Page 48 of Lionheart

Vanorarecoiled, his words reminding her how much he hated the White Knight. Refusingto speak lest he recognize her voice, she shook her head.

The bloodseeping from Lionheart's wound slowed beneath the pressure of Vanora's hand asshe contemplated her options. She could not leave Lionheart to bleed to death,nor could she lift him on his horse without help. She pondered the dilemma longand hard but was saved from making a decision when several horsemen rode downfrom the hills and surrounded her.

Vanorarecognized Sir Ren and Cragdon's warriors immediately. Sir Ren dismounted andknelt beside her.

"'Twas a lucky shot," he said. "I could not let him hurt you. Comeaway now; 'tis not safe here. His men cannot be far behind."

Gainingher feet, she pulled Ren aside where Lionheart could not hear them. "Icannot leave him to die."

"Youhave no choice. You know the consequences."

She didindeed. "He will bleed to death."

Sir Renstared at her with dawning perception. "I am sorry, my lady, but 'tis forthe best."

Vanoraglanced back at Lionheart, indecision weighing heavily upon her. If Lionheartdied, it would be her fault. "I cannot."

"Hark!Riders approach," he warned.

A cloud ofdust appeared in the distance. "Lionheart's men," Vanora said,relieved that help was on the way.

"Wemust leave," Ren urged, "lest we become prisoners again."

"Icannot leave him," Vanora repeated. She could care for him better than anyof his men.

"Youare not thinking clearly, my lady," Ren argued. "Your life is indanger as long as he lives."

Vanorainhaled sharply. "What are you going to do?"

"Killhim. 'Tis no more than he planned for you."

"Nay!You will not! Hear me well, Sir Ren. Lionheart will not die by your hand, isthat clear?"

"Youare too tenderhearted, my lady. Let me slay him for the good of Wales."

"Nay!Help him to mount and return him to his men."

"Areyou sure?"

"Verysure."

Vanorareturned her gaze to Lionheart. Though he could not hear their conversation,his silver eyes glittered with malice, and no little amount of pain. A shudderpassed through her. Knowing that she was the object of his hatred nearly undidher. She took a step toward him but was forcibly restrained by Ren.

Rensnapped a curt order and two warriors went to Lionheart and lifted him upon hissteed.

"Becareful!" Vanora cried, struggling to escape Ren's relentless grip."Release me. I must go to him."

Grasping her about the waist, Ren literally tossed her upon herpalfrey. Another knight grasped her reins and galloped off with her horse intow.

Withbreaking heart, Vanora knew Lionheart would never forgive her should he learnthe identity of the knight he had vowed to slay.

* * *

His teethclenched against the pain, Lionheart watched as the White Knight galloped off.Seen from a distance, the knight had appeared a formidable one, but upon closerinspection, he looked to be a mere lad.

Sweatbeaded his forehead. Had not Ren's arrow felled him, he would have slain hisopponent. He should feel no guilt for that, he told himself, for the knight hadearned his fate, but he could not shake the feeling that he would have beenvery sorry had he slain the lad. Dimly he wondered why the knight had seemed soreluctant to leave.

Stillconscious but quickly fading, Lionheart expected Sir Ren to finish what thearrow had failed to do. He closed his eyes and prepared to meet his maker astwo burly knights approached and bent over him. But to his surprise, theylifted him and placed him upon his steed. Clinging to the beast with hands andknees, he concentrated on staying upright as Ren sent the horse off with a slapand a shout.