Medieval Master Swordsmen(22)

Two of the remaining enemy men bolted outside when they saw that they were alone in their battle against the earl’s men. Rhys, the earl and another of the earl’s knights followed them. One knight remained behind in case there were more foes lurking in the inn. With the room suddenly quiet but for the groaning of the dying, David and Elizabeau rose from their protected position.

“Edward,” David moved towards the remaining knight, surveying the carnage around him. “How many more are there?”

The tall, dark knight with the golden eyes shook his head. “We counted at least twelve,” he sighed heavily, his gaze finding Elizabeau. “We had hoped they had not followed us this far but I see we were wrong. God knows, they seem to find us every time. The lady is in astounding danger, David. We must remove her immediately.”

David nodded, looking at the rather pale lady beside him and remembering his manners. “Edward, this is the Lady Elizabeau Treveighan,” he said. “I do not believe you have been formally introduced yet. My lady, this is Sir Edward de Wolfe. He serves my brother.”

Elizabeau nodded at Edward as the knight bowed gallantly. She was, in fact, feeling the least bit queasy, both with fear and with the gore surrounding her. But in spite of her shock, she noticed that David was struggling with the arrow in his shoulder and she gently suggested that he sit so that they could remove the arrow. He refused, twice, until Edward finally forced him to sit. While Elizabeau gingerly held on to him, Edward yanked the arrow from the man’s shoulder.

Edward tossed the arrow to the floor as he examined the wound; it was clean and not too terribly deep. David didn’t seem to think anything of it and was demanding to find his brother to help in the hunt for more enemy soldiers. Edward, a calm man with a diplomatic air about him, refused to let the man rise and just as Elizabeau was sure they were going to enter into a physical confrontation, the earl, Rhys and another knight returned to the common room.

Elizabeau realized, very quickly, that she was happy and relieved to see Rhys. He appeared unharmed in spite of the vicious sword battle she had witnessed. His gaze fell on her as he moved towards her.

“Are you all right?” he asked quietly. “You weren’t injured in any way?”

She shook her head, resisting the urge to smile at him. “I am well,” she gestured at David, still sitting on the chair next to her. “But Sir David was injured. Sir Edward removed the arrow.”

Rhys peered more closely at David, attempting to gain a look at his wound, but David waved him off. “A scratch,” he declared irritably. “A tickle, in fact. But this old woman will not let me go about my business.”

He was referring to Edward, who merely lifted an eyebrow at him. “It needs to be sutured,” he said.

“Bah,” David stood up, hand over the wound as he timidly rotated the shoulder. “It is well enough. I’ll live.”

While David and Edward bickered, the earl moved to Elizabeau and Rhys. She could see by the look on his face that he was a man with a good deal on his mind.

“I suppose our most recent clash has indicated that John’s spies have located you once again,” he said quietly.

“Do you know that for sure, my lord?” Rhys asked.

“There can be no other alternative. Who else would have taken a shot at her?”

Rhys shrugged. “There are those who believe I am a wealthy baron. It could be robbers.” He looked around. “I see that our merchant friend has vanished. Perhaps he is behind the attack.”

Christopher lifted an eyebrow in thought. “It is possible, but we cannot take that chance. You will leave at once, ride south, then change direction and ride back north and west into Wales. Take refuge at your mother’s home without further delay. No more inns, no stopping. You must ride hard for safety. I will meet you when I can, either at your mother’s home or at Ogmore.”

Rhys was well aware that it would be a difficult trip for the lady. His mother’s home was at least four days away, and that was at a normal rate of travel. What the earl was asking him to do would tax the heartiest of men. Yet they had no choice.

“Aye, my lord,” he replied, taking the lady’s elbow. “I shall not fail.”

The earl clapped a big hand on Rhys’ shoulder but his eyes were fixed on Elizabeau. He regarded her carefully.

“You have done well so far, my lady,” he said quietly. “Pray continue to listen to Rhys and to do what he tells you. He will keep you safe.”

Elizabeau merely nodded, unsure what to say to him. She was coming to feel increasingly guilty that all of these men were risking their lives for her. She was a reluctant heiress at best; now she was wondering if she was worthy of this devotion. Before she could formulate a proper response, Rhys gently guided her back to their upturned table and collected the satchel with her new things.