Chapter 9
Gerold had evaded his pursuers for three days. Water he had, but finding food was more difficult in these winter months. Sitting in the small cave he’d found, Gerold reflected on the events that drove him from the field of battle. The sun was a filtered haze as it finished its day’s journey. He questioned his choice to run.
Gerold wanted to remain, to continue the fight that started with Stephen’s damning words. Both his own men and the enemy had charged toward them, roars of outrage and hate spewing from their lips. Their one focus—kill Annika and himself.
Thus, began his battle to stay alive. Annika had started swinging a sturdy branch, but was soon overtaken. He’d tried to fight through to her, but was pushed back. He saw her being dragged away, heard her crying “Peder, Peder, where are you? Help! Help!”
He’d lost sight of her shortly thereafter. The blows, the fury all pushed him back and back until darkness overtook the combatants. How Gerold’s arm ached, his head throbbed, but the blade in his hand had gleamed bright and clean in the waning light.
With the morning light, the warriors began their assault anew. His goal, to remain alive, and find Stephen. He refused to think about that last kiss, cursing himself for a fool for falling for Annika’s deceit.
He’d managed to escape the warriors that second day. Now, despite occasional encounters and days of hiding, Gerold knew his destiny. He must find Stephen and learn the truth of his treachery.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Gerold saw the remains of a rodent, in the fading light. Tentatively, he picked at the bones, only to find himself retching. “No!” was his frustrated cry as his stomach began to spasm.
Still bent over from his stomach’s revolt, his eyes caught movement heading his way. He thought of running, but in his weakened condition, he wasn’t sure how far he would get. He’d lost weight, and his injuries were still plaguing him. He thought of accepting capture, even death, but his heart rebelled at the thought. Gerold struggled to control the roiling in his stomach, the trembling of his legs.
Stiffening his backbone, he whispered, “You haven’t succeeded this far by just giving up.” He watched three men take form in the fading light. Each one started up a different path toward the cave he hid in.
As they moved closer and closer, Gerold strove to keep panic in check, he was too weak to fight all three. Gerold moved as quietly and quickly toward the one on the right. From this angle, there was something familiar about the area. Then memory took over. There was a place to hide in plain sight close to the cave, if he could manage to get there. It would allow him to escape his enemies, for he didn’t have the strength to run or fight, no matter how desperately he wished to. His freedom, and yes, his need for revenge, were more important.
Gerold made the hiding place just as the three converged. Finding the cave empty, the three moved on. Gerold breathed a sigh of relief, yet he remained hidden until it was completely dark. Rising, stiff and sore, he slowly moved toward the cave.
Tomorrow, he would set out again, and this time, he would head toward Stephen’s home, the place where he had spent his childhood.
Gerold’s last thoughts before surrendering to sleep were of red-gold hair, and flashing green eyes. His arms again felt her strength and womanly body. The vision drew him, like the shining sun. Groaning, he turned, only to see the Spectre and hear the words,
The friend you once trusted,
will be trouble indeed.
He didn’t know if that meant Stephen or Annika. Either way, he would continue until he found the answer.
• ♥ •
When Gerold started out the next morning, his steps were sure, his fear abated. He foraged some food, which went a long way to his feeling better. As the evening arrived, Gerold saw a building in the distance. Now, he had a destination, but the closer he came, the more silent and cautious his actions.
Standing next to the wall, breathing softly, Gerold listened for signs of life. Hearing nothing but the breeze ruffling the leaves of the trees at the entrance, he moved forward. Ever cautious of a trap, Gerold moved through the gate, eyes and arms searching, finding nothing.
Sighing, Gerold slumped against the wall, eyes closing as he wondered where the inhabitants were. His body relaxed into the wall, mind slowing. Suddenly, his eyes sprang open at the next sound he heard—someone was in pain!