Here Be Dragons - 1 by Sharon Penman (best inspirational books txt) 📕

Madame. I expect they shall seek to fire the outer door, so I had it well soaked. I had additional bolts attached, too, but the wood is so warped and rotted that I do not doubt even the little lass here could force it."As Joanna watched, marveling at the lack of emotion in his voice, he walked over to the solar door, tested the bolt's strength. "You'd best barricade yourself here within the solar, Madame. We'll hold them as long as we can below."Eleanor nodded. "I expect we've a few hours' wait. They do not seem in much of a hurry, do they?""Why should they be? Does a cat rush in for the kill when it has its prey secure within its paws?" Aubrey's mouth twisted. "I would to God that" He broke off abruptly, as a shout echoed down from the battlements. Joanna flinched, started to tremble. Was it to begin as soon as this? They heard now a clatter upon the stairs. Aubrey reached the door just as a man lurched into the solar, all but fell into his arms."Under attack . . ." he gasped. "Hurry . . ."Aubrey whirled toward the window, and the soldier caught his arm. "No," he panted, "not the keep . . . the town!"The stairs were in a dangerous state of disrepair, and Eleanor had to lean heavily upon Joanna for support, compelled to caution when they both yearned to run. Emerging at last out onto the battlements, Joanna froze for a moment, grappling with her fear of heights, and then edged along the walkway. The men were leaning recklessly over an embrasure, suddenly heedless of enemy bowmen, gesturing toward the town. Ihe wind was gusting; Joanna found herself blinded by her own hair. Clutching Eleanor's hand, she nerved herself to look over the battlements, down into the bailey.Men were stumbling to their feet, shouting groggy questions none could yet answer, groping hastily for weapons. Dogs were barking fran-

158tically as soldiers staggered, bewildered and bleary-eyed, from t^ buildings ranged along the curtain walls; a riderless horse galloped j panicked circles, adding immeasurably to the confusion. The more vvi

159only when she saw the dark wet stain across his surcoat that she foiled, with a cry of fright."Papa, you are bleeding!""No, sweetheart, it is not mine," he said soothingly. "There's nothg wrong with me that a bath and a week in bed will not cure!"There was a sudden stir among the men; a path was opening. John et Joanna back on her feet, moved toward his mother. For a long moment, they looked at one another, and then Eleanor said incredulously, "You're truly here; I know my eyes do not lie. But eighty miles! How in God's name did you do it, John?"John laughed. "I daresay that's what Arthur and the de Lusignans are asking themselves, too, about now! Your man caught up with me late Tuesday, outsideLe Mans. We set out at once for Mirebeau, rode day and night, spurred our horses till they foundered, till men reeled in the saddle like drunkards, stopping only at Chinon for William des Roches and fresh mounts." Someone handed him a flask; he drank deeply, all but choked. "They'd barred all the city gates but one, which they left open for supplies . . . and for us. By the time their besotted guards awoke, we were in the town. Upwards of two hundred knights captured, none escaping."Eleanor had never seen him so elated; there was about him an intense, surging excitement, an intoxication of the senses bordering upon euphoria. "AndArthur? What of Arthur, John?"John's eyes showed suddenly gold. "Arthur and Hugh and Geoffrey de Lusignan, all taken. They were breakfasting on pigeon pie, had not even time to draw their swords. And their faces . . ." He laughed again. "Ah, Madame, to see their faces!""You have indeed won a great victory," she said, then put her hand upon his arm. "Come now, sit and I'll send for food. Do you even remember when you've last eaten?""No," he admitted. "Why? Think you that I'm in need of sobering up?" He grinned, let her lead him toward the table, and then stopped without warning, swung about to face her. "Arthur and the de Lusignans were not alone in their disbelief . . . were they?" he challenged. "You never expected me to come to your defense, never expected me to reach you in time, never expected much of me at all, did you . . . Mother?"Eleanor saw now how exhausted he truly was; his voice was slurred, husky with fatigue, his eyes hollowed and feverishly bright, at once triumphant and accusing. "It was not a question of faith, John," she said carefully. "Do you not realize the extent of your victory? You have done what most men would swear to be impossible, covered some eighty "fiiles as if you'd put wings to your horse, arrived in time to save me

160from capture, to take the town, all your enemies. That is a feat nor than remarkable, it is well nigh miraculous." She paused, and then said that which she knew he'd waited all his life to hear, what she could at last say in utter sincerity: "Not even Richard could have hoped to equai what you did this day."John looked at her, saying nothing for a time. "I should have known that the highest praise you could offer would be a comparison with my sainted brother.Well, that is an honor I think I'll decline Madame. I've no longer any inclination to compete with a ghost.""Ah, Johnny ..." Eleanor was suddenly and overwhelmingly aware of her own exhaustion, of the toll these last days had taken. "I am proud of you, I swear it," she said softly. But she'd waited too long; John had already turned away.JOHN'S triumph was even more conclusive than he had at first thought, for his nephew Arthur was not the only prize to be taken in Mirebeau. Arthur's sister had been