did you not, it would have given him hope. Bridgett s eyes misted with emotion.
Twas too late, Lady Bridgett. I felt that his anger and hatred would serve no purpose in
his present state. I myself had formulated a plan to free him, but you got there before me.
And now I have a question for you, milady.
She nodded slowly.
Why did you gasp when I opened your door tonight? Did you think I was Lothar come
to kill you? His voice trailed off, taking on a compassionate quality.
From the moment you stood in the doorway, twas like looking at Wraith himself. Now
that I know your son, there is no question you are his father. She smiled at him.
I have regretted my actions for the last ten years, milady. Now I shall make amends by
setting straight all that has been wrong. He reached out his hand to touch her bruised jaw.
And I swear to you on the knight s code of honor that Lothar will never touch you
again.
Heartless Warrior Donna McAteer 93
She smiled again, placing her hand atop his.
He stood abruptly to tower over her while staring down, lowering his voice to a whisper.
Do not fear, milady, there are a great many dissidents within these walls who wait for the
chance to revolt against your brother. I need only spread the word and I can amass an army in
very little time. I will return when tis time to release you, milady. Until then rest and prepare
yourself for a quick departure.
Looking down at the precious medallion she hugged to her bosom, his eyes rose to meet
hers. Keep it safe, Lady Bridgett. Tis rightfully yours now, keep it hidden until I return for
you. Twill not be long.
A solitary tear slipped down her cheek as she thought about her parents. So young, so
full of ambition and love for one another, only to be brutally murdered by their own son. She
would pass the medallion to the son she would give Wraith, for any son who came from the loins
of a man such as Wraith was destined to be great.
Heartless Warrior Donna McAteer 94
Chapter Seventeen
Darkness concealed the countryside and a heavy mist veiled the army, giving the knights
and their steeds an almost mythological appearance. They emerged from the edge of obscurity in
the shadowed forest, cloaked in armor and chain mail as the ghostly light of the full moon barely
outlined the huge destriers and their riders in the night air. The arduous trek made the formidable
beast s breath visible, and mist emanating from their warm bodies floated eerily around each
horse and rider.
Staying in the shadows of the fringe of trees, they awaited orders from their liege while
he surveyed the looming curtain wall a short distance away. Wraith s eyes scanned the tops of
wall walk for the silhouetted shapes of the guards who would be patrolling the perimeter.
Turning in his saddle to face Perrin, Wraith could not hide his confusion.
Perrin, tis puzzling, do you see any sentries upon the walls? I am certain tis the spot
where we made our escape. He again turned to face the intimidating fortification.
Silence descended, broken only by the wind whistling through the tree branches
overhead. The rising sun formed a light yellow backdrop to the hulking structure of the castle
silhouetted in the brightening horizon.
Nay, milord, I see no one guarding the walls. Tis puzzling indeed, he answered, his
voice trailing off. Think you tis a trap?
Nay, I do not believe so. Yet, you are to remain vigilant for a sign that we are being
ambushed. Wraith turned to pin Perrin with a stare.
I do not like this, milord. The plan was to barrage the castle with repeated blows while
you took several hundred men through the tunnel. Now you wish me to do nothing but wait?
Aye, do nothing while we enter the tunnel, and do nothing unless I give the signal.
Shaking his head, he gazed at the castle. Very well then, I will make certain we surround
the castle walls and have the siege machines assembled and the bowmen ready.
With a curt nod of his head, Wraith gestured with a large sweeping motion of his arm for
his men to follow him on foot. Dismounting, he led the men single-file into the cover of the
black shadowed curtain wall. Wraith crept along the base of the wall searching for the familiar
boulder that was his landmark to the mouth of the tunnel. A steady stream of a few hundred
knights trailed behind him, following in complete silence. They tiptoed through the brush and
silenced their weaponry..
Suddenly, Wraith stopped and disappeared into a black abyss. The men followed,
stepping around the one lone scrub bush that concealed its existence and disappearing into the
fathomless void. It gobbled him up so completely that he began to feel suffocated at the sudden
closeness of the walls. Swallowing his fear, damp stale air lingered, permeating his nostrils,
while his boots sloshed through the puddles that dotted the crypt- like shaft. Occasionally,
subdued clinking sounds were the only evidence of the huge wave of men that weaved their way
through the deep recesses of the fortress. They were highly experienced at keeping quiet their
clanking armor, swords, mace, and shields, for most had been to battle many times before.
Heartless Warrior Donna McAteer 95
Wraith s hand subconsciously grasped the hilt of his ever-faithful sword, a reassurance
for a confrontation with Lothar s men. His primary target was Bridgett, but he was fully
prepared to wreak bloody vengeance upon anyone who stood in his way.
Painful remembrances washed over him as they inched closer and closer to the dungeon
wall. His heart began to pound and he gasped for breath at the mere reflection of his painful
memories. If it had not been for Bridgett, he would have perished in this hellhole.
Lifting the torch to illuminate the oppressive darkness, Wraith watched the stones of the
wall begin to materialize before his eyes. His steps slowed and he realized what he was about to
do. Feeling the reassuring hand of Sir de Marten upon his shoulder gave him the fortitude to
continue.
My lord. Marten s words soothed him even further as he felt his mentor s support.
Nodding, he approached the stone face and looked it over thoroughly before his hand hesitantly
lifted to grasp a protruding stone. As a soldier and warrior, he had trained to sense danger before
it even occurred. He felt no such warning at this particular moment.
Half-turning, he handed the torch to de Marten, while cautiously extracting one solitary
stone from the wall at eye level. Peeking through the opening, the dungeon appeared dark except
for one single torch at the top of the stairs. He could see no one about and decided to continue
dismantling the wall. His men moved in to aide him, stacking the stones against the tunnel wall
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