Page 58 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“’Tis a shame one must be returned untouched to the earl,”said Sir Hugue. “But the other,” he leered at Cassie, “aye, that one is mine todo with as I may.”

“No!” protested Serena. “I will not go with you. I do notwish to return.” Serena took Cassie’s arm and dragged her back still fartheruntil more distance lay between them and the mercenary.

Cassie drew a seax from her waist and held it high, thepoint aimed at Sir Hugue. “Ye’ll not touch me, ye dog,” she said.

“Cassie, no!” shouted Serena. Her handmaiden was no matchfor so burly a knight.

The Norman mercenary slowly stalked toward Cassie, asickening smile on his face.

Before he reached the handmaiden, the thunder of hoof beatssounded in the woods. Sir Hugue turned his head to see, but the riders were notyet in sight. The moment he looked away, Cassie threw her seax. The blade sankinto the Norman’s shoulder. Dropping his cudgel, the Norman pulled Cassie’sblade from his shoulder and sent the deadly looking knife flying through theair and into Cassie’s chest.

The girl dropped to the ground as the Norman mercenaryturned and fled.

With a shriek, Serena crouched at Cassie’s side. “Cassie!”Moving her hands over the place where the blade had entered the handmaiden’schest, Serena thanked God it was lodged near the girl’s shoulder, and not inher heart. The wound poured forth blood as Serena withdrew the blade. Tearingthe hem of her undertunic, Serena wadded the cloth and pressed it to the wound.

Cassie opened her eyes, dazed, and looked down at her chest.“He…he hit me.” Then lowering her head, she added in stilted words, “I thoughthe had…something else…in mind.”

“Likely he did. The man is evil. But we were lucky. He fledwhen he heard riders coming.” Cassie shut her eyes, moaning in pain. Serenakept the pressure on the wound. “Stay with me, Cassie.”

From a few feet away, Rhodri began to stir as mountedknights rode into the clearing in a flurry. Serena was alarmed until she sawthe Red Wolf led them. Her heart leapt in her chest.

He came!

Serena experienced both joy and relief at seeing the RedWolf on his magnificent stallion, but her spirits fell when she saw the angerin his eyes as he looked down upon her.

He dismounted and strode toward her. “What have you donenow, my lady?” His words dripped sarcasm.

“I can explain,” she offered.

“Indeed you will,” he said with a stern look.

Sir Geoffroi and Sir Niel slid from their saddles. SirMaurin had already dismounted and rushed to Cassie’s side where he knelt,taking her hand.

“Cassie, my love,” he said in accented English. “Qu'est-ilarrivé?”

Cassie’s green eyes filled with tears at the sight of theknight’s anxious face. It was clear to Serena that Sir Maurin was as enamoredwith Cassie as she was with him.

Rhodri sat up and rubbed the back of his head.

The Red Wolf stood over the small group. His fierce grayeyes held Serena’s gaze for a long moment, then glancing at her handmaiden, hesaid to his knight, “Geoff, get the bandages from my bag before the girl bleedsto death.”

“Aye,” Sir Geoffroi acknowledged, and strode to theirhorses.

“Sir Niel,” said the Red Wolf to the younger knight, “makeyourself useful and find some water to clean the wound.”

Without a word, Sir Niel took a skin from his saddle andheaded for the stream.

“What has happened here?” the Red Wolf demanded of Serena.There was more than anger in his eyes now. Was it a look of concern? Knowing hewas close made her feel safe, no matter he was displeased. Relieved at seeinghim returned from Exeter a whole man, she wanted to fly into his arms but hisforbidding manner kept her still.

“We were attacked by the mercenary you sent away fromTalisand, the one called Sir Hugue.”

“Sir Hugue?” asked Sir Geoffroi, incredulous as he handedSerena an oilcloth containing fresh bandages.

“What was the mercenary doing with you in the woods,Serena?” the Red Wolf asked.

Serena felt the cold chill in his voice. “He followed me,”said Serena, realizing that told him little.

Rhodri, still rubbing his head, asked, “Who hit me?”