Page 138 of Come the Morning
“Ah, Mellyora, he is dangerous—”
“Jon! I know that, but I am the lady here, and God knows who else he is holding, who rode with Lady Eleanora when she came here.” She lowered her head. Once again, Ewan had been willing to die to defend the honor of his home. He was hurt out there. He was barely recovered from the last wounds he had received.
But she was carrying Waryk’s child. Ulric knew that. She didn’t think that he wanted her so much; he wanted the gates opened. His only chance to storm the fortress.
“Jon, listen, this can work. I can go between the gates, we can receive his prisoners … and then, close the main gates before he can come at us again.”
Jon arched a brow. “You know that though he is saying that he will exchange you for the prisoners, he plans treachery already. When the portcullis opens to let the prisoners through, he plans to rush the gates.”
“Aye, but we’ve more defenses than he knows. The oil is ready; our archers will set fire to their arrows, and his men will burn like tinder—they’ll have to retreat. He will not gain access to the fortress!”
Jon sighed, looking down.
“Jon, I am my father’s daughter, I know warfare. If I were laird here, would you question me?”
He looked into her eyes. “I don’t question you. I fear for you.”
She reached out, caught his hand, squeezed it.
“Be ready, be prepared!” he called out to their archers.
“Lady Mellyora! I will kill Ewan MacKinny if I do not see your lovely face very quickly now, and after Ewan, I slay the beautiful Eleanora!”
She saw him conferring with Renfrew once again. Renfrew lifted an arm, and she knew that he was directing different men to rush the gate.
She started down the stairs from the parapets to the portcullis, already being raised. It was heavy; the winches were difficult to man. “This must be closed quickly once our people are in. Have men ready to help them. They may be terrified and hurt …”
May be. She would never forget Walter of Tyne, and the way that he had died, so coldly, so quickly, so mercilessly …
The gates were open. She stood between the two sets, waiting. She stood very still, as if she were incredibly calm.
The tenant farmers, craftsmen, and villagers from the mainland came first. She saw their gratitude in their eyes as they passed her, and saw their pity as well.
The men came next. Garth, Tyler, Geoffrey … half carrying, half dragging Ewan along with them. Tyler spoke to her. “My lady, you can’t do this!”
“Tyler, for the love of God, get in. Get Ewan on in, the others …”
She didn’t recognize all the men. Eleanora’s escort, she assumed.
“Send Eleanora, now!” she shouted to Ulric.
Ulric pushed Eleanora forward, and the woman came. Mellyora saw her eyes briefly, and saw her thanks, and her admiration. Small comfort. She shivered. She would make it back inside, she told herself. But, for a moment she realized that Ulric might seize her. She might die. And Eleanora would be here …
She closed her eyes, waiting.
“Come out, Mellyora MacAdin!” Ulric demanded.
She heard the sudden thunder of horses’ hooves. Aye, they were ready to storm the gates!
“Close the portcullis!” she cried, and she raced for it.
She was startled when Mallory suddenly came running out of the gates, toward her. “Mallory, have you lost your mind? Get in—” she began.
But Mallory was grim-lipped. He gripped her hard by the shoulders, and was powerful for a man who had spent his days counting rents earned and monies spent. She was so stunned that she didn’t even fight back at first. Then, as she was thrust inexorably toward the front gate and away from the closing portcullis, she knew. She didn’t know how or why, but Mallory had willfully and determinedly betrayed her. When Ulric had known about the movements of those in the fortress, it was because Mallory had somehow sent him the information. He had known when Waryk would ride, when he would return. And now …
“You bastard! Why?” she cried, aware that it was too late. The Vikings and Normans were rushing by. They’d be caught in the portcullis …
But she would never reach safety.
