"Becauseit is evident that those two need a moment or two alone to overcome their shockat seeing each other again and, mayhap, to say a few things it might be bestthat you children do not hear."
Hewas right, but Eada decided he did not need to be flattered by her saying so.She was also irritated that he had referred to her as one of the children. Asshe watched her mother and Serle, their heads close together as they talked,she felt a confusing swirl of emotion inside her. There was jealousy that herreunion with her family had been usurped, hurt that her mother had allowed thatto happen, and anger that her mother seemed able to forget her father with suchease. Embarrassed by her own selfish and somewhat childish emotions, she forcedher attention to Drogo, who was valiantly trying to keep her siblings occupied.
"Wewere very afraid for you," Averil said quietly as she stepped closer andtook Eada's hand in hers.
"Iwas very afraid for all of you as well," Eada replied.
"Eachand every night I have suffered from dark dreams about all that might havehappened to you. At times, I was very angry with our mother, asking her andmyself how she could have left you alone and with an army landing on ourshores."
"Ihope you then answered yourself that she had no choice."
Averilsmiled briefly. "Most of the time. Are you sure you are unhurt?" Shecast a wary and suspicious look Drogo's way.
"Yes.I am hale and not unhappy. My heart is sore for our king is dead and we shallsoon have to live under a new rule, but fate has decreed it and I am too tiny aperson to argue with fate."
"Ourfather is dead."
"Iknow. Old Edith told me. How do you come to know for certain?"
"Oneof the men who fought with him came through the village and told our mother. Hewas marching to Hastings to fight William, and so I suppose he is now dead,too."
Eadahugged her sister, sensing the sadness in Averil, one she shared. "Heprobably is, although many did escape that battle. And those who did not made afine accounting of themselves."
"Butthey did not win, and I believe that there will be no more fighting."
"Havethe Saxons given up then?" asked Drogo.
WhenAveril hesitated, Eada nudged her and the girl finally said, "I think theybelieve this is some punishment. The news that William carries the Papal bannerand holy relics has spread far and wide, as has the news of the loss atHastings. The fight has left the ones we have spoken to, and they do not speakof any other army preparing to fight William. How can one fight God'swill?"
"Iwas afraid that revealing that we had the blessings of the Pope would do that,and I confess I do not like to win because of it."
"Youwould rather the crown was won with only bravery and skill in battle?"asked Eada. "The blessing of the church is no small weapon."
"Iknow, and it may be sinful vanity, but I want to win because I am a skilledwarrior."
"Iam sure that if you were not, the battle could still have been lost."
"Motheris finally done talking to that man," announced Ethelred even as hehurried toward his mother.
Eadasmiled at her mother who, still holding Serle's hand as if she feared he woulddisappear, stepped up to her and kissed her cheek. For now, she would nottrouble her mother with questions or ill humors. They might not be able tovisit each other for long, and she did not want to ruin their short timetogether with unpleasant accusations or recriminations. She was not sure hermother deserved them anyway.
"Wehave a great deal to talk about, Eada, but now is not the time or the place.Mayhap we could take our evening meal together?"
"Yes.Here or in the camp?"
"Hereand—" she glanced at Drogo. "—I do not mean to offend, but I think weneed some time alone."
"Itake no offense, mistress," Drogo said, bowing slightly as he took Eada'shand in his. "I will bring her to you as the sun sets and return tocollect her in three-hours' time."
Vedettenodded, but Eada could see the tension in her mother's expression. Now that shewas over the shock of seeing the daughter she had had to leave behind, she wasclearly upset about the relationship between Drogo and her eldest child. Eadabegan to feel nervous. One thing she had not considered in her joy at findingher family again was how it might change her life.
Allthe way back to camp she said nothing and was glad that both Serle and Drogowere silent as well. What should have been solely a source of happiness wassuddenly looking like a great deal of trouble. When Drogo led her into the tentthey shared, she turned to look at him, and her increasing uneasiness was notsoothed by the frown on his face.
"Itmust please you to know that your family has survived," he finally said ashe crouched by the fire and took a long drink from the wineskin.
"Yes,"she answered in a careful tone as she sat down beside him, "but I was notoften afraid for them. At first, I felt guilty that I had not suffered asAveril said she had. Then I realized that I did not worry much because OldEdith had said that they would all survive. I had not seen how deeply Ibelieved in Old Edith until then."
"Shecould have lied to ease your fears."
