David could see that there was no reasoning with the man. “How much?” he asked after a moment, distain in his voice. “How much were you promised to betray Chris and kill the lady?”
Lawrence was so unsteady that his words were shaky. “It wasn’t betrayal as much as it was a decision. Chris offered me friendship and service, but I would never gain wealth or status through him. The older I grew and the more my son grew, I realized that I needed something to leave him. He deserves whatever I can provide and I was offered both wealth and status in exchange for helping the king retain his crown. Is that a satisfactory explanation?”
David just shook his head; he was still having difficulty believing it all. “I cannot comprehend why you would do this to us, Lawrence. You were like family.”
“But the fact remains that I am not your family, nor do I gain anything of value from our association. I had to think of my legacy and I am sorry that you cannot understand that.”
“I understand it. But you never even expressed an interest in such things to Chris or me. At least you could have given us the courtesy of trying to provide you with what you wanted. You never even gave us the chance.”
Lawrence’s manner grew dark, as if he was suddenly fighting off a strong surge of remorse. His balance failed him for a moment but he quickly recovered, keeping the weapon trained on David.
“It is of no matter,” he muttered. “I must do what I believe best for me and my son.”
David could see how unsteady he was growing. He eyed the crossbow. “You only have two arrows in that. There are three of us.”
Lawrence was struggling to maintain his hold on the crossbow as his strength, and life, drained away. “One arrow for you and one for Rhys. I have a dagger for the lady.”
“One arrow isn’t going to fell me and it certainly isn’t going to fell Rhys. We’ll kill you before you can get to her.”
Lawrence knew his time was limited. His vision was already growing dark. “We shall see,” he mumbled.
David knew they were at an end. He waited for the arrow to come flying out at him, wondering if he could turn himself in a way that it would do the least damage. He heard a sharp snap and waited for the searing pain as the projectile plowed into him, but nothing happened. In fact, Lawrence suddenly dropped the crossbow and pitched face-first onto the grass.
A long, thin arrow was jutting out of the back of Lawrence’s neck. Astonished, David looked up to see Geist standing in the open postern gate entrance with an empty crossbow in his hand.
“Jesus,” David hissed, pulling Lawrence’s crossbow out of the grass just in case the man decided to rise again. “You came along just in time. He was going to kill us all.”
Geist stepped over Lawrence’s supine form, hardly giving the man a second look. His gaze moved to Rhys and the lady just as Rhys was setting her to her feet; they were both shaken but unharmed. But now was not the time to relax.
“There are more men behind me,” he said urgently. “You must make haste from this place.”
Rhys knew he was right; any delay, no matter how small – even to feel their momentary relief – could be the difference between life and death. They were still in danger. Without a word, he picked Elizabeau up again, wearily, and kissed her on the cheek before depositing her onto the back of the charger.
David watched the movements of the man, knowing that for as grateful as Rhys was for their lives, now came the reality of turning Elizabeau over to Conrad. It made all else they had been through pale by comparison, which was the truly ironic thing – he had saved her, in so many ways, and would never enjoy the rewards of his labor. Knowing what the man had gone through over the past few months, how tormented he had been, David put his hand on Rhys’ arm as the man prepared to mount.
“Wait,” he said quietly. “Let me take her back. You and Geist can make your way back to the approaching army on foot. They should not be too far away if they departed as planned.”
Rhys looked up at Elizabeau, gazing into her pale, strained face. “Nay,” he murmured, gathering the reins as he prepared to mount. “I will take her.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sure enough.”
He mounted heavily behind her, gathering her into one arm as he settled himself on the saddle. Elizabeau could feel the emotion in his embrace; she wasn’t oblivious to where he was taking her. All of the pain and joy of the past few months was about to come to fruition and there was nothing she could do about it. Men had fought and died for her. She would not disappoint no matter if her heart was breaking or not. Tears found their way onto her cheeks as she touched David’s hand.