Page 48 of To Protect

ChapterTwenty-One

The future queen remained composed despite the shouts of “under attack” that reached their ears moments after they stopped. The kindly woman’s hand shot out and patted Amalia on the knee.

“All will be well.”

“You truly believe so?” she asked, aware her voice shook, unlike the queen’s.

“I always believe so,” she said.

Amalia looked out to see none other than Roland just as he presented his back to her. His sword was raised, and his was not the only one. Their coach was now surrounded; men encircled them. Her hands began to shake just as Matilda grasped the one closest to her.

She said nothing more, but unbidden, Amalia’s eyes began to fill with tears. She did not want to die. A shiver ran through her, unlike the ones from the night before. Those were of pure pleasure. Today? Of terror.

They could hear no signs of battle, or swordplay, only shouts. Commands. Amalia watched Roland’s massive warhorse as it remained as steady as the man atop it. He never turned to look at her, his attention firmly in the other direction.

It seemed as if half the day had passed before the shouts began to die down. The circle around them dissipated. Roland dismounted and handed the reins to a squire. He jumped up on the footstool of the coach, opening the door.

The empress let go of Amalia’s hand and looked at Roland as calmly as ever.

“Tell us,” she said.

“There were fewer than fifty men. They attacked from the front but were put down easily enough.”

“Who?” she asked. Unlike her tone when they spoke earlier, this was one of a future queen.

“William de Ypres, though he escaped with more than half of his men. We fear this was meant to slow our progress, and nothing more, as he attacked with so few men.”

“So they are aware of our route?”

“Apparently so.” Another man appeared behind Roland, also standing on the foothold. “We have no choice but to continue on this path at least until Reminshire. From there we can turn east for a time—”

“No.”

Amalia did not know who the man was, but he seemed accustomed to Matilda’s tone. Apparently, there would be no discussion on the matter. He nodded his head in deference to her.

“We will continue south,” she added.

“Very well.” The man turned to Amalia, who was looking into Roland’s blue eyes, which sought hers out in a silent question. In response, Amalia managed a small smile to assure him she was well and then turned to the other knight.

“My lady, we have some injured men who might—”

Amalia was already getting up from her seat.

“I will escort her,” Roland said.

The other man nodded and hopped down as Roland did the same and then lifted her to the ground. Amalia lifted the hem of her riding gown as they began to walk past the men toward the front of the line.

“The area has been secured, a perimeter set,” he assured her. “You are well?”

“Rattled,” she admitted. “’Twas my first attack.”

“With luck, it will be your last. But I like not how few men attacked.”

“Who is William de Ypres?”

“A Flemish mercenary and supporter of Stephen’s. There is no good reason for him not to have joined with a larger force, if he knew our position, except to slow us down.”

“What will we do?”