A Hero's Heart (Noble Heart Book 7) Read online

  The king had no such qualms or imaginations. His were true fears; his only thoughts those of his son and the girl-cousin who was with him. Where were they? Had they been harmed? Would they find them in time? He prayed as they rode, Lord keep them in the palm of Your hand! Lead us, Lord, to their rescue!

  Noble, too, was praying as he watched Hero search out the scent along the forest floor. His long ears were becoming matted with leaves and twigs and debris as they dragged along the ground, and his snout was dirty, but the pup simply sneezed every now and then, or gave his head a shake and kept going.

  They had only gone a little way into the woods when once again the small dog became excited at something. He barked and ran toward Noble, and then turned and ran back again, looking back at Noble expectantly. Noble quickly slid off of Valiant and went over to him with a torch.

  “There are footprints here, Sire!” he called. “Several different ones, I think, and two of them are smaller! William and Juliet were here, I am sure of it!” The king joined him and they studied the boot prints together.

  “The trail disappears again just a few feet away, but the scent does not,” Noble pointed out. “Here, boy! Lead on, Hero! Follow your nose!” Before they could even remount again, the little dog was off.

  They went on like that for some time. Hero went on steadily and they tried to curb their impatience at the slow pace. “Sire,” Noble asked at one point, “about the ransom—”

  “The ransom!” the king exclaimed with a snort. “I would give every penny I own and gladly for the safe return of my son, but that is not why I sent for it! We will deliver it where they say if we have not found William and Juliet by then, and we will even ride away and let them take it! But then Snap! The trap will spring closed on them once they have taken the bait and we will capture these highwaymen, these kidnappers and evil-doers, and they will find themselves in the hands of an angry father and even worse for them—an angry king! They will spend the rest of their lives in my dungeons!” He smiled grimly at the thought. “I tell you, Sir Noble, even if they had not dared to lay a hand on my family, I would have done the same, for I will not allow wicked men like these to terrorize the people of my kingdom!”

  They said no more about the ransom, for just then Hero hesitated for the first time. A large pile of dead leaves stretched before them, and even from where they sat on their horses they could smell mildew and the stench of some rotting carcass rising up to them. Hero whined and backed up a few feet. He looked up at Noble in confusion and sneezed several times.

  “The smell is blocking the scent Hero was following,” Noble said. “He has lost it.” He rode forward and said, “Come, Hero! Let’s go around it! Maybe you will pick up the trail on the other side!” Noble directed Valiant around the offensive stinky mess and called Hero.

  It took a few minutes, but Sir Noble was right—his dog found the scent again and proudly took off once more. The huge battle horses and the men with their swords and shields and bows followed the little animal, respectful now of his abilities and willing to follow him anywhere.

  It was sometime later when they reached a small clearing. It was empty, but for some reason Hero gained new energy and scurried around it, sniffing thoroughly at every bush and tree that surrounded the open space. He had totally forgotten the men and horses that waited on him and went busily about his new business.

  Noble and the king waited a few minutes until finally the king muttered, “He has become distracted by the sent of some animal, I’ll wager!” Noble agreed with him and was just about to call to the dog when suddenly they saw just what it was that had caught Hero’s interest.

  The king was right. It was an animal. The branches of a bush parted just a few feet away from where Hero was investigating the underbrush below an alder tree. A massive head appeared—a massive head with snarling, drooling jaws and gnashing teeth! The rest of the body followed as the beast pushed through the bushes. It was a dog—a mastiff—enormous and broad, with wide-spread legs, and heavier than most of the men who sat upon their horses staring at it. It paid no attention to the men or horses, though. Its eyes were fixed on Hero.

  Hero heard the rustling in the bushes and looked up. If the small dog was frightened at the sudden appearance of the monster, he showed no signs of it.

  The brave pup rushed toward the brute, barking and snarling as if he were its equal in size and ferocity. He did not make it very far. With one swipe of its huge paw, the mastiff sent Hero flying through the air until he tumbled and rolled to a stop halfway across the clearing.

  Noble’s heart was in his throat. He had expected to see the creature take off his dog’s head in one snap of its mighty jaws, but now he watched in disbelief as Hero staggered to his feet and shook his head, and then with determination and courage, charge toward the hideous beast once again!

  The ugly monster did not get another chance to go for the little dog. Noble’s arrow caught him before he could move, and a split second later a half dozen other arrows pierced him, as well. The pup was a favorite among all the knights of the Guard, and although he was sometimes a pest, they would defend him to the end! The mastiff dropped to the ground and did not move again. Hero stood over him proudly as if he had been the one to bring down the giant!

  There was no opportunity to gloat, however. Seconds later another mastiff, even more enormous than the first, charged through the bushes straight at Hero. There was no mistaking the murderous glint in the beast’s eyes. Hero did not have a chance to even move out of the way—but it was not necessary for more arrows brought down this new threat just inches away from Hero’s nose. He jumped back in surprise, but then strode forth boldly and posed with his front paws on the massive heap on the ground, looking around at them all as if he were the courageous conqueror!

  They waited, half-expecting more animals to come rushing out of the bushes, but when a few minutes went by and nothing happened, Noble said to the king, “Where did they come from? Those dogs did not just happen to be roaming the woods tonight. They are guard dogs, and I have a feeling, Sire, they were guarding something that is close by.”

  “I think you’re right, Sir Noble. William and Juliet, perhaps?”

  “I would like to think so, Your Majesty. Sire, let me look around a little before we leave this place. I want to at least see what is on the other side of those bushes.”

  “Do you want to take someone with you?”

  “No. It may be that there is someone back there who is not aware of our presence. If I can sneak up on them it will be all the better. If I see that I am outnumbered I will come back for help. Then again, there may be nothing at all, of course!”

  “Go then,” the king said.

  Noble dismounted and handed Valiant’s reins to one of the other knights. He strode over to Hero where he was still nosing around the fallen mastiffs, and picked him up. “Would someone please hold the conquering hero? I do not want him to follow me.”

  He started to hand him off to the knight who was closest to him when the king spoke up. “No, give him to me! He has earned a place of honor tonight regardless of whatever else happens.” He took the filthy little dog into his arms and scratched him behind the ears.

  Noble crossed the clearing and pushed aside the branches of the bush where the dogs had appeared. The shrubbery was thick but not deep and a few seconds later he came out on the other side. He had refused to take a torch in order to not announce his presence if there was someone nearby. Now he strained to see in the darkness. Fortunately there was just enough light from the moon to see shadowy forms and lighter and deeper shades of black. He stared at one spot in particular, and then moved slowly and quietly toward it.

  It was just what he thought. The deep blackness was an empty void in the rock—an opening of some sort. He felt around and realized it was larger than he imagined—large enough to slip through. Could it be a cave? He hesitated. Should he go back for help, or at least a torch? Without a torch he would be able to do nothing in a cav
e. He shrugged. He was here already. He may as well stick his head in, at least, before he went back and reported to the king.

  Noble squeezed through the opening easily. He took one step inside and saw to his surprise that it was not pitch black as he had expected. A faint orange glow reflected off the wall in front of him. He held out his hand to feel his way and realized that there was a corner there. He silently slid around the corner and saw the source of the orange glow—and much more.

  A small fire was burning at the far end of the cave. Around it a half dozen men were stretched out and sleeping on the floor. A lone man sat up near the fire—the watch guard, he supposed. The guard was sleeping, as well.

  His eyes scanned the cave. There were supplies scattered around, and in one corner a pile of loot these men had stolen from passing travelers. There was no doubt in his mind that this was the lair of the highwaymen. Oh, no—no doubt at all!

  And there on the other side furthest from the fire, in the shadows so that he almost missed them, were two more sleeping figures, smaller than the others. William and Juliet.

  ____________

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  ____________

  God Looks Upon the Heart

  Noble backed out quietly and cautiously. The temptation was great to sneak over to the prince and his cousin and get them out of there immediately, but it was too risky. If one of them woke with a start and exclaimed aloud, or if the guard or one of the other men should just happen to wake and see them, he would be hard-pressed to protect the others and get them out unharmed. No, it was better to get help, especially when help was close by.

  He was back with the king and his men on the other side of the clearing a few minutes later. They had dismounted and looped their horses’ reins over branches, prepared to come to his rescue if it was necessary. “I have found them!” he said softly. “The highwaymen and the prince and Miss Hawthorne!” The men would have cheered quietly but Noble held his hand up for silence. “There is a cave just on the other side of those bushes. They are all asleep inside, including the guard, but I do not know for how much longer. We are fortunate that their guard dogs did not raise a ruckus when they attacked. I do not think they could hear Hero or even our voices, but from here on we must be as silent as possible.”

  “How did William and Juliet look?” the king asked. “Were they unharmed?”

  “As far as I could see, Your Majesty. It was dark and they were some distance away from me. It appeared, though, that they were sleeping without a care in the world!”

  The king chuckled softly. “Yes, that would be William, alright!” He felt an overwhelming sense of relief, but in the next breath he said, “And do you have any suggestions, Sir Noble, as to how we get them out of there without having to fight a battle for them?”

  Noble nodded and began to speak quickly. “The opening to the cave is large enough for a man to squeeze through, but only one at a time. It is crucial therefore that we enter silently. It would not do to waken the highwaymen before we are all inside and prepared to fight them if need be. Sire, I think it would be best if we all go in first and that you come last so that we are ready to protect you if it comes to that.”

  The king stopped him there. “No. You will lead the way, Sir Noble, and I will be right behind you. The rest of you men will follow. I will go after William, and I want you, Sir Noble, to take Juliet. We will not make our move until everyone is inside and ready, but I want to be there to protect my son if something should happen.”

  “Yes, Sire, I understand.” Noble said. “We will try to get William and Juliet out first and once they are safe, we will round up the highwaymen. Whether or not we can do that without a fight inside the cave remains to be seen. If we do get them out first, however, I would ask that you remain outside with them, Your Majesty. It is not just for your sake, Sire,” he hastened to explain before the king could object, “but someone needs to stay out here with them for their protection.”

  The king hesitated but then nodded. “Yes, I can see the wisdom in that. Alright, men, we have a plan. Now let us execute it with God’s help! Our Father,” he prayed, “Thank You for leading us to this place. Be with us now as we seek to overcome evil and to rescue our loved ones. Please, our Lord, we ask that You keep William and Juliet, as well as each of these true-hearted men, safe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

  The men were well-trained. They moved silently across the glade and stepped through the bushes with barely a rustle. The torches had been left behind, stuck in the ground in the clearing, but they did not need them, for Noble lead them directly through the darkness to the crack in the rock wall. The faint glow from the light of the moon did not provide much light, and they could not see beyond the man in front of them, but they kept close together and soon everyone was gathered at the cave’s entrance, ready to make their move.

  Noble grasped the king’s arm and nodded, and then slipped through the opening with the king right on his heels. They moved away from the entrance once they were inside so that one by one the others could join them. There was not a sound, not a pebble moved or a slip of the foot, as the knights filed into the cavern.

  Nothing had changed in the few minutes since Noble had left the cave the first time. The men and their prisoners were still asleep. The guard had shifted positions slightly and now rather than having his head slumped on his chest, it was tilted fully back with his mouth wide open and his nose in the air. The sound of snoring filled the cave—some of it low and rumbling, some of it in snorts and smacking of the lips. The whole scene would have been comical if there had not been so much at stake. It almost seemed too easy.

  Noble nudged the king and nodded in the direction of William and Juliet. They were huddled together against the wall, with their heads leaning on one another. Noble noticed that they were not even tied up and wondered why William had not tried to make an escape once everyone had fallen asleep. Ahh—the dogs! Yes, he himself probably would have thought twice about trying to run away, also, if he had faced the threat of those menacing jaws!

  Noble took a few steps in the direction of the young people. King Stephen followed him. They moved slowly, cautiously across the floor of the cavern, sticking closely to the shadows along the walls. They kept an eye on the sleeping men across the way. At last, after what seemed an eternity, they reached William and Juliet and moved to either side of them.

  Noble looked to the king and nodded. At the same moment they reached out and put their hands gently across the captives’ mouths. William’s eyes flew opened and he stared into the eyes of his father. Shock and then joy flashed across his face, but he seemed to understand the need for silence and nodded his head.

  Not so with Juliet. She woke with a start and immediately began to struggle. She would have screamed if Noble had not clamped down upon her mouth. Terror shone in her eyes for a moment and she fought him until finally she recognized him for who he was and calmed down. Noble held his finger up to his lips but it was too late.

  The muted sounds of the struggle had wakened the kidnapper lying closest to him. He stretched for a moment and then looked around. His eyes widened at the sight of Sir Noble and the king and he opened his mouth to give a shout to his companions.

  William recognized him immediately as the young fellow who had given them a drink of water. He had sensed that perhaps there was a softer heart in the young man than in the others. He caught his eye now, and urgently shook his head. “No! Please don’t!” William pleaded, mouthing the words silently and holding his breath.

  The youth hesitated but then he shook his head and shouted, “Hey!”

  That was all it took. The other criminals woke in an instant and leaping to their feet and grabbing whatever weapons were close at hand—swords or knives or clubs—they attacked. They were shocked to see knights inside their secret lair but they did not hesitate—with one exception. One of the men turned to the guard who was supposed to be standing guard, and with a snarl and a curse, he struck him down. And then
he, too, joined the fray.

  The knights rushed forth to meet them. Blade struck blade, and the sound of shouts and battle filled the cave. The knights were outnumbered, but they were undeterred. Their training, skill and courage far outweighed the fury and fear in the cornered outlaws.

  Their hopes for rescuing William and Juliet without a fight were dashed, but Sir Noble and the king did not waste a moment on regrets. They grabbed the prince and the girl, and with swords drawn, dragged them toward the entrance of the cave. The young man who had sounded the alarm ran at them now with his own sword in his hand. Hatred and violence were in his face and William had a split second to wonder how he could have so mistaken this half-crazed villain for someone with a softer heart. His father struck the youth down without a second thought as he sought to protect his son, and shoved him out of their way.

  They were only a step or two away from the exit when another thug leaped ahead of them, blocking their escape. Noble was in front at that point, but Juliet was clinging to him so tightly he could barely move his arm. It might have gone badly with them in that moment if help had not come from an unexpected source.

  Hero dashed through the entrance to the cave and attacked the man from behind. He was tiny in comparison to his foe, but he leaped for the man’s calf just above his boot and sunk his teeth in. The outlaw howled and spun around quickly, trying to see where this sudden pain had come from.

  The momentary distraction allowed Noble to loose himself from Juliet and thrust her toward William and the king. He raised his sword just in time to parry a thrust from the enraged criminal. Their swords clashed and for a few seconds it seemed Noble had met a match who was nearly his equal, but the fellow could not ignore the raw agony in his leg.