This time, a barrage of stones came at them.
Ebony broke free of his grip and reared.
Andrea winced, grabbing the reins. He knew she was in pain, but she held on as if her life depended on it. With Ebony stressed, this was no place for Andrea to fall.
Donald grabbed the reins and glanced at Andrea. Her hands were red with blood. He didn’t have time to examine them. Getting her to safety was his only thought.
The skittish horse began to move, but stumbled to its knees and sent Andrea into the water.
Donald let go of Ebony. He bent down from his horse, pulled Andrea on his lap, and hurried out of the river. Then he dismounted, grabbed his bow, and slung his quiver over his shoulder.
Ebony stood a few yards away in the middle of the water, her legs shaking. The muscle of her hindquarter quivered and dripped with blood.
From the cover of the shore, he and Andrea watched as two men waded out into the river toward Ebony.
“What are they doing?” she asked.
“They may be highwaymen looking for anything they can sell.” Donald looked about. “Stay here.”
“Where are you going?”
He hated the fearful tone in her voice. “Far enough so you are safe, Andrea.”
The woman fretted, watching the men get closer to her horse.
“Andrea,” he said more urgently. Still, she didn’t respond.
“Rea,” his voice filled with command. She turned and faced him.
“The map and jewels are in my satchel,” she said as he strung his bow and slipped on his quiver.
“Whatever happens, don’t make a sound.” He turned to leave.
“With your bow? There are two of them.” She looked at the men by Ebony.
“I hate knives. I was never as good as Hugh or Graham. Now stay here.” He didn’t like leaving her alone, but there was no alternative.
Donald moved downstream and found the right spot where the branches were not in his way. Satisfied he had a clear shot of the attackers he prepared. With two arrows in his hand, he nocked the first arrow, aimed high, and released it. As the fletching left the bow, the next arrow was ready to fly. The man next to his target moved.
The first arrow found its mark and the attacker fell into the water.
The second man hunkered down.
“Come on. Stand up,” Donald said softly, for only his own ears.
The man stayed put for a while, but insisted on getting Andrea’s satchel. His fingers untied the side closest to him, but he couldn’t reach the other tie. Then he tried to move Ebony, but she stayed in place.
He bent his knees, evidently planning to jump and pull the tie loose.
Donald took aim and waited. As the man left the ground, his arrow was already in the air.
The man fell onto his knees, an arrow deep in his back.
Donald slung his bow across his back and rushed into the water. He hesitated but a heartbeat, his hand on the hilt of his dirk, then he drew it.
One man lay dead in the river. The other, still on his knees, groaned near Ebony and looked at Donald as he approached.
“The gems.” He reached up, then collapsed face down into the water.
He made quick work of retrieving his arrows and searching what they carried. He stuffed what the attackers had with them into his shirt, grabbed Ebony’s reins, and made his way back to the riverbank.
Andrea rushed to meet them. He was already examining Ebony’s wound.
“Here, use this.” Andrea gave him a wet strip of linen.
He carefully cleaned the wound while he spoke softly calming the animal.
“We have a brave friend here. Her injury is not bad.” He patted the horse’s neck.
“Who were they?” There was an urgency in her voice. She turned him around, looking him up and down. “Were you hurt?”
“I’ll tell you everything once we’re safe. We need to move from here now. You’ll ride with me.”
He mounted his horse, pulled her onto his lap, and grabbed Ebony’s reins. They hurried out of the woods and cantered along the trail.
“Now will you tell me what happened? Who were those men? What did they want?”
Andrea deserved an answer and he wished he had one. “I’m not sure who those thieves were, but I’ll find out. As to what they wanted, the thief’s last word was gems.”
They rode along in silence for some time.
“When you and I spoke about a treasure hunt and competing for a prize, I never imagined our search could be fatal.” Andrea looked into his eyes and said, “I never should have gotten you involved.”
“You couldn’t stop me. I’m here because I want to be with you.” She didn’t smile, simply put her head against his chest. They continued on.
It was the truth. He was almost as excited about the adventure as she was, and would have made Claude include him.
“I haven’t heard ‘Rea’ in a long time.”
“Forgive me for being so bold. I needed your quick attention.”
“There is no need for forgiveness. It accomplished what you wanted. You got my attention. My mother insisted I be called Andrea. But I was always Rea to my grandmother in our private moments. When we were alone. She brushed my hair and told me her girlhood stories. I cherish that special time and our little secret.” She nestled closer against his chest.
The town gates were within sight. For a few moments, he didn’t want their ride to end.
Chapter Seven
Donald slowed the horses to a walk as they joined the others on the road heading toward the town gate. The sun had slipped beyond the horizon and the quickly fading light was barely enough to create shadows. Thankfully, in the dusk their passage would go somewhat unnoticed.
They passed the Cathedral Notre-Dame and continued on toward the St Leu area by the River Somme. Among the small colorful houses along the riverbank was the La Maison du Fer Blanc, The House of the Tin Plate, an inn he and DuClare
