LadyIsabel sat near the hearth in the hall, perusing the flickering flames. Shewould be ten and seven, in just slightly more than a fortnight. Isabel hadspent a good portion of her life right here, in the residential structure ofKellanhym Castle, her father's stronghold. The main floor consisted of the largehall, a small sitting room, and her father's study. Several high back chairsand benches, allowed for seating in front of the large hearth, where there wasalmost always, a roaring fire going. Even in the warmer months, the hearth wasused for some portion of the cooking.

Thelower level of the building was partially below ground, and consisted of akitchen, where many of the serfs ate, and storage, for food and grains. Thesecond floor held the Lord’s private chambers, plus the bed chambers for otherfamily, and guests, arranged along either side, of a central passageway. On thetop floor, there were a few more bed chambers, as well as the weaving andsewing rooms. Those work rooms, were where most of the castle serfs slept onmats, on the floor, at night.

Tearssprang to her eyes, as her mind drifted over the past six months. How could sheknow, when her cousin Avery came to ask for her father's assistance, that herworld was about to be turned upside down? Avery was in a war with the Lord ofRothstam Castle, which had already led to the deaths, of both their fathers.Her father, Lord Edmund, had refused to aid Avery. He said Avery's father gotonly what he deserved, for stealing from Eric's fiefs. He was not about to lendassistance, to protect Avery, from his father's thievery. Three months later,Edmund, and five of his vassals, who were riding with him, were murdered in asupposed robbery.

Withina sennight of Edmond’s death, Avery arrived to claim ward ship of Isabel, andher lands, as her closest male relative. She was her father's only living heir.He had then encouraged her mother, to go to one of her father's otherproperties. While Avery had made no direct threat, he implied that Isabel, andher mother, would be fine, as long as they did not, cause Avery any problems.

LadyIsabel was startled from her morose by Sir Richard, one of her father's oldest,and most trusted friends. He had insisted that Avery allow him to see to hersafety, and fortunately, Avery had agreed, probably, just to allay suspicion.

"Threeriders approach, My Lady,” Richard said. "Hopefully, they have word ofyour cousin."

Isabelleft the hall to await the messengers, or in other words, her and Richard’sspies, on the stairs outside. Isabel had been carefully schooled by Edmund,that Avery and his father, though relatives, were notto be trusted. The messengers who were let inside the castle walls, alsoquickly confirmed the treachery, of Isabel's cousin.

Avery,even with some of Isabel's forces, had once again, been outmanned by his enemy.So, he had cooked up a scheme to kidnap the half-sister of his enemy, to demanda ransom. When the Lord was drawn out to pay the ransom, Avery intended to killhim in ambush. This Avery felt, would allow for the Lady Esme, who would be thesole remaining heir to Rothstam, at only one and four years old, to become theward of someone friendly to him. It would also bring the property, andresources, of Avery's enemy, over to his side by deceit, thereby ending thewar. While Avery had offered no details about how this kidnapping was to beaccomplished, he had seemed confident of success. This information from themessenger, though vague, was sufficient to confirm to Richard, what Isabel hadclaimed she overheard. She had been present, when Avery was talking of the samegeneral plan, with a very disgusting man that Avery claimed was a Duke.

Isabelwas finding her cousins' murderous bend, rather appalling. Her father had beena good and honorable man. His properties and people had thrived under his control,and he had carefully instructed Isabel, in dealing honorably with people.Edmund's cousin, on the other hand, according to her father, had mismanaged hislands, and mistreated his people, reducing his wealth. This in turn, had leadto thievery, from Eric's more prosperous lands. Still, murder seemed a bigleap, from incompetence and theft. She could not help but wonder, if this long standing animosity with Lord Eric, and nowhis son, had not driven Avery a little mad.

Afterthe messengers left, Lady Isabel turned to Richard, and said, "Kidnappingsounds like a pretty good idea. Do you have some competent men available?"

"Whatdo you have in mind?" Richard asked, eying her uncertainly.

LadyIsabel laid out her idea, explaining how it could prevent, a good deal ofbloodshed. She watched as Richard's expression changed from mildlydisapproving, to considering, and finally to resigned acceptance. He offeredIsabel a weak smile, as he questioned her conviction. She assured him, if hecould make it so, she saw her part as her last, best hope. Convinced of herresolve, Richard nodded in agreement, before turning to leave the hall, to makethe arrangements.

Chapter 2

Brantrode east on his destry, with his long time friend, SirRobert, and his squire, on either side of him. Robert's squire, and anothervassal, rode behind them.

"Wehave traveled for nie on two hours, without one mention of the Lady Katherine,Robert. Does your love for the fair maiden wane?" Brant teased his friend.

Branthad only seen the Lady once, but she was quite lovely. Robert talked about herall the time, leaving no doubt, that he was hopelessly enamored with themaiden.

"Mostcertainly not," Robert retorted. "If anything, it grows stronger witheach passing day."

Brantlaughed at the other man's plight. Although he was from a wealthy family, as ayounger son, Robert was a landless knight. Claiming inheritance, requiredpaying the Crown for the privilege, so in most instances, the entire estatepassed to the eldest son. Therefore, the Lady Katherine's father opposed amatch between her and Robert. She would have a sizable dower property, soRobert was in no way, the Lady's equal. Katherine was approaching ten andeight, and would likely, soon be pressured to make a suitable marriage, thoughshe purportedly desired to wed Sir Robert.

Asthe five riders rounded a curve, three men, approaching on horseback, came intoview. Brant cautiously surveyed the tree line along the road, for anyindication of others, who might lay in wait to ambush them in the waningtwilight.

"Doyou recognize the crest on the destry?" Brantasked Robert.

"Ibelieve it to be Sir Richard's," Robert answered. "He also has issuewith Avery. Or, so he claimed, when last we spoke."

"Ido not recall ever meeting the knight, myself. You are sure, he is afriend?" Brant asked.

"Aye,he is a friend to me," Robert answered, as the three riders drew near.

"Whatbrings you out here this evening, Richard, business, or pleasure?" Robertquestioned the leader of the new arrivals.

"Ifear it is business, Robert," Richard replied.

Brant,who's caution had begun to relax, suddenly felt hismount's reigns jerked from his hands, and his dagger pulled from its sheath. Asimilar fate had befallen his squire, who was struggling against two vassals,as they tied his hands behind him.

"Aye,Sir Richard is friend to me. You Brant, are someonewhom I greatly admire, and respect. As such, I have no desire to see injurycome to your person. To achieve this end, all you need do is cooperate, and tislikely, you will live, to see if you can someday forgive me, my friend,"Robert said, smiling at him warmly, as if he viewed this turn of events, somegreat lark.

Hissquire’s mount was moved, to where Brant could see a dagger was being heldagainst the youth’s throat.