dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (30 page)

“No. They held us so we couldn’t run, and bound our hands together, but did not mistreat us in any other way. All my injuries are from the tumble I took down the ravine.”

“The dragon said he had to untangle you from the trees.” His mouth tightened as a frown furrowed his forehead. “It should have been me that rescued you, not that beast.”

Anna touched his cheek. “You could not have found us as quickly nor rescued us as easily.”

He nodded. “I know.”

The army was on the move again the next day, but Matilda offered to keep camp where they were for a few more days so Anna could rest further, although Anna suspected that the queen was tiring of her trek through the countryside and was quite happy to have an excuse to remain behind. The guards, Frank and Tobias, were to stay with them, of course, but when Garrick heard the news, he requested permission to stay as well.

He told Anna later that Rupert had not been happy with the request. “What is your interest in these women?” he asked Garrick.

“I wish to protect my queen and her ladies,” Garrick had replied. “She will be an easy target, separated from the main force.”

“I see. And is your main interest the queen, or one of the women?”

“Both.”

Garrick pulled his eyebrows together in an effort to show Anna what Rupert’s countenance had been like, and she laughed.

“You will never be anything like Rupert,” she said, “and that is a very good thing!”

Garrick left the tent soon after, but only a few minutes had passed when Anna heard the murmur of hushed voices, the anger evident in the soft tones. She strained her ears to make out the sounds, and Max’s low voice reached her through the walls of the tent.

“… not leave her unprotected…”

“I will be here!” Garrick countered, angrily.

“And what good would you be to her when you are dead on the ground, human?”

There was a moment of silence, then Garrick’s voice came again. “Very well. Suit yourself, dragon.”

Max’s reply was amused. “I will, stable boy.”

Anna closed her eyes with a sigh. Garrick hated the sight of Max, that much was certainly clear, but Aaron had ordered him to watch over Anna, and nothing would persuade him to disobey his Master.

Anna’s body ached from the bruises and scrapes she had sustained, but as the days went by, she found her strength quickly returning. Each morning and evening Betsy tended to the deeper scrapes with vinegar and yarrow, and brewed her a cup of rosemary tea, which she drank with great distaste. But the concoctions did the trick, and by the next day she was already back on her feet, walking slowly as her aching muscles and bones protested the movement. The wound on her forehead slowly knitted back together, while the skin around the gash turned first purple, then yellow. It was her wrist that gave her the most discomfort. It was twisted and sprained in the fall, and Betsy said it was a mercy she hadn’t broken it. It had been swathed in bandages to keep it straight, and she kept the arm in a sling; but at night she would often roll onto the injured hand and wake with a flare of pain. Simple tasks were painful and awkward, and Anna soon found her patience wearing thin. She would walk around the perimeter of the camp in frustration while Frank watched her continuously, warning her to stay close to camp when she wandered too far, his tone indicating that it was not her safety he was concerned about.

She saw Garrick often, but there was little opportunity for conversation. He took his turn with Frank and Tobias, guarding the camp with a bow on his back and a sword in his hand, but he passed her with his quick smile and a brief word whenever he was able.

Only once did Matilda question Anna about the misadventure. “I’m surprised the men who captured you treated you so well,” she said.

“There were only three men, my lady, and one of them was clearly a man of noble birth.”

“A man of noble birth? Did he give a name?”

“He did, my lady – Syngen Gail.”

Anna glanced at the queen when she remained silent. She looked a little pale.

“Are you all right?” she said. “Do you need to lie down?”

Matilda waved her hand. “No, no, it’s just the heat. I was trying to place the name, but I confess it is quite unfamiliar to me. He may have had the appearance of a nobleman, but he is probably a man of low and common birth.” She rose to her feet. “Perhaps I will go lie down for a little bit.”

As for Max, despite his assertions that he remained behind to protect Anna, it seemed to her that his attention was fixed on the other women in the camp. He flirted with the maids and teased the serving girls, making them blush. He sat with Matilda, laughing and talking, and even managed to get Kathleen to engage in a few shy words. But apart from a few polite greetings, he spoke little to Anna. She was relieved, of course. She could not be comfortable with Max. But she could not help watching him when his back was turned and he was talking to Matilda, or Betsy, or one of the other maids. One time she turned away to see that Garrick had returned to the camp, and was watching her watching Max. He had glanced away, but a wave of shame washed over her. Garrick deserved so much better than she was able to give him. She walked over to him with a smile, and when he looked up at her, his expression was calm.

“How is your arm doing today?” he asked.

“Much better,” she said, slowly circling her wrist with only a small wince to show just how much it had improved. He smiled, and nodded.

“I am in desperate need of a wash,” he said, “so I will see you later.”

“Of course,” she said, and turned away. As she walked back towards her tent, she saw that Max was where he had been before, but now it was he who was watching her, his gaze intent. Her eyes met his, and for a moment he held them, but then his expression turned mocking, and he flourished a small bow in her direction. But she had seen a flame in his eyes before it was quickly doused by gray, and could not suppress a slight shiver as Max turned away. There were times when he disappeared from the camp, and she could feel his presence circling above her. She did not look for him then, but she knew he did not go far. How she knew this, she would have been hard pressed to say, but something within her sensed his presence, as tangible as the bench she sat on.

Two days passed before Matilda decided it was time to resume their journey. Plans were made to start the following morning, and Garrick helped Anna mount her horse and take a turn along the dusty path around the camp. It was difficult to control the reins with her injured arm, but her horse was patient, and after a while she had the trick of using just one hand.

They left at dawn, easily following the trail left behind by the army – broken trees and bushes, paths made by thousands of feet, and as they continued north, the occasional cottage burned to the ground. The soldiers were getting impatient with marching and no fighting. Rupert was eager to maintain a good pace, however, and for the most part the villages had been left untouched, but as they neared the first major town, Anna could smell the smoke rising into the air. The town lay behind a small hill, and as they crested the summit she gasped at the destruction. The town walls had been completely destroyed, and within the town only smoldering ruins remained. Anna turned away, horrified at the devastation, wrought by a man who wished to be king. Garrick moved up to stand beside her.

“War is a terrible thing, is it not?” he said quietly.

“I’m glad you weren’t a part of this,” she said. He remained silent. “What is it for?” she said. She searched his face for an answer, then turned back to the ruins. “All this for the sake of a throne.”

“Not just a throne, Anna,” he said. “Power, money and supreme rule.”

As they drew closer, Anna could see that not everyone had fled the destruction. People picked through the smoldering ashes, using sticks to poke through the hot embers, snatching up anything that still looked useful – pots with broken handles; pans, twisted and bent; melted candlesticks and lanterns. Children wandered around, their arms and faces covered in soot, and dogs nosed their way through the debris. They paused at the outskirts of the town, and Matilda stared with glassy eyes as the people she claimed as her own rummaged through the ashes. One, an old man, looked up and seeing her, spat in her direction.

“See what your people have wrought, Princess,” he hissed, shaking his finger as he glared at her. “Take your brother, and your husband, and begone!” Matilda’s face was white as she clutched the reins, and without another word, turned her horse aside and traced a path around the town. Anna could see she was shaking, but she held her head high as she rode.

Anna could not sleep that night. Her arm ached after a day of riding, and her heart ached at the destruction wrought by Alfred’s army. She wanted to be away from this place, this war between a few power-hungry men. She lay on the cot listening to the heavy breathing coming from the other beds. Outside she heard the low mumble of voices of the guards and servants. She could see the blaze of the camp fire through the thin wall of the tent, the flames casting dancing shadows over the fabric. Cradling her arm against her chest, she rose to her feet and awkwardly slung a robe over her shoulders. Her riding boots sat at the foot of the bed, and she pushed her feet into them, leaving the laces untied as she carefully pushed open the flap to the tent and stepped outside.

Frank was near the fire, and he turned when he heard her movement. He watched her closely as she stepped up to the flames. “I couldn’t sleep,” she whispered. He shrugged, and after a moment, walked away.

It was hot next to the fire, and after a few minutes she headed over to a bench that had been placed beneath the trees, and took a seat. She leaned her head back against the trunk and closed her eyes, listening to the crackling flames. She heard a noise and looked up to see Garrick walking towards her. He had been guarding the camp with Tobias, and still wore his sword and dagger. A bow was slung over his shoulder, and an axe hung in his belt. He swung the bow from his back and laid it on the ground.

“Couldn’t you sleep?” he asked as he sat down on the bench beside her.

Anna shook her head. “Too many disturbing images in my mind,” she said.

Above them the sky was dark as a new moon waxed low above the horizon. Stars sparkled against the black canvas, their glittering pinpricks of light shining brightly. Anna glanced at Garrick as he stared into the flames. The play of light and shadow made him look pensive. “Tell me what you dream about,” he said.

“What I dream about?” Anna turned back to the flames. “I don’t know. A happy life, with my own home, and children. And you, of course.”

A slight smile played over Garrick’s lips, but it was quickly gone. “Should I tell you what I dream about?” he said. He took her hand in his as he turned to look at her. “I dream of you, every single night. I dream of you in my arms, your body soft and yielding as I love you the way a man loves a woman.” Anna shifted self-consciously as he continued. “I dream of you carrying my seed, nurturing it and bringing forth new life.” He glanced down at her hand, lying in his, and gently stroked her fingers. “I dream of us growing old together, your hand in mine as we watch our children growing up and building lives of their own. I dream all of that, Anna, and then it all fades away and I dream of only one thing.” He brought his gaze back to hers, his eyes searching as they held hers.

“What, Garrick?” He stared at her for a long moment, then looked away.

“I dream of you happy.”

“We will be happy,” she said. “We will have a home, and children, and each other.” She lifted her hand and placed it on his cheek, and he slowly looked back at her. He covered her hand with his own.

“I love you,” he said, “and I dream of a life with you.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “But your dreams are your own to follow, Anna. Do not be bound by mine.”

He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers, before rising to his feet and quickly walking away as Anna watched in perplexity.

Chapter 39

Matilda and her party broke camp the following morning, following the trail left behind by the marching soldiers. As they drew nearer to the rear of the army, Anna could see smoke in the distance. Frank and Garrick rode ahead, returning an hour later.

“We engaged the enemy this morning,” Frank shouted as they drew near. “One of our companies came upon one of Terran’s, and they engaged each other in battle.”

“Are we victorious?” Matilda reined her horse next to the two news-bearers. Frank glanced at Garrick.

“No,” Garrick said. “By the time our commander reached the skirmish, all was confusion. The officers on both sides were dead, and the men were engaged in hand-to-hand fighting, with some trying to flee the scene. The company was made up of volunteers and new recruits, not trained soldiers. The prince put two of our men to death who were trying to escape, and then recalled the remaining troops and withdrew.”

“He withdrew? Leaving the enemy behind?” Matilda said, her tone incredulous. Max had joined them, and was listening to the conversation, his narrowed eyes trained on Garrick.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Garrick replied. “There weren’t many enemy soldiers remaining – most had retreated behind their lines, leaving the wounded behind. The prince rounded them up as prisoners, and tomorrow he will pitch his forces against the enemy with a definite plan of action.”

“I want to see where they were fighting. I want to see the dead bodies of the men who chose to fight against Roderick.”

“Uh, my lady,” Frank started, but Matilda waved away his protestations.

“I insist,” she said. Frank glanced at Garrick, who stared at the queen for a moment, before his eyes flickered over to where Max was standing. After a moment Garrick nodded his head.

“The ladies must stay behind,” he said.

“No,” Anna said, stepping forward. “I will remain with my lady.”

Garrick turned to glare at her, but it was Max who spoke.

“No!”

Anna glanced at Max, who was glaring at her with arms folded across his chest.