Heand Unwin quickly placed their hands on the hilts of their swords. "Yourdream was true?"
Eadamade no attempt to hide her exasperation. "It was, and if you had paidmore heed to it, I would not be standing here in the dark and the cold, forcedto the ungrateful task of saving your lives."
Tancredignored that and turned to Brun. It annoyed Eada to be so completely overlookedas the men discussed what they had to do next. It annoyed her even more whenshe was ordered to stay behind with Godwin as the other four went to face theirenemy.
"Youwill be safer here," said Godwin as he tugged her to the edge of the road.
Beforeshe could give her opinion on that, she heard the distinct sound of swordsclashing with swords. Godwin held her back when she took a step toward thesound. After a brief moment of trying to tug free, she gave in and stayed whereshe was. Although she wanted to see what was happening, to assure herself thather friends were all right, she realized that she would only be in the way. Shewas so intent on listening, on trying to guess what was happening by the soundsshe heard, that she was startled into crying out when a horse suddenly snortedbehind her. It fleetingly pleased her to hear Godwin gasp as well and know thathe was caught equally unawares. Her heart in her throat, she turned aroundslowly and nearly gaped when she found Drogo, Serle, and Garnier right behindher.
"Youare very quiet horsemen," she said and met Drogo's steady look with awavering smile.
"Andyou are a very troublesome woman," he drawled.
"Iremembered to bring someone with me this time."
"Ye-es,and I will have to talk to you about arming Saxons. Do not move from thisplace," he advised her as he moved around her and galloped down the road,a grinning Serle and equally amused Garnier right behind him.
Eadawaited a few minutes before following them, a softly cursing Godwin rightbehind her. She knew that Sir Guy and his men would never linger to face threemore armed men. It did not surprise her to find Drogo and the others standingaround in the road. Two of Guy's companions had paid dearly for his plot, andshe quickly hurried past the two bodies sprawled on the ground.
"Ithought I told you to stay back there," Drogo said even as he draped hisarm around her shoulders and tugged her close to his side.
"Idid until the danger was past," she replied. "Sir Guy?"
"Fledwith his remaining friends. I am not sure, but I think one more of them willfall before he can reach camp."
"Itwould have been a true victory if we could have ended that adder's lifehere," said Brun as he relinquished his sword to Tancred.
"Hemay yet pay for this. Even if his uncle can save him from William's punishment,this will destroy him." Drogo nodded toward the two dead men Serle andGarnier were securing to the back of the horses left behind. "I have allthe proof I need that he tried to murder you. We all saw him, even if it wasonly as he fled for his life, and everyone knows these two are his men."
"Butyou do not think he will be punished harshly by William?" asked Eada.
"Tancredand Unwin are still alive. That could be enough for his uncle to win him areprieve. But I promise you, he will be as nothing and he will never be able tocast aside the disgrace he has brought upon himself with this black deed."
"Whichmeans he will truly be mad with hate for you."
Itdid not comfort Eada at all when Drogo's answer was a shrug. She remained lostin her worry as they returned to camp, almost glad that he had to leave herthere and immediately return to William's court. As she sat down before thefire, she closed her eyes and tried to will her voices to tell her something,but they remained silent.
"Allwill be well," said Godwin as he sat down beside her.
Shemanaged a smile for the youth. "It will be for you. That is a victory initself."
Godwinsmiled as Welcome and Eric cuddled up to his side. "Drogo feels certainthat no one will argue with his claim to me. He feels sure that he can ask anyprice to soothe the insult Sir Guy has delivered tonight and he has sworn thatthe price he will ask is me."
"Ibelieve Sir Guy delivered more than a mere insult tonight."
"Yes,but his uncle is a powerful man and has given William a lot of help with thisbattle. It takes a heavy purse to bring such an army here and a lot of the coincame from Lord Bergeron."
Eadanodded, disappointed but understanding how that could keep Sir Guy fromsuffering the punishment he deserved. "Where is Brun?"
"Hehas already sought his bed." Godwin caught her lightly by the arm when shestarted to rise. "Do not worry. He has not hurt himself. He is just tired.He is healed but he has yet to regain his full strength. At least he has thewisdom to recognize the need to rest."
"True.I wish this night had been the end of Sir Guy."
"Weall do."
"Iknow. It is just that I have a very bad feeling about him. I cannot be sure ifit is a warning from my voice or just the hate I have begun to feel for theman."
"Thatconfusion will clear."
