A Stolen Heart - Continued

[Guy de Layne]

I kicked my horse in the flanks and raced for Night's Doorstep, dodging pedestrians and carriages that got in my way. I couldn't pinpoint it, but I knew that something was amiss, and the thought had my stomach in knots. Not only for Rochelle, who was a helpless child, but for Sandrine, who might not be helpless, but who was my heart.

I pulled the horse to a halt when I spied Rochelle's carriage, and the cart full of food. Other adepts were milling about, but there was no sign of Sandrine - or Rochelle. I started for her carriage, but felt a tug at my sleeve. I turned, an irritated reply on my lips, which died when I saw Corin, his little face pale and his eyes red with tears.

"Corin, what's wrong?" I asked, squatting down to his level.

"It's Rochelle, and Sandrine..." He said, his lip quivering. My worst fears were confirmed, and I had to stop myself from shaking him in an attempt to hurry the information out of him. "When we got here, we saw some man hit Rochelle, and then take her away. Sandrine said that I should wait here and tell you, and then she went after them."

"She did what?" I exclaimed, furious that she would even consider such a thing. Not only was Rochelle in danger, but now Sandrine was as well. "No matter." I said, shaking my head to clear my thoughts. I would need all of my wits about me to deal with this situation. "Which way did they go?"

"That way..." Corin pointed, and I rose to sprint off down the street. "Wait, Guy!" The boy said insistently, and I stopped and turned.

"Yes?"

"She told me to tell you that she was leaving strips of her dress as a trail for you to follow." I closed my eyes against the fear I was feeling, then clapped Corin on the shoulder.

"You've done well, lad. Can you do me one more favor?" I waited while he nodded, wiping the tears from his eyes and drawing himself up to his full height. "Can you find the home of Denis de Rouille and tell him what's happened here? Tell him that I've gone after them."

I didn't wait for a response, the adrenaline running through my veins, so impatient was I to be off, and in moments I was sprinting through the twisted streets of Night's Doorstop, looking for any sign of Sandrine, and the clues she had left behind.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I wasn't sure if the guard had noticed me yet, but still I followed him. Momentarily I thanked the Dowayne for making me wear these longer dresses. I had torn off a long strip of the yellow dress, almost creating a slit where there was none before, which allowed me to run more quickly.

Finally the guard stopped in front of a building. I flattened myself against a wall as I watched him give a few knocks against the door. Someone on the other side opened a panel and looked, then opened the door. The guard slipped inside, taking Rochelle with him.

I wasn't quite sure what to do. Guy would come, of that I had no doubt. But I wasn't sure what their plans were with Rochelle. Why would anyone kidnap her? Then I gasped as I realized I must have been at least partly right. Denis was up to something. Maybe this was his enemies' way of getting back at him.

If they were just holding her for ransom, it might be good to get their terms. But if they were going to kill her, I would need to stall for as long as possible. Guy would come, of that I had no doubt. I just had to make sure she could stay alive.

I approached the door, using the last of my strip of cloth to tie around the handle. Then I knocked on the door, using a fair approximation of the rhythm the guard had used.

The panel slid open, revealing a pair of eyes. They looked down at me angrily. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could get anything out the door opened and strong arms grabbed me, pulling me into the building. I was only able to get a glimpse of the room before everything went dark.

"Who are you?" a gruff voice asked, as its owner pushed me into a chair next to another warm body. I knew it was Rochelle. As quickly as I could, I had memorized what I could see of the room. It was like those old memory games we used to play in Orchis to amuse ourselves, except this time the stakes were a little bit higher.

"Sandrine," I said, seeing no need to lie, speaking quickly. "I'm Rochelle's friend. Here, why don't you let Rochelle go? That way, you can just keep me--"

Before I could say anything else, one of the men struck me across the face, so hard that tears sprang to my eyes. I had never been hit in such a way, and it was all I could do not to curl into a whimpering ball. But I had to be brave, if only for Rochelle. She reached out with her hands, tied behind her, and touched me, trying to be comforting. Such a sweet girl.

"You talk too much," the voice said, and I heard footsteps as he walked around, considering me. "Why were you following us?" He grabbed me under my chin tightly. "Just answer the question."

"I...I saw you take Rochelle," I said, willing my voice not to shake. I hadn't been scared before--in fact I couldn't really remember a time I had ever been scared, really scared--but I could feel it now, a powerful chill up and down my spine. "I had to follow her, had to make sure she was okay..."

"She's not a nursemaid," another voice said, this one higher pitched, with an accent. "Look at her hands, they are smooth as silk. She has not worked a day in her life. Pampered little rich girl, I think."

"No, I know her," the gruff voice said. "She's come to visit Denis. She's a Servant of Naamah."

"One of those whores?" the high pitched voice asked, interested. He started talking to someone else in a language I didn't understand and had never heard before.

"My house will pay for my release!" I blurted out. "I'm my Dowayne's favorite, I bring in thousands of coins a year, they love--"

I was struck again, and I tasted blood. Two hands pulled my arms behind me and tied them tightly. I couldn't cry, I knew, I didn't want Rochelle to be scared, but I could feel myself shaking.

"Take off her blindfold," the high-pitched voice said. "I would see what the whore looks like."

"But--" the guard protested.

"It does not matter. I will finish with her, and then we will see what happens."

[Guy de Layne]

I was beginning to despair of finding any sign of Sandrine or Rochelle in the bustling crowds of Night's Doorstep, but then something caught my eye on the cobblestones beneath my feet. A scrap of yellow fabric. I stopped to retrieve it, examining it as if it might hold the key to their whereabouts. It didn't, but I knew it to be Sandrine's, and thus I knew that I was at least on the right track. I kept going on my present course, and it now that I knew what I was looking for, it wasn't long before I spied a piece of yellow fabric tied to the door handle of a rather dilapidated building across the street.

I didn't cross the street, but instead ducked into the doorway of a similar building on my side of the street and watched for several minutes. No one came in or out, but I did make a study of the building while I was waiting. It was a good building for this sort of operation, I had to admit. No windows on this side of the building, and a door with a slot in it so that it would be harder to sneak in from the front. But really, who sneaks in from the front? However, the back would likely be well-guarded, so I decided on a different tack.

Pushing my shoulder against the door next to me, it practically came off of it's hinges with only a minimal amount of pressure, and I slipped inside silently. All of the buildings in this part of Night's Doorstep were in some disrepair, and I had to be careful as I picked my way across the room toward the stairs. I made it up the stairs without falling through, and finally up to the roof. Flattening myself against the slate tiles, I crawled painstakingly to the edge of the building. Thankfully in this part of town the streets were narrow, and I hardly even broke a sweat rising to a crouch and leaping onto the roof of the building that I believed held Sandrine and Rochelle.

There was a dicey moment when a tile at the edge of the roof clattered into the street, but no one appeared to notice, and I crept my way across this new roof to the opening of to the attic, which was not secure, as I'd suspected. I let myself in on stealthy feet, making my way to a place where I could hear the sounds from downstairs, but not be seen.

"My house will pay for my release! I'm my Dowayne's favorite, I bring in thousands of coin a year, they love--"

It was Sandrine's voice, and my heart leapt. I'd found her! Just as quickly, I felt the fire of anger in my belly. The sound of flesh striking flesh, and her words cutting off abruptly set my blood afire.

"Take off her blindfold. I would see what the whore looks like."

I didn't recognize the voice, but it was of no moment - whoever he was, he wouldn't be with us long.

"But--"

Now this voice I knew. A member of Denis's own household!

"It does not matter. I will finish with her, and then we will see what happens."

We would indeed. I took several deep breaths, fighting the urge to race down the stairs waving my daggers around like a maniac. I didn't know for certain how many men there were, though I suspected it was just those two. Still, I couldn't let anyone "finish with" my Sandrine, so I began to creep slowly down the stairs.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I blinked several times when they removed my blindfold, getting used to the light again.

The man in front of me smiled and stroked my face. His skin was darker than most d'Angelines, though not as dark as mine, and he had a neatly trimmed beard. I shuddered as he touched me, partially because he was handsome and partially because I was repulsed by him.

"Don't be afraid," he said, smiling. I could only see the guard--maybe the others had gone to other parts of the building. They had chosen well--no windows, only two exits--a veritable fortress in Night's Doorstep. His hand traced over the swell of my breast, and then he looked at the other guard. "Take the girl downstairs. I will let you know when I am done."

"Sir," the guard said, "it's against our law to--"

"Then it's a good thing that I do not consider myself subject to your laws, hm?"

The guard gave me what seemed to be a sympathetic look and picked up Rochelle. I heard her scream against her gag as they disappeared downstairs.

"There, now we are alone," he said softly, as I looked away. He took the opportunity then to kiss my neck, tongue dancing along my skin. I tried to scream but nothing came out, I was too scared. Instead I felt tears run down my cheek as he kissed me.

"I will make it quick, whore. If you are pleasing, I will make your death quick as well."

That was the last straw. As he pulled away, I quickly spit in his face. The look of fury that crossed his face was quite satisfying.

He wiped my spit from his face, chuckling quietly. And then he reached for the strap of my dress, pulling it hard. I cried out as my dress ripped, and strangely I was upset that my poor dress had suffered such injustice today.

"Like I said, I will make it quick," he snarled, and he kissed me roughly on the mouth.

[Guy de Layne]

I was moving stealthily from the attic when I saw movement. I pressed myself against the wall, barely breathing, as the guard from Denis's house picked up Rochelle like a sack of potatoes and headed down the staircase across the room. Well, that would make it a little easier; I could dispose of this wretch and then take care of the others.

Once Rochelle was downstairs, I continued to creep, only half listening to the man's exchange with Sandrine. I could hardly look at them, the anger was so great. When she spit in his face, I was at the bottom step and behind a stack of what appeared to be empty barrels, peering through the cracks and judging the best moment to run this knave through. When he ripped Sandrine's dress, however, I couldn't hold back anymore.

Without a word, I stepped from behind the barrels and spun my daggers into a throwing position. In one fluid motion, I sent both daggers spinning into the man's back, striding forward at the same time. He fell forward with a grunt and a gurgle, and I kicked him over, away from Sandrine. He was still alive, but barely, the blood pouring from his back in thick gouts. I placed one booted foot against his back and leaned down to retrieve my daggers, wiping the blood onto my breeches, before squatting in front of Sandrine.

"Are you alright?" I asked, concern for her now my overriding emotion. Rochelle was my ward, but Sandrine was my heart.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

Everything happened so quickly. One moment I was certain I was going to die, and the next my assailant was dead. I closed my eyes as a spray of blood from his mouth hit my face and dress. My poor dress, Elua help me, that was my only thought.

And then he fell to the side, and I looked up to see the most beautiful creature in the world. I knew then that I loved him, unconditionally, without reservation, and I didn't know if anything on this earth, even Elua himself, would be able to keep me from Guy.

My lip trembled once as my eyes met his. "I knew you would save me," I said, softly. "I knew you would, Guy, I knew--" I strained against my bonds, wanting to put my arms around him, wanting him to hold me, tears running down my cheeks.

[Guy de Layne]

I was so happy to see that she was alright, I hadn't even noted her bonds. Without further thought, I cut them easily away with one of my daggers, wiping the blood from her face, and then enfolding her in my arms.

"Of course I would, Sandrine." I whispered into her hair. "Never doubt that ... I will always be here if you need me. Always." My own eyes felt moist with tears, but I fought them back. I was so relieved that she was alright, but I still needed to get to Rochelle.

I pulled back, looking at her intently. "Do you know how many others there are?" I was already making plans in my head for getting Rochelle out of here safely, and then throttling Denis as soon as we got home. "And do you think you're alright to help me get Rochelle?"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I started to sob then, quietly, when he held me, wrapping my arms around him, holding him as tightly as I could. I wanted to never let go of him, I wanted him to stay here forever with me. I knew he meant it. His arms felt like the safest place in the world.

"I don't doubt it," I said, looking into his eyes. "I just wish I had a way to thank you..." I closed my eyes, feeling myself shudder. "Guy, I...I thought I was going to die..."

And then he mentioned Rochelle. I bit the inside of my mouth to try and focus. "I don't know how many there are for sure. I know that the guard that took Rochelle is down there. I might have seen one more before I was blindfolded, but I can't be sure." I nodded once, holding his hands tightly in mine. "Of course I'll help," I said fervently, squeezing his hands. "I'm no good with daggers...I'm only an adept...but I'll always be here for you too." A shaky smile crossed my face. "What's the plan, Guy?"

[Guy de Layne]

"Ssh, I know... but we're not out of the woods yet." I kissed her forehead gently, smoothing the tears from her cheeks as she answered my question about the guards.

"Alright, here's what we're going to do." I said, rising and helping her stand. "I'm going to head down first, but I want you to wait for my signal. I cast around the room for something she could use for defense if anyone came up here before I could dispatch them, settling on a statue of... was that a frog? ... no matter. I walked over and hefted it, it was large and heavy, perfect. "Here, hold on to this and stand near the top of the stairs, here. If anyone who isn't me or Rochelle comes up, hit them as hard as you can with this." I handed her the statue and stationed her at the top of the stairs.

"If I call for you, then it's safe to come down, alright?" I looked at her, blood on her face, her dress torn, but still more beautiful than Naamah herself.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I closed my eyes briefly as he kissed me, sighing gently. Even in this situation, where I had been so close to death, his touch was enough to set my skin aflame.

I stood with him, half-listening to what he was tell me, half-wishing he would kiss me again, holding up my dress with one hand because I couldn't be sure if it was going to fall. And then he handed me the statue...was it of a lizard? I couldn't tell, but it was heavy, and I momentarily struggled with the weight.

"I can do it," I said, hefting the thing in my hands. I could feel bruises forming where I had been grabbed, and my wrists hurt from the ropes, but for Guy and Rochelle, I could do it. "I'll wait for you to call."

[Guy de Layne]

I nodded once, then started down the stairs. I really wanted to stay with Sandrine, but I had to focus on the task at hand, and my training took over. I drew my daggers again, still sticky with the blood of the man I'd killed upstairs.

I was in luck, the staircase had a landing with a rail that obscured me from the view of those downstairs. I counted only two other men, Denis's guard and someone I didn't recognize. Where was Rochelle? I finally spied her propped up in a corner, a blanket around her. Well, at least she was receiving more care than Sandrine had been shown.

I considered my options, and decided that a dagger in the back had already worked once, and really one could hardly ever go wrong with it, if one's aim was true. I narrowed my eyes, readying one dagger for throwing, then let it fly at the man I didn't know. At the last moment I'd adjusted my aim and this time instead of the back, the dagger went right through the man's throat. At the same time, I placed one hand on the railing and leapt over the landing, coming to rest in a crouch, my dagger at the ready.

The guard - Remy - turned to look at me, his face white. "G-g-guy... Oh Gods, I knew this was a bad idea..." he stammered, backing away from me until he hit the wall. "Please... I'm sorry, I was just going along to make sure they didn't hurt Rochelle..."

I didn't say anything, just stalked toward him and slammed my arm across his chest, pressing him against the wall. "Is there anyone else here? And if I were you, I wouldn't lie." To emphasize my point, I lifted my dagger and placed the point on his cheek, underneath his eye. "You will be just as useful to me with one as with two."

Remy whimpered then, shaking his head. I smelled the familiar odor of urine and sighed with disgust. "Yes or no, Remy."

"No, my lord.. no one else..." He was trembling so much I almost put his eye out on accident. Pulling back, I noted the dark stain on his breeches and rolled my eyes.

"Don't move." I walked over to Rochelle, still watching Remy as I bent foward, pulling her blindfold off and slicing her bonds quickly. "Are you alright?" She nodded, sniffling. As shy as she was, she was brave too. "I want you to go upstairs, Sandrine is waiting for you." She knew the gravity of the situation, so she obeyed quickly, pushing up from the wall to stand on wobbly legs, looking at Remy with wide eyes, and then at the body that had fallen to the floor, my daggers sticking up from his neck. Swallowing hard, she turned and ran toward the stairs and up them, leaving me to deal with Remy.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I heard talking, but I couldn't tell what was going on. The statue was growing heavy in my hands, but still I held it over my head, ready to strike. If Rochelle could be brave, then so could I. I felt a trickle of sweat slide down my spine.

And then I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I readied myself to swing the statue down.

"Sandrine?" a shaky voice asked.

I dropped the statue with a thud and knelt down, holding Rochelle tightly in my arms, kissing her face. "I'm so glad you're okay, darling," I said, as she started to sob softly.

Then she pulled away and looked at me, her little face worried. "There's blood on your face," she said quizzically, rubbing gently at the spatter on my skin. Despite the situation, I laughed.

"Such a practical child," I said softly, my body shaking with laughter and tears. "We escape certain death, and the first thing you worry about are a few stains."

Rochelle was startled, but then she smiled at me. "I wasn't that worried, Sandrine. I knew Guy would come."

"Well, you're braver than I am. But..." The words caught in my throat. "I knew he would come too."

[Guy de Layne]

I used Rochelle's bonds to tie Remy's arms tightly behind his back, and then I shoved against the wall so hard that he stumbled and fell to his knees, then began to sob. I suppose he thought I was going to kill him, but I had other plans. For the moment, though, I needed to make certain that the house was secure. I pulled my dagger out of the other man's neck and swiped it across my breeches. I was a bloody mess at this point, but as long as my girls were safe, I didn't care.

A quick circle of the perimeter showed that Remy was being honest, which was good for him. "Get up." I said gruffly, pulling him to his feet and keeping one hand on his back.

"It's safe now!" I called up to Sandrine and Rochelle. I wasn't relishing marching through Night's Doorstep in the condition the three of us were in, but I hadn't thought to bring a horse or anything. Well, it didn't matter, we were safe now, and Remy was in a world of trouble. I walked over the front door while I waited for the girls to come down, shoving Remy in front of me the entire time. He was whining and pleading for mercy, which was becoming annoying. "Enough." I said, shoving him again. He fell silent, finally.

I opened the slot in the door and peered through the hole to see a sight that brought a smile to my face. I shoved Remy behind me and opened the door. "Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." I said, waving at Corin across the street. He was sitting in the driver's seat of Rochelle's carriage, grinning madly. When he saw me, he hopped down and raced over.

"I followed you, and when I saw you go in, I went back and brought the carriage. Is Sandi alright?" He was trying to peer around me, so I stepped aside so that he could see that she was fine.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

Rochelle and I watched wide eyed as Guy pushed the guard into the room. My nose wrinkled as the acrid smell of urine filled the room. I stood to my feet, holding Rochelle's hand, as Guy opened the door and Corin raced in. I wasn't going to try to lift him, my arms were too sore, but I knelt down and hugged him, letting him kiss me. He brushed my hair with his little hands, examining my face, and I could see that he had been crying.

"Were you worried about me, Corin?" I asked, smiling.

He gave me a cross little look and I tried not to laugh. "Of course, Sandi!" he said, shaking me. "If you died who was I gonna marry?" He grinned. "I brought the carriage too!"

I hugged him tightly and kissed him on the top of his head, and then I stood up and looked down at myself. Covered in blood, dress torn, hair all over the place...what a mess. Guy didn't look much better. Corin looked at Rochelle, and then he hugged her too, much to her surprise. The look on her face was priceless, and I struggled not to laugh at the poor girl.

I glanced at Guy, and then at the guard. "Are we taking him with us?" I asked. And then I looked quizzically at Corin. "When did you learn how to drive a carriage?"

[Guy de Layne]

I watched the reunion between Sandrine and Corin with a smile. It was nice to see that something so potentially horrifying had ended well. Even Rochelle seemed more exhilarated than anything.

"I think Denis will want to have a word with him." I didn't much care for Denis, but if Rochelle was my daughter, I knew I'd like to have a few minutes alone with Remy. Remy started to cry again, but quietly this time. "Let's get out of here, I'm sure it won't be long until people start asking questions and trying to figure where these bodies came from." Killing people was a grim business, but I couldn't say I was sorry to see those two meet their deaths.

I shoved Remy out to the carriage and forced him to sit in the driver's seat. I climbed up after him. "You three ride in the carriage, we'll be home in no time." I took the reins and began the trip back to the North Borough, trying to ignore the whimpering Remy beside me.