training, Prince Richard. It saves you the disappointment of being denied entrance.”
His eyes hardened. “Why would I, the son of—” He snapped his teeth, sucked breath between them, then asked levelly, “Why would I not be accepted at Wulfen?”
“Many the pre-dawn runs through the wood to challenge and strengthen your body in preparation for each day’s training. No horse to carry your load. Only you and the determination to prove worthy. If this wood is daunting, that wood…” He shook his head. “And near every day that run is made…”
Richard raised his chin higher. “As easily as I can run this one, I could run that one—and more.”
“Then do so, Prince. And do not stop until you are inside Red Castle’s walls, for I am not the only danger here.”
The young man sheathed his dagger and turned.
“Dagger out!” Vitalis commanded as if Richard were his responsibility. Far from it, but he was young and yet innocent enough to benefit from his enemy’s experience and counsel.
The prince halted his hitched advance and peered across his shoulder. “One would think you have a care for William’s son.”
“Not for William’s son,” Vitalis said gruffly. “For you, Richard who requires better training than thus far received.”
The youth drew his dagger and feigned an interest in the blade before returning his regard to Vitalis. “I see no need to reveal to De Warenne nor Sir Daryl where I have been these hours, though a better story and more to my credit it would be to confess I faced the mighty Vitalis and survived by skill and cunning, then lead them to this place that must be near your camp. However, as that does not sound true courage, I shall tell that my horse threw me whilst I hunted and save the rest for my sire, as well as your advice regarding my fostering—and the cloth.” He nodded. “Thus, when the King of England captures you and sentences you to death, mayhap it will be a swift, relatively painless one for having shown me grace.”
Vitalis did not know whether to admonish him or laugh, and so he stared.
Richard inclined his head and ran with good speed despite his injured leg.
Having remained distantly aware of Nicola, Vitalis snatched up the rope and coiled it as he strode in her direction. When she did not show herself, he thought she might have returned to camp. But he sensed her, and when he came around the tree she leaned against, she straightened and peered up at him through dark lashes.
“I broke my word.” She nodded. “I knew it was dangerous, but…” She tossed up her hands. “Well, I would have you know I hesitated, and not merely for a moment—for minutes. Many minutes. And I struggled to stay put and await your return. How I struggled! But as I could not know when you would appear and, clearly, a boy was in danger, I had to come.” She touched sword and dagger on her belt. “Prepared as you see, and with great stealth.”
There was nothing to smile about, and yet he nearly did. In the space in which she drew another breath, Vitalis said, “I understand, Nicola.”
“And it is not as if—” Her lashes fluttered. “You understand?”
“I do not like that you placed yourself in danger, but I understand.”
“Oh.” Her lips curved. “I am glad. So very glad.” She sighed, then looked across her shoulder in the direction the prince had gone. “Richard has grown more arrogant, yet I think I like him better than when he was younger.” She swept her gaze back to Vitalis. “Methinks you liked him as well.”
“Certes, he is not yet his father,” Vitalis acceded and turned to talk of what mattered. “As you surely guessed from our exchange, this morn’s riders were led by Daryl—and great their number to extend the search for me here.”
“Then we must leave now.”
He was pleased she grasped the urgency of not delaying their departure, whether because she did not trust the prince to hold close this day’s adventure or understood the necessity of putting as many leagues as possible between them and their pursuers.
“We go north toward Wulfenshire, Vitalis?”
“We shall seek to do so. If God is with us…” He trailed off at thoughtlessly placing the burden of their fate on Him who either refused to bear it, else found in favor of others. Further evidence his faith was strengthening, even if only just.
“He will be with us,” Nicola said firmly.
Vitalis turned to start back to camp,