Page 54 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“Ye have seen Steinar?”

“Yea, but none know of it, not even Serena.”

“Why did ye not tell her? She has been anxious for word ofhim.”

“Steinar asked me to say nothing to her until we were readyto leave to join him. He never considered she would want to stay. Nor did I.”

Nodding, Cassie set her will to her task and finishedsaddling the mare. “I want to go, Rhodri. Serena is not only my lady, but mydearest friend.”

“It is not safe for you to travel alone. You are not Serena,adept at the bow and dressed like a lad, whereas I can travel with few knowingI am in the woods. No one suspects a bard has any purpose other thanentertaining.”

“I must go, Rhodri. I owe it to Serena.”

“If you insist on following after her,” he said reluctantly,“I would go with you. You can travel as my wife to any who ask. And I amfamiliar with the Mercian earl’s holding, which I have no doubt is yourdestination.”

Surprised at the bard’s astute observation, and not unhappyto have the protection of his bow, Cassie agreed. Traveling together would makeher feel safe.

“Aye, Rhodri, I welcome yer company.”

“Does anyone know you are doing this?”

“I asked Eric to deliver a message to me mother after I haveleft, saying I have gone to the west manor. I would not want her to worry.”

Cassie only hoped that Sir Maurin did not connect her withthe missing horse.

* * *

Through their conversations at meals following her arrival atAdlington, Serena learned much of what had happened to the Mercian brothersafter Hastings. It seemed the Norman king had not been constant toward them,and his promises, freely given, had all come to naught.

Edwin was especially bitter about having been promisedWilliam’s daughter only to have the girl’s hand withdrawn at the urging of theking’s courtiers. And Morcar had lost Northumbria to a man of the Norman king’schoosing. In turn, the Mercian brothers no longer believed William was owedtheir fealty. While Serena had much sympathy for their plight, and shared theirview of the Norman king’s deceit, she resisted Morcar’s plans for herself. Butsince he was not aware of her reluctance, she was free to roam at will over thelands that surrounded Edwin’s manor in Mercia.

From her conversations with the servant who oversaw herbaths and dressing, Serena knew Adlington lay fifty miles south of Talisand.She could be home in a day and a half if she had a good horse. Using the excuseof a ride with Morcar, she intended to find one for her journey north.

The horses Edwin kept were fine palfreys any nobleman wouldbe proud to own. The one Morcar had saddled for her this morning was a chestnutmare. Stroking the palfrey’s mane, she realized it was the same color as theRed Wolf’s hair and it caused her to wonder. Was he well? Had he returned fromExeter? She did not want to think of the powerful knight as wounded or worse,but she shuddered to think of his reaction if he returned to find her gone.

She and Morcar rode over the green hills speaking of earliertimes, of an England free of Normans. When they came to a small rise thatlooked east over Mercia, Morcar pulled rein and dismounted. As he helped herdown, he pulled her into his arms.

“I would show you something of my ardor, my lady.” Sosaying, he bent his head and kissed her. She thought to resist but he was soquick his lips were on hers before she could do so. He was gentle but his kissstirred no passion nor sent any shivers down her spine like the kiss of the RedWolf. To Serena it was more like the kiss of a brother.

“On the morrow, the priest comes, my lady,” Morcar said,holding her gaze. “And you will be properly wed to a Mercian earl.” He smiledas if he could think of no greater honor to bestow upon her.

She smiled back and walked to the edge of the rise, lookinginto the distance while Morcar secured the horses. At one time, she might haveconsidered wedding Earl Morcar a great honor but unbeknownst to the earl,Serena’s feelings had changed. Once she would have gladly married him to escapethe fate of a Norman’s wife, but that was before she had spent weeks with theknight called the Red Wolf. She had told the Norman she would be his lady and,though it had taken her some time to realize how sincerely she had meant thosewords, with Morcar’s kiss, her course was firmly set. She would not alter it.

“And what follows after, my lord?” Serena asked. “What willyou do when the Norman knight discovers you have stolen his bride?”

The handsome earl took her hand and gave her a confidentgrin. “Why, my lady, we will not tarry here for William’s wolf to find us.” Hekissed her knuckles. “I intend to take you to York where the loyalNorthumbrians are preparing even now to meet Edgar and his men. I imagine yourbrother will be among them. He will be anxious to see you.”

York!

Her brother would be in York. She was eager to be reunitedwith Steinar, but she could not bring herself to marry this Mercian to see itdone. No matter it would please her brother for her to wed Morcar and escapethe grasp of the Red Wolf, she knew in her heart she must return to Talisand.From there, she would seek a way to find Steinar herself.

“I would very much like to see my brother.”

Early the next morning, Serena slipped from her chamber,silently creeping to the stables. She had donned the green undertunic and gownwith the wide skirt that would allow her to ride astride. The mare whinniedsoftly as Serena lifted the small saddle to the horse’s back. Unlike Talisand,where the Normans had posted guards at the gate, there was no guard here, sothat she was able to disappear unseen into the gray light of dawn.

* * *

“She’s gone, I tell you!” exclaimed Morcar, anxiously staringout the window at the trees in the distance being stirred by the wind. “Andtoday was to be our wedding.”