Elizabeau’s aim was slightly off due to her shaking hands and the arrow sailed a little too close to Rhys’ head. It zoomed within inches of his ear and hit one of his challengers in the neck. Startled, Rhys took his eyes off his enemies for a brief second to shoot Elizabeau an exasperated look. She smiled sheepishly.
He couldn’t help but grin at her, returning to the fight with more vigor than before. But his grin vanished when Elizabeau suddenly joined the fight, bashing men in the face and neck with the empty crossbow. She was howling like a madwoman and as Rhys dispatched the last opponent, he turned to grab her around the waist and carry her away from the scene.
“What in the hell are you doing?” he demanded, setting her on her feet as they neared the postern gate. “You’re going to get yourself killed, you silly wench.”
She shook herself free of his grasp, facing him with the stubbornness he had become very familiar with. “What are you complaining about? I helped you, did I not?”
He cocked a disapproving eyebrow at her, not having the time or energy to argue as he turned to see how David was doing. The blond knight was in the process of breaking down his last opponent, but there were more rushing in from the main bailey and Rhys yelled at him.
“David!” he shouted. “Come now!”
With one last swipe at the king’s soldier, David bolted off in their direction. He was swinging the sword and hollering like a crazy man, giving off a frightening appearance to those who would think to chase after him. When he reached Rhys and Elizabeau, he practically shoved the lady towards the gate.
“Let’s go,” he yanked the postern gate open and barreled through first to make sure no one was waiting for them on the other side. Seeing it was clear, he reached out and pulled the lady through. “Come along, my lady. No time to stand around.”
Elizabeau tripped in her haste but caught herself. Rhys was right behind her, his big hands and enormous arms hovering over her protectively. David had the charger tethered to a small sapling near the wall and he quickly untied the animal, holding it steady as Rhys gently mounted Elizabeau. Rhys was preparing to mount behind her when a growl near the gate stopped him.
“Stay where you are.”
Rhys, David and Elizabeau turned to see Lawrence standing in the open gate. He had two arrows sticking out of him and was bleeding profusely, but he had one advantage the rest of them did not have – a wicked looking crossbow, both barrels loaded, that was aimed straight at Elizabeau.
David, hands raised, stepped towards him. “What in the hell are you doing?” he demanded softly.
Lawrence fixed on David, a man he had known and served for many years. He was probably the closest thing he had to a brother. “Finishing what I started, of course.”
David stared at him, lowering his hands and shaking his head in disgust. “In God’s name, what possessed you to betray my brother as you have?” he hissed. “He has been your friend for years, Lawrence. He accepted your fealty when no one else would, after your wife had died and you drowned yourself in drink every night until you were useless. Is this how you repay his loyalty? By betraying him? You sicken me.”
“My reasons are my own, David,” Lawrence said quietly, though he now trained the crossbow on David’s chest. “You would not understand them.”
“You are right; I would not,” David snapped. “There is no reason great enough to explain what you have done.”
Lawrence was gravely injured; that much was obvious. No one could understand how he was still on his feet with two arrows in him. But he smiled weakly at David, a rare gesture. It was also a frightening one. Then he looked pensive. “I suppose not,” he murmured. “But I have my reasons nonetheless and they have nothing to do with Chris or you. They are my own.”
David was growing increasingly livid. “I simply cannot believe what I am seeing,” he seethed. “If you have any measure of dignity left in you, then you will let us leave in peace. At least show some repentance for what you have done.”
Lawrence’s smile faded and his body, weakened, began to visibly shake. The crossbow moved back in Elizabeau’s direction and an arrow suddenly let fly; it sailed close to Elizabeau’s head and she shrieked, covering her face as if her hands would protect her from the projectile. In the process, she lost her balance and toppled off the charger. Rhys caught her before she hit the ground, cradling her against his chest and turning his back on Lawrence to protect her.
But Lawrence’s attention remained fixed on David and the crossbow reacquired the target of David’s chest. The weapon twitched and wavered as Lawrence grew progressively unsteady. But he still remained resolute.