Free Ann Carr by Loyal Warrior Page A

axe to get through it!” The burly man stated unafraid.
    Furious, Henry spun around, found Elizabeth and shouted “where is the key?” as he stormed towards her.
    “The key? I don’t know! I thought you were looking after the chests!” Elizabeth feigned innocence, not prepared to break the promise she had made to her father.
    Henry halted in mid-stride; beginning to turn away he seemed to have second thoughts and spun back around, sarcastically applauding as he continued walking towards her. “Well! Well! Little sister, you almost had me fooled! Now where is the key? Don’t try lying Elizabeth, I know you have it! As father didn’t give the key to me I’m afraid that only leaves you!”
    Elizabeth cursed the fates that had made her brother aware of his own brain at this particular moment! He had gone through his whole life so far without noticing its existence! Why now? She inwardly wailed.
    “Do you truly believe that father would give something as valuable as that key to me?” she asked, slapping herself on the chest and physically feeling the lies beneath her hand. “It makes no sense!” she scoffed, not liking the panic she could hear creeping into her voice, making it rise in pitch. Could he hear it too? She wondered, God, she hoped not!
    Smiling now, Henry began once again closing the distance between them, shaking his finger at her, tut- tutting as he moved. Elizabeth had to stop herself from taking a step back, she wanted to flee, but she knew she couldn’t. Once Henry sensed fear and weakness, he would be like a rabid dog hunting you down till the end!
    “You really should have taken some lessons from me on how to tell a convincing lie my dear. Because I do know that you are lying to me, and I do so despise being lied to!” His words sent chills racing up her spine.
    Once again he took out his dagger, pointing it at Elizabeth, “Give it to me!”
    Shaking so much, all she could do was move her head in the negative.
    Spinning quickly, he had the knife at Duncan’s throat before anyone could react, “I said give it to me Elizabeth! Or you’ll lose you’re pretty husband before you even know him!”
    “Alright! OK Henry! Don’t hurt him!” she begged, “I’ve got the key!” Reaching inside her dress she took hold of the key tied around her neck. Lowering the hood of the cloak she lifted the leather strap over her head and with unsteady fingers she held out her palm towards Henry.
    “Bring it here!” he demanded. Instinctively Elizabeth’s trembling fingers gripped protectively around the sharp key in her palm. She should not be doing this! What was inside that chest was not meant for Henry’s possession! She had promised her father that this very thing would not happen!
    “Elizabeth!” he barked at her hesitation, bringing her back to the present. With shaking knees she took unsteady steps towards her own brother. Willing her limbs to quit their shaking she raised her stubborn little chin, and looking him square in the eyes she allowed all of the disgust she felt for him to freely shine out of hers.
    Not wanting to touch him she lowered her hand slightly before throwing the key the last few inches into his waiting palm. Smugly he turned away, gave the key to a waiting man and directed him to open the chest before him.
    Duncan went wild inside as he gazed upon the hideous bruise covering Elizabeth’s cheek. Before he had time to think about what he was doing, he’d bent down, lifted his sword fluidly above his head and began to run towards Henry’s retreating form. Everything around him disappeared, everything except Henry, his eyes were narrowed and focused, and he could feel the rage coursing through his body.
    What Duncan failed to see in his angry haze, was how every man had taking up his own sward, circling each other, prepared to fight, prepared to protect their friend.
    Surrounded by chaos Elizabeth could feel the blood rushing through her. This couldn’t be happening! What was