William grunted, dropped his hand. “Do you think more they pray for forgiveness of the betrayal of their own or assurance of my forgiveness?”
Thurstan’s brow grooved. “As they aided in delivering Ely into your hands as required of them, surely they have no reason to question your leniency.”
The king settled into his heels. “As neither should you, eh?”
The abbot swallowed. “As neither should I. Trusting the word given by England’s king, I acted on it.”
“But not only to save that armful,” William reminded, and when once more he raised his hand, one finger remained upright. “Where is Lady Alvilda?”
“In the infirmary with six of Hereward’s leaders also granted sanctuary.”
“The infirmary?” the king asked what Guy wished answered.
“One of the men may lose an arm, but otherwise minor injuries, including that sustained by the lady, though whatever sliced her neck came near the great vein.”
The arrow Guy had believed had passed clear. “Praise the Lord,” he breathed and, catching Maxen’s nod, looked sidelong at his friend who bore fewer marks of battle. Those dealt both men required cleaning and dressing at most, victory assured the moment the cavalry reached the isle. And likely before nightfall, all other towns across Ely would yield to the army sweeping over them, including the camp of refuge where many lived in tents and crudely constructed huts.
Refusing to be offended by Maxen’s knowing look over what he believed of his friend’s feelings for Vilda, Guy returned his regard to the king and abbot.
“After my men and I are refreshed in your refectory,” William said, “have her brought to me there.”
“For what?” Thurstan asked. “Though she is Hereward’s cousin, I do not think that Daughter of Eve will be of use in bringing him to heel.”
“That I shall determine,” William said, then called Taillebois to him. “Send men to the infirmary to keep watch over the rebels. If they do not yet know I have come, soon they shall, and I would not have them scurrying for cover.”
Though Guy was tempted to volunteer himself and his men, he knew the decision was made and the offer would only amuse William.
“Set men over the chapel as well,” the king said. “Morcar and Aethelwine are faithless subjects. For their sakes, let us remove the temptation of turning on me again.”
Ivo chose four for the infirmary and two for the chapel, and when the abbot assigned novices to show them the way, remained behind to accompany William and three score men to the refectory that had been prepared for the abbot’s guests in advance of their arrival.
The wine was beginning to flow when one of the men-at-arms sent to the infirmary reappeared. “Lord Taillebois! They are gone, and the lady with them.”
As relief swept Guy, both Ivo and William gained their feet, the latter turning on the man seated beside him. “What is this, Abbot?”
Thurstan pushed upright. “They were there an hour past. You have the word of this man of God.”
“The same word given Hereward when you and others invited him to make Ely his base?” William demanded, and before the abbot could respond, called, “Torquay!”
Knowing what would be commanded of him since the elite force knew this isle better than other Normans, Guy rose. “My liege?”
“If they are yet inside these walls, find them. If they have escaped, find them.”
Guy gestured to the four he had chosen to accompany him to the abbey, and as they strode from the refectory, Ivo called, “I go with you, Torquay.”
Guy wanted to refuse him, but that was for the king to do, and he did not. Were there any chance of once more aiding Vilda, little chance now.
Hoping she and the others were beyond these walls and would soon be plying oars, Guy and his men stepped out into waning daylight.
As the abbey grounds were extensive, he sent two men in the direction from which sounded the voices of Taillebois’ men and hoped Ivo would join them. Instead, he accompanied Guy and the other two toward the northern wall which would be most easily breached for the collapse of an upper section likely from a recent lightning strike since the abbey was well maintained.
Be gone, Vilda, Guy rasped as they neared the place whose moist earth he hoped would show footprints so slight he alone noticed them, allowing the search to continue inside these walls to provide her more time.
Finding no impressions, at a lingering pace made to appear thorough, he led the others in searching the remainder of the perimeter as done by the two who had joined Ivo’s men on the other side of the abbey. And hoped Vilda and her fellow rebels had found another way out.
They were the hunted over their own territory—rather, what had been theirs before the abbot’s betrayal. They had needed another minute to reach the portion of the wall most easily ascended and descended, but that time had been thieved by Normans en route to the infirmary that forced Vilda and the others to take cover.
Once the enemy entered the building, the rebels had resumed their flight. However, too soon shouts and curses were heard ahead of the enemy’s reappearance, forcing them to drop out of sight again.
Blessedly, their pursuers had moved the search opposite after sending one of their numbers to alert Le Bâtard the rebellious remained rebellious.
As the prey had continued to advance on the breach in the northern wall, time and again they were thwarted by monks moving from one building to another. But they had come so close to reaching their destination her heart had pounded less with fear than the thrill of thwarting the usurper. Then greater fear though still a small thrill when she saw Guy was sent to root them out.
Even had Taillebois not been among those accompanying him and were she alone, he could not have chanced aiding her again. Nor did she desire to look close on anger for what he had risked to
