Page 22 of Lionheart

"Areyou sure you are unharmed?" the priest asked.

"I amfine, Father. Was there something urgent you wished to say to me? Have you newsof Llewellyn or Daffid?"

"Aye.I visited the village today and learned that Llewellyn and Daffid are stayingat Draymere, Daffid's keep. They are mustering forces to launch an attack uponCragdon."

"Draymereis but a half day's ride from here," Vanora said excitedly. "When Iwas a child, I visited often with Father. I shall join them and fight with Llewellyn’sarmy."

"Whatwill I tell Lionheart when he learns you have left the keep?"

"Tellhim. .." Naught came to mind. She thought for a moment, then brightened insudden inspiration. "I shall pretend to be ill and take to my bed. You andMair can keep Lionheart away from my chamber until I return with Llewellyn’sforces. Tell him I have something deadly and contagious. Most men fear sicknessof any kind."

"Whenwill this sudden illness strike?" Father Caddoc asked.

"Therewill be an abrupt onset of symptoms tomorrow. I shall retire to my chamber andleave at matins. Wait for me in the chapel."

"Iknow I advised you to leave, but I have no good feeling about this,child," the priest said, shaking his head. "Mayhap you should remainhere where it is safe until Llewellyn and Daffid begin their siege of Cragdon.You gain naught by placing yourself in danger. What if you are hurt? Even thebest of warriors sustain wounds."

"Icannot stay here," Vanora said fiercely. "I fear . . ."

"Whatdo you fear, child?"

I fearfor my heart, my soul, my very being. Lionheart threatened everything she stood for, everything she was.His kisses moved her powerfully; just looking at him made her tremble. Enemy ornay, he made her yearn for things that only a husband had the right to offer.His eyes, riveting in their intensity, rested on her far too often for comfort.

"Naught.I fear naught," she lied. "My home is no longer my own. 'Tisimpossible to live beneath the thumb of my enemy."

FatherCaddoc's probing gaze looked deeper and saw far more than Vanora had wished."Are you sure that is the reason you wish to leave, child? What is betwixtyou and Lionheart that you are not telling me?"

"Naughtbut enmity, Father. I can do naught here to help Llewellyn. I shall join hisarmy and fight for Cragdon as my father would were he alive. Do not try todissuade me, for my mind is made up. Will you help me? I have already spoken toMair, and she has agreed."

After along pause, the priest sighed and said, "Aye, and may God forgive me ifyou should suffer an injury."

"Naughtwill happen to me, Father." Impulsively she kissed his cheek. "Goodnight."

"Alittle more flour on my face, Mair," Vanora directed as she prepared to gobelow for the midday meal.

"Anymore and you will look like a ghost," Mair cautioned. "Lionheart isnot stupid. He will detect the artifice if you overdo."

"Verywell. Just make sure I took pale enough to have an illness that will confine me in my chamber for severaldays."

Mairstepped back to inspect her work. "I have done all I can to make you lookill. The rest is up to you. Remember to act less than your usual exuberantself."

"Wishme luck," Vanora said as she went out the door.

* * *

Lionhearthad seen naught of Vanora the entire day and wondered what mischief she was upto. If she did not appear for the midday meal, he intended to go to her chamberand fetch her. Summoning Vanora was not necessary, however, for she walked intothe hall a few minutes later.

Frowning,Lionheart watched her dragging steps and knew immediately that something wasamiss. A niggling fear assailed him when he noted her pasty complexion. Shelooked pale and drawn and lacked her usual vitality.

"Areyou ill?" Lionheart asked.

Vanoragave him a wan smile. "I fear so. I kept to my bed this morn, hoping itwould pass, but I feel little better than I did upon awakening."

She pushedher food around on her trencher, then turned away, her expression filled withrepugnance.

"Doesthe food not please you? Mayhap Cook will fix you something more to yourliking."

"Ihave no appetite," Vanora said with a sigh.