Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter 24

Alex cursed in annoyance as he and Bowden rode through the gate and along the crowded streets toward the college, having to thread their horses past carriages, wagons, and push carts. When they would arrive in the early morning ,the streets were usually empty of traffic, but now, just after noon, the streets were thronged with people and horses. Adding to his irritation was the fact that Alex was three hours late. As he had prepared to follow the carriage taking Isobel and her friends back to the college, a contingent of twenty-five men under the command of Captain Wolfgang, of his father’s personal guards, arrived.
Alex had thought that they had come in response to his message home, but Captain Wolfgang had explained that he’d passed Alex’s messenger on the way to Valencia’s estate and been informed of his marriage. Wolfgang had explained that Alex’s younger brother had sent for him as their father had been in a hunting accident and was badly injured; he had broken his legs, his left arm, and several ribs after being thrown by his horse and tumbling over a steep embankment. Alex had learned that while in pain, his father’s life was in no imminent threat but his family and the royal council had requested that Alex, as crown prince, return as soon as possible.
Alex didn’t want to return home without Isobel, and he didn’t want to break his promise to Isobel about forcing her out of school before she was finished. Bowden had suggested on the ride to the city that Alex and Valencia take Master Ogden aside and explain to him who Alex was and ask if there was a way to grant Isobel’s certificate early. Bowden was sure that for a generous donation to the school, Isobel could leave early and still be awarded her master’s certificate, after all, Isobel’s work and dedication as well as the publication of her book showed she possessed more than a master’s knowledge of her field.
The amount of traffic increased as they neared the college and several bells could be heard telling loudly, both odd occurrences for the city which was normally quiet during the noon hour, as people sought their meals. Rising in the air was thick black smoke that seemed to grow denser as they neared the college and market square which was a mass of people.
“Hell, I think the college is on fire,” Bowden said voicing Alex’s fears as they rode into the square and utter pandemonium.
A large group of men had formed two bucket brigades going from the school all the way down the street and to the river. On the closest side of the school where the stable was a large fire could be seen sending flames and smoke high into the air, and Alex hoped that Bridgette had gotten her beloved horses out. Looking towards the market square on the left of the fountain, Alex saw about thirty young women standing in a clump under the watchful eyes of Sister Margaret, Master Ogden, and Mistress Beatrice. Alex and Bowden dismounted and taking their reigns began pulling their nervous mounts towards the group of women looking for Isobel, Bridgette, and their friends. As they neared the fountain Marcus ran up to them his white shirt smeared with blood and soot
“That bastard took your ladies and set fire to the building as a distraction.” Marcus blotted his forehead with his sleeve. “Oscar and Ahern borrowed some horses and went after them; those bastards also hurt Lady Sasha and Lady Lucy in the process. They are both in the flower wagon where Sir Giles is seeing to them.”
“What are you saying they were taken; taken by whom, tell me everything,” Alex demanded following Marcus to the flower wagon where he and Bowden tied up their horses.
“Don’t know much, Lady Sasha is unconscious and Lady Lucy is hurt pretty badly, tis her blood you see. She tried to stop the kidnappers with a broomstick and one of the men cut her arm with a knife. I heard her telling Sir Giles and Sir Ahern that they put Lady Isobel and Lady Bridgette in an all-black carriage and headed for the west gate.” Marcus replied pulling the door of the wagon open to show Giles treating Sasha who was lying on Alex’s bunk, while Lucy was seated on a stool holding her arm before her. “I tried to tell the guard the girls were taken but they won’t listen because of the fire. And Master Ogden and Sister Margaret thought I was some lunatic and chased me away."
“Oh thank the gods, I need help Sasha won’t wake up and I can’t get the bleeding to stop for Lady Lucy,” Giles said his eyes worried.
“Marcus fetch Sister Margaret she is with the girls,” Alex ordered as he struggled with the desire to mount up and ride out after Isobel and Bridgette, the only reason he hadn’t already done so was he could see the girls were badly hurt and he needed to know from Lucy what had happened.
“I tried before but she said I was crazy and to go away. I don’t think she believed me when I said two of them were hurt but I’ll make her come now.” Marcus replied before heading off towards the fountain.
“What can I do?” Bowden demanded.
“Go to master Ogden tell him who you are and ask if it is true that Isobel and Bridgette were taken, ask what has been done if it is true and then seek out the school porters they are usually on guard, and hurry as soon as I see to Lucy and Sasha we are heading out .” Alex snapped before climbing into the wagon. He was torn between whom to treat first, Sasha was pale but breathing steadily while Lucy was pale, obviously in pain and her arm was bleeding heavily from the amount of blood staining the makeshift bandage.
Alex stepped up to Lucy, kneeling before her in the tight passage of the wagon. “Let me see your arm.”
“I tried to stop them, I tried but there were three of them and two had knives.” Lucy got out through a combination of tears and gritted teeth. "I'm so sorry, I tried I swear I did.""
“I’m sure you did everything you could, you were very brave to take on two men with a broom now let me see your arm.” Alex eased the wad of cloth off of Lucy’s arm and tried not to cringe at what he saw. The blade had laid her arm open from her wrist to her elbow all the way down to the bone, the wound needed to be stitched and quickly. “This is bad it needs to be stitched or even cauterized.”
Alex forced a smile. “I know you are in pain but we must stop the bleeding.”
“All right,” Lucy replied.
“What can I do?” Giles asked, leaning over his shoulder.
“We will need something to clean the wound and dull the pain. Over your head in the first cabinet is a bottle of brandy.” Alex replied as there was a loud noise from the door of the wagon and he turned to see Marcus carrying Sister Margaret over his shoulder stop before the door of the wagon followed by an outraged master Ogden.
“See I told you that Lady Sasha and Lady Lucy were hurt,” Marcus stated as Sister Margaret slapped him in obvious outrage before turning to see Sasha and Lucy inside the wagon with Giles and Alex.
“Oh my, what happened?” Sister Marcus demanded.
“That’s what I’m trying to find out, Lad Lucy said that Isobel and Bridgette were kidnapped and that when she and Sasha came to their aid they were attacked, as you can see Lady Lucy has been injured. My man Marcus and Sir Giles found the ladies and brought them here for care. Now has anybody seen Isobel or Bridgette?” Alex said motioning for Giles to step out of the wagon so that Sister Margret could step into his place.
Giles hurriedly stepped from the wagon and then helped the middle-aged matron up as Master Ogden studied Alex for a moment and then scowled. “I want to know what is going on here, and who you are, who you really are. You are very comfortable with the inner workings of this wagon; I sense I have been lied to.”
“I will tell you all but first have you seen Isobel or Bridgette? Alex replied tartly.
“No, I have been trying to find them myself; Isobel was last seen in the garden gathering herbs and Bridgette in the stable, they and my two porters are missing,” Ogden replied.
“You two can argue later, Lucy needs stitches and Sasha won’t wake up, I need medicines and bandages.” Margaret snapped. “If I could go into the school I could quickly collect what I need.”
“Out of the question, the stable and the entire back wall are on fire,” Ogden said with a sad look.
“I have everything you need in here, including bandages.” Alex opened one of the cabinets above Lucy’s head and pulled out a basket with rolls of bandages, needles, thread, and various bottles of medicine.
“Wonderful, let us wake Sasha first, and then we must care for Lucy.” Margaret rooted in the basket and found a bottle of ammonia salts uncorked it and waved it beneath Sasha’s nose. A moment later Sasha coughed before letting out a moan as she reached for her head.
“Thank the gods,” Giles said.
“Sasha, can you hear me it’s sister Margaret, I’m just going to check your head can you tell me what happened?” Margaret said as she began running her fingers through Sasha’s hair causing her to wince.
“There were men; they were trying to take Isobel. I tried to help but one of them punched me and I fell, I must have hit my head.” Sasha replied looking around in confusion.
“That’s what I said, won’t you believe me now?” Lucy said plaintively.
“I believe you.” Alex knelt beside Lucy who was trembling. “Her arm is very bad.”
“Yes, do you have anything for pain?” Margaret demanded searching in the basket before grabbing a needle and thread.
“Brandy and willow bark, the brandy would be quickest and we can use it to disinfect the wound too.” Alex opened another cabinet to pull out a large bottle of brandy which he uncorked and held before Lucy. “Take it my lady and have a large drink.”
Lucy took the bottle with a trembling hand and took a drink from the bottle while behind him Alex heard his name shouted and turned to see Bowden.
“It’s bad Alex,” Bowden said.
“How bad?” Alex demanded stepping from the wagon.
“I found one of the porters dead, he had been stabbed. I found another porter near the door of the stable also dead, stabbed in the back.” Bowden paused. “I found three of our men; two are dead the other badly hurt. I left him with a merchant on the other side of the square. I took a quick look at the back of the school, the fire brigade is doing their best, but from how quickly the building went up I think someone poured oil on the building then set it ablaze.”
“A diversion then so they could take Isobel.” Alex snarled in fury.
“Who are you? Who has taken Isobel and Bridgette?” Ogden demanded.
“He is Prince Alexander Magnus Thorbrand of Glomma and that bastard Lord Dagda has taken both Isobel and my woman lady Bridgette.” Bowden snapped.
“Prince, you are a prince but lady Valencia said you were a Duke. I’m confused what in the hades is going on?” Ogden demanded.
“Everything will be explained later, right now all you need to know is that Isobel and Bridgette have been kidnapped by Lord Dagda, and we need to figure out where they were taken so we can get them back,” Alex stated. Behind him in the wagon Lucy cried out, her cry breaking the tension and propelling Giles into the wagon to help Sister Margaret.
“I want a full explanation later,” Ogden said. “If what Lucy said is correct then we must summon the guard, but I must also find homes for my charges.” There was a shout and everyone turned to see the roof of the stable collapse.
Alex was about to reply when Ahern and Oscar staggered into view leading their exhausted horses. Ahern’s left shoulder was covered in blood and Oscar had a crossbow bolt protruding from his right shoulder.
“Hell, Marcus, Bowden help me.” Alex charged forward to catch Ahern as his knees buckled and he sank to the cobblestones before Alex while Bowden and Marcus went to help the staggering Oscar.
“I’m sorry Alex, I’m so sorry we tried to stop them we followed them out of the west gate and down the road but they had more men waiting for them and we were overwhelmed. We managed to take a few of their men down but the carriage got away.” Ahern said wincing as Alex examined his shoulder which had been sliced open. “The men were armed, one got me with a saber before I took it from him, and another bastard shot Oscar. But I know where they are going, I questioned one of the men we felled once I realized we could no longer follow the carriage, they are going to what was Isobel’s family keep.”
“Why did they tell you?” Ogden demanded.
“Because Oscar told him we would let them live,” Ahern replied. “Oscar wanted to just kill the bastards after they answered our questions but I said to leave them for the city guard to deal with.” Ahern’s voice was growing softer. “I’m sorry Alex, Bow, we tried there were just too many.”
“Easy my friend, I know you did not fail me. We need to get this cleaned and stitched.” Alex looked over at Bowden.
“They both need medical help and we can’t stay here,” Bowden said jerking his head towards the burning school that was sending smoke and soot into the sky. The stables were gone but the large enclosed garden had created a fire break that combined with the work of the bucket brigade looked like the fire would spare the main section of the school.
“Your right we need to get them and the ladies someplace safe and make plans. Marcus take my horse and ride to the stables and bring back the wagon horses for all the wagons and don’t let them tell you no.” Alex ordered and Marcus with a nod hurried to Alex’s horse and tugged its reigns free mounted and was away in under a minute. “Sister Margaret I need your help with my men they are both gravely injured, if you could bring the medical supplies we can use the tinker wagon to treat them.”
“Of course.” Margaret finished making Lucy comfortable on a makeshift bed on the floor of the wagon then grabbed the basket of supplies.
“Master Ogden your charges will need some place safe, once my men are taken care of I will send my servant to Countess Valencia and ask her to send wagons and carriages to pick up your students. I’m sure she would not mind putting up the young ladies till the damage to the college has been appraised.” Alex said slipping his hand under Ahern’s elbow and helping him up. “But if I may impose on you to help Bowden see my man Oscar to the tinker wagon and then follow him to where my men have fallen, I do not want to leave their bodies behind. They can be placed in the fruit wagon and brought to the countess for decent burials.”
“Yes, of course, that is a brilliant idea. You do not think the countess will mind housing the girls?” Ogden asked helping Bowden lift Oscar to his feet.
“No my aunt will be delighted to help.” Alex lied, while Valencia liked her privacy she was also a kindhearted woman.
* * * *
Alex with Sister Margaret’s help treated Ahern and Oscar making them comfortable for the ride to his aunt’s estate, as he was caring for the injured men Bowden and Master Ogden went to retrieve the bodies of his men. While they were retrieving the bodies Marcus returned with two stable men and their cart horses. Marcus slipped the stable men several coppers to help him hitch up the horses and keep them calm till the others were ready to go; once the others were ready Marcus scrambled into the driver’s seat of the tinker wagon, while Bowden took the fruit wagon and Alex the flower wagon.
“What about the goods?” Marcus shouted over the din as Alex motioned for them to move out.
“Leave it, we need to get the injured to help,” Alex shouted back as he gave the reigns a slap setting the horses into motion. Alex guided the frightened horses down the street away from the fire and the college and along a crowded side street, forcing people out of their way as they made their way towards the southern gate and out of the city. Merchants were usually prevented from using the southern gate but at the moment Alex didn’t care, the most the guard could do was fine him or pull this permit, either punishment didn’t matter compared to getting the injured to help and rescuing Isobel and Bridgette.
Alex pulled the flower wagon through the gates of Valencia’s estate reining the tired horses to a sharp halt before the front steps; he had driven the horses hard the entire way back in his desire to get the injured to help as soon as possible and to get his men’s help.
The other wagons rolled to a hard stop behind him as Captain Wolfgang, three of his men and several of Valencia’s servants rushed out the door and down the steps toward him.
“Your majesty, what is wrong?” Wolfgang demanded in alarm.
“Lord Dagda’s men attacked the college and kidnapped my wife and her friend, injuring two Ladies in the process, Captain Oscar and Lord Ahern gave chase and were injured in the process as well as one of my men. They are in the wagons and need immediate medical help, three of my men were also murdered in the attack and are in the last wagon.” Alex replied tersely. “
“At once your majesty.” Wolfgang turned and ran back into the house calling for help.
Alex ran around the back of the wagon and pulled open the door motioning for two footmen to help Lady Lucy and Lady Sasha out, Alex caught Lucy when she neared the door and swept her up into his arms hurrying into the house as Valencia and Liam appeared in the foyer.
“Alex, what has happened?” Valencia demanded.
“That bastard took Isobel and Bridgette, I’ll tell you everything but first I need help I have five injured and three dead,” Alex replied as Giles appeared behind him carrying Sasha, and Bowden with his arm around Ahern.
“Oh, my this way.” Valencia turned to pick up her skirts and hurried ahead of Alex toward the back of the mansion.
Alex gave Lucy a smile he didn’t feel and hurried after his aunt, the only reason he hadn’t lost his mind and gone after Isobel was because people were injured and needed help. He knew that if he turned his back on them Isobel would never forgive him because her friends were her family. He would find Isobel and then he would make Lord Dagda pay for what he’d done by flaying him alive, he would make Dagda pay for every tear Isobel had ever shed, for the scars he’d placed upon her back and for the terror he had caused her. Once the evil bastard had paid for what he’d done then he’d take Isobel home and see no one ever harmed her again.