So much for composure. De Lara’s eyes widened and his jaw popped open. He stared at Gart for a long, painful moment.
“Are you serious?”
“I would not lie.”
“Then if what you say about Buckland is true, he will kill her when he finds out,” Kevin hissed. “He will also kill you.”
“I know.”
De Lara grabbed him by the arm and began yanking him towards the keep. “We stand here chewing words as if we have all the time in the world when the truth is that time is slipping through our fingers,” he said urgently. “You must leave immediately and take your lady with you. There is no time to waste with Buckland’s men on my tail. No wonder de Lohr sent me ahead to warn you.”
Gart let him pull. “We have nowhere to go.”
“Ridiculous,” de Lara spat. “You will go to my father in Wales until you decide what needs to be done. You will be safe there.”
Gart was greatly relieved yet greatly concerned. “You should not involve yourself in this, Kevin. If you send me to your father, you involve him as well.”
Kevin didn’t seem particularly concerned. “My father hates John, Isabella and everything about them,” he said. “He is an old man with a good deal of power. He will consider assisting you a victory against the king and his vile queen. You have heard of the Trinity Castles on the Welsh Marches, have you not?”
Gart nodded as they mounted the steps to the keep. “Trelystan, Hyssington and Caradoc Castles. They are great Marcher castles.”
“They are my father’s holdings as Viscount Trelystan.”
“I recall,” Gart said thoughtfully. “But I had nearly forgotten. You do not speak much of your father.”
Kevin shrugged. “I do not speak much of my family in general,” he replied as he pulled Gart to the top of the stairs. “Gather the lady and your possessions. Meet me in the bailey as quickly as you can.”
Gart just stared at him, having one of the weakest and most indecisive moments of his life. He was so grateful for the help but he didn’t want to involve Kevin and his family in something so serious. The consequences, for the de Laras, could be as badas the consequences for Gart. He looked helplessly at his friend. It was clear he didn’t know what to say.
“And then what?” he asked quietly. “It will not end there, Kevin. I must still….”
Kevin waved a big hand towards the keep. “It will end right here if you do not get moving,” he told him. “You can make decisions once you reach my father’s castle, but until then, you can….”
He was cut off by a shout from the wall. Both Kevin and Gart strained to catch a glimpse of what the sentries were pointing at. From their vantage point at the top of the stairs, they could see some of the countryside beyond the walls but not much. Gart shouted up to the battlement.
“What do you see?”
One of his men answered. “Buckland colors, my lord!”
Gart and Kevin looked at each other, stricken. “He is already here,” Kevin hissed. “You must go now if there is any hope for survival. Go to Trelystan Castle near Welshpool and I will meet you there.”
Gart didn’t waste any time. He raced into the keep and on into the great hall, watching as Emberley and the children looked up from their meal at him. He was barreling at frightening speed and Emberley shot to her feet, immediately on her guard.
“What is wrong?” she asked. “Why are you…?”
He grabbed her by the arms, pulling her away from the table so the children couldn’t hear him. But the children were sharp and they could see his agitated manner. Gart was a man always in control, especially around them, and his demeanor roused their concern. Gart didn’t look at the children as he focused on Emberley, taking a deep breath and struggling for calm.
“Buckland has come to escort you to London,” he told her quietly, quickly. “We must escape now or all will be lost.”
Emberley’s eyes widened with shock. “Julian is here?”
He shook his head. There was no time for explanations. “Please,” he begged softly. “Just do as I say. We must escape. You know this castle– how may we escape unseen?”
Emberley’s big eyes filled with tears, overflowing as he watched. She was struggling not to fly into full-blown panic. “There… there is a postern gate by the kitchen yard.”
“Is it locked?”
She shook her head. “During the day it remains unlocked for those who would pass through to do business with the cook.”
