Maynodded. "Sir Guy had five men, so she felt Sirs Tancred and Unwin needednearly that number as well."
"Howdid she know how many men Sir Guy rode with?"
"Godwintold her. He came here to tell her that he had heard Sir Guy and his friendsplot against Sirs Tancred and Unwin. That was when Eada's voice told her thatthere was no time left to wait. This murder had to be stopped."
"Didshe linger long enough to tell you where this murder is to occur? I had hopedthat she could lead us to the place she saw in her dream." Drogo had tosmile when May closed her eyes and carefully described the place Eada had seenin her dream. He could easily see Eada doing the same as she had related theinformation to May. "That was well done," he said when she finishedand looked up at him. "I believe I know where that is. One last questiondid they intend to fight off six armed men with only their bare hands?"
"Ivowas armed, and he carried two swords with him."
Drogonodded and turned his mount in the direction Eada had gone. With Serle andGarnier right behind him, he made his way through the crowded camp with as muchspeed as he could. The moment he was free of the tangle of people, carts,animals, and tents, he spurred his horse to a gallop. Although he felt certainthat Sir Guy and his cohorts would flee once they were faced with any realopposition and once the chance of committing their crime in secrecy was gone,he was eager to reach Eada before she faced any real danger.
"Areyou sure this is the place?" asked Brun as he looked around the woodedarea where Eada had demanded they stop.
"Yes,"she replied as she slid off the horse and rubbed her backside. "We mustwait here."
"Andthis murder will be brought to us, will it?" Brun dismounted along with Ivoand Godwin and lightly tied his horse to a tree.
"Youneed not sound so scornful. We have arrived first, that is all." Shesmiled at Brun. "You ride very fast."
Heignored her flattery. "Mayhap your gifts allowed you to find the quickestway to reach this place. I will admit that there were a few times I thought youwere mad when you insisted that I had to take that turn or follow thatroute."
"SinceI have never been here, I think it was my inner voices directing me."
"Doyou think those voices will be kind enough to tell us what to do when sixbattle-hardened and armed knights ride into view?"
Eadaglared at Brun, Godwin, and Ivo when they all laughed. She was not really angrywith their teasing, but she did wonder how they could be in such a good humor.Her instincts told her that being there would be enough to stop the attempt atmurder, but she could not know that for certain. Neither could they. They couldalso be facing a hard battle, even death or wounding. It seemed an odd time forteasing and laughter.
"Donot look so worried, Eada," said Godwin.
"Someoneneeds to worry, I think."
"SirGuy will flee like the coward he is as soon as he knows that Sirs Tancred andUnwin have been warned and that they are not alone."
"Thatis what I think, but then I wonder if we can be so certain of how the man willact. This attempt to murder two knights is madness, is it not? This is nothingmore than an act of spite. How many men do you know who would kill two peoplejust to hurt one?" She nodded when her three companions began to frown."Maybe Sir Guy's hatred of Drogo has turned his mind. It is hard to knowwhat a madman will do."
Ivonodded and took the swords from his saddle, handing them to Godwin and Brun."You may need these."
"Itwould be a blessing if we could kill Sir Guy here and now," muttered Brunas he buckled on his sword.
"Itwould be," agreed Eada. "I cannot be sure if tonight is the time ofhis death or not. The fact that I do not feel sure probably means that he willescape the justice he deserves at least one more time."
"Someonecomes," Brun whispered, pushing Eada behind him as he crept closer to therutted path that was the road to London.
Eadaedged around him only enough to get a clear view. The horses were coming downthe road, and she knew that it had to be Tancred and Unwin. It also meant thatSir Guy and his men had to be close at hand, yet she saw no sign of them. Shebegan to fear that she had led her group to the wrong place.
"Lookover there, Eada," whispered Brun, pointing to a thick grouping of treesjust across the road. "I believe our enemy lurks within. You have broughtus within feet of them."
"Iwish I could be pleased about that," she murmured as she caught theglitter of moonlight on armor glinting through the trees. "What should wedo?"
"Putourselves somewhere between them and those blind fools riding down theroad," he said, hurrying toward the approaching Tancred and Unwin.
She,Ivo, and Godwin quickly followed him. He darted out onto the road just past asharp turn which hid them from Sir Guy and his friends. Eada followed him, herheart pounding so hard and fast she feared Sir Guy would hear it. She was notsure why Brun was trying to keep Sir Guy unaware of their presence, but decidedto bow to his wisdom in such matters.
Tancredand Unwin were talking and laughing as they came into view. It did not look asif they were taking any extra cautions, she thought a little sourly. Theyhalted so abruptly, their horses reared, kicking up a lot of dust. Eada coughedand glared at them.
"Eada?"Tancred said in a small, hoarse voice as he rode closer to her. "What areyou doing here?" he asked as he looked at her and her three companions."Are Brun and Godwin wearing swords?"
"Yes,"she replied sharply. "It might be wise if you spoke more softly. Voicescan travel a long distance on such a still night, and you will warn the menwaiting for you around the bend in the road."
