In the meantime, Brigid and Thomas set to work staging the triple murder. Decimus lay on his side, his garment ripped to look as if he had fought and had been stabbed in the heart, the bloody knife lying nearby. Mary lay on her stomach, blood pouring out from beneath her as though she were stabbed in the stomach. The Dark One’s hood had been pulled back to reveal Roarke and blood covered him everywhere so that no one would look too closely and see that no wounds actually existed.
When all was ready, Brigid went to the door, stepped outside the room along with Thomas, and let out a bloodcurdling scream. Reena and Magnus rushed up the steps, Decimus’s men following close behind.
After making certain Decimus’s men saw them, Thomas and Brigid hurried back to the room before Magnus and Reena. Thomas immediately bent down beside Roarke to protect him, his huge body making it nearly impossible to see anything but his face.
Brigid kneeled beside Mary, sobbing uncontrollably.
Reena entered and began wailing as soon as she saw the bodies. She threw herself down opposite Brigid to flank Mary’s body and to let no one near.
It was Magnus’s duty to see to Decimus, and he kneeled beside him as the men poured into the room. After making it look like he had examined the body thoroughly, Magnus raised bloody hands as if in proof. “Decimus is dead.”
Reena wailed her sorrow, rocking back and forth on her haunches, the blood beneath Mary catching the hem of her dress and growing into a large stain.
One of the men pointed to Roarke and shouted, “Look, the man who escaped the fortress, he is the Dark One.”
“Take his head, Decimus wanted his head,” another shouted.
Thomas hovered protectively over Roarke.
Magnus knew time was of the essence. Any moment Decimus could regain consciousness. He had to be moved immediately. And they needed to get Roarke away from the angry men.
Magnus barked orders. “There has been enough blood shed this day. No more will be spilled. Go see to a wagon. We will take the bodies and bury them in the woods.”
“Decimus deserves a decent burial,” one of his men said.
“His reputation is known far and wide. Do you not think some would want to do harm to his grave and perhaps his body? His wife has been in my care before he wed her. I will see her properly buried on my land. The Dark One’s grave also needs anonymity.”
“We keep the Dark One’s head to show the church council that he was caught and he will trouble us no more,” one man demanded.
Magnus stood tall. “He will be buried with his head and his grave will be known to none.”
The man’s hand went to the hilt of his sword.
“Try it,” Magnus challenged. “And you will be dead before your sword leaves your sheath.”
“He is the Legend,” the man behind the challenger warned.
“Go prepare a wagon now,” Magnus ordered, stepping toward the men.
They scurried like frightened rats and Magnus shut the door behind them.
Mary raised her head. “Is Decimus all right?”
“He is still unconscious and pray he remains so until we are away from the fortress,” Magnus said. “We will wrap the three of you in blankets and Thomas and I, along with a few of my men, will take you into the woods for burial.” He turned to his wife. “Gather our things as fast as you can and be ready to depart when we return.”
Magnus bent down in front of Mary. “We cannot chance meeting with you again. You must flee immediately. Roarke has directions to the island I spoke of. Be safe, Mary, and be strong.”
“Thank you, Magnus, I will never forget you.”
“We must hurry,” Reena reminded, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“Keep up your wailing, Reena, while we are carried out and placed in the wagon, in case Decimus should come awake,” Roarke said from where he lay on the floor. “My thanks and Godspeed.”
The two made fast work of wrapping the bodies, though leaving enough room for them to breath. Decimus was the most difficult, being unconscious. Magnus sent Brigid to get a few of his men to help carry the bodies out. He would take no chances with Decimus’s men, though he expected opposition, which he got as soon as his men entered the hall carrying Decimus’s wrapped body.
“We carry our lord,” one demanded and a dozen men stepped forward in support.
Magnus was about to protest when he realized it would be good for them to feel the dead weight of his body. It would leave no room for doubt.
“You are entitled that honor,” Magnus said and signaled his men to hand Decimus over.
Reena wailed louder as they transferred the body and prayed that Decimus remained unconscious. It was only a short distance to the wagon, but anything could happen. The dead trio would not be safe until they were far away from the fortress.