Page 20 of Unconquered

"She really has gone," Garnier murmured as he looked around the camp, astonished to see only May and the children.

"Where has she gone, May?" Drogo asked with a calm he did not feel as he leaned forward on the pommel of his saddle and looked down at the nervous young woman.

"She went to try to save Sirs Tancred and Unwin.

She did wait for you, sir, but said that there was no time left."

"Did she go alone?"

"Oh, no, sir.

She took Ivo, Godwin, and Brun."

"Godwin and Brun?"

May nodded.

"Sir Guy had five men, so she felt Sirs Tancred and Unwin needed nearly that number as well."

"How did she know how many men Sir Guy rode with?"

"Godwin told her.

He came here to tell her that he had heard Sir Guy and his friends plot against Sirs Tancred and Unwin.

That was when Eada's voice told her that there was no time left to wait.

This murder had to be stopped."

"Did she linger long enough to tell you where this murder is to occur? I had hoped that she could lead us to the place she saw in her dream." Drogo had to smile when May closed her eyes and carefully described the place Eada had seen in her dream.

He could easily see Eada doing the same as she had related the information to May.

"That was well done," he said when she finished and looked up at him.

"I believe I know where that is.

One last question did they intend to fight off six armed men with only their bare hands?"

"Ivo was armed, and he carried two swords with him."

Drogo nodded and turned his mount in the direction Eada had gone.

With Serle and Garnier right behind him, he made his way through the crowded camp with as much speed as he could.

The moment he was free of the tangle of people, carts, animals, and tents, he spurred his horse to a gallop.

Although he felt certain that Sir Guy and his cohorts would flee once they were faced with any real opposition and once the chance of committing their crime in secrecy was gone, he was eager to reach Eada before she faced any real danger.

"Are you sure this is the place?" asked Brun as he looked around the wooded area where Eada had demanded they stop.

"Yes," she replied as she slid off the horse and rubbed her backside.

"We must wait here."

"And this murder will be brought to us, will it?" Brun dismounted along with Ivo and Godwin and lightly tied his horse to a tree.

"You need not sound so scornful.

We have arrived first, that is all." She smiled at Brun.

"You ride very fast."

He ignored her flattery.

"Mayhap your gifts allowed you to find the quickest way to reach this place.

I will admit that there were a few times I thought you were mad when you insisted that I had to take that turn or follow that route."

"Since I have never been here, I think it was my inner voices directing me."

"Do you think those voices will be kind enough to tell us what to do when six battle-hardened and armed knights ride into view?"

Eada glared at Brun, Godwin, and Ivo when they all laughed.

She was not really angry with their teasing, but she did wonder how they could be in such a good humor.

Her instincts told her that being there would be enough to stop the attempt at murder, but she could not know that for certain.

Neither could they.

They could also be facing a hard battle, even death or wounding.

It seemed an odd time for teasing and laughter.

"Do not look so worried, Eada," said Godwin.

"Someone needs to worry, I think."

"Sir Guy will flee like the coward he is as soon as he knows that Sirs Tancred and Unwin have been warned and that they are not alone."

"That is what I think, but then I wonder if we can be so certain of how the man will act.

This attempt to murder two knights is madness, is it not? This is nothing more than an act of spite.

How many men do you know who would kill two people just to hurt one?" She nodded when her three companions began to frown.

"Maybe Sir Guy's hatred of Drogo has turned his mind.

It is hard to know what a madman will do."

Ivo nodded and took the swords from his saddle, handing them to Godwin and Brun.

"You may need these."

"It would be a blessing if we could kill Sir Guy here and now," muttered Brun as he buckled on his sword.

"It would be," agreed Eada.

"I cannot be sure if tonight is the time of his death or not.

The fact that I do not feel sure probably means that he will escape the justice he deserves at least one more time."

"Someone comes," Brun whispered, pushing Eada behind him as he crept closer to the rutted path that was the road to London.

Eada edged around him only enough to get a clear view.

The horses were coming down the road, and she knew that it had to be Tancred and Unwin.

It also meant that Sir Guy and his men had to be close at hand, yet she saw no sign of them.

She began to fear that she had led her group to the wrong place.

"Look over there, Eada," whispered Brun, pointing to a thick grouping of trees just across the road.

"I believe our enemy lurks within.

You have brought us within feet of them."

"I wish I could be pleased about that," she murmured as she caught the glitter of moonlight on armor glinting through the trees.

"What should we do?"

"Put ourselves somewhere between them and those blind fools riding down the road," he said, hurrying toward the approaching Tancred and Unwin.

She, Ivo, and Godwin quickly followed him.

He darted out onto the road just past a sharp turn which hid them from Sir Guy and his friends.

Eada followed him, her heart pounding so hard and fast she feared Sir Guy would hear it.

She was not sure why Brun was trying to keep Sir Guy unaware of their presence, but decided to bow to his wisdom in such matters.

Tancred and Unwin were talking and laughing as they came into view.

It did not look as if they were taking any extra cautions, she thought a little sourly.

They halted so abruptly, their horses reared, kicking up a lot of dust.

Eada coughed and glared at them.

"Eada?" Tancred said in a small, hoarse voice as he rode closer to her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked as he looked at her and her three companions.

"Are Brun and Godwin wearing swords?"

"Yes," she replied sharply.

"It might be wise if you spoke more softly.

Voices can travel a long distance on such a still night, and you will warn the men waiting for you around the bend in the road."

He and Unwin quickly placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

"Your dream was true?"

Eada made no attempt to hide her exasperation.

"It was, and if you had paid more heed to it, I would not be standing here in the dark and the cold, forced to the ungrateful task of saving your lives."

Tancred ignored that and turned to Brun.

It annoyed Eada to be so completely overlooked as the men discussed what they had to do next.

It annoyed her even more when she was ordered to stay behind with Godwin as the other four went to face their enemy.

"You will be safer here," said Godwin as he tugged her to the edge of the road.

Before she could give her opinion on that, she heard the distinct sound of swords clashing with swords.

Godwin held her back when she took a step toward the sound.

After a brief moment of trying to tug free, she gave in and stayed where she was.

Although she wanted to see what was happening, to assure herself that her friends were all right, she realized that she would only be in the way.

She was so intent on listening, on trying to guess what was happening by the sounds she heard, that she was startled into crying out when a horse suddenly snorted behind her.

It fleetingly pleased her to hear Godwin gasp as well and know that he was caught equally unawares.

Her heart in her throat, she turned around slowly and nearly gaped when she found Drogo, Serle, and Garnier right behind her.

"You are very quiet horsemen," she said and met Drogo's steady look with a wavering smile.

"And you are a very troublesome woman," he drawled.

"I remembered to bring someone with me this time."

"Ye-es, and I will have to talk to you about arming Saxons.

Do not move from this place," he advised her as he moved around her and galloped down the road, a grinning Serle and equally amused Garnier right behind him.

Eada waited a few minutes before following them, a softly cursing Godwin right behind her.

She knew that Sir Guy and his men would never linger to face three more armed men.

It did not surprise her to find Drogo and the others standing around in the road.

Two of Guy's companions had paid dearly for his plot, and she quickly hurried past the two bodies sprawled on the ground.

"I thought I told you to stay back there," Drogo said even as he draped his arm around her shoulders and tugged her close to his side.

"I did until the danger was past," she replied.

"Sir Guy?"

"Fled with his remaining friends.

I am not sure, but I think one more of them will fall before he can reach camp."

"It would have been a true victory if we could have ended that adder's life here," said Brun as he relinquished his sword to Tancred.

"He may yet pay for this.

Even if his uncle can save him from William's punishment, this will destroy him." Drogo nodded toward the two dead men Serle and Garnier were securing to the back of the horses left behind.

"I have all the proof I need that he tried to murder you.

We all saw him, even if it was only as he fled for his life, and everyone knows these two are his men."

"But you do not think he will be punished harshly by William?" asked Eada.

"Tancred and Unwin are still alive.

That could be enough for his uncle to win him a reprieve.

But I promise you, he will be as nothing and he will never be able to cast aside the disgrace he has brought upon himself with this black deed."

"Which means he will truly be mad with hate for you."

It did not comfort Eada at all when Drogo's answer was a shrug.

She remained lost in her worry as they returned to camp, almost glad that he had to leave her there and immediately return to William's court.

As she sat down before the fire, she closed her eyes and tried to will her voices to tell her something, but they remained silent.

"All will be well," said Godwin as he sat down beside her.

She managed a smile for the youth.

"It will be for you.

That is a victory in itself."

Godwin smiled as Welcome and Eric cuddled up to his side.

"Drogo feels certain that no one will argue with his claim to me.

He feels sure that he can ask any price to soothe the insult Sir Guy has delivered tonight and he has sworn that the price he will ask is me."

"I believe Sir Guy delivered more than a mere insult tonight."

"Yes, but his uncle is a powerful man and has given William a lot of help with this battle.

It takes a heavy purse to bring such an army here and a lot of the coin came from Lord Bergeron."

Eada nodded, disappointed but understanding how that could keep Sir Guy from suffering the punishment he deserved.

"Where is Brun?"

"He has already sought his bed." Godwin caught her lightly by the arm when she started to rise.

"Do not worry.

He has not hurt himself.

He is just tired.

He is healed but he has yet to regain his full strength.

At least he has the wisdom to recognize the need to rest."

"True.

I wish this night had been the end of Sir Guy."

"We all do."

"I know.

It is just that I have a very bad feeling about him.

I cannot be sure if it is a warning from my voice or just the hate I have begun to feel for the man."

"That confusion will clear."

"I pray it will.

I believe I shall have a great need for my voices to be exact and loud in the days to come."

Drogo waited impatiently as William and Lord Bergeron talked.

The man's gestures and pale, tight expression made it obvious that Lord Bergeron was in the unenviable position of pleading for Sir Guy's life.

Drogo also knew that William would give the man what he wanted this time for he owed Lord Bergeron a great deal.

He just wished they would hurry and settle the matter.

He had yet to ask for Godwin and he was eager to get back to camp, back to Eada.

When Lord Bergeron finally stepped back from William, Drogo walked over even as William signaled him to join him.

He could tell by the dark look on William's face that none of this pleased him.

Drogo prayed that he was not entangled in that anger.

Although Drogo was not at fault, William could not always be counted on to be completely fair.

"I cannot punish Sir Guy except to banish him from my court." William held up his hand when Drogo started to speak.

"You took the life of two of what few friends the fool had.

Let that be enough.

Also, this cowardly act will not be kept a secret, so he will pay in many other ways." He glanced at Lord Bergeron.

"And the fool has lost all his protections as of this night."

Out of the corner of his eye, Drogo saw Lord Bergeron nod and felt a sense of relief.

He could now act openly against Sir Guy.

The man had thrown away the shield he had been able to hide behind for so long.

"I was not going to argue your decision, my liege," Drogo said.

"I wish to ask a blood price of Sir Guy.

My men survived, but murder was what was planned."

William frowned.

"Sir Guy does not have much coin."

"It is not coin I ask for.

I want the boy Godwin."

"You want Sir Guy's young prisoner?" William asked in surprise.

"Yes.

It was Godwin who warned us of Sir Guy's murderous plots.

I believe it is no secret that the boy is badly treated by Sir Guy.

That treatment could worsen dangerously now and I wish to save him from that.

I owe him the lives of my men, and it is the least I can do for him."

"Done.

Do you have any objection, my lord?" William asked Bergeron, who shook his head.

"Then when you tell that fool nephew of yours that you have managed to save his miserable life one last time, you may also tell him that he is to allow that boy to stay with Sir Drogo and had better never again lay a hand on the youth."

Lord Borgeron bowed and strode out of the great hall.

Drogo felt sure that when his lordship found his nephew, Sir Guy would pay dearly.

Not dearly enough, but it would do for now.

"You are free," Drogo announced as he sat down beside Eada and smiled across the fire at Godwin.

He laughed when Godwin thanked him profusely.

The boy then gathered up the sleepy children and hurried away to find the bed Ivo had prepared for him.

Drogo looked at Eada, who only smiled her gratitude, and he knew immediately that something troubled her.

"Tell me, what is wrong?" He draped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek.

"Your friend is free of Sir Guy's brutal grasp.

That should please you."

"It does.

I just wish we were also free of the man."

Drogo sighed and then nodded.

"We are free of all that has made us hesitate to act.

Not only has Lord Bergeron saved his nephew for the last time, but William himself has torn away all protection.

Now, if Sir Guy threatens us, we can act without restraint."

"That is good news."

"But his body hanging from a tree would have pleased you more."

"Yes, and I am a little ashamed at my bloodthirsty feelings."

"They could never equal the ones I have toward the man." He glanced toward Sir Guy's camp.

"Have you seen him?"

"I saw Lord Bergeron drag him inside the tent not long before you returned.

Neither man has emerged."

"Maybe we shall have some luck and Lord Bergeron will kill him in a fit of rage and disgust."

Eada suddenly laughed.

"I think I would have heard that."

"It was just an idle hope."

Drogo stood up and held out his hand.

Smiling faintly, Eada rose and slipped her hand into his.

It had been a long and eventful night and she would welcome her bed.

Glancing.

up at Drogo's face and seeing the way he was looking at her caused her smile to widen.

It would be awhile before he would let her go to sleep.

The moment they stepped inside the tent, Drogo began to undress her.

Eada laughed and tried to undo his laces even as he was tugging her clothing off.

He tumbled her down onto the sheepskin bedding before the fire and she greedily welcomed him into her arms.

“You are beautiful," he said when they had finally cast off all their clothes and he crouched over her, studying her by the warming light of the fire.

"You are most fair yourself," she murmured, smoothing her hands over his chest.

Drogo slowly kissed his way down her soft body.

"If I tell you that you taste as sweet as the richest honey, are you going to say that I, too, am sweet?"

She laughed and threaded her fingers through his slowly growing hair.

When he curled his tongue around the hardened tip of her breast, she purred her pleasure and arched into his caress.

Her passion swept over her with a dizzying speed and strength.

Eada wondered if the excitement of the night had helped to fire her blood.

She cupped his head in her hands as he lathed and suckled her breasts, stirring her desire until she found it hard to remain still.

When his kisses slid lower, she murmured her regret as he moved out of her reach.

He touched a kiss to the inside of her thigh and she opened to him without shyness or hesitation.

A hoarse cry of delight escaped her as he gave her the most intimate of kisses.

She surrendered completely to the pleasure he stirred within her, arching to the strokes of his tongue.

He cupped her backside in his hands and took full advantage of her openness.

Eada could feel her body crying out for release but she fought it.

The feelings racing through her body were so exquisite she wanted to savor them for as long as possible.

When her body broke the restraints she had imposed upon it, she cried out for Drogo to join her, but he held her close, praising the sweetness of her body.

Eada had barely begun to recover from the blinding pleasure that had torn through her body when Drogo restirred her passion.

This time when she called to him he joined her, uniting his body with hers even as she shuddered with the power of her release.

As she sank into the mists of desire's highest reward, she heard him call her name and felt him bury himself deep within her.

Eada slowly opened her eyes as Drogo finished gently bathing her.

She watched him walk to the bucket of water, and hastily rinse himself off—and decided that he was a beautiful man.

When he returned to their bed and pulled her into his arms, she curled herself around him.

She waited for embarrassment and shame to taint the warmth still heating her blood, but it did not come.

Eada realized that she no longer worried if something they did was a sin.

Her modesty was not completely dead, for she always covered herself when the passion faded and doubted that she would stop blushing when Drogo made love to her in the light of day as he sometimes was inclined to do; but she knew she was now free of the shyness that had often restricted their lovemaking.

That change within herself pleased her, and she smiled against his chest as she smoothed her hand over his stomach.

"Do we continue to march on the morrow?" she asked, toying with the dark curls below his navel.

"Yes.

As the sun rises.

I must ride to the fore of the army with William again."

"He obviously wants your sword skills near at hand."

"I would like to think so."

"If it is so then your reward when he is crowned should be very good."

"That would also please me.

At times my greed for such gain shames me, but it does not cure me.

After a moment or two of self-chastisement, the greed returns."

"It is not greed.

You merely seek a better life than being a hired sword.

No one can fault you for that."

She touched a kiss to his, chest, suddenly wanting to divert him from talk of rewards and what would happen when they reached London and William was declared king.

She wondered if he had even thought about what would happen to her, but she did not really want to know.

If he had not, that would hurt her as much as the lack of love-words did.

The safest thing was to avoid all talk of the future.

"I would have thought you would be very tired," he said in an increasingly husky voice as she began to cover his chest with soft kisses and light, teasing strokes of her tongue.

"I think riding to battle has left me with very hot blood," she drawled and smiled when he shuddered beneath the kisses with which she covered his hard stomach.

"You had nothing to do with the battle except to show us where it would be."

"Do you mean to talk me out of my boldness?"

When she slid her hand down to stroke his hardening manhood, he groaned and shook his head.

"No.

That would be madness."

Eada laughed against his stomach, slowly praising every inch of his strong body with her mouth, kissing her way down one strong leg and up the other.

The way he trembled and shifted beneath her gave her a heady sense of power that fired her blood.

His hoarse cry of delight when she finally turned her attentions to his manhood inspired her.

Drogo struggled to keep control of his passion when he felt her warm lips against him.

The fact that they had already made love helped him.

It was a moment before he realized that Eada was trying to help him linger in that place where he could enjoy her attentions yet not have to end them because of the demands of his body.

That she had learned his body so well only added to his pleasure.

He slowly sat up, threading his fingers through her hair.

His breathing was almost painfully hard and fast as he watched her love him.

He caressed every inch of her he could reach as she pleasured him, struggling to control the pace of their lovemaking with as much skill as she was revealing.

The way she kept him on the sharp edge of passion's abyss astounded and pleased him.

Drogo had never experienced anything as sweet or as beautiful.

Finally, when he could wait no longer to bury himself in her warmth, he lifted her in his arms.

They both shuddered as she eased their bodies together.

Drogo held her by the hips and moved her slowly, still trying to prolong the sweetness of their desire.

He took the hard tip of her breast deep in his mouth and felt her shudder against him and knew they could wait no longer to satisfy the demands of their bodies.

For one brief heady moment, their movements grew fierce, and then she cried out, clutching him as she tried to pull him closer, pressing herself down.

He held her tightly as his own release ripped through his body, leaving him gasping and shaken.

Drogo looked down at the woman in his arms.

She had fallen asleep even as he had cleaned them off.

His body still tingled from the delights they had shared and he felt pleasurably weary, yet sleep was proving elusive.

Try as he might, he could not stop the thoughts that crowded into his mind.

Soon they would be in London.

The end of their journey was but days away.

All the decisions he had tried to avoid would be there waiting for him.

It was probably past time that he gave his future some thought.

One thing he was sure of was that he did not want to lose Eada, but he feared he might not be given any choice in the matter.

He wanted her so badly that he knew he would willingly shame them both just to hold her at his side.

He also knew that she would fight such shame, that her pride would not allow her to be no more than his leman.

Drogo feared that the choices he would have to make would be painful.

He needed Eada and he needed lands.

Common sense told him that he would not be able to have both.

"William was right all those days ago in Pevensey," he murmured as he touched a kiss to her hair.

"He said I had captured myself a troublesome bundle.

But, troublesome as you are, I pray that I can keep you."