"Andhave suffered for that bravery." She finished checking his injuries aswell as she could under the circumstances and said, "I can see and feelnothing that will not heal. If you find anything needs more treatment than agood cleaning, come to me or call to me, whichever is safer."
"Iwill. I think that, with the children gone, I will be all right. They havelearned to be very quiet, but they cannot hide completely and it was the sightof them which started Sir Guy raging. I think they remind him that he once hadtwo women he could force to his bed. I just wish someone would kill thestinking pig."
"Someonewill."
Godwin'sswollen eyes widened slightly as he looked up at her then sat up with her help.Eada thought over the words that had just left her mouth and then nodded. Itwas not a wish from deep in her heart, but a truth that had suddenly emerged inher mind. Sir Guy would never see London.
"Ipray you are having one of your sendings," muttered Godwin. "It wouldgive me something to wait for. I belong to Sir Guy and the thought of doing sofor very long, of enduring the man for years to come, leaves me chilled."
"Youwill soon be free of him. All you need to do is not let him kill you before heis cut down. I dreamt of this attack on you. That is why Drogo and I were athand. I believe that means that if you call to me when you are in danger again,I will probably hear you. So, if that drunken beast starts to beat you orthreatens your life, call out to me in your head and make the feeling behindthe call as deep and as strong as you can."
"Andthat will bring you?"
"Itbrought me to Brun's cousin and then to Brun."
"ThenI shall try." He looked toward the Normans as Sir Guy thrust the twoscared children at Drogo. "If you do not come quickly enough, I pray youdo not see it as a lack of faith if I just start screaming aloud."
"No,"she said and smiled at him. "I am surprised you did not this time."
"Iwas caught by surprise for the man has never treated me this badly before and Idid not think anyone would or could come to my aid."
"Iwill, and so will any of Drogo's people. I think that, since Lord Bergeron hasmade his disapproval so open, so will others. It took me awhile to look beyondall the killing and burning to understand that not every Norman behaves in sucha cruel way. Drogo and his men are not the only honorable knights in William'sarmy. They are as varied in their ways as are our men."
Shestood up slowly as Drogo approached, the terrified children stumbling in frontof him. As Godwin explained to the children that they had to go into Drogo'scamp, Eada stepped closer to Drogo to allow Godwin some privacy with hischarges. She felt sad that the blind cruelty of one man had caused thisseparation, for they had already lost their family and now they would thinkthat they were going to lose Godwin as well. It did not surprise her to seethat both of the children were crying when they returned to her side.
Withone last look at Godwin, she ushered the children into Drogo's camp and found asleepy-eyed May hurrying toward her. The yelling in Sir Guy's camp had roused anumber of people.
"Iwill take them, mistress," May said.
"Youwill soon need another tent," Eada murmured as she nudged the childrentoward May's open arms. "I truly thought the three I had saved from SirGuy's sword would stay with my mother, but they would not leave you. You willnow have six children to watch over. I could keep them with me."
"No.Ivo and I do not mind. He is already sewing together another tent, for he issure there will be more children. And these two will not be staying long withme, not unless Godwin dies or is forced to remain with that beast for all hisdays."
"Butthat will hurt you. You are quick to love the children you take to yourarms."
"Iam, but I know I can never claim these. Godwin is their family, and they willalways want to be with him. You go back to bed, mistress, and do not worry aboutthem."
Eadawatched May take the children to her crowded tent and then looked up at Drogo."I do not think I am the only one you must speak to about collecting everyhurt and orphaned child," she drawled.
Drogoshook his head as he tugged her into his tent. "Ivo was the same aboutanimals. You saw how he loved your hounds, nearly weeping when we left the dogswith your mother. The man's heart is as big as his body. I will speak to him,but he will not heed me. He cannot turn away from anything or anyone in troubleor in pain. And such a command will make May unhappy. That is also something Ivocan never do." He laughed as he started to undress. "I fear I shallsoon have an army of children."
"Whowill grow to make you a strong army of loyal soldiers and servants," shesaid, as she hastily shed the last of her clothes and jumped beneath the warmcovers to escape the chilled air.
"Yes,I suppose they will." Drogo slid in beside her and tugged her into hisarms. "But do not forget that I must feed and shelter them until they areof a size to be of some use. Maybe I could convince you, Ivo, and May to takein only the older children."
Eadalaughed and punched him lightly. "You already have Brun and will soon haveGodwin. They will make fine soldiers. Brun already is one, and Godwin is of anage to begin training."
Drogogrew serious and, propping himself up on his elbow, he brushed a kiss over hermouth in hopes of softening his words. "I would like to save Godwin fromSir Guy, but I do not think I can. The moment Sir Guy suspects that I want theyouth, he will hold on to Godwin all the tighter. If I were a rich man, I coulddangle enough coin in front of the fool to make him forget his hate long enoughto sell me the boy, but I do not have that heavy a purse."
"Iknow. I was not meaning that you must try to take Godwin from Sir Guy. You areright. The man will keep him just to spit at you. No, I just mean that soonGodwin will be free of that beast and, since he is a Saxon, you can claim him.He certainly will not be allowed to run free."
"No,but how do you know that Godwin will soon be free of Guy?"
"Oneof my voices told me. It said that Sir Guy would never live to seeLondon."
"Ihope to God that is the truth. No man deserves death as much as that one does.I do not suppose they told you if I would have the pleasure of killinghim?"
"No.That would cause you trouble with Lord Bergeron, would it not?"
