Annlaughed at this bit of information. It was common knowledge around the Castlethat Cora used to be Brant's favorite tart. Apparently, Isabel had enlisted theaid of his former tart, to help her cross the Lord, and gave the serf advise, on negotiating with the him, on punishment.

Brantmomentarily thought about threatening the serf, before thinking better of it.

Heinstead said, “If you tell me everything you know, I will assign you to work inthe stables for the next month. If you do not, I am going to give you tenlashes.”

Coraglared at him, before replying, “William, what were staying at the Inn, said ‘ewas from Kellanhym Castle. She hid in one of the rooms they ‘ad there, untilthe other knights and the supply wagons, come to take her back there.”

Brantlooked doubtfully at the serf, as he told her, “I was there less than threeweeks ago, over night. They said they had not seen, or heard from her.”

Theserf replied, “It is her Castle, and ‘er people. They come here to yourvillage, to get ‘er. I think they would lie to ye, about seeing ‘er, don’t you?If ye were there, she might have been right under yer nose.”

"Thatwill be all, Cora," Brant said, dismissing the serf. "I believe Iwill be returning to Kellanhym Castle, to check on preparations for theharvest," Brant told Lady Ann, before turning toward the stairs.

Cora,who had remained there, smiled at Ann conspiratorially, and said, "He doesnot treat the Lady very good, at all. I sure wish I knew what she ‘as planned,when ‘e gets there. She promised she were not going tomaim, or kill ‘im."

Thenthe serf turned, and left the hall. Ann laughed softly, realizing that Isabelhad somehow engineered summoning her husband, for some unknown purpose.Apparently, Isabel was safe, her son-in-law, only time would tell. Shemomentarily thought about warning Brant, but decided to trust that Isabel knewwhat she was doing. Clearly, the girl was involved in something that Ann knewnothing about.

Brantreminded his men of the plan, as they approached Isabel's Castle. They werethere, merely to see to the progress of the crops, and harvest preparation. Sowhen they rode through the gate, between the huge drum towers, everyone wasprepared to be inconspicuous, about looking for indications that the Lady wasensconced at the Castle.

WhenBrant entered the Castle compound, he rode straight up to the stairs into thehall. A serf came around the building to greet them. Brant handed the serf thereigns to his destry to take to the stables.

"Goodday, Me Lord," the serf said. "Will you be staying a while?"

"Weplan to be here overnight," Brant answered. "So we will need thehorses taken to the stable."

"Aye,Me Lord," the man replied.

Heentered the hall with his squire, Vernon, several steps behind, carrying theLord's heavy duffle. Brant was greeted by the Castle Mistress, Gertrude, whomanaged the serfs.

"Goodday, Me Lord," Gertrude said. "Will ye be staying with us long?"

"Nay,we only plan to be here overnight," Brant said. "Are there any otherguests, here at the Castle?"

"Nay,Me Lord," Gertrude answered.

"Haveyou had any word from Isabel?" Brant asked.

"Nota peep," the serf answered. "I do hope she is well. I ‘ave been greatly concerned, for ‘ersafety."

"Aye,Ann and I, have been, too," Brant replied. "I will be taking theSolar for tonight. Could you have some water sent up, so I can wash up alittle?"

"Aye,Me Lord," the mistress said, as Brant turned to mount the stairs, with hissquire following.

Vernondeposited the duffle in the Solar, and retreated to recline on a bench, in thedimly lit passageway outside the room. Brant closed the door behind hisretreat, and waited inside the room. After washing up from the dusty ride, herested on the bed for about an hour, before there was a tap on the portal.

Brantopened the door to let Vernon into the antechamber. He relayed to Brant, thatseveral serfs had gone in, and out, of the room right across the passage fromthe Solar. Vernon also believed, he had heard several female voices, speakingin soft tones, coming from the chamber. Availing himself of the shadows, thatwere common in Castle passageways, Brant opened the door just enough, to beable to see the opposite chamber portal. It was not long, before a serf went tothe portal, so Brant opened the door wide. The startled serf stood holding abasket, looking at him guiltily. He motioned for her to sit on the bench, andfor Vernon to stay with her, before crossing the hall to open that portal.

Isabel,his long lost wife, was placing a small stack of the babe's clothing into a duffel.

"Hello,Isabel. What did you want the basket for?" Brant asked.

Thoughhe was pretty sure, she intended to carry Nathaniel out of the Castle, in it.

"Good day, My Lord," she replied, quicklycovering her surprise. "I wasnot expecting to see you until later, but as I have discovered, plans are madeto be changed."

Isabelside stepped answering his question. She thought he looked a little tired,somewhat concerned, and really irritated.

Brantquestioned dubiously, "You were expecting to see me, later? Somehow Idoubt that. More likely, you were preparing to sneak out somewhere, to hideuntil I left. Though, it is good to see you looking quite well."

"Iam quite well," Isabel replied. "Did you doubt,I could take care of myself?"

"Actually,it was more your mother's words, about the root mix, that would likely make youlose the babe," Brant explained, with a hint of anger in his tone."It was one of those, that likely cost my motherher life. She died just a few short weeks, after she lost the babe she wascarrying. Was that what you were talking about, when you told Ann you did notsee where you had any other choice?"

"Iwould ask if that was interrogating Rosamund, or eavesdropping, but it soundslike a little of both," Isabel commented, with a frown over hisaccusation.

Sheyelled for Beautrice, the serf who Brant had instructed to wait outside, withVernon.

Whenthe serf appeared in the doorway, Isabel said, "Take Nathaniel down to thehall, so his sire may spend some time with him. Ask my knights to see that hedoes not try to leave, with the child. And tell Gertrude I will be down fordinner, as planned."

Turningher attention back to her husband, Isabel said, "I think we can continuethis conversation, later. Right now, get out of my room, Brant."

Brantstood still, looking at her coolly for a few moments, before deciding it wouldbe best to keep an eye on his son. In the passage, he instructed Vernon towatch Isabel's chamber, to make sure she did not try to leave. Then, he quicklywalked off down the stairs, following the serf who was carrying Nathaniel.

Isabelwalked over to shut the door. She had not intended for Brant to know she washere, until later in the evening. He looked as if the last few months, were astrying on him, as they had been for her. She so, wanted this all to be over. Inthe beginning, it had seemed a simple matter. She and Brant, just needed to getrid of, or get control of, Avery, and both of them would be safe. How was sheto know, that there was another person, who wanted Brant gone from this earth,even more than Avery? Or, that giving Brant an heir to his lands,would put her child in mortal danger.

Branthad discovered her earlier than planned, and had arrived with six men, insteadof the three, or four, she had been expecting. However, that should not affecther plan, too much. He was upset with her, because he thought she was trying tosneak the babe out of the Castle, and he had overheard her mother's advice,about how to hopefully lose the babe. That was likely good. He would be makingaccusations, rather than asking questions.