Chapter 18
The room stilled with tension and dread.
Marcus looked at Sage, and they simultaneously realized there was another assassin still out there.
She stood.
“You can’t remain here,” Marcus said, staring at her as he rose. He couldn’t let her stay. Not with another assassin after them. The assassin had no doubt seen the fight in the woods and knew Sage was involved. She was now in this as deep as he was. “We have to leave.”
She stepped to his side. “We can’t leave until your horse is shoed.”
Marcus glanced at the farmer and then back at Sage. “We can’t stay here. We don’t want to endanger their lives.”
Realization followed by concern dawned in her large eyes. “You don’t think he’d come here?”
“I’m not willing to risk it.”
Sage nodded and turned to the farmer, who had risen.
“We have horses you can use,” William suggested. “We’ll get food together for you. Whatever you need.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” Marcus insisted. Taking their kindness and involving them only endangered them further.
“You didn’t. I offered,” William said.
“It could put your lives in danger. I can’t ask you to help us,” Marcus asserted.
William grinned, glancing at Sage. “I’ve known the Hawkes for a long time. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Sage’s face twisted with gratitude. She embraced William. “Thank you.”
Marcus envied the connection they had, the friendship. He had friends, but none that would help him as William was doing.
Jacob, Agnes, Amy, and Emily returned carrying trenchers and mugs of ale.
William waved his hand. “Wrap it in cloth, Agnes. They are leaving. Jacob, saddle two of our best horses. Amy, Emily, help your ma get the food and ale ready for them.”
The younger farmers immediately moved to do William’s bidding. Agnes stood for a moment, staring at Sage with a crease of worry on her brow before she bowed her head and returned to the back room.
“Please be careful, William,” Sage pleaded.
William smiled. “We’ve done this before for your father.”
Marcus held out a hand. “Thank you.”
William clasped it just below the elbow. “You take care of her.”
Marcus nodded. “I will. You must take my horse when the blacksmith is done shoeing him.”
“When it is safe, I will be certain to do exactly that,” William agreed.
“When this is over, I’ll be back to pay you,” Sage promised.
William dismissed her statement with a wave. “You girls gave us our daughters. You owe us nothing. We owe you the world.”
Marcus led them to the door.
“Go out the back,” William called. “There is direct access to the forest.”
