Page 49 of Lionheart

'Twas thenLionheart became aware of horsemen headed in his direction. More enemy? Shakinghis head to clear the haze from his eyes, he recognized Sir Giles and Alanleading the throng. Relief spiraled through him, and he straightened hisshoulders as renewed strength surged through him.

By sheerwill, Lionheart remained upright in the saddle as Giles thundered up to him andgrasped his trailing reins.

"Youare wounded!" Giles cried, paling when he saw Lionheart's blood-drenchedtabard. "Is that the work of the White Knight?"

"Nay,I had the bastard beneath my blade. The arrow came from one of hiscompatriots," Lionheart gasped. "I understand him not. He let me livewhen he could have slain me as I lay helpless on the ground."

The restof the patrol caught up with Giles, their concern apparent when they sawLionheart's pale face and bloodstained tabard.

"Whatare you doing here?" Lionheart asked. "Did I not tell you to wait forme near the stream?"

Giles madean impatient gesture. "Blame me, not the men, Lionheart. After you rodeoff, I feared you were riding into danger. I tried to ignore the premonition,but the longer you were gone, the stronger it became. I did what I thought wasnecessary." He gazed toward the hills. "The enemy is gettingaway."

"Letthem go. We will never find them in that rough terrain."

"Canyou dismount by yourself? I would see to your wound."

"'Tis naught," Lionheart said, discounting his loss of blood with a wave ofhis hand. "Mair can tend me when we return to Cragdon."

What hemeant but did not say was that 'twas Vanora's healing hand he wanted upon hisfevered brow. Strangely, the need to reach his wife was the driving force thathad kept him upright in the saddle. Mayhap he was dying, for he could notimagine himself expressing that sentiment unless his time on earth was limited.

Gilesregarded him solemnly. "Are you strong enough to ride to Cragdon? Mayhapwe should seek help at a nearer keep."

"Nay,"Lionheart replied. "No one hereabouts would welcome us. Take me toCragdon. Tie me to the saddle if I show signs of losing consciousness."

"Whereare we going?" Vanora asked when Ren called a halt to rest the horses,They had ridden fast and furiously until they were sure no one followed.

"SinceLlewellyn abandoned his army, we have been staying at the holding your fatherawarded me for my years of faithful service. The keep is in need of repair butit suffices. We feared to leave the area lest you had need of us."

"Llewellynabandoned you? What makes you say that?"

"'Tis true, my lady. His army has scattered and he has disappeared. 'Tis rumoredhe went to England to seek peace with King Henry."

"Nay!Never say 'tis true!"

"Ifear so."

Vanoracould not believe the Black Wolf of Snowdon had abandoned Wales. What was tobecome of his people? What was to become of Cragdon?

"Willyou accompany me to my keep, Lady Vanora? 'Tis not as grand as Cragdon but 'tisremote and safe."

"Nay,Sir Ren, I cannot. I must return to Cragdon and my people. The only reason Ileft was to warn you that Lionheart has broadened his search for Llewellyn andhis army."

"Iwill accompany you."

"Thankyou, but nay. Tis best I ride alone. Lionheart will be traveling at a slow pacebecause of his wound, and I intend to be on hand when he arrives atCragdon."

"Cutthrough the forest; 'tis closer," Sir Ren advised. "Now that you knowwhere to find us, send word if you have need of us. You are not safe atCragdon. I fear for your life if Lionheart learns who you are. Your fatherplaced you in my charge, and I swore to protect you." He hung his head."I am doing a poor job of it."

"Noone could have foreseen what happened," Vanora said. "My fondest wishis to see you and all those knights who have not pledged their serviceelsewhere returned to Cragdon."

"Godspeed,my lady. Those faithful to your father remain faithful to you."

Driven bythe need to see to Lionheart's wound, Vanora raced back to Cragdon. Dusk wasswift approaching when she reached the village. She stabled her palfrey, Baron,in the stall behind the blacksmith's shop and slipped through the encroachingdarkness to the river. Following along the riverbank, she found the hiddenpassage and entered the tunnel. The door behind the altar sprang open at hertouch, and she ducked through.

Naught butshadows lingered in the dimly lit chamber as she struggled out of her chainmail and stowed it away. Then she donned her gown and hurried across thecourtyard.

She had justreached the staircase when the patrol rode through the gate. Her heart leaptinto her mouth when she saw Lionheart weaving back and forth and realized thathe had been tied to the saddle to keep him upright. Uttering a cry of dismay,she raced to his side.