Charlotte sniffed. “Yes, but—”
His face darkened. “We don’t assist the English.”
“Oh, please, sir! You canna leave us! What if we have t’ stay out here all night? I dinna know what sort of creatures prowl these woods.”
“That’s not our problem, but yours,” he said coldly.
“Vano, stop being such a pain in the ass,” the first man dared to say. “What harm can two women do?”
Vano spun on him. “You can speak of danger when Vadoma’s bones are still smoldering but miles away?” He sniffed. “They are not allowed in the camp.”
Charlotte’s sniffles quickly became wails. “I shall get dismissed fer this, I know it! I’m sorry, mistress. I’ve failed ye. I shall be sent back t’ th’ workhouse fer sure!”
“Dammit, Vano!” The second man dismounted, and wrenched open the door. “You’re not thinking clearly.” He lowered his voice. “You’re still wracked with grief over yourbunica’sdeath, but you have to remember that her loss was felt by many. Everyone in that camp has felt her absence. I carry my grief in my heart, so what do you think she would say about turning these women away?”
Vano glared at the man before him. Distrust was carved into every hard line of his face. “Gah!” He threw up his hand. “If they cause any more unrest within the camp it is on your heads. Dare to trust them if you will, but if it goes astray, you will become outsiders to us!”
With that, he spurned his mount forward.
Once he was gone, the gypsy reached for the distraught Charlotte, whose tears had dried quite rapidly now that he was assisting her down from the coach. “Don’t mind Vano. His bark is worse than his bite most days.” He offered a bow, his white teeth gleaming in his darkly tanned skin, along with the large gold hoop in his ear. “My name is Danior, and this is my brother, Motshan.”
“Thank ye so much. Ye are both such gallant knights,” Charlotte gushed.
Cosette stepped to the ground with Danior’s help. “We appreciate your assistance,” she said politely.
As Danior and Motshan offered them their mounts, they held on to the reins and walked with them to the camp.
Cosette couldn’t resist a glance up at the sky where the black crow circled overhead.I will see you soon,she promised.
A firm caw was her reply as he soared into the distance.
