“No. The Hungars are not very friendly with our kind. But they leave us be if we stay out of their way.”
Celina leaned up against Nicodemus. “They would have been very friendly to me, eh?”
Justina sat on the stump vacated by Rolando.
Aurora looked back at the castle. Then turned to Nicodemus. “Can we borrow one of your horses?”
Nicodemus smiled patiently. “It is not wise to travel at night. Besides, the horse’s steps would attract unwanted attention.”
The little girl stood at Aurora’s side, staring up at her with wide brown eyes.
Brown eyes that reminded Justina of Adam. A lump rose in her throat and she shot to her feet. They couldn’t stay here! They had to keep moving. “We should go.”
“Go?” Nicodemus echoed. “Where would you go? It is dark and not safe for two women to be traveling alone. Eat with us. Rest. We will play music for you and we will dance.”
Aurora met Justina’s gaze. Desperation filled her wide eyes.
“We will escort you to the castle in the morning,” Nicodemus promised. “For now, let us keep you safe.”
Celina started jingling the tambourine. Rolando began to tap the drums in a rhythmic sound.
Nicodemus took Justina’s hand gently, carefully and led her to the center of the camp. He began to move his hips, swaying from side to side and stomping his feet. “Come, girl. Dance.”
Justina could only stand still as tears rushed to her eyes. How could she dance when Adam was gone? How could she be happy? She shook her head.
Gerad stood from the spit, staring down the road. “A rider.”
“Here,” Nicodemus called, indicating the darker shadows of the wagon with a wave of his hand. “Behind the wagon. You must remain hidden.”
