Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,36

holding on to it, Pierre stood in the dinghy.

The man carrying Judith turned, sliding her inert body off his back and resting it across the side of the ship, while he turned back again. Leaning over, he slid her down the rope ladder on her back. His partner held on to him, as he leant over as far as he could without losing his balance. It was just enough for Pierre to be able to reach up and grasp the body of the unconscious woman and lower her into the boat, to put her none too gently at his feet. The other two clambered down the ladder quickly and joined him.

Pierre sat in the stern, and hoisted Judith so that she was propped against his knees.

The other men sat amidships, taking an oar each. One of them pushed off from the ship and they struck out for shore, rowing awkwardly until they found their rhythm. Five minutes of hard work and they felt the keel scrape on the shingle. Still without speaking, they shipped their oars and jumped over the side, to splash through the shallow water, hauling the small boat after them. Once it was firmly beached, Pierre stood up, laying Judith back against the seat. He stepped out of the boat and faced the other two.

"What happened?" he said. "Why is she in this state?"

"She tried to escape," said the man who had hit her. "I struck her harder than I realised, but she’s only stunned. She’ll come round again soon, and then we’ll have to watch out she fights like a she-wolf guarding her young!"

"I hope you’re right, my friend," said Pierre. "She has to ride to London with you there’s no wagon for her to lie in."

A moan from the boat made them all turn towards it. Judith was stirring. She opened her eyes and gazed round her in perplexity. Seeing Pierre, she frowned, trying to remember where she had seen his face before. She sat straighter and moaned again, touching her head gingerly where it had been struck.

The tall man went to her and bent over her.

"Listen to me!" he said. You have the choice will you ride alone, or will you ride on my horse, in front of me?"

"Where are we going?" said Judith. "Where is this...?"

She looked around, her eyes focusing as full consciousness returned. There was nothing much to see but the pebble beach and a line of rough grass behind it.

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Belaset’s Daughter

The tall man chuckled.

"Where you want to be back in

England,"

he

said. "But not where you should be.

You’re coming with us ’young master’, to London. If you don’t feel like making your way there conscious why, we’ll give you another little tap and take you there unconscious!"

Judith’s spine tingled and she felt a flash of real fear. Gritting her teeth, she thought hard, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in her head. If she made any move to antagonise these men, they would feel no hesitation in doing just as they threatened and knocking her out again. Conscious, she might be able to learn something about them. They were obviously Simon de Montfort’s men. If she found out who they were, and then found a chance to escape, she might have some useful information to pass on to Prior Foville as well as the packet which she had guarded so carefully.

The packet! Did she still have it? She was about to check when she realised what such a sudden movement on her part might bring. If it was still safely hidden on her, the men might not be aware that she had it. They might assume she had a message by heart to deliver, rather than an actual packet.

She nodded feebly.

"I can ride alone," she said.

"Right!" said the tall man, gripping her arm and pulling her to her feet. The world swam about her and she blinked, trying desperately not to show ho weak she felt. Stumbling slightly, she walked forward in the dinghy, and stepped over the prow. The tall man dropped her arm, so that she could lean forward and grasp the side to steady herself. As she did so, she felt the packet fall forward against her tunic. It was still there! She breathed deeply with relief.

Her head was clearing rapidly as the evening air revived her, but she had the sense not to appear too much in command of herself. It gave her the chance to peer around, trying to find out where she was. There were