Christian turned his deep blue eyes to her. They were tinged with sadness and anger. “Yes.” He glanced at Landyn. “It was the commander at Rennes-le-chateau.”
Landyn nodded. “I saw him and others from the chateau.”
“Where were the soldiers taking them?” Willow asked.
“It could be anywhere,” Landyn replied.
“They are headed north. Most likely to Chateau de Chinon,” Christian said.
“Or Domme.”
Christian nodded.
Raven glared at Willow for an instant longer and then shook her head. “You know better.”
“Father worked for the Templars. He wouldn’t stand for this,” Willow objected. “We have to do something.”
Christian gazed at her sympathetically. “We can’t fight the king. If we had tried to help those knights, we would have been arrested, too.”
Landyn nodded. “Sterling and I are well known for helping the Templars. I’m certain we would be arrested on sight.”
Willow glanced at Raven pleadingly. “Maybe there is something we can do.”
Christian shook his head. “Will, your father helped the Templars every chance he got. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were looking for you, too.”
“Why?” Willow asked, stunned.
“You’re a Hawke.”
She stared, shocked. Because she and her sisters were her father’s daughters? And he was associated with the Templar Knights. She bowed her head. “So, what do we do?”
The crunching leaves from the woods behind them caused the group to turn. Sage and Marcus led the horses back toward them.
“We solve the puzzle,” Sage answered.
Chapter Two
“The end is coming!”a man with a dirty face, ragged tunic and breeches, and long, unkempt dark hair cried as he limped down the road. The buildings he passed were made of thick rods of daub, woven reeds, and wooden planks. Villagers ignored him, hurrying by.
Christian watched him move by them and wondered whether the man was mad or correct. Christian looked at Willow. She wore a strange grin on her shapely lips as she stared at two children engaging in swordplay beside one of the homes. She led her horse next to Christian and his steed. Their group of six walked their horses through the muddy street.
Christian gritted his teeth. Trepidation crawled through him. He didn’t like this. He felt exposed. They were supposed to be hiding, not strolling through a village as if they were pilgrims. It didn’t help that he didn’t trust de Nogaret and sensed the man was leading them into danger.
Christian’s eyes lingered on Marcus, who walked confidently beside Sage ahead of the group. Marcus’s back was straight and confident. He had said he knew of a safe place, but where was he guiding them to? Marcus was acting more like a predator, luring them into his web.
Sage had insisted they trust Marcus and follow him.
Christian mentally shook his head. What she saw in the man, he would never know. He locked eyes with a farmer carrying a heavy bucket who moved by him. The look the man gave him was pained and uncomfortable, as if he recognized trouble. He shambled on, sweat soaking the brown tunic on his back.
The villagers cast curious and nervous gazes at them.
No. Christian didn’t like this at all. Their group stood out from the townspeople and merchants because they all carried swords. With the king’s men on the road arresting the Templar Knights, there was unease in everyone. He was confident that if they came upon the king’s men, he and possibly Landyn would be taken. They were loyal to Templars and put everyone else in danger. He should leave them. It would be safer.
As if called by her, his gaze shifted to Willow.
She smiled at the children as they ran past the group.
His heart swelled. It would be easier for him to cut out his heart than abandon her. He had promised her he would never leave. And he intended to keep his vow to his future wife.
