‘We’ll see you on the return journey,’ Wilona called to Eda.
She looked over to where Roul’s family were gathered. ‘I’ll take care of him.’
‘You all take care of each other,’ Clive said, wrapping an arm around his wife. ‘We’ll see you soon.’
When Roul went to say goodbye to his family, Blackmane rode off, apparently not one for farewells. Once Roul returned to his horse, Odella covered her face with her hands, unable to hold back her tears any longer. Eda felt sorry for them. They had only gotten a few precious hours together, and for all they knew, it might be the last time they saw him.
Roul trotted after Blackmane without saying a word, and the others followed.
Only when they were outside the village did Roul address the group. ‘It’s a two-hour ride to Dolgellau.’ He glanced at Basil, who was happily walking alongside Alveye’s horse, unaware of his fate. ‘We’ll lose the donkey, then cross River Wnion via the bridge on the other side of the village.’
Everyone nodded, then returned to their thoughts for the next few hours. Every time Hadewaye began whistling a tune, Blackmane glared him into silence.
They reached Dolgellau mid-morning, and Eda was surprised by the absence of children. Normally they would be playing outside and on the road. Perhaps it was because the roads were nothing but slick mud and pooled water. She did spot a group of women on the side of the road, their faces drawn and pinched, but they fled upon seeing them. A few lone men walked by, their stares hard and their hands resting on their weapons. There were no dogs. No chickens. No babies crying in the run-down houses that lined the road. It all felt so sad.
Roul slowed his horse to ride alongside Eda. ‘I think they’re afraid of us.’
‘You think?’
He glanced sideways at her. ‘I hope you have at least one weapon hidden under that cloak.’
Eda nodded a greeting at a middle-aged man passing in the other direction. He did not reciprocate. ‘I have four daggers, two in places that will be difficult to reach in a hurry.’
Roul suppressed a smile and looked forwards.
Soon they arrived in the centre of the village, where the marketplace was supposed to be. They were met with bare tables and a handful of people wandering between them.
‘Where is everyone?’ Hadewaye asked.
Tatum looked around. ‘Perhaps they came early.’
Stopping his horse and dismounting, Roul walked over to an older woman selling a single bolt of beige fabric. She rose as he neared, eyes moving over him with suspicion.
‘Can I help you?’
‘I have a donkey I’m looking to sell,’ Roul answered. ‘Do you know where I might find a buyer?’
Her eyes raked over him again before turning to the man at the next table. ‘This lot are selling a donkey.’
That must have piqued the man’s interest, because he stepped out from behind his table and walked over to them.
‘Jankin’s the name,’ he said to Roul. ‘Town’s butcher.’
Confused, Eda looked to the table he had come from. A basket of onions sat on it. ‘You’re a butcher.’
‘That’s right.’
‘But you don’t have any meat.’
‘Give me a moment, love,’ Jankin replied. ‘Things are looking up.’ He limped over to inspect Basil. ‘How much are you wanting?’
Eda opened her mouth to speak, but Blackmane cleared his throat. She glanced in his direction, noting the warning in his eyes.
‘He’s a working animal,’ Roul said.
Jankin poked at Basil’s rump. ‘In case you’ve failed to notice, there’s not much work around these parts right now. Thereisa famine though.’ He turned to Roul. ‘I’ll give you two crowns.’
Roul looked to Eda, and her eyes pleaded with him. Jankin glanced between the two of them.
