Two hours later, Gareth was wondering what could have made him do such a stupid thing. Elena had been forced to hold onto his waist as her new perch was more precarious than sitting in front of him had been. The feel of her arms around his waist was nearly as disturbing as was the feel of her backside pressed against him. What was worse was when she had fallen asleep, nearly an hour ago. With her head resting on his shoulder, he could clearly feel the imprint of her breasts against his back. Her grip around his waist had loosened in sleep and her hands lay loosely on his upper thighs, all but brushing his crotch. This was torture!
When they finally stopped to make camp, Elena was still soundly sleeping.
"Don't wake her," Bryant whispered. "She's still not fully recovered her strength."
"I wasn't going to wake her," Gareth said edgily. He pushed his friend's hands away when Bryant would have taken Elena in his arms, but soon realized that he had no way to get down without dumping her on the ground. He reluctantly handed Elena down to Bryant and scrambled out of the saddle. He turned to take Elena but Bryant was already carrying her to the blankets Cynan had laid on a bed of leaves. Stifling the insane spurt of jealousy at the protective air Bryant had assumed over Elena, Gareth unsaddled, fed, and watered the horses before returning to their makeshift camp in the middle of a thick copse of trees.
"Dare we start a fire?" Bryant asked. "Lady Elena surely needs to stay warm and it would make cooking a good deal easier."
Gareth stared hard at his friend who until a few weeks ago could not say "Good day" to a woman without turning beet red and falling over his feet. Now Bryant was efficiently tucking his own blanket around Elena, brushing the hair off her face before he turned for Gareth's answer.
"We'd better not risk it."
"But Gareth--"
"She'll be in a good deal more danger if the English soldiers come across us than she will eating cold food on a warm summer night."
Bryant started to argue when Elena spoke. "That woman this morning gave me a bag of food to eat for breakfast. Surely there's something in there that would not need a fire."
Bryant stared at Gareth indignantly. "Lady Elena is sick for three days and you did not even give her enough time to break her fast before we left?"
Gareth bristled at his tone. "If I recall, you were more than a little anxious to avoid being hung for a traitor yourself."
Bryant had the grace to look abashed. "It's just that Lady Elena--"
The lady in question interrupted their dispute. "Lady Elena would very much like to eat now and let you children finish your squabble somewhere else. Preferably on the edge of a tall cliff in a strong wind."
Cynan laughed as he brought over the heavy sack of food. "I like that. I'll have to remember it: a tall cliff in a strong wind." Laughing again, he turned the sack over and dumped its contents onto Elena's blanket. "I say, what was the name of that inn? We'll have to stop by there again. Look at this feast!"
Gareth and Bryant stopped glaring at each other long enough to look at the pile of food and quickly forgot their argument. Within minutes the four were happily stuffing themselves on cold chicken, cheese, and thick, crusty bread as the last bit of twilight faded from the sky.
As Elena stretched out on her blanket, Gareth surveyed their surroundings. "I'd have us keep watch tonight. I'd not like to be caught unawares."
"What Englishman could find his way through a Welsh forest during daylight, much less on a moonless night?" Cynan asked.
"The moon will be up later and an Englishman searching for a traitor will find his way through nearly anything."
"I'll take first watch," Bryant volunteered.
Gareth nodded. "Wake me in a few hours. I got plenty of sleep last night and should be fine to watch the rest of the night."
"Is that wise?" Bryant asked.
"I'll be fine."
Cynan laughed softly. "You'll hear no arguments from me, Gareth. Bedding down with Bryant in that tiny room was no treat, I can assure you. He kicks and snores. I haven't slept less since I was a newlywed!"
Gareth shook his head at his friend. "How Enid has stayed married to you will forever be a wonder to me," he said as he stretched out on the ground.
"It's only because he's gone so much that she's able to stand him," Bryant joked.
"Perhaps she's hoping he'll die young and leave her money to find herself a new man." Gareth proposed.
"Ha! You're both wrong." Effecting a poetic tone of voice, Cynan said, "Beneath this craggy face of mine is the heart of a lover and 'tis that alone which keeps her with me." He glanced at his friends a moment to see if they believed him and then added, "Well, that and my virile manhood."
Both Gareth and Bryant laughed, their early antagonism gone.
"You should have left it at 'the heart of a lover,'" gasped Bryant.
"'Twould have been more believable," added Gareth.
"A pox on the both of you!" Cynan said good-naturedly.
Chapter 13
"Gareth," Bryant whispered as he gently shook his friend awake.
"Is there trouble?" Gareth asked, instantly alert.
"Not a sound, but I'm falling asleep on my feet. I hope I haven't woken you too soon."
Gareth looked at the position of the stars. "You were on watch a lot longer than you think. Now get some sleep."
Gareth stood and stretched his arms over his head. Carefully placing his feet with each step, he walked around the perimeter of their small camp, patting the horses reassuringly when he reached them. Circling back to where Elena had been sleeping, he panicked at the sight of her empty blanket. When he realized that she was only heading into a small clump of bushes by the stream, he resisted the urge to call her back. Surely there was nothing to worry about. Cynan had been right. No English soldier would be able to track them through this forest. And yet, some instinctive feeling had made him put the watch on tonight when a few weeks before they had all slept soundly within a few miles of the English border.
Elena returned a few minutes later but instead of moving to her bedroll, approached him and asked, "Is everything alright?"
"Oh, fine."
"You don't sound terribly convinced."
"It's just that I have this feeling..."
"What sort of feeling?" Elena asked as she sat on the ground at his feet.
Gareth struggled to explain it. "Sometimes I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach. It's like my insides are tied in a knot that grows tighter and tighter. My father used to call it my sense of doom because I was sure it meant something bad was about to happen."
"And did it?"
"Usually, no. But sometimes it was right and it saved my hide each time."
"When was the last time that happened."
"The day Richard's entourage was attacked."
Elena rubbed her arms and she quickly glanced around her, trying to peer into the dark of the forest. "What do you think is going to happen?" she whispered.
Gareth gave a soft, self-deprecating laugh. "Unfortunately, my stomach never tells me that." Sensing that Elena was frightened, he sat on his heels and said reassuringly, "Actually, I'm sure nothing is going to happen. In my whole life I've probably had this feeling a hundred times and it's been correct exactly twice. Since it worked last month, I'm not due for another right premonition for at least a couple of years."
Elena nodded her head and was about to speak when a horse whinnied far off in the woods. She jumped when Gareth put his hand over her mouth, but remained still, shaking slightly. He leaned close to her and for a moment, in that crazy way the brain has of conjuring abstract images, Gareth wished he could kiss her. Instead, he pressed his mouth against her ear and whispered faintly, "As quietly as possible, stand up and tie your skirts up so they won't be in the way. Then I want you to wake Bryant. Cynan always grunts and moans when he awakes so have Bryant put his hand over his mouth when you wake him. I'm going to get the horses."
He started to move away but Elena grabbed his arm fra
ntically. In the darkness of the forest, her face was no more than a pale blur, but Gareth sensed her fear. Squeezing her hand reassuringly, he helped her to her feet.
Elena hitched her skirts to her knees and secured them as tightly as possible. Turning, she crept over to the nearest sleeping form. To her relief she saw that it was Bryant and she laid her hand on his chest, gently shaking him. His eyes opened immediately and when he saw her he sat up. Before he could speak she put her finger across her lips and whispered Gareth's instructions in his ear. Bryant nodded and quietly rolled to his feet. Elena quickly gathered up the blankets and rolled them into tight bundles. Turning, she discovered that Bryant had been able to awaken Cynan without so much as a peep. They all jumped when the crack of another twig was followed by the sound of bushes being brushed aside. Joining Gareth who had managed to saddle the horses, Cynan gestured behind them where they had heard the last noise. Gareth nodded as he took the blankets from Elena and strapped them to his saddle. He pointed in the direction of the stream and indicated that they should walk rather than ride. Cynan and Bryant took the reins of their horses and disappeared into the blackness of the trees.
Gareth put Isrid's reins in Elena's hands and whispered in her ear, "Follow Bryant and walk as quietly as possible." Elena was about to object but Gareth put his hand to her mouth and said, "I have to see if it is the English. We may be fleeing from a family of rabbits." With a quick kiss to her forehead, he turned and was gone. Elena tugged on Isrid's reins and set off after Bryant's horse, trying desperately to worry about her own safety rather than Gareth's. Low-hanging branches scratched her cheeks and caught at her hair but she simply gritted her teeth and pushed on, wincing at the rustle of leaves underfoot, terrified that whoever was behind them could surely hear her heart thumping in fear. They pushed on for what Elena felt must have been hours but was probably only a couple of minutes when a hand came out of the gloom and clamped itself over her mouth. She was about to struggle when the owner of the hand whispered, "It's me, Gareth." Nearly faint with relief, Elena allowed him to pull her along after him as he caught up to Cynan and Bryant.
"I didn't hear them say anything, but if they're not soldiers, I don't know who they are. There are at least a dozen of them and they're all heavily armed," he whispered.
"Do they know we're here?" Bryant asked, looking worriedly at Elena.
"I think not. They would have attacked right away if they knew we were here."
"How can you be sure they're even after us?" Elena asked.
"Twelve armed men roaming the Welsh forest in the middle of the night are not out for fun. They're looking for someone and I'd rather not take the chance that we're not just who they're looking for," Gareth explained.
"A man who rode into town just before we left said they were looking for a group of traitors," Cynan told Elena.
Elena's eyes widened. "The abbess told the English captain you were going to meet with Henry's supporters. That's why I came after you--to warn you. They must still be trying to catch you."
"Why didn't you mention that earlier?" Gareth asked.
"I did--you never paid attention to what I said," Elena shot back.
"Shh!" hissed Bryant as he cocked his head, trying to hear if they were being followed.
"We'd best split up," said Cynan. "If they have three trails to follow, it may confuse them enough to go home."
Gareth laughed shortly. "I wouldn't count on it."
Cynan's teeth gleamed white in the dark as he smiled broadly. "It's worth a try, isn't it?"
"That's the stupidest idea I've ever heard," said Bryant in a harsh whisper. "And I've heard plenty of stupid ideas from you."
"He's right, Bryant," Gareth said. "If they have any sort of tracker with them, they'll be able to tell that there are four of us and that we're headed in the direction of Aberystwyth."
"In the middle of the night?" Bryant asked skeptically.
Before Gareth could respond, Cynan broke in, "Last I heard, Geraint Vaughan was seen around Dinas Mawddwy. He can track a rabbit through a rainstorm."
When Bryant said nothing, Gareth said, "We're only a day's ride from Aberystwyth. We'll meet there and warn the others the English are aware of our plans."
"I still don't think it's safe," argued Bryant.
"Nothing is safe when men are battling for a crown," Elena murmured to herself.
Cynan who overheard laughed softly and said, "True, but I'd wager it's much safer than if women were battling for it!"
"Nonsense, women would--"
Gareth put a hand over her mouth, his whole body tensed as he listened to twigs breaking and branches rustling. Gesturing to Cynan and Bryant to go in different directions, he took Elena's hand and led her to the south and west. Bryant started to object, but Cynan's hand on his arm stopped him and with one last glance at Elena, Bryant headed due west. Cynan waited one more moment before leading his horse toward the north.
***
Elena was practically asleep on her feet. It was all she could do to keep up with Gareth as she held onto the rope attached to Isrid's saddle that Gareth had given her so she wouldn't lose her way in the dark. It was now pitch black. The dark before the dawn, Elena thought. The moon had long since set and Elena could not even see her hand in front of her face. She had no idea how Gareth was able to lead them without hesitation through the dense forest.
The rope tugged in her hand. She had stopped without even realizing it. She tried to take a step forward, but her tired feet refused to budge and she fell in a heap on the soft padding of many years' accumulation of pine needles and moss. Though her cheek was pressed against the damp musty leaves and a rock was digging into her side, Elena thought she had never been so comfortable. I'll just rest here a few minutes, she thought, and then I'll catch up with Gareth.
"Elena, are you all right?" Gareth whispered urgently as he rolled her over.
Ah, she thought as she lay on her back, this is even more comfortable. Her eyes closed with no further urging.
"Elena!" Gareth said more loudly.
Dragging her eyes open, she tried to see Gareth's face. "I'm so tired, Gareth," she murmured.
"I know sweetheart, but we really have to keep moving. I have no idea if we're being followed or not."
Elena nodded and pushed herself up. She hadn't stood more than a second before her knees buckled and she started to sink to the ground again. Gareth caught her and swinging her up into his arms said, "I'll put you on Isrid. I can't believe I made you walk all this way. What an idiot I am. Cynan would box my ears if he knew how stupid I was..." He continued to mutter to himself, but Elena was too tired to try to understand what he was saying.
Gareth heaved her into the saddle and lay her against Isrid's neck. Gathering up the rope she had held onto, he lashed her to the horse so she would not fall off. Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he took Isrid's reins and continued forging a path through the dark forest.
***
Gareth stopped in a sheltered glade and stretched his arms over his head, grimacing at the tightness in his back from so much walking. The sun had been up for almost an hour and he had neither heard nor seen signs that they were being followed. He prayed that Cynan and Bryant had gotten away safely and that their decision to split up had not been a foolish one. Gareth turned and scratched Isrid's ears. Would that the soldiers he had trained with this year past were as uncomplaining and dependable.
"A double portion of oats for you when we reach Aberystwyth if I have to sell my sword to get them," he promised Isrid who nudged his shoulder softly in return. Gareth's smile faded as he turned his attention to Elena who was still sound asleep, sprawled awkwardly over Isrid's back and neck. Brushing her tangled hair back from her face, he studied her pale features. There was a smudge of dirt on her cheek. He carefully wiped it off, wondering not for the first time in the last few days at the change in her. She had ceased complaining, had not even shown fear when they were being pursued. She had, in fact, risked her life to war
n them of Richard's soldiers. Cynically, Gareth tried to determine if she had anything to gain from her actions, but he could think of nothing. Why, then, the change? Baffled, he untied the rope that secured her to Isrid and gently lifted her down, laying her in the thick grass under a tall oak. Taking Isrid's saddle off, he rubbed the tired animal down and gave it what was left in the feed bag. With the sack of food the innkeeper's wife had given them in one hand, he stretched out beside Elena.
Elena stirred and slowly pushed herself up. "I'm starving," she said, her voice husky with sleep. Gareth offered her cheese and the last half loaf of bread. Elena took a large wedge of cheese and ripped the bread in half, handing Gareth his portion. They said nothing as they devoured the humble fare and drained the wine in the flask.
When the food and wine were gone, Elena leaned back against the tree and took a deep breath.
"That feels so much better," she said, patting her stomach and closing her eyes.
Gareth nodded, unsure of what to say. Suddenly, Elena sat up straight.
"What about those men? Are we being followed?"
Gareth shook his head. "I don't think so. We made pretty good time and I didn't hear anything other than an owl or two."
Elena relaxed back against the tree, her eyes on Gareth as he rolled up the empty food sack and stuffed it in the bundles tied to the saddle.
"How long can we rest here?" she asked. He had had but a few hours of sleep and could not possibly have the energy to continue much longer.
"Perhaps half an hour at best."
"How much further do we have to travel to reach Aberystwyth?"
"Four, maybe five hours," he said, his eyes closing drowsily.
Elena nodded. She watched Gareth loose the battle against sleep. He slumped down against the tree, his head cocked at what looked to be an uncomfortable angle, his brow furrowed as if even in sleep he was worrying about their safety. Of its own volition, Elena's hand reached out towards him. She jerked it back, but after staring at him a moment longer, she reached out again and eased him onto his side. Pulling a blanket from the saddle, she propped it under his head and smoothed his unruly hair.
A Dishonorable Knight Page 14
