Winter Blossom: A Journeys of the Heart Romance by Rebecca Ward

Author:Rebecca Ward [Ward, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: White Glove
Published: 2014-02-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“I HADN’T THOUGHT YOU COULD BE SO CLEVER!” Zanna breathed.

They were walking homeward after the long, ceremonious dinner had come to an end. It had been a successful evening. Lord Azuma at table was a jovial, almost thoughtful host, and they had been plied with sake, excellent food and entertainment. Lord Azuma had questioned Alex about England and the London Company, but had steered clear of any business talk, instead expressing a desire to see Alex again in a day’s time. Acceptance, hospitality and a private audience, all in one glorious, heady day!

“It’s more than I ever expected,” Alex admitted, and laughed out loud as Zanna actually gave a little skip beside him. She looked about twelve years old, and her eyes were sparkling in the uncertain light of lanterns held by the two sleepy apprentices. “What was that for, Madam Snowflower?”

“I am glad for you,” she said frankly. “I am also glad that I was able to help. I’ve been so afraid. . . .”

Suddenly, she stopped talking as Alex gripped her shoulder. “Hush,” he said softly. “Stop walking.”

“What is it?” She strained her hearing but could make out nothing but the sigh of a warm night wind that had blown out of the great parks surrounding the castle. “It is dark,” she went on nervously. “I think we’d better get back to the inn, my lord. There may be thieves about.”

He nodded, and they began to walk again, but quicker, and without any of their earlier pleasure. Zanna could read tension in Alex’s movements, and her every sense was pitched to catch the slightest change in sound or sight around them. “Alex,” she whispered worriedly, “there is nothing!”

And then she heard the soft slap-slap of straw sandals on the road behind them. “Someone’s following us, has been since we left the castle.” Alex’s voice was quietly grim. “Zanna, we aren’t far from the inn. You and these two hurry ahead. I’ll come after you.”

“No!” she protested. “What can you do? You don’t even have your sword—I made you leave it at the inn!”

The apprentices had heard the footsteps too, and were already ready for flight. Zanna spoke to them softly, sharply, and they pulled themselves together, moving closer to Alex and holding their lanterns high to try to pierce the darkness all around. Suddenly, one of them let out a scream and pointed.

“Here they come!”

Zanna saw them at the same moment— dark shadows running toward them swiftly, sandals slapping the dirt road as they came. “They’re all around us!” she screamed.

One of the apprentices turned and fled toward the inn, shouting for help, but the other began to flail his lantern as a weapon, shouting defiance of the faceless shadows. Then into the bobbing ring of light sprang a huge mountain of a man with flat, brutish features and cruel little eyes. In his hands he carried a huge wooden staff, and Zanna realized he was dressed as a traveling monk.

“Get behind me,” Alex shouted at her.

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