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She crossed to the stables at a run. On the other side of the courtyard, the longhouse loomed. A large, dark oblong on a gray backdrop, watching her every move. A chink of light showed beneath the stable doors. Aisley pulled on the latch and slipped inside. Taber was there, holding the straps of the saddled and bridled brown mare.

“Bless you, Taber,” she said.

He offered her a lopsided grin. “It’s right odd t’ see you in them clothes, mistress, but it seems like they might work fer ya.”

“They are exactly what I needed,” she said, pulling two coins from her purse. “Take these. I hope it is sufficient to purchase another tunic, at least.”

He shook his head. “The one I gave ya is full worn out. There’s no need—”

“There is every need,” Aisley said. “And I have no time to argue.”

He glanced at the stable doors, the first hint of worry appearing on his face. “What more d’you require, mistress?”

“A boost into this saddle and your silence if anyone questions you about my disappearance,” she said.

He cupped his hands beside the mare, and a moment later, Aisley was seated with the reins in her hand.

“As soon as yer gone, I’ll be about me duties,” he said. “If anyone comes ’round, they won’t find anythin’ unusual in that. An’ I won’t have anythin’ unusual t’ report.” He stepped back and reached for the stable door. “Whenever yer ready, mistress.”

Aisley raised her hood and tucked the satchel behind her. “Now.”

He swung the door wide. The pale-pink rays of early morning were painting the horizon and chasing away the darkness. Across the courtyard, a flicker of candlelight shone behind the shutters to Wulfhere’s chamber. Aisley’s throat tightened.

“Farewell, Taber,” she said. “I shall not forget your kindness and service.” And then she touched her heels to the horse’s side and left the stables at a gallop.

Entering the lane, she turned toward town. If Wulfhere had heard the clatter of hooves and guessed what she was about, he would come after her. Searching the town might slow him, particularly if tradespeople were filling the roads and square by the time he arrived. She lowered herself in the saddle, allowing the mare its head while she yet could. A day’s ride south was what Brecc had said. At some point, she would need to ask for directions, but for now, her focus was on putting as much distance between her and Wulfhere as she possibly could.

The sun had been up for at least two hours when Aisley spotted a group of merchants on the road ahead. With the town of Trowbridge behind her, she thought it unlikely that any of the merchants knew her, but as she drew closer, she tugged her hood a little lower over her face.

“Good day t’ ya, lad.” The burly man driving the cart at the rear of the small convoy called out his greeting as Aisley’s horse came abreast of his vehicle. “Where’re ya bound?”

Aisley cleared her throat. “South,” she said.

The merchant raised an eyebrow. “Lots o’ places south o’ ’ere.”

Aisley was reluctant to give this stranger her actual destination, especially as she had yet to discover exactly where it was located, but she could not afford to arouse suspicion. “I’ve a mind t’ go int’ South Somerset,” she said, affecting Taber’s manner of speaking. “Not sure ’ow far yet.”

“Ah, a fellow out to make ’is fortune, are ya?” He jerked his thumb toward the cloth-covered cargo behind him. “There’s money t’ be ’ad in wool and linen, if yer willin’ t’ travel.”

“’Ow far d’ya go?” Aisley asked, genuinely interested.

“Used t’ be that we went all over Wessex. Sometimes int’ Mercia. But nowadays, with them fearsome Vikin’s all over the place, we don’ go as far.” He shrugged. “Yer right brave t’ be on th’ roads by yerself. Either that or daft.”

Or desperate. The word echoed through Aisley’s head, but she did not voice it. Mayhap it would be in her best interest to travel a little distance with these merchants. She’d passed a few other travelers on her way. None but she had been unaccompanied. Her safety notwithstanding, that fact alone was enough to fuel her desire to ride with others. Anything she could do to avoid unwelcome attention was worth her while.

“I confess, travelin’ alone makes fer a lonely day,” she said.

“Stick with us fer a bit, if ya wish,” the merchant said. “But pay no mind t’ Orvyn up there.” He gestured toward the driver of the cart in front of his. “’E’ll do ’is best t’ persuade ya t’ take up sellin’ vegetables, but all ’e’s really after is someun to ’elp ’im unload all ’is swedes an’ turnips.”

“I’m glad o’ the warnin’,” Aisley said, grateful that her hood hid the instinctive uptick of her lips at the merchant’s cautionary words. It was the first time she’d smiled in a long time, and it had the rather remarkable effect of making her load seem lighter. “Where are ya headed now?”

“Shepton Mallet,” he said. “It’s market day there on th’ morrow. Ya can continue south from there if ya don’ want t’ stop.”

Aisley did not know how far it was to Shepton Mallet, but she would willingly accept the companionship of these merchants if it took her in the right direction. “I thank you,” she said. “I’d be glad o’ the company.”

He nodded. “Shouldn’t take us more ’un a couple o’ hours t’ get there.”

A couple of hours. It was a good amount of time to be less noticeable on the road. Her mount had already adjusted its pace to match that of the cart horse, and Aisley allowed herself to relax a fraction. Mayhap, moving at this slower speed, she could finally eat one of the apples she’d brought with her.