The Valley Beyond: Danger Awaits

By TS Nichols

This book is the continuing saga of Lucia, an active teenager, whose curiosity and behavior tend to get her into trouble. At the age of thirteen, she inherits the Condado of Segoia from the presumed death of her father, Don Fernando, while on crusade. In addition, she inherits several titles and a vast amount of wealth from her mother, Lady Margaret, who dies while giving birth to Lucia. Her wealth is coveted by Don Raimundo Ortega Diaz, the Conde of Donato. He needs Lucia's wealth to raise an army to take the throne of Castile and to plunder the vast riches that lie to the south in al-Andalus. He plots her demise in order to obtain her wealth.

Set against the backdrop of the ongoing war against the Moors in late twelfth-century Spain, Lucia is trying to mature into her role as condesa. However, her life is not easy. How is she going to handle a possible battle with an order of warrior monks and, later, with the church itself? How does she handle an attempted rape? What happened to her dear friend, Isabella, who she loved as a sister? Even a journey to visit parts of her condado can be fraught with danger, especially from the troublesome Moors. As if life wasn't difficult enough, Lucia has to combat a blizzard, along with her confidant and dear friend, Gabriella, on their way to Christmas in Palencia. What happened to Gabriella? Were they rescued, and if so, by whom? Questions asked and questions answered weave their way through this saga of an adventurous young teen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781638608646

Book preview

The Valley Beyond

Danger Awaits

TS Nichols

Copyright © 2022 TS Nichols

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2022

This book is a work of fiction set in the late twelfth-century Spain. The names of places used in the book are fictitious: Segoia, Donato, Gustavo, and Pomeroi, along with the two ciudads and the fortaleza mentioned in the story. The main character of the book, Doña Lucía, is a fictitious character and was not, in reality, a member of the royal families of either England or Castile as portrayed in this publication. If there are any references to real people, places, and historical events, they are used for fictitious purposes only. If in the story, there are any similarities to real events, places, or actual people either alive or dead, this is to be considered a coincidence and not meant to be intentional.

ISBN 978-1-63860-863-9 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63860-864-6 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Other Books Written by this Author: The Valley Beyond: A Daughter’s Bond.

To Maddy, Sydney, AJ, Sawyer, Jaycob, Harmony, Evan, and Caleb.

Contents

Acknowledgement

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

Epilogue

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my wife, Barbara, for her technical support and patience in the writing of this publication. It’s always good to have a second set of eyes to read your written work, and her eyes were the best in discovering certain errors that went previously unnoticed. Once again, thank you for all that you do.

Chapter I

Lucía climbed the spiral staircase to Isabella’s quarters accompanied by a relentless wind that howled through the narrow slits of the castle’s stone wall. Lucía pushed the strands of her reddish blond hair from her face and thought how nice it will be to see Isabella again and to deliver her gifts that she had bought her in Paris: a gold clasp and a silver necklace. However, the wind only helped to produce an eerie feeling that something was not right, but Lucía shook off such a notion to utter nonsense and to her being out of touch with her best friend for such a long time. But she could not help but to wonder why there was no one about, no sentry in the tower, and the oak door to the entrance of the courtyard not secured from the inside. Such a breach of security was highly unusual, especially with the ongoing possibility of Moorish raids.

As Lucía continued her climb, she happened to look out a small opening, a slit in the castle wall, and viewed the village below about a mile away, along with a small portion of the dry meandering riverbed to her right. Lucía could also see the road that led to the castle as it branched off to the village below. Lucía then turned to the west and thought to herself, Well, at least an invading army isn’t on the horizon coming to attack a defenseless castle and put us all at jeopardy.

When Lucía finished the climb to Isabella’s quarters, she dusted off and straightened out her dark blue garment and walked down a long hall. To her immediate left was a small chapel; she then walked by several doors. The first door led to a boudoir and bedroom that had once belonged to Isabella’s parents and the second door to a boudoir and bedroom that belonged to Isabella. To her right, there was a solid stone wall that ran halfway down the hallway, and beyond the solid stone wall was a series of horseshoe arches that held up a fifteen-foot stone ceiling. Above the arches was a string course of individual white blocks of stones with alternating carvings of a bird and a cluster of grapes, a pattern of Visigothic design. Beyond the arches was a huge open court. In the middle of the open court stood a dais with a table and chair that butted up against an open double horseshoe arch window with a ledge that looked down onto the dry riverbed below. It was here where Lucía found Isabella who stood in front of the window; Isabella had become so focused staring at the village, which was down the hill to the left that she had not seen Lucía enter.

Isabella, said Lucía softly, but she received no response. Isabella, repeated Lucía again but louder.

Isabella turned around quickly in complete surprise with an expression of shock. Lucía, what are you doing here? she asked, almost in a panic.

I have come to see you, said Lucía, who walked over to embrace her but stopped in her tracks, completely stunned by what she saw, for Isabella’s left eye was nearly swollen shut. By the bones, Isabella, what happened to your eye? asked Lucía in a sympathetic tone, and then she walked over to Isabella for a closer examination, but Isabella quickly turned her head away.

No bother, remarked Isabella, who appeared nervous, and forced a smile. I had a slight accident but nothing for you to get concerned about.

It must have been some accident, said Lucía, still shocked by the trauma to Isabella’s eye.

If you must know, I walked into a column, explained Isabella with a slight laugh. How careless of me.

Lucía started to laugh as well. Really, Isabella, you must be more careful.

Isabella nodded in agreement, suddenly changed her mood, and, with a smile, said, I can be clumsy at times. However, let’s go to my boudoir to talk further.

As the two adjourned to Isabella’s boudoir, across from the open court, Isabella asked, Did you have a good journey, Lucía?

"Sí, I have so much to tell you of which I stated in my letters," said Lucía. After they had entered Isabella’s boudoir, she pointed to a high-back chair next to her in front of the fireplace where Lucia sat, ready for a chat.

Letters? What letters? asked Isabella, who was busy straightening out her dark red garment with both her hands.

The letters I wrote to you on my journey! exclaimed Lucía.

I never received any letters, responded Isabella.

Lucía was shocked at her response but then thought maybe they were lost along the way.

Anyway, I brought you some gifts from Paris, said Lucía, and she rose from her chair, reached into the black leather pouch attached to her belt, pulled out an item wrapped in linen, and handed it to Isabella. Isabella rose from her chair and quickly unwrapped it: a gold clasp for her cloak.

"How beautiful, Lucía! Gracias."

And this too, said Lucía, and then she took out another item from her pouch and gave it to Isabella, who again quickly unwrapped the item and saw a double silver chain with three gold squares and a small red ruby inlaid in each, surrounded by a silver circle.

Isabella did not know what to say at such beauty and immediately put the chain, with Lucía’s help, around her neck. "Muchas gracias, said Isabella softly. So very beautiful."

Suddenly, tears began to flow from Isabella’s eyes.

What’s wrong, Isabella? asked Lucía and embraced her friend.

So much has happened since you have been away, cried Isabella, who tried to talk in between her sobs.

Isabella’s conversation was quickly interrupted by the appearance of Ramón, her uncle, who had entered Isabella’s boudoir in a drunken state. Doña Lucía, you must forgive Isabella. She has something she must do. Don’t you, Isabella? asked Ramón, who looked at Isabella sternly through his narrow eye slits, which were rather odious in appearance, and together with his unkempt dark hair and beard, attached to a long-drawn face, gave the appearance of a man in a state of unrest, battling the evil that lay deep within his soul.

Isabella nodded and wiped away her tears. Please excuse me, Lucía, and gracias again for your beautiful gifts.

Lucía had a look of dismay and gazed at Isabella, who responded, You must go now.

Of course, said Lucía and gave Isabella a final embrace and walked out of her boudoir down the hallway to the staircase with Ramón close behind. Before Lucía entered the stairwell, Ramón backed Lucía against the wall and said in a threatening tone, I don’t want to see you here again, or maybe you might disappear. I can easily arrange that.

How dare you threaten me! You’re drunk. Now let me go, or I will call my guards, voiced Lucía.

Go ahead and call them, but they won’t answer. You see, they have been compromised. Now, you will leave and not come back if you value the life of your dear Isabella. You see, freak accidents have been known to happen, and I would hate to see something like that happen to my dear niece.

Lucía managed to wiggle her way free from Ramón and exclaimed to him, If anything happens to her, I will bring an army and level this place brick by brick and see you rot in hell!

Ramón laughed and then said, "Remember our little discussion, Lucía. Isabella’s life is in your hands. Adiós." Then Ramón smiled a most contemptuous smile and walked back to Isabella’s boudoir.

Lucía slowly walked down the stairs. When she reached the courtyard, she saw that her guards were held captive against the wall of the castle by several men with crossbows. Once the men with crossbows saw Lucía, they released her men without their weapons, and Lucía and her escort mounted their horses and headed back to Segoia.

Once back at Isabella’s boudoir, Ramón confronted Isabella in anger. I thought we had an agreement that before you saw anyone, you were to check with me first! shouted Ramón.

Isabella, frightened at Ramón’s outburst, backed up against the wall next to the fireplace and nervously responded, Lucía walked in unexpectedly. What was I to do?

Ramón moved closer to Isabella in a threatening manner. No excuse! barked Ramón. You could have told her that you could not see her today!

How could I have done that? Lucía is a close personal friend and like family to me. She is as close as a sister, pleaded Isabella.

Ramón grabbed Isabella by the throat and pushed her hard against the wall. Disobey me again, and I will not only put you in the dungeon for a fortnight, but I will also pick out three more villagers for execution. Do you understand!? screamed Ramón.

Isabella, who, at this point, was choking to death, nodded as best she could. Ramón let loose his grip, and Isabella fell to the floor. Well! screamed Ramón.

Sí, cried Isabella who held her throat and tried to catch her breath. But please, I beg you, do not hurt any more of the villagers.

Ramón suddenly saw something that caught his eye, which was dangling from Isabella’s neck. Now what do we have here? asked Ramón while he bent down and snatched the necklace from her neck. He examined it closely, and after he mused on the necklace for a short time, he said, This should fetch a few maravedis.

It was a gift from Lucía, and it’s mine, pleaded Isabella.

And I would say a gift well given, replied Ramón.

You have no right to it! shouted Isabella.

Everything here belongs to me, and anything I give you is through my own generosity! shouted Ramón. He then picked up Isabella from the floor again by the throat. You forget who you are talking to. Remember, I am your guardian and will be respected as such, said Ramón angrily, and then he slapped Isabella so hard the poor girl spun around and fell to the floor, as Ramón started toward the door.

Isabella sobbed while she lifted her head and looked at Ramon straight in the eye and screamed, You are a monster, and I can’t believe that my father could have had a brother like you!

Ramón slammed the door behind him with Isabella left sobbing on the floor.

Chapter II

When Lucía returned to Segoia, she did not mention her confrontation with Ramón to Gabriella, her majordomo, who gave her a message that was delivered shortly after she had left to visit Isabella. The message was affixed with the royal seal. Lucía broke the seal and read the message.

Good news I hope? asked Gabriella, who was standing at the table in Lucía’s boudoir.

Lucía responded, It’s from my aunt, inviting me to Las Huelgas in the morning.

Did she say what she wanted? inquired Gabriella.

No, probably to welcome me back, replied Lucía while she gazed at Gabriella. I have seen neither my aunt nor uncle since I returned, and I know that I will hear about my lack of manners by not advising them of my arrival home. Lucía sighed.

That night, Lucía went to bed, but she could not help thinking about Isabella and had a prophetic nightmare as she tossed and turned and waved her arms about in her sleep. She finally awoke in a sweat screaming, Isabella!

The scream was so loud and mournful that Gabriella awoke from her sleep and rushed into Lucía’s room from across the hall, along with two guards. It’s all right. I’ll take care of this, said Gabriella to the guards.

Gabriella walked up the steps of the dais and pushed aside the curtain hanging from the canopy bed. Are you all right, Lucía?

Gabriella had never seen Lucía in such a state. Lucía trembled with a ghastly expression on her face and tried to catch her breath; her eyes were opened as wide as the full moon on a clear night, and beads of sweat covered her forehead.

Gabriella climbed onto her bed and managed to calm her down; she then went to fetch her a cup of water she poured from a pitcher on the table nearby.

Here, drink this, said Gabriella and handed the cup of water to Lucía with a comforting smile.

Lucía took the cup, took a swallow, and handed it back to Gabriella. She had finally caught her breath. Meanwhile, Lucía’s ladies-in-waiting had been awakened by all the activity and came rushing into Lucía’s bedchamber, all with worried looks.

Are you all right, mi señora? asked Constance while the ladies climbed onto Lucía’s bed.

Lucía nodded. I’m all right. Just a nightmare.

I know a gypsy woman who can interpret nightmares, interjected Beatrix.

Gracias, Beatrix, but I don’t think that will be necessary, said Lucía, who had finally calmed down.

After several minutes of questioning and reassurances, Constance accompanied the ladies-in-waiting back to their room, and all was quiet again.

Gabriella, please stay with me, if you don’t mind.

Of course. Do you want to talk about it?

Lucía nodded and then swallowed hard and tried to remember the nightmare. "All I can remember is chasing Isabella into a dark cave where she disappeared, but before she disappeared, I remember her saying, ‘Adiós, Lucía as I tried to reach out and grab her. That’s all I remember. After a pause, she continued, What do you suppose it means?"

Gabriella, who was still seated on the bed next to her, responded, It’s all right. It is only a nightmare, Lucía, and most likely means nothing. Now I will be next to you. Try to get some rest. Lucía nodded and settled down under the covers, and they both went back to sleep.

The next morning, Lucía rose early and had her horse, Rodrigo, saddled for her short journey to Las Huelgas, a Cistercian abbey for nuns, founded by her aunt and uncle. The abbey was used as a place of requiescence for the royal family, who took an active part in its continuous support. The convent was located in the countryside, surrounded by farmland not far from Burgos.

When Lucía arrived at the abbey, she heard a choir of nuns singing an ancient canticle so alluring she thought them a choir of angels. Upon entering the abbey, Lucía was immediately shown to the queen’s quarters. While she waited to be introduced by a servant, Lucía saw Queen Leonor standing and busily snipping the stems off a dozen freshly picked roses from the garden. On the other side of the table was the Infanta Berenguela, who had just finished a discussion with her mother.

Doña Lucía Alvarado to see you, Your Highness, said the servant.

Oh, do come in, Lucía, said the queen as she gazed at Lucía and continued her uninterrupted snipping off the stems from her roses.

Lucía entered and, after a deep curtsy, was told to sit down. Well, how did our traveler fare on her trip to France? asked the queen.

Very well, responded Lucía.

The queen smiled. Do have some refreshments, Lucía, and tell us all about your trip, which I shall relay to the king, who is quite interested in hearing about your journey north.

Sí, ma’am, said Lucía and eyed a large tray of bread, cheese, and tarts, along with a pitcher of wine. However, Lucía decided to pass on the offer.

Do eat something, Lucía. I’m afraid you will become so thin that the wind will blow you away.

After a slight pause, Lucía uttered, Well, maybe a tart. She took one off the tray and gulped it down. Gracias.

Now tell us about your trip, said the queen, who glanced over to Lucía.

Lucía told them about her adventures while traveling over the Pyrenees, her visit with King Philip and Queen Agnes, shopping in Paris, and her trip to Pomeroi.

All very exciting, responded the queen. You have become quite a traveler, Lucía. However, there is something I wish to discuss with you about your future.

Berenguela excused herself, and Lucía rose from her chair, curtsied, and embraced her. Welcome home, Lucía. We truly missed you, said Berenguela, and then she turned, walked out the door, and shut it.

After Berenguela left, Lucía sat down in her chair with her hands in her lap, and the queen started to snip a new batch of roses that she had just picked up from the floor and carefully placed in a vase. While she continued her work, she gazed at Lucía and asked, Lucía, have you given any thought about your future?

What do you mean? inquired Lucía, who was surprised at the question.

Your uncle and I have received several requests from foreign princes asking for your hand in marriage.

Lucía already had found her future husband but was curious as to where these foreign princes resided. From where? inquired Lucía.

The queen still snipped the remaining roses but stopped work for a moment and responded, Let me think for a second. I believe if I remember correctly. Tuscany and Hungry come to mind. I don’t recall any other details at the moment.

After a pause, Lucía added, Why would such countries want me for a potential head of state? I’m just an unimportant condesa of no real resolve from a country that holds no real power and is fighting for its very existence. I don’t feel this is a pursuit for me to seek.

The queen again stopped her work and looked at her niece. Lucía, you were quite a success in Paris. King Philip and Queen Agnes wrote a letter to your uncle and me and praised you with much enthusiasm. Your actions spoke for itself, and word had spread from ambassadors and clerics, who were in the king’s court at the time, of not only of your beauty and radiance but also of your keen wit. Apparently, you must have said something that struck a chord with certain foreign diplomats at court during your stay. I could not have done a better job in promoting you if I had tried, said the queen with a big smile. Your uncle and I are so very proud of you, Lucía.

Lucía paused for a moment to enjoy her praise and to feel good about herself. After all, she had finally done something to get an accolade from the queen, who, in the past, had only commented on her misdeeds. As the queen went back to work snipping rose stems, Lucía decided that this would be a good time to mention Sir Guillaume. You don’t have to worry about me finding a suitable husband any longer, expressed Lucía as she blushed.

The queen stopped work again and looked at Lucía. What do you mean?

Well, I met this young knight, whom King Philip picked to be my escort in France, responded Lucía who was cagey enough not to mention how they first met at the waterfall so the queen would not have any questions regarding his moral behavior.

Perhaps I should sit for this explanation, said the queen, who anticipated some distress with the conversation, and sat in the chair at the head of the table next to Lucía.

Young knight. Well, exactly who is this young knight, and does he have a title? asked the queen with interest.

Lucía, with a nervous smile, stated, He is Sir Guillaume de Champville, the Duke of Guy. He just received the title from King Philip at the death of his brother.

Well, I see, and I would assume that he caught your fancy?

Lucía nodded and responded, Sí, and I care for him very much, Aunt Leonor.

The queen paused and then, with a sigh, asked, Did he propose to you without asking our permission first?

No, he had to lead French reinforcements to the Holy Land by order of King Philip.

After another sigh, the queen interjected, You realize that you may not see him again. The Holy Land has been a place for many a broken heart for people waiting for their loved ones to return.

Oh, please don’t say that, Aunt Leonor. I do care for him, said Lucía with sadness in her voice.

Lucía, Lucía. I understand that you have found a young handsome knight; you might even sense you have feelings for him, but you are still young and impressionable, and that is where I come in as your guardian and aunt.

I don’t understand? asked Lucía.

Lucía, many young women in your position have no choice in the matter of marriage. They are simply told whom to marry for the benefit of the state or to their own family. Chances are, if your father was here, you might well have been on your way to the altar by this time, said the queen.

Ahh, replied Lucía but was interrupted by the queen before she could get her thought out.

You have an opportunity to become a sovereign over an entire nation of people. Doesn’t that have any appeal to you? voiced the queen, who was trying desperately to get Lucía to listen to reason.

No, said Lucía. Why travel so far to a foreign land where the language and customs are so different and then find out that you don’t want any part of it as it would lead to a life of hell?

Lucía, I, too, had contradictory feelings when I first came to Castile and met your uncle. This was very much a foreign land to me, and I was only fifteen, but I adapted, fell in love with him, and we have been happy together ever since, added the queen.

But I don’t want to be a queen, Aunt Leonor.

Why not?

Because I have found a young man that I have fallen in love with, and he is neither a king nor a prince, responded Lucía emphatically.

Lucía was beginning to squirm at an argument that was going nowhere.

Any number of princes could make you happy, Lucía.

"But if