"Release Dante and Carlo, redman, and throw your knives to the ground. Then we will remove our knives from the necks of the women," exclaimed one of the men, the one the others called Rudolfo.
"Redman?" repeated the Knight. First of all, the color is 'crimson' to those who have eyes that function and a brain connected. Secondly, I generally respond best when addressed by the name some call me, and that would be Crimson Knight. But since I am being magnanimous today, you may simply call me Sir Knight. And finally, should you cause the ladies any further discomfort, I assure you Dante and Carlo will promptly be undertaking personal trips to see their maker.
"We will do the same to the women..." countered Rudolfo.
"Ahh, you must be the brains of the bunch afterall," said the Knight in a sarcastic tone. "Sure, go ahead and use your knives." Cat's and Loriana's eyes opened wide and their hearts began to beat furiously, even more furiously than before; but the Knight paid no attention and continued. "Do your worst. Now... Let's see what should happen... The two women die, though you are charged by Ricco to protect them." The Knight laughed. "Oh, don't bother to ask me how I know. It doesn't really matter at the moment, does it? The two women die and so also will die Dante and Carlo. Then that leaves just you and us. Hmmm, don't worry about Giuseppe. He's not likely to offer you any help. Now we are more than likely going to send at least two of you, maybe more than that, to your just reward, something of which you should be fearful considering what the fires of hell are said to be. The question is... which two? Any volunteers?"
The riders looked around at each other wondering who would have the courage to attack and who might hold back and try to avoid the slashing knives of the Knight and Cesare, thus dooming the more courageous among the riders to death. Confidence drained away from their faces as the seconds passed. The Knight seized his growing advantage.
"Good, I see you are all finally thinking clearly. Now consider this: The women are dead, Dante and Carlo are dead, Cesare and I are dead and some of you are dead. Who among you, presumably having survived our little battle, would be willing to take Dante's and Carlo's place and ride back to Millefiore to tell Duke Ricco what transpired here? I mean by this, specifically telling the Duke that his half-sisters are dead, his only two friends in all of the world are dead and some number of his riders are dead. Then he is told to rejoice because now he is rid of Cesare and the Crimson Knight. What do you think the Duke's opinion of that exchange might be? I can tell you this, I wouldn't want to be the messenger. Would any of you?"
Rudolfo's knife began to slowly fall away from the back of Loriana's neck. He motioned for the other rider to pull his knife back from Cat as well. Rudolfo addressed his question directly to Dante. "What shall we do, Dante?"
The answer was quickly given. "Whatever he says, Rudolfo, and exactly what he says."
"Good answer, Dante," said the Knight. "And now we shall do those things that need to be done so we all will see the next sunrise. Let's begin, shall we..."
____________________________________________________________
The Knight collected his horse while Loriana culled out the animals the other three had ridden to the cave. Dante, Carlo and their riders, even the poor unconscious Giuseppe, were left bound in the cave. This was easily accomplished by instructing the riders to tightly bind each other with rope. Then Carlo was made to bind the remaining rider and Cesare bound Carlo and Dante. Cesare and Cat guarded them if only to make sure none of them moved or attempted to free one of their comrades while the Knight and Loriana were gone.
Needed supplies were gathered from what was left of their original supplies and the supplies brought by Dante and his men. It was only a short time later that all four were ready to ride. The Knight scattered the riders' horses so that they could leave the area confident the four of them would not be followed too soon; for the Knight knew the men would free themselves from their bindings eventually, but they would need their horses if they hoped to give chase.
This time, the Knight led them into the forest northwest of the Po and then turned south towards the lands below the river and west of Millefiore. There was a place that seemed to him to be a safe haven for the Duchess, Cat and Cesare; but he would need help to find it. That help would be found in Millefiore.
Night fell before they could cross the Po. Loriana, Cat and Cesare now shared meal preparation chores while the Knight kept a watch out for unwelcome visitors. It seemed safe enough, so the Knight joined them in their compact camp to consume his portion of supper.
Some time later, when cleanup was finished and before sleep could overtake her, Caterina found the opportunity she was seeking and joined the Knight where he was standing guard outside of the camp. It was a secluded place, somewhat elevated and free from view from the camp, but positioned well to observe anyone or anything trying to approach in the night.
"Knight," she whispered so that he could hear and no one else. "It's Caterina. Can I talk with you?"
"Of course, Milady," the Knight answered wondering what the girl might have to say. Cat approached him and stood as close to him as she could, stretching but not violating the rules of modesty. Then she shivered. The Knight noticed as Cat hoped he would. "Are you cold, Lady Caterina?"
"Yes, a little." The Knight removed his cloak and stood behind Cat placing it over her shoulders and crossing it below her neck. Cat reached up and simultaneously grasped both the cloak and the Knight's arms drawing all of it closer to her and the Knight as well. "This shall warm me more quickly," Cat said, her voice radiating contentment. The Knight said nothing, but he also made no effort to remove his arms. Cat pressed back against the Knight and said, "I haven't had a chance to thank you for saving our lives today. I would like to do so now, if I may."
"Milady, I..." But Cat didn't give the Knight a chance to finish his words. She turned around in his arms so that her slender body and oval face was before him and her large, green, cat-like eyes could stare into his eyes, the brown of his pupils barely discernable through the mask in the partial moonlight.
"Thank you," she murmured and placed her lips on his in a passionate kiss that stirred the souls in both and begged for a response from him. The Knight could not resist and so he kissed her back in kind, tightening his arms around her in a way that seemingly crushed her slender body, but only served to warm her that much more even as the experience took her breath away. Finally he released her and she stepped back a little, gently freeing herself of his embrace, simultaineously removing the Knight's cloak and returning it to him. "I won't need this anymore," she said, a smile curling the corners of her mouth.
"I wish... I mean, I want so much... I mean...," stammered the Knight. Then he gathered himself to conclude, "I'm sorry, Milady. I had no right to..." Cat cut him off in midsentence once again.
"This was my choice, Crimson Knight. I do not regret it in the least; nor should you. Good night... my Champion." Caterina returned to the camp the effects of the kiss lingering on her lips, the rest of her body and her soul.
Loriana saw her face as she returned and knew there had been an occurrence. "Sister, what have you just done?"
"Something... Yes... Something wonderful!" Caterina answered followed by a very deep sigh. She sought her sleeping blanket and lay there, her eyes manifesting a very distant, preoccupied look. Loriana spent her remaining waking moments wondering what that 'something' might have been.
The Knight sat down heavily and put his head in his hands. The dilemna grew more difficult every day, and today it had become more difficult than he had ever thought it would be. What was he to do now. The answer came with Cesare's arrival to stand his watch. Sleep... Only sleep would calm the day. So the Knight returned to the camp and found what sleep he could.
LANCER
One word deserves another.