Only Rhys wasn’t laughing. He stared at the figure with the tattered tunic that hung to his knees and a hood that partially covered his face. His hands were hidden in the folds of his threadbare sleeves and dirt covered most of him. The man had yet to speak or make eye contact, a manner that began to infuriate Rhys.
“What kind of priest are you?” Rhys’ voice was a growl. “You do not look like any priest I have ever seen. Where did they find you?”
Suddenly, the man’s head came up and he removed the hood that shrouded most of his face. His was pale, with a long jaw and big nose. But when he focused on Rhys, the knight’s agitated manner abruptly fled. He took a curious step closer to get a better look, his manner filled with burgeoning disbelief.
“You,” Rhys hissed before the man could speak. “I know you. Aren’t you…?”
The priest cut him off with a finger to the lips. “I serve Prince Conrad,” he whispered, his pale blue eyes fixed on Rhys’ astonished brilliant ones. “I am here with Sir David.”
Rhys was usually very good at keeping his composure, but at the moment, all he could feel was incredulous surprise. “David is here?” he repeated with shock.
Geist eyed the door to make sure the jailors weren’t listening, holding his hands up to remind them to keep their voices down. “We have no time for explanations. David is outside dressed as a king’s soldier and I am here as a priest. We were trying to figure out a way to save you and…,” he lifted his slender shoulders in a helpless gesture. “Well, here I am. “
Rhys was trying not to gape at the man. As he struggled for words, Elizabeau rose and went to him, eyeing him disbelievingly.
“My God,” she whispered in awe. “Is this true? Who are you?”
“My name is Geist, my lady.”
“How in the world did you manage to get in here?”
Geist looked at the lady; she was pale from the chill of the vault, but it only gave her a more ethereal, porcelain appearance. She was quite beautiful and he took a moment to study the woman they were all risking their lives for.
“It was a risk we took, my lady,” he said honestly. “We were not sure what we would find.”
Elizabeau struggled to swallow away her amazement. “You would find me in prison,” she murmured ironically. “And Rhys. We are in this hell together. But why did you come? Did the prince send you to save me?”
“He sent me, my lady, but not with the purpose of saving you,” he replied. “I was sent to follow Lawrence and David was sent to follow me. We were looking for each other.”
It didn’t make much sense, but the man’s accent was so heavy and his English so broken that it wasn’t surprising. Elizabeau looked questioningly at Rhys, who had gathered his composure enough to shut his agape mouth and attempt to decipher what Geist was saying. His gaze moved between Elizabeau and the Teutonic knight as he realized what the man was telling them.
“You were following Lawrence?” he asked quietly.
Geist nodded. “Aye. I saw him ride to this place. Have you seen him?”
Rhys cocked an eyebrow. “Why do you think I am here?” he rumbled. “He has been the betrayer in our midst all along and told the fortress commander exactly why I was here. The man knows everything that de Lohr knows and now, I am sure, so do the king’s men. I am slated for execution along with the lady at sunrise.”
“Where is Edward?” Elizabeau asked Geist. “We have not seen him since we were discovered. Do you know where he is?”
Geist was vaguely aware of the English knight who had come to Lioncross and told them of the lady’s predicament. Again, he shook his head. “I have not seen him,” he said, looking back to Rhys. “David does not know that I have found you but I will speak with him when we are finished. We are ready to aid your escape. Do you have a plan?”
Rhys lifted both eyebrows. “Not at the moment, but now I see that we must be quick about forming one,” he was almost giddy with hope but reined himself in. He had to remain collected if they were all going to survive. “Your life will depend upon it, too. Is there anyone else with you?”
“Just David.”
“He needs to stay out of sight. Lawrence will recognize him, as he very well may recognize you.”
“I will be careful.”
Rhys eyed him. “You’ll have to be,” he said ominously, then paused as he shifted his focus. He had to think! “What weapons have you brought with you?”
“Two crossbows,” Geist replied. “I also have a few daggers, as does David. He also has a broadsword, which I do not possess. It would not look right on a priest.”