Rough hands seized him and tied ropes to his wrists. Anger burning through him, Valteri struggled against his attacker. But he was too dazed by the blows.
“Hold him!”
Two large, burly Saxons pulled him against the front of the stall. There they tied his hands to the wooden posts and forced him to kneel before the friar.
Edred stepped forward with a vial of water and splashed his face and tunic with it. His voice rang out, the words of exorcism all too familiar even to Valteri’s dazed senses.
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in our battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places!”
Are you fucking kidding me?
“What do you think you’re doing, Friar?” Valteri growled, his sight still hazy from the blows.
“Watch the door,” Edred called to one of the men next to Valteri, ignoring the question. “He might summon one of his minions to save him.”
Edred turned back to face him. “I saw you last night in my dreams and I know you for what you are!” Again he slung water across Valteri’s face.
His breathing ragged, Valteri glared at him as they gagged him.
Whoever stood behind him slit his tunic, and exposed his back. Valteri clenched his teeth against the fury boiling inside his veins. Memories surged through him and without being told, he knew what would follow.
Damn them for it!
Valteri pulled against the ropes until his wrists burned. He lunged at the priest.
You better kill me, old man. When I get out of this, I’ll feed your entrails to you!
Edred stumbled out of his reach and began reciting his call to God. “Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee bands of enemies. May Thy mercy, Lord, descend upon us. As great as our hope in Thee. We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, all satanic powers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies, and sects. In the Name and by the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, may you be snatched away and drivenfrom the Church of God and from the souls made to the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. Most cunning serpent, you shall no more dare to deceive the human race, persecute the Church, torment God’s elect and sift them as wheat. The Most High God commands you, He with whom, in your great insolence, you still claim to be equal. God the Father commands you. God the Son commands you. God the Holy Ghost commands you. Begone, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man’s salvation!” He paused and nodded to whomever stood behind Valteri.
Pain ripped through his back as he recognized the familiar burning of a lash strike.
As hard as he could, Valteri pulled against the ropes, and once more they held fast. Over and over, the whip crossed his back, pain exploding through him until Edred’s voice died out and all around him faded.
Ariel stretched and yawned. She reached out for her husband, but met only emptiness.
“Valteri?”
Had he left her without saying good-bye?
Nay… surely he wouldn’t have done that.
Why not? You’ve done it to him enough.
Afraid that he might have gone, she stepped from the bed and opened the shutters. Stunned, she realized it was late afternoon.
How had she slept so late?
People rushed about below, busy with their chores and duties. But there was no sign of Valteri among them. She left her chambers and entered the hall.
Wace sat in one corner, carefully wiping Valteri’s armor with pumice.
That relieved her instantly. There was no way he’d have left his armor or squire behind. And if anyone knew where Valteri had gone, ’twould be Wace.
“Good day,” she called, drawing near.
Wace looked up from his task with a smile. “Good day, milady. I trust you slept well?”
She nodded, returning his smile. “Have you seen Lord Valteri?”
