Crusade by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2012-05-15T20:55:51+00:00

25

The Docks, Acre 25 FEBRUARY A.D. 1277

“You’re not really here, are you?”

Will’s thoughts were broken by the voice. He turned, surprised by the question, and saw the weary resignation in Elwen’s face.

They were sitting together on one of the stone benches outside the customs house, their eyes blinded by the stark morning sun. The water in the harbor was lucent green, the distant waves that broke against the western mole tipped with glittery gold. Around them, dockworkers and fishermen were going noisily about their daily business. But Will, all his attention focused inward, had hardly noticed them.

He took Elwen’s hand, clasping it firmly. “I am here, I promise. I’m just preoccupied.”

“Are you thinking about Arabia?”

Will missed the anxiety in Elwen’s tone. “The journey itself will be hard enough, without what we’ve got to do at the end of it.” His gaze became distant again and his brow creased. “There are so many things that could go wrong.”

“Don’t say that, Will,” she said in a quiet tone. “Please.”

Will looked at her. “Perhaps I shouldn’t speak of it at all.” He sounded sharper than he’d meant to.

“You cannot blame me for being worried,” said Elwen, removing her hand from his. “And as for speaking of it, you’ve hardly told me anything. Not recently.”

“Because when I do you always become upset, and I don’t want you involved in this.” He sought her eyes, and when she didn’t look at him, he put a finger to her cheek and moved her gently to face him. “You know where I’m going and why. You don’t need to know the details.”

Elwen looked across the water at the rows of ships swaying like old, drunk men. She hadn’t told Will, but in reality knowing a little was worse than knowing nothing at all. It was like trying to look out of a dirty window, tantalizing and frustrating her that she couldn’t see the whole picture.

Will sucked his lip, then stretched out his legs. “So,” he said, trying to sound light, “what are you going to be doing for the next few weeks? The Easter fair is coming up soon. I expect Andreas will be keeping you busy.”

Elwen gave a small nod.

Will hesitated, then steeled himself. “Do you think you’ll see Garin?”

Elwen felt a shock of blood rise to her cheeks, hot and prickling. She averted her face, pretending to watch a group of fishermen hauling a net full of fish from a boat, in an effort to hide the blush. “I’ve no idea,” she said airily, keeping her tone noncommittal. “If we happen to meet one another, then I suppose I might.”

“Or if he comes to the house?”

Elwen turned quickly, guiltily. “The house?”

“Catarina told me a while ago,” said Will quietly, noting the color that had risen in her cheeks and fearing it. “She was asking me who he was.”

Elwen’s heart was thudding so fiercely that she thought Will must be able to feel it. She uneasily recalled all the times Garin had sought her out. Only last week he had come, bringing her a book, a romance she had been wanting to read.

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