Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Aisley tied a piece of string to the end of her long plait and tossed it over her shoulder. She did not know the exact hour, but Whitsunday had just dawned, and on the other side of the partition, low voices and rustled movement told her the thegns were preparing for departure. Opening her satchel, she checked the contents one more time. Bandages, honey, pouches of her most effective herbs, a couple of small wooden bowls, a knife, needle and thread, the crock of spiderwebs, and her blanket. She was as prepared as she could be. Placing her cloak over her shoulders, she slid the satchel strap over her head, and with a last look around her small sleeping area, she slipped into the cottage's main room.

Almost all the thegns were gone. The last few were dragging their pallets into the corner of the room. There was no sign of Brecc. It had been too difficult to say farewell last night, so they'd not done so. Brecc had suggested that she come to the dock to see them off instead. She'd agreed. Not because she planned to see them off but because she planned to go with them.

Hastening out of the cottage, she followed the men heading toward the punts. It would take more than one crossing for each of the three crafts to transport everyone across the marsh. The horses would need to be guided across also. Not to mention the additional space needed to carry the weapons. For the last two days, the island had been filled with the sound of sharpening blades, and every man carried at least three spears with him.

"Push off, Radolf!" That was Bertwin, and it sounded like the transportation of men, horses, and weapons had begun.

Aisley reached the bank in time to see the punt carrying half a dozen thegns and drawing almost as many mounts behind it float away. The second punt was already loaded with men. Lufian was drawing four horses down the bank on long lead ropes. One of the horses slipped and pulled back anxiously. Another thegn reached for half the ropes and handed them off to Odda, who was seated at the rear of the punt.

"That's it!" Bertwin called. Immediately, the boat moved away, and with a splash, the horses entered the water behind it.

Aisley scoured the shoreline. There was no sign of the king. She guessed he'd been in the first punt. It was probably for the best. She intended to do all in her power to persuade Brecc to let her join the company, but if the king had denied her permission, she would have been forced to comply.

She followed the bank past a small grove of trees. A dozen uneasy horses stood awaiting the return of the first punt. Offering the thegn holding their ropes a brief greeting, Aisley kept walking, still searching for Brecc. And then she spotted him. He and Rheged were standing side by side, watching the punts float around the bend. Her steps slowed, and as the first rays of morning light touched the water, she took a moment to marvel at how deeply she had come to care for these men and their cause.

As though he sensed her presence, Brecc turned. His smile was instant, but then his gaze dropped to her clothing, and a worried frown appeared across his brow. She crossed the short distance between them and put her arms around him. He responded instantly, drawing her closer.

"I am happy to see you," he said, "but why are you wearing those clothes?"

"Because for the next little while, I am reverting to the role of Avi, a peasant boy."

His frown intensified. "Why?"

"Because I am coming with you."

He released her and took a step back. "Absolutely not."

She had rehearsed her argument multiple times during the night. It had been significantly easier to do without having to look into Brecc's horror-filled eyes. "You do not understand—"

"No," Brecc interrupted her. "You do not understand. I would not wish any woman to witness the atrocities of a battlefield. Ever. But of all kinds of combat, a war waged against the Vikings is the worst. Their cruelty and ferocity knows no end. The sights and sounds of such an encounter can haunt those who experience it for a lifetime."

"I am grateful for your desire to protect me," she said. "And you are correct, I have no place on the battlefield. But that was never my intention. I simply wish to travel with the company so that I may be close enough to care for the wounded." She pressed her hand to her satchel. "I have been collecting supplies. I could remain at the closest village or in a nearby woodland. All it would take would be a few strong men willing to carry the injured to me." She clasped her hands. "Please, Brecc. I wish to have King Alfred restored to his throne as badly as every thegn on this island. And I know it can be done only through a great battle, but I weep at the thought of how many will be left widowed and fatherless when it is all behind us. If I can help but one man return to his home who would not have done so otherwise, it is worth my joining you."

"She does have a point," Rheged said.

Aisley started. She had all but forgotten Rheged's presence, but now she looked to him for support. "It could be done, could it not?"

He glanced at Brecc's stony face, and his assurance dimmed. "It is possible. In a loosely possible way."

"Of course it could!" Aisley cried. In desperation, she took Brecc's hand and gripped it tightly. "I could not live with myself if you or Rheged or ... or the king himself were to die from a wound that I could have treated."

"In truth," Rheged said. "I'd rather not have that happen also."

"Would you refrain from opening your mouth again," Brecc growled.

"I could. And I will. As soon as you are willing to look past your overarching fear for Aisley's safety and recognize the immense gift she is offering to every Saxon willing to fight for the king."

Brecc offered him an incredulous look, but Rheged responded with a stubborn glare, and he did not look away until Brecc released a heartfelt groan and pulled Aisley back into his arms. "You must give me your word that you will stay away from the battlefield. Nothing—not even word that I am injured—is to take you there."

"Brecc, I cannot—"

He placed his finger over her lips. "Not even that, Aisley. As much as you cannot countenance the unnecessary death of wounded men on your conscience, I cannot countenance your sweet goodness forever tainted by witnessing man's inhumanity to man on mine."

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded. "I give you my word. But this may be the hardest thing I have ever done—or not done."

He offered her a grim smile. "Accepting the terrifying risk of taking you with us may also be mine."

She raised her hand to touch his cheek, running her finger gently across the scar that spoke of a previous hard-fought battle. There was no question, he knew of what he spoke. "Forgive me for adding to your burdens."

He turned his head slightly to kiss the palm of her hand. "You will never be a burden. Rheged is correct; you are a gift."

"Did you hear that?" Rheged's face shone with mock astonishment. "He admitted that I am correct." Brecc raised his eyes heavenward, but Rheged was undeterred. "I must take full advantage of this moment—for I know a fleeting moment is all he will offer me. So, whilst I am on this lofty pedestal, I should like to advise you both that although those in our company will know Aisley, those we shall meet along the way will not. That means there is to be none of that kissing when she is your young page, Avi."

Brecc muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, I should dunk his head in the swamp, and Aisley bit back a smile. At some point during their long ride to Egbert's Stone, she would thank Rheged for his assistance this morning, but for now, she would simply follow him to the returning boats.