Silene was the steward’s kin, a novice of the Almighty, and an innocent, genuine soul unsullied by the deeds of men.
How could John or any other man even think of hurting her? He wouldn’t let them near her.
He rubbed his thumb over her back while his hand relaxed on her. She’d let him hold her. He was certain he was the only man who ever had.
What would he do if she chose to wed herself to God when she was finally safe? He prayed again that she would be released from her vows. That she would give herself to him.
And I will give what Ye ask of me, he prayed and closed his eyes.
He woke just before dawn to the sound of Silene’s soft voice. She was deep in prayer, whispering things about him.
He didn’t feel right about listening to something so private.
“Lass?”
She stopped and opened her eyes and inclined her ear to his lips to hear him.
An arrow whooshed above her. It would have gone straight through her if she hadn’t bent to him.
Galeren moved in a blur of speed, pulling her down and covering her body with his. There was no time to think. Only to react. Galeren had decades of practice. He rolled over her and grabbed his bow and quiver in the leaves. He took a half a breath’s time to pause and look down into her big, beautiful eyes. He didn’t smile or speak. He just looked and then he looked away. He rose up from behind her with his arrow nocked and ready to fly. He saw a man kneeling behind the stump of a tree. He released the arrow. Without taking the time to aim, he’d sent his arrow into the man’s head.
His eyes caught another movement. His second arrow flew and met its mark into the guts of another.
“Stay behind me, love,” he commanded and moved slowly to the right.
His arrow was ready when he saw a third man behind a small cottage. Galeren made his way toward it.
“Do not shoot me, Captain!” the man called out and left the shadows with his hands up.
What? It couldn’t be.
It was Silene who spoke his name softly into the dawn. “Morgann.”
Galeren held the shaft of his arrow against his cheek. His fingers pulled back the bowstring.
“Captain, please.”
“Ye dare plead mercy from me after ye betray me? Who? Who told ye to do this?”
“John,” Morgann answered.
“Morgann, why?” Silene asked behind him.
“I dinna care why,” Galeren said through his clenched teeth. “I’m goin’ to kill ye.”
Morgann closed his eyes waiting for death. But Galeren didn’t want to kill him in front of Silene. Letting him live was punishment enough. His name would be known to every senior officer as a traitor.
“On yer knees,” Galeren ordered.
Morgann quickly did as he was told.
“How many of ye are there, Morgann?”
“Three in the nearest vicinity. Ye killed two of them. There are three more headin’ northeast. There will be more comin’.”
Galeren scanned the surroundings carefully. Nothing moved. He deemed it safe to do so. He took Silene’s arm and then took off for cover, grabbing hold of Morgann as he went.
Morgann, he thought, letting the truth pound into his head. Young Morgann had betrayed him.