"Ipray it will. I believe I shall have a great need for my voices to be exact andloud in the days to come."
Drogowaited impatiently as William and Lord Bergeron talked. The man's gestures andpale, tight expression made it obvious that Lord Bergeron was in the unenviableposition of pleading for Sir Guy's life. Drogo also knew that William wouldgive the man what he wanted this time for he owed Lord Bergeron a great deal.He just wished they would hurry and settle the matter. He had yet to ask forGodwin and he was eager to get back to camp, back to Eada.
WhenLord Bergeron finally stepped back from William, Drogo walked over even asWilliam signaled him to join him. He could tell by the dark look on William'sface that none of this pleased him. Drogo prayed that he was not entangled inthat anger. Although Drogo was not at fault, William could not always becounted on to be completely fair.
"Icannot punish Sir Guy except to banish him from my court." William held uphis hand when Drogo started to speak. "You took the life of two of whatfew friends the fool had. Let that be enough. Also, this cowardly act will notbe kept a secret, so he will pay in many other ways." He glanced at LordBergeron. "And the fool has lost all his protections as of thisnight."
Outof the corner of his eye, Drogo saw Lord Bergeron nod and felt a sense ofrelief. He could now act openly against Sir Guy. The man had thrown away theshield he had been able to hide behind for so long.
"Iwas not going to argue your decision, my liege," Drogo said. "I wishto ask a blood price of Sir Guy. My men survived, but murder was what wasplanned."
Williamfrowned. "Sir Guy does not have much coin."
"Itis not coin I ask for. I want the boy Godwin."
"Youwant Sir Guy's young prisoner?" William asked in surprise.
"Yes.It was Godwin who warned us of Sir Guy's murderous plots. I believe it is nosecret that the boy is badly treated by Sir Guy. That treatment could worsendangerously now and I wish to save him from that. I owe him the lives of mymen, and it is the least I can do for him."
"Done.Do you have any objection, my lord?" William asked Bergeron, who shook hishead. "Then when you tell that fool nephew of yours that you have managedto save his miserable life one last time, you may also tell him that he is toallow that boy to stay with Sir Drogo and had better never again lay a hand onthe youth."
LordBorgeron bowed and strode out of the great hall. Drogo felt sure that when hislordship found his nephew, Sir Guy would pay dearly. Not dearly enough, but itwould do for now.
"Youare free," Drogo announced as he sat down beside Eada and smiled acrossthe fire at Godwin.
Helaughed when Godwin thanked him profusely. The boy then gathered up the sleepychildren and hurried away to find the bed Ivo had prepared for him. Drogolooked at Eada, who only smiled her gratitude, and he knew immediately thatsomething troubled her.
"Tellme, what is wrong?" He draped his arm around her shoulders and kissed hercheek. "Your friend is free of Sir Guy's brutal grasp. That should pleaseyou."
"Itdoes. I just wish we were also free of the man."
Drogosighed and then nodded. "We are free of all that has made us hesitate toact. Not only has Lord Bergeron saved his nephew for the last time, but Williamhimself has torn away all protection. Now, if Sir Guy threatens us, we can actwithout restraint."
"Thatis good news."
"Buthis body hanging from a tree would have pleased you more."
"Yes,and I am a little ashamed at my bloodthirsty feelings."
"Theycould never equal the ones I have toward the man." He glanced toward SirGuy's camp. "Have you seen him?"
"Isaw Lord Bergeron drag him inside the tent not long before you returned.Neither man has emerged."
"Maybewe shall have some luck and Lord Bergeron will kill him in a fit of rage anddisgust."
Eadasuddenly laughed. "I think I would have heard that."
"Itwas just an idle hope."
Drogostood up and held out his hand. Smiling faintly, Eada rose and slipped her handinto his. It had been a long and eventful night and she would welcome her bed.Glancing. up at Drogo's face and seeing the way he was looking at her causedher smile to widen. It would be awhile before he would let her go to sleep.
Themoment they stepped inside the tent, Drogo began to undress her. Eada laughedand tried to undo his laces even as he was tugging her clothing off. He tumbledher down onto the sheepskin bedding before the fire and she greedily welcomedhim into her arms.
“Youare beautiful," he said when they had finally cast off all their clothesand he crouched over her, studying her by the warming light of the fire.
"Youare most fair yourself," she murmured, smoothing her hands over his chest.
Drogoslowly kissed his way down her soft body. "If I tell you that you taste assweet as the richest honey, are you going to say that I, too, am sweet?"
