Page 111 of Lionheart

"Lethim go, Vanora, and come to me," Lionheart called.

"Whois out there?" Daffid yelled when he saw his men break ranks and run.

"Vanora'sWelsh knights and villeins armed with bows and swords," Lionheart answered.

"Stayand fight!" Daffid called to his men. "Do not run away likecowards."

Anothervolley of arrows emerged from the dense veil of snow, and Vanora could now makeout shapes through the thick blanket of white. Lionheart's claim seemed to betrue, but Vanora could scarcely believe her villeins had taken her husband'sside against their own countrymen. She could see Sir Ren's hand in this andblessed his loyalty.

"Vanora!Come to me!" Lionheart yelled as he rode forward to meet her.

Vanora wastorn. If she removed the dagger from Daffid's throat, he and Lionheart wouldattack one another. She also knew that Lionheart's pride would suffer if shedefied him. It rankled that he would not let her fight at his side, for he waswell aware of her skill with a sword. Then she remembered the babe she carried,and her anger deflated. Lionheart was right. She had already endangered theprecious life she carried and could not continue on this reckless bent.

At thesame time that she removed the blade from Daffid's throat, she dug her heelsinto her horse's sides. Cursing, Daffid lunged for her reins as she flew past.

"Iwill kill you both for this!" Daffid screamed.

Vanorareached Lionheart safely. There was so much she wanted to say to him, but sheswallowed her words when she looked into his face. His features were set andinflexible, and his silver eyes were as dark and forbidding as the stormswirling around them.

His wordswere brusque, clipped. "Return to the keep, Vanora. Once you are inside,lower the portcullis. You will be safe there."

"Whatare you going to do?"

"Daffidcannot go unpunished."

Suddenlyshe became aware that Giles, who always protected Lionheart's back, wasmissing. "Where is Sir Giles?"

"Gone.I sent him and his lady to England, where they would be safe. No more talk,love. Do as I say. Wait for me in the keep."

Suddenlyshe became aware of the resounding clash of swords and realized thatLionheart's men were now engaging the remnants of Daffid's army in battle."How did your men come by their weapons?"

"Theywere hidden beneath their cloaks." He withdrew his own sword and rode withgrim purpose toward Daffid. "Go, love. Take care of our child," hecalled over his shoulder.

Her heartleapt into her mouth when she saw Daffid riding forth to meet Lionheart. Asidefrom the fact that Giles was not there to protect Lionheart's back, Daffid worearmor while Lionheart did not, and the lack could be Lionheart's undoing.

Vanoracould not leave. Not when Lionheart might need her. She watched in dismay as Lionheartand Daffid met amidst the pandemonium around them.

Both menhad dismounted and were squaring off on the ground, their feet unsteady on thewet snow as their swords flashed silver in the receding light of the loweringsky. Vanora stifled a scream when Lionheart slid and fell, but he was up withinseconds, driving Daffid back with his powerful sword arm.

A thickcurtain of snow prevented Vanora from following the combatants with any degreeof accuracy. Lionheart had more height than Daffid, so she kept her gazetrained on the taller of the two heads as they circled and lunged, thenretreated. Her heart leapt into her mouth when Lionheart's feet again slid outfrom beneath him, but he quickly regained his footing and drove Daffid backwith skill and dexterity.

ThenDaffid fell and Lionheart pounced, pinning the Welshman to the frozen groundwith the tip of his sword. What Lionheart did not see was one of Daffid's menstealthily approaching him with a dagger in his hand.

"Nay!"Vanora cried. But of course no one heard her over the din of battle. She gaveher palfrey a vicious kick and tightened her hold on the reins. The animalpawed the air, then shot forward.

Shereached the assailant just as he raised the dagger to drive it into Lionheart'sback. She rode into him at full tilt, the impact sending him flying through theair to land with a dull thud. The ruckus brought Lionheart's head around. Hisexpression was fierce when he saw Vanora, but he said naught. There was noneed; his glowering features said it all. Ignoring his silent warning, Vanoraheld her ground, fully prepared to defend Lionheart's unprotected back.

"Vanora,do not let him kill me!" Daffid pleaded.

DispassionatelyVanora looked down at Daffid. "You intended to kill me, Daffid. Youdeserve no mercy."

"Nay.I lied," Daffid pleaded.

"Youwould have slain my child," Lionheart accused.

Vanora wastorn. She hated Daffid for what he'd intended to do to Lionheart and her unbornchild, but did she want his death? She was so involved in the unfolding dramaof life and death that she was unaware of the profound silence around them.Swords were stilled, the atmosphere was no longer charged, and men's voiceswere silenced.

Then sheheard the thud of hooves upon the snow-packed ground and looked past Lionheartto find the source. Men on horseback, two score or more, heads bent against thewind, rode across the battlefield toward them.