Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,55

they would be much safer than on this side, and then they could make good time, as Gregory had said. He had stopped, she saw, and was waiting for them to catch up with him.

When they did, he was smiling at them, and gesturing to a boat, which lay rocking at the water’s edge. In it sat a man so muffled as to be unrecognisable. His hood was pulled well forward, shadowing his face. His hands, wrapped in cloths, gripped the oars.

Again, Judith felt uneasy. Something was wrong, but she could not say what. Aaron seemed quite happy, putting out his hand to shake Gregory’s, and expressing gratitude.

"Are you not coming with us?" said Judith.

Gregory shook his head.

"Here is your guide," he said, pointing to the boatman. "Horses have been arranged for you on the other side of the river. The signal was sent last night, whilst you were eating."

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"Our thanks to you, old friend," said Aaron. "You have put us both in your debt."

"It was for my own selfish pleasure," said Gregory, cordially. "I have no wish to lose a good friend. I hope that you and Judith will soon be with me again, but in happier circumstances. Until then goodbye, and God protect you both!"

He stepped forward and held out his hand, to help Judith into the boat. She was in and seated in the stern, before Aaron followed. The boatman stood and pushed off from the shallow water, helped by a parting shove on the prow from Gregory. He stood, one hand upraised in a brief wave of farewell, as they drew away from him.

The boatman rowed skilfully out into midstream, then let the current take them along for a while, resting on his oars. He faced them, but said nothing, simply gazing down into the bottom of the boat. He began rowing again, and they moved rapidly, the combination of the man’s vigorous rowing and the current making them shoot along through the water at speed. They were rowing upstream, Judith realised, away from the City and towards Westminster.

"Where are you taking us?" she asked.

The man shook his head at her and made no other answer.

"Answer her," said Aaron. "Why are you taking us so far from the City before we cross to the other bank?"

There was still no response, other than the shake of the hooded head. The man continued rowing doggedly, his rhythm unbroken. Judith felt Aaron move beside her, and put her hand on his arm.

"Not here," she said, quietly. "Wait until we are safely on dry land again. The further we get from the bridge, the safer we are."

He sat down again.

"I hope you’re right!" he said, grimly.

Their silent companion had been glancing to his side occasionally, to check their progress. This time he looked across, then stared intently, as though to make sure that this was the place he was seeking. As he leant forward, a breeze lifted the hood away slightly and Judith could see his profile. She gasped and he hurriedly turned back again.

"I know you!" she said. "Aaron, this man is one of those who brought me to London.

He was with Guy de Montfort!"

Aaron sprang forward in the boat and ripped the hood back. The young man made no attempt to stop him, but grinned at him and carried on rowing. Judith, fearful of upsetting the boat, could do nothing but grip the seat on which she sat, as they rocked violently in the middle of the river.

"You are upsetting the lady," said Jervis FitzHugh. "And if you do not sit down again, you may well upset us all!"

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Aaron knew he was right, and backed away again, to sit down beside Judith. Jervis began to row across the current, turning the boat towards the opposite bank. As they drew nearer, they could all see three horses, apparently hobbled, cropping contentedly at the grass. There was no sign of anybody near them. As the boat bumped on the muddy shoreline, Jervis shipped the oars and leapt nimbly out. He landed on the edge of the shallows, and gave the boat a single, powerful jerk, so that it was firmly grounded.

"Walk to the prow," he said to the other two. "A jump will save you getting wet feet!"

Judith and Aaron did as he instructed and landed safely beside him, on the muddy bank.

As soon as he was on dry land again, Aaron lunged towards Jervis, his arm drawn back, ready to strike. As soon as his