Chapter Seven
Anna was torn.
She knew they could not outrun the baron’s men. It was too far to another sanctuary.
Yet, as much as she wanted to ensure the safety of Bartholomew and his companions, she could not help them to hide.
Because that would mean revealing her fellows in the forest. Such a large company of horses could not be hidden in the forest for long, even if they were taken in by the outcasts from Haynesdale village. The baron’s knights would not rest until they had found Bartholomew’s party. Already she heard the baying of the hunting dogs and trembled that those who had been safely hidden in the forest until this day would pay the price for her deeds.
Again.
Who could have guessed that one theft could have led to so much going awry?
And now Duncan was still held captive in Haynesdale. She wanted to be of aid, but she could not betray those who trusted her. It seemed there was no good solution, only choices that endangered all.
She remained silent, hoping Bartholomew and his friends had a scheme.
Otherwise, she would have to save Percy first and leave them in peril.
Anna felt trapped, as if there were no good solutions. “The dog!” she recalled belatedly, thinking of another matter gone awry.
“There was no opportunity to ask for him,” Bartholomew said, regret in his tone. “And no chance of gaining him now.”
“Royce will hunt us to the ground when he realizes that we nearly reclaimed the treasure,” Fergus said, drawing his steed alongside.
“Or do injury to the priest,” Bartholomew agreed. He glanced back at Anna. “He will guess that we had that man’s aid. Will he be safe?”
“Sir Royce will not find him,” Anna could assure him with confidence. “Father Ignatius left the hall and village after helping us.”
“Can we find him?” Fergus asked. “I would not leave him undefended.”
His gallantry only added to her dismay. “He will fare well enough,” she said, not wanting to admit more.
“You have a haven, then?” Bartholomew said with satisfaction. “Those are good tidings.”
Anna did not make the obvious offer and to her relief, he did not pursue the question.
For the moment. Bartholomew or one of his fellows would return to the matter of refuge and she must decide what to do. The location of the hidden sanctuary was not her secret to tell, for doing so would compromise the safety of all. On the other hand, these knights had saved Percy, and at considerable risk to themselves. They had lost one of their own and the sacred relic. She owed them much and came to believe she could trust Bartholomew’s word.
What should she do?
“They will pursue us within moments,” Enguerrand declared, drawing alongside Fergus and Bartholomew. “All they must do is saddle their steeds and open the gates. And he must know these lands better than we do. We are lost!”
Even as the Templar spoke, a hunting horn was sounded from the keep behind them.
Without exchanging a word, they all urged their horses to greater speed. Anna’s heart raced, and she was glad to see that they approached the bend in the road. She felt Percy watching her and knew she must decide.
“It is only a matter of time until they catch up to us,” Fergus said. “There is but one direction to look for us until the road forks!”
“And that is in several miles,” Bartholomew agreed.
“I cannot think there is a refuge to be found nearby,” Yvan said, glancing at Bartholomew. “It wasyouwho advised this road. Do you know where we might find sanctuary?” Anna noted how that knight considered Bartholomew.
Why would Bartholomew have brought his party through Haynesdale? She knew little of him, but in this moment, she realized she knew almost naught at all. Why would he have come to Haynesdale?
“What of Duncan?” Fergus asked. “We cannot abandon him.”
“We must leave him there for the moment,” Bartholomew said. “Anna? How far must we ride this day to safety?”
