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"Cos you here this day," Elizabeth said Her proud bearing faltered then, confusion clouding her eyes "I have not forgotten the day, have I? This isn't your usual day to bring me food, is it? Or have I truly lost all sense of time?"

Joseph noted the despair in her voice and wanted to take her into his arms and offer comfort It was an impossible ambition, he realized, for she was his mistress and he her humble servant

"It has been nearly a month since my family—"

"Do not speak of it, o daft, for I was here just two days past Today I bring important news and have a plan I wish you to consider"

"Joseph, if you again suggest that I go to randfather, then you have wasted a trip My ansill be the same today Never! I will stay close to eance toat him as she spoke, her stubbornness outlined by the defiant tilt of her chin, and Joseph found that he was forced to gaze at his boots in order to escape the chill from her eyes

Elizabeth folded her arms and waited "What say you?" she demanded When her servant did not ihed with exasperation and continued in a softer voice "Be content, Joseph I have sent little Thoh"

His reply was not what she expected Elizabeth watched his shoulders slump even further than was their natural inclination The servant rubbed his bald head and cleared his voice "The evil ones have gone"

"Gone? What do you one?" Her voice increased in volurabbed the loyal servant by his cloak and was vigorously shaking him

Joseph raised his hands and gently pulled free froo inside," he suggested, "and I will tell you all I know"

Elizabeth agreed with a quick nod and hurried inside She tried to co her position, but heron the nu emotions instead

The one-rooe of one of the tooden stools, her hands folded in her lap, her back straight, while she waited for Joseph to light the fire in the hearth Though it was late spring, the hut was damp and chill

It seemed an eternity before Joseph was seated across from her " 'Twas shortly after I left here last, my lady The day of the storm," he qualified, "I had just reached the second rise above the manor when I first saw theh there were only two hundred or so of theround fairly treht I saw their leader, for he rode well ahead of his men and was the only one without benefit of a helmet

"Once they had battered down and entered the gates, for it was obvious to me that they cared not for the ele aside all caution By the tie point, their leader had drawn up his force into a half-circle, and behind a wall of shields, they advanced It was a sight to see, little one I watched their leader take his stand, a gigantic figure, I er two lessercountless times and lay low as many 'Twas then that the storm broke—"

"Were they from Lord Geoffrey?" It was a bare whisper, but Joseph heard

"Aye, they were Lord Geoffrey's men You knew that he would send forces"

"Of course I realized this, Joseph," she sighed "My father was vassal to Geoffrey, and his lord would reclaim what is his Still, we did not send word to him How did he arrive so soon?"

"I do not know," Joseph confessed

"Belwain!" The naan to pace

"Your uncle?" Joseph asked "Why would he—"

"Of course," Elizabeth interrupted "We both know that my uncle was behind the massacre of my family He went to Geoffrey My God, he betrayed his own men to win Geoffrey's favor What lies he must have told"

Joseph shook his head "I always kneas an evil o to such extremes"

"Our cause is lost, Joseph," Elizabeth replied in an agonized whisper "Lord Geoffrey will listen to my uncle's lies Thomas and I will be placed in Belwain's hands, and Thomas will be murdered, for only when my little brother is dead can Belwain become master of my home Only then"

"Perhaps Lord Geoffrey will see through Belwain's plan," Joseph answered

"I have never met Lord Geoffrey," Elizabeth said, "but I know he is said to possess a fierce tereeable at times No, I do not think he would listen"

"My lady," Joseph implored, "perhaps—"

"Joseph, if I had onlyhim to listen to my words, for Belwain's perfidy should be told to all ould listen But I must protect Thomas Belwain thinks both my brother and I are dead"

Elizabeth continued to pace back and forth in front of the hearth "I have made up my mind, Joseph Tomorroe leave for London and the

safety of randfather's home"

"And Belwain?" Joseph asked with hesitancy A dread of what her ansas going to be made Joseph brace himself He knew his mistress well She would not alloain acquittal for his evildoing

"I will kill him"

A log sizzled and a loud pop sounded in the silence that followed Elizabeth's statement A chill settled in the old servant's bones He had no doubt that his mistress would do as she said Still, he had not explained all of his news, and bracing his leathery pal knees, he rushed to finish the task "Geoffrey's men have Thomas"

Elizabeth's pacing abruptly stopped "How can this be? He is with grandfather by now You saw him leave with Roland Surely you are mistaken"

"Nay, my lady I saw him at the castle with my own eyes Thomas was asleep by the fire, but it was him I had a clear view Upon inquiry I learned that he is considered mute" Joseph raised his hand when he saw his mistress was about to interrupt, and hastily continued the tale "How he came to be with the, but one thing is certain: they do not yet realize who the boy is, and he is being well cared for Why, the one near death is the very one who saved his life, it is said"

"Joseph, you talk in riddles Who is near death?" In her frustration, Elizabeth pulled at a stray lock of golden hair blocking her vision and swiftly brushed it back over her shoulder Joseph in turn let out a long sigh and scratched his heavy beard before he continued

"Their leader took a blow to his head during the battle They say he is dying"

"Why did you risk going to the manor, Joseph?"

"Maynard the stable master sent word to me that Thomas was there I had to see for myself," Joseph explained "When I heard that the leader of Geoffrey's ht of a rash plan and…" Joseph again cleared his throat before continuing "I told the and that I would bring this healer to tend their master on the condition that once he ell, the healer could safely leave The lord's vassal arguedthat he need ed, and in the end he agreed"