A Dishonorable Knight(54)

"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.