That brief spell of being a true family clung to him. He knew he wanted that with all his heart and had to discover a way to convince her that they could have a proper marriage.
‘Increase our pace. We will rescue them.’
* * *
Svanna directed the archers to launch another volley of arrows. Thus far, the arrows had failed to deter Turgeis’s men, who were now using a fallen tree as a shield and starting to ram the gate with greater vigour. All she could do was watch and pray that somehow Rand would return and be able to rescue them. Somehow. But she also suspected that he’d have too few men to break through on a frontal attack. If he tried that, he could be cut down. Fear for him clawed at her throat and insides, but she drew on years of hiding her emotions to keep that fear contained.
‘My lady, Birdie’s nurse is demanding to see you.’
Svanna looked at the warriors manning the barricades. ‘Can you hold out?’
Their leader fitted an arrow and shot one of the attackers in the leg. The ramming ceased. ‘I believe so.’
‘Send word if anything changes.’ She hurried down and into the great hall, which teemed with people.
Birdie immediately ran to her and hugged her hard, exclaiming again and again that she’d come back. Svanna picked the little girl up and placed her on her hip.
‘My lady, I must protest.’ The nurse bustled up, resembling a wet hen. ‘Birdie should be in the tower. Lord Randolfr left orders…’
‘Lord Randolfr left me in charge.’
‘Please, come with me. Let me show you that the round tower is safe.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Birdie doesn’t like crowds, my lady. Neither do I.’
Svanna sighed and knew she’d get no peace until she’d viewed the tower. ‘I will go, but Birdie remains here where she is safe.’
Svanna gently removed Birdie’s arms from her neck and handed her to a woman who promised to entertain her along with her own daughter. Svanna indicated to a warrior that he should keep watch.
The nurse curtseyed. ‘Thank you, my lady. You will see no danger exists.’
They crossed over to the tower. The sounds of the battle were strangely muffled, but it did not appear to be intensifying.
Svanna nodded to the warrior guarding the entrance to the tower, and he allowed them in. The main room was eerily silent compared to the busy chatter in the hall.
‘Birdie will be fine here,’ the nurse said, gesturing about her. ‘She can sleep. She will come to no harm here, if you take my meaning. I want to be able to look the King in the eye when he comes, see.’
Svanna frowned. The room appeared untouched. Thetaflboard stood in a corner, next to the small loom, signs of normality amidst the chaos of war. The trunks and stools remained where she had last seen them. ‘There is at least one escape route here.’
The nurse reluctantly nodded. ‘Only the family knows.’
‘Not blocked, like I ordered.’
‘That warrior wouldn’t allow us to stay. Why should I tell the warriors? Lord Randolfr might choose to come back that way if he saw us being besieged.’
The fear clawing at her subsided. Rand had a way in. He’d arrive, and she’d see him again…
‘Only the family knows, including Rhiannon,’ she said, hoping to banish the thought.
‘Rhiannon would never do anything to harm Birdie, my lady.’
‘Not intentionally.’ Svanna held out her hand. ‘But I worry. Show me. I’m Rand’s wife.’
‘I suppose so.’ The elderly woman pointed to the far wall. ‘The fourth stone moves and there is a long tunnel. Built by my late lady’s great-grandfather.’
As Svanna watched, the stone appeared to move.
‘See!’ The old woman positively radiated with glee. ‘I suspected Lord Randolfr would come in this way.’ She rushed over to help, moving the stone. ‘Thank the gods you have arrived, my lord!’
Rand failed to emerge. Instead, the middle of Drengr’s sons poked his head out of the hole. He appeared as surprised as the nurse was to encounter her.
