"No.In truth, I pray I cannot see what lies in the future. I would prefer to thinkthat that vision was simply a sharpening of my senses inspired by a very realdanger and one that is very close at hand."
"Theold woman could see things."
"Yes,but how could you know that?"
"Itwas but a guess. She lived alone, far from the town, and there is usually agood reason for that. There was also the fact that she had prepared her owngrave as if she knew she was going to die."
Eadashivered and held him closer. "We are speaking of somber things again. Ido not want to speak of them or think of them now."
"Youwish to pretend that we are in a sun-drenched meadow, deer grazing quietly atthe forest's edge. The sweet song of birds is the only sound to break the peaceof the fields."
Ashe spoke, his deep, rich voice soothed her worries and nudged aside her fears.She closed her eyes to allow the tranquil scene he painted to form more clearlyin her mind. Eada could almost smell the sweet grasses he said were enfoldingthem as they made love. The touch of his warm lips against her skin and the gentlecaresses of his big, callused hands enhanced the magic of his words. She feltboth calmed and inflamed. Forgetfulness could be a very good thing she decidedas she curled her limbs around him and welcomed him into her body.
Eight
"LeavingPevensey?" Eada asked in confusion as she hastily finished her breakfastof bread and honey.
Shehad woken up to Drogo's lovemaking. Sated and groggy after their passion wasspent, she had risen, dressed, and joined the men for breakfast. This abruptreturn to the cold, harsh world of armies and marches left her confused.
"Yes,"answered Drogo as Unwin helped him don his armor. "It is time to move on.This is not a good place for a battle. I begin to think that William had notreally intended us to land here, but was aiming for a port farther up thecoast. He now says we are to march to Hastings."
"Mayhapit would be best if I stayed here. May, too. It would only slow you down if youhad to drag us along."
Drogowatched her closely as he strapped on his sword. If she thought that one nightin his arms was all he wanted, or all she needed to do to be free of him, shewas in for a surprise. He saw no signs of guile or anger in her expression,however, only confusion and a hint of fear. Drogo pushed aside his sudden suspicions,feeling guilty for even having them, and wondered how he could convince herthat she needed to stay with him.
"Itwill be too dangerous for you to stay here," he said finally.
"Ithink it would be dangerous for me to march along with an invading army,"Eada responded. "That could easily place me in the very midst of abattle."
"Youcould find yourself in the midst of a battle here, too, but with only a few menbetween you and whoever attacked."
"Theattackers would be Saxons, my people."
"Weare not Harold's only enemy. And who would protect you and May from the menleft behind? Once I am gone, I do not believe my claim to you would be heededor honored."
Eadacursed softly, for there was no denying the truth of all he said. "Itwould seem that there is no safe place for me, not in England, not in Pevensey,not even in my own home."
"Thereis one place where you will have some chance of being safe."
"Withyou.”
"Yes.With me. Ivo will take the cart and pony to carry our supplies. You and May willremain with him. There will be the baggage of a whole army, servants, youths intraining, even some armed men to protect it. And when we camp, you will againbe with me." He walked over to her, touched a kiss to her forehead, andstarted toward the door. "You may take your hounds. And I should hurry andcollect what you feel you need, for we shall be leaving shortly."
Shewatched him leave, the other men hurrying out behind him. There was no argumentshe could make, although she dearly wished she could think of one. It irritatedher, but Drogo was right. She would be safest traveling with the army. UnlessWilliam was soundly defeated or swept to victory with just one battle, Englandwould soon be a very dangerous place for a woman, especially a woman alone. Shesuspected that the only way she could return to her home again was if herfather emerged from the war victorious or if William suddenly decided to giveup and sailed back to France. Either one would require a miracle, and Eada feltsure that England would be seeing few miracles in the years to come.
AsEada stood up, she caught sight of May standing at the far end of the table andlooking uncertain. "Come, May, let us see how much we can gather before weare forced to leave."
"Weshall be safe with Ivo and the others," May said as she followed Eada toher bedchamber.
"Yes,I think we shall be, but we shall have to watch our people suffer. But I musttry and save myself now. I cannot stop this war and I would make a very poorwarrior, so I shall have to endeavor to survive and, if fortune smiles upon me,mayhap I can aid a few of my people as well."
"Areyou certain that you need so much?" Drogo asked as he rode up alongsidethe cart and scowled at the contents, an odd collection of chests, barrels, andsacks.
"Mostof what you see here is to enhance your comfort," Eada replied as she gotinto the cart and settled herself on a sack of grain next to May. "Wine,bedding, food, and other comforts. If you wish, we could discard—"
"No."Drogo smiled faintly. "We can always discard something later if the cartbecomes too heavy to travel over the road with ease."
"Orsteal another cart," she murmured.
