Page 34 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“’Tis a good idea,” mumbled Morcar, wondering how it mightbe accomplished.

“Do you remember that the old thegn was known forentertaining artists and those skilled in crafts and fine wares?” asked hisbrother.

“Aye. We were well entertained when we were there and Serenawas always lavishly gowned. What do you suggest?”

“Let us send a man disguised as one of them,” offered Edwin,“and you will have the information you seek without anyone aware who is asking,save this woman Aethel.”

“Aye, ’twill serve. Soon I will have Lady Serena here inMercia, and mayhap information from her brother.”

* * *

It was dark when Serena woke. With haste, she donned theclothes Rhodri had given her the night before as he told her of Eadric the Wildand his alliance with King Bleddyn of Wales. What did it bode for their chanceto regain England?

Only a day had passed since she had talked with Maugris atthe edge of the river, and the words of the old man continued to haunt her. Thedesire to be with Steinar pulled her toward Scotland at the same time her fearof discovery and her growing attraction for the Red Wolf prodded her to go.

Her people would survive. Though he might be arrogant anddemanding, she was convinced the Red Wolf would do nothing to harm them.

As she made ready her escape, she told only Cassie, Rhodriand Aethel, who for her own reasons, had offered to help. Though the Welsh bardhad counseled against it, Serena had decided to take no one with her. She wouldrisk no one save herself.

Securing her long plait on top of her head, she pulled thebrown cap over her ears. With great care, she stole from the servants’ sleepingquarters, waking no one. Her soft boots made no sound as she crept into thekitchen and took her bow and quiver of arrows from behind the cabinet whereMaggie had hidden them. Jamie had recovered her seax and once more the bladewas secured at her waist. The bread and cheese saved from yesterday’s mealswould last her a day and then she would hunt. It was early summer and therewould be plenty of game.

Keeping to the darkest shadows, she crept through the doorleading to the kitchen garden. As she stepped over the threshold, she wasstartled to find Rhodri waiting for her.

“Serena, I would go with you,” he whispered. “Steinar wouldexpect it.” The Welshman carried a small sack and his bow was slung over hisshoulder.

“Nay, Rhodri,” she insisted, “I would go alone. You areneeded here.”

His black curls fell onto his forehead and he frowned as hestepped back and bowed. “As you wish, my lady.”

Serena could feel him watching her when she slipped silentlyto the stables. He still had his doubts, she knew. As Serena had expected, thestable boys slept soundly in the loft above, and the groom in his own alcove,so her soft footfalls did not wake them. Elfleda whinnied softly. Serenaquickly walked to her stall and saddled the mare, leading her from the stableswhile keeping to the edge of the yard. Soon she was through the postern gate.The loud snores coming from the guard gave proof to the sleeping draft Aethelhad supplied him the night before with his ale. He would not wake to stop her.

Once the woods engulfed her, Serena mounted her mare androde north, slowly at first, winding her way through the dense stands of trees,and then at a gallop in open country. The rising sun painted the sky with goldstreaks and she smiled with her success at getting away unnoticed. But she wasless certain of her feelings at leaving the Norman whose very presence pulledher to him. She did not want to like the knight for the man he was, to rememberthe way he had kissed her, to see his gray eyes in her dreams. She wanted toremember only the Norman king he served. But in her heart, she already missedthe Red Wolf.

She rode all day, stopping only briefly to water her horseand eat some of her food. The night brought her to a copse of trees near alarge boulder. Exhausted, she drew her warm cloak around her, and with herarrows and seax held close, she curled up with the rock at her back and soughtsleep.

Chapter 10

Renaud stormed down the stairs of the manor and seeing Geoff,drew the knight to one side. “Have you seen the servant girl Sarah? This timeof day she is usually above stairs, but she has not yet come.”

Although the morning meal had ended long ago, Renaud had notobserved Sarah around the manor. Without realizing it, he had become familiarwith her pattern of work, looking for the brown plait and violet eyes, pleasedwhen he spotted her. He had noticed when the boy Jamie, now his page, walked tothe stables alone that morning. Most days, Sarah would have been with him. Andnow she was absent from his chamber when she should have been freshening thelinens.

“Now that you bring her to mind,” said Geoff, his browsdrawing together, “I cannot recall seeing her.”

Renaud frowned but did not answer immediately. “I sensesomething is awry. See if Maggie knows of the girl. She may be unwell. I willbe working in my chamber.”

As he ascended the stairs, he could hear Geoff in the halltalking to Maggie while she and the serving girls cleared the trestle tables.“Maggie, have you seen Sarah? The lord is asking for her.”

“M’lord, I know not where she is keeping herself. I’ve nayseen the girl all day. Ye might ask the boy Jamie.”

A feeling of unease settled over Renaud as he entered hischamber. He was not able to concentrate on the drawings of the castle on hiswork table. Could one of his men have defied him and taken the girl? Certainlynone would be so foolish, not after Sir Hugue’s banishment. More likely she hadgone to hunt rabbits and lay in the woods harmed by some beast. The image ofSarah’s crumpled form lying still in the woods made him mad with anxiety.

By the time Geoff appeared at his door, Renaud was besidehimself.

“Ren, the housekeeper has no knowledge of the girl, and theothers we’ve questioned have nay caught a glimpse of her all day.”

“Take some of the men and search the village, the woods.Find her!”

His friend knew him too well to question the order. “As youwish.”