He swallowed with great effort. ‘Thank you for climbing down.’
‘Don’t thank me yet. This might be a slow and painful death for you. And if it turns out I planned it that way, you’ll look the fool on your deathbed.’ She patted his leg, then grabbed Hadewaye’s waterskin and headed down to the river to fetch him some water.
‘So what is next in this terrible plan?’ the prince asked as he walked over to claim one of the spare horses. ‘Blackmane is going to need a physician.’
‘We could find one in Dolgellau,’ Eda suggested as she lifted the waterskin to Blackmane’s mouth.
Roul shook his head. ‘It’s too risky. Soldiers will be swarming the village soon. Better to take him to Carno, to my family.’
Eda retrieved a blanket and wrapped it around Blackmane. ‘Can you hold on for that long?’
‘I told you I’m fine. Stop fussing.’
She rolled her eyes and returned to her horse.
‘Where’s the bridge?’ Prince Becket asked, looking both ways.
Eda’s eyes met Roul’s as she mounted. ‘Should you tell His Highness, or should I?’
‘There’s no bridge,’ Roul said plainly, nudging his horse forwards. ‘But this should seem easy after the morning we’ve had. Slow and steady along the sandbank.’ He looked back at the group as he entered the water. ‘Tatum, you’re at the rear. Suttone, you’ll cross with me. No one is drowning today. We don’t have time. And no one talk to the donkey when we get to the other side. I don’t want it following us.’
Eda felt the beginnings of a smile as she walked her horse into the river.
CHAPTER30
Roul spotted his father exiting the chicken coop as they neared the house. Clive Thornton paused, looked in their direction, then called to his wife. The entire family came out of the house, smiles fading when they saw the state of the group.
Wilona took one look at Blackmane when they pulled up, then turned to Lana. ‘Run and fetch Yetta.’ She gestured towards the house. ‘Bring him inside.’
Alveye and Tatum helped him from his horse and took him inside. Eda followed. Hadewaye, sweating and stiff from his efforts of keeping the injured defender upright for the journey, limped around tending the horses.
‘I see you’ve still got the donkey with you,’ Clive said. Then he looked from Woottone to Prince Becket. ‘And a few extras.’ He bowed. ‘Welcome to our very, very humble home, Your Highness.’
‘Thank you.’
Blushing, Odella lowered into a curtsy. ‘Welcome to Carno, Your Highness.’
He nodded in response.
Roul looked nervously back at the road, and his father noticed.
‘Trouble follow you?’ Clive asked.
‘We’ll soon find out. Is there somewhere we can hide the horses?’
Clive thought a moment.
‘We could shut them in one of the abandoned houses,’ Odella suggested.
Woottone appeared to like that idea. ‘Whatever gets them out of sight. I should get the prince indoors also before someone sees him.’
‘Of course, of course,’ Clive said, waving them towards the house. ‘This way.’
Roul heard Hadewaye coughing, so he went to help him with the horses. ‘You all right?’
Hadewaye wiped his brow with the back of his hand. ‘Just a bit hot after all the excitement.’ He coughed into his hand as he led two horses away.
Roul watched him a moment before gathering up the rest of the horses and following after him.
