Chapter 12
Gawyn glanced down the hallwaytoward the large double doors leading to the inner courtyard. Two soldiers stood indecisively, staring at him as though he had the answers. Gawyn glanced at the door to the Judgement Room. Damien was in no condition to instruct the soldiers. He couldn’t run a country. That had been Aurora’s job. Aurora.
Gawyn’s heart twisted for Damien. She had been kind and good and an amazing leader. And Damien had loved her.
Gawyn’s mind wandered to another upstart of a girl. A beautiful girl. Justina had gone after Adam, who was with Aurora. A sickening dread washed over him. If Aurora was…gone, where was Justina? He wanted to go and look for her. Surely, she was not with Adam. Surely, she had found her brother and made it to safety before the Hungars attacked.
Every instinct he had was telling him to look for her. He had to know she was unharmed.
Yet, his brother needed him. How could he leave him now? Good God! He was captain of the guard. He had to do something. He marched down the hallway to the soldiers, only to turn the corner to find the hallway filled with concerned peasants, nobles, and merchants. Gawyn hesitated.
Steward Thomas and Constable Grancourt, an older knight with graying hair and a stoic gaze, approached him.
“Captain, most of the village is inside the walls,” Grancourt announced. “The gates are closed and secure.”
Panic seized Gawyn’s heart, clenching tight. How was Justina going to get back inside? He grabbed Thomas’s arm. “Is Justina here?”
“The girl staying as a guest? The farmer’s niece? No.” Thomas shook his head.
Gawyn pursed his lips. He was going after her. He glanced back at the Judgement Room door. “Keep those gates closed.” That would keep Damien in the castle. His worst fear was that his brother would run off in some futile attempt to kill the Hungars for what they had done, knowing full well he would be killed. “Keep those walkways manned. I want every eye looking for the Hungars. They’re coming.”
At his proclamation, a murmuring of anxiety swept through the gathered group.
Gawyn glanced at the peasants and nobles a few feet from them, listening to every word.
An alarmed cry issued from a young girl who clenched her mother’s hand. A servant placed her hand over her mouth in fear. A noble woman fanned herself making the white feather in her headpiece bob.
Gawyn seized Thomas’s arm and put a hand on Grancourt’s shoulder, leading them further down the hallway, out of listening range.
Gawyn looked at Grancourt. “Sir Grancourt, you are in charge until I return.”
“Return? Where are you going?” Grancourt wondered.
Gawyn glared at Grancourt. “You are not to tell anyone I am gone.” He glanced at Thomas. “You either.”
Both men nodded in understanding.
“Keep the walls manned. No one enters. No one leaves.”
Grancourt bobbed his head. “Aye Captain.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Again, he nodded, but didn’t ask where he was going.
Gawyn seized his arm in warrior fashion, clutching it just below the elbow, staring into his eyes. “The Hungars are out there. Don’t let your guard down. Acquitaine must not fall.”
Grancourt nodded. “Aye, Captain.”
When Gawyn released his arm with a firm nod, Grancourt hurried down the corridor, moving through the crowd of people.
Gawyn leaned close to Thomas. “Don’t bother Damien.”
“No, Captain,” Thomas promised.
“Is there a way out of the castle, but not through the main gates?”
Thomas nodded. “The sally port.”
