Reckless by Tamara Leigh

Author:Tamara Leigh
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2020-09-29T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

T here was nothing special about the horse bolting through the wood in the direction from which Vitalis ran. It was a common palfrey and of an age that suggested whatever frightened it could prove responsible for its death. Even more unsettling on this day that Daryl brought a sizable force to Thetford was the horse was saddled and riderless. It might have naught to do with those who took refuge in the wood—merely an unseated poacher now injured or dead—but instinct urged Vitalis to run faster.

Not until he passed the falls and its rushing waters grew distant did he catch a sound that did not belong. Though too near to arise from camp, it was in that direction where the furthermost trap was set, and not of an animal fallen through the web of bound sticks covered in leaves and grass.

The shout was followed by words that cracked from a strained throat. “I am here! Help me!” And the Norman-accented voice belonged to a young man.

Vitalis could not be certain, but there was enough familiarity about it to suspect it was that of one who should not be in the wood unaccompanied. Were it any other who called for help, Vitalis would think it a trap, but he doubted De Warenne would use King William’s son as bait.

Hence, it seemed Prince Richard had abandoned his escort the same as done the day Vitalis and Nicola hunted on the ridge. Providing his keepers were distant, which seemed likely since the fleeing horse evidenced the youth had taken the first mount he could get astride without drawing notice, the danger to the two hiding in the wood was manageable. For now.

Fairly certain Nicola would have heard the cries for help, silently cursing the likelihood she could not long ignore those of a boy, Vitalis pushed harder a body whose build and weight were of greater advantage while wielding blades and fists. In Nicola’s absence, more easily he could beat back Normans who came searching for the prince and, if necessary, gain a hostage that would provide him and Nicola space and time to escape.

The intermittent cries growing hoarser and weaker, Vitalis paused to search the area for movement outside of nature. Finding none, he continued forward, traveling tree to tree until the hole came within sight.

It appeared no one was here save the youth below dragging noisy breaths which he loosed on groans and sobs.

Just as Vitalis decided to abandon his cover and approach the pit across open ground, he caught movement. He waited, and when it came again, saw it was one dressed as a man who traded the cover of a tree for a large bush, causing sunlight slipping through the canopy to reveal streaks of silver amid black hair.

What surprised was he was not terribly disappointed Nicola was here. She had not kept her word to remain in camp, but she had something of a good reason—an injured boy. Too, her advance was admirably cautious.

When next she drew nearer, Vitalis showed himself.

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