Chapter 5

In the weeks that followed I seemed to see Emrys everywhere and attempted to avoid him at every turn. It was clear he was not trying to search me out since he was with King most times I saw him, yet that thought did little to ease my nerves. Part of me still failed to believe that he was Emrys, yet another part had seen more than enough proof of his magic. The man had an unearthly power about him, so tangible that I could feel it upon my skin when he drew close. It was unlike anything I had ever felt before and the mere memory awoke the shivers I felt that night.

There had been a steady stream of the ill and needy drifting by the West entrance of the castle wall where they were assessed and the worst brought in to see Edward. Over time it was becoming more and more apparent that this man truly was Emrys for the weak and lame were walking away well and fit. What confused me most, however, was how he possessed such a modern name. He was supposedly born before names were even made, so why call himself Edward?

I tried to let my thoughts settle and distracted myself with sewing. I was making a new dress for Alice with some fine blue cloth that had come in on a shipment. To my left was some cloth that Alice had encouraged me to take in order to make my own smart dress. I worked on it on my days off and slowly, thread by thread, it was coming together. I glanced across to where the partly made dress lay and sighed wistfully. It would be nice to have a dress that has not been torn or dirtied by work.

I heard a commotion in the courtyard below and rose to peer through the small window of my chamber. A dozen or so horses were gathered with hunting tack on. The King was seated upon one and a younger boy I recognized as Seth, was upon another. Seth was my cousin and a stable hand for the King. I knew he had ambitious aims of proving himself worthy of becoming a knight. Despite my attempts, and those of my aunt and uncle. Seth would not be dissuaded from his goal. It pained me, but even Seth knew that knighthoods were only for the rich and noble.

Finally Sir Jasper came out and mounted a third. He passed a hunting bow each to Seth and the King and together the three of them set off through the gates followed by the other nine riders. I could hear Lady Alice calling irately after them, but no one seemed to hear her.

A few minutes after the party had gone Lady Alice stormed through my door, "I cannot believe it! I told them there is a storm coming but they did not listen and now with Emmett's passion for hunting they will be out for hours and will likely get stuck in the marshes or a chill!" She fumed. I smiled as I listened to her passionate rant. Alice had a penchant for predicting things and she was usually right. I was honestly surprised the King did not heed her warning.

"There is little any of us can do now." I reasoned lightly, putting my sewing to the side.

The princess flopped down on my bed looking defeated. "I know. I don't really care if my brother gets stuck out in the foul weather… It's Sir Jasper, I worry about." I laughed, for Sir Jasper was about as resilient as the King, if not a little more weather hardy.

It seemed Alice's prediction was right, for only a few hours later the rain began to fall. The sky was a moody grey, dark clouds amassing in the distance that grumbled and churned. Fortunately the weather was slow moving and it wasn't until the mid afternoon that the storm set in. As it began to set upon the castle, the great portcullis rose with a loud shout as the hunting party returned. Alice and I rose from where she had been sat drawing and I had been cleaning her shoes. Ten riders were gathered, but none of them were the King or Seth. Jasper shouted to the guards as he got off his horse clutching his side. Servants and guards arrived and began leading all the horses away whilst a stable boy brought a fresh horse out.

Realizing what was to happen, Alice and I ran down to the keep's steps. Stopping at the top of them we watched Jasper as he mounted the fresh horse.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Emrys trotting round from the stables, his winter cloak billowing over the horse's quarters. He stopped next to Jasper and they exchanged heated words. Jasper was adamant, shaking his head defiantly, the blonde curls that Alice loved so, dark and sopping as they clung to his rain soaked face. Finally he dismounted, wincing as he landed. Immediately Alice was running down the steps towards him and I remained, still too shocked and unsure what to do. Wrapping her arm about him, Lady Alice began to help Sir Jasper towards the entrance of the keep, as they approached, I noticed the large, dark red stain on his side and the hole in cotton shirt. My blood ran cold and my heart leapt into my throat.

Emrys was shouting for Jasper's care whilst he was gone. My heart raced, I could not stand by whilst my cousin was out somewhere ill, wounded or taken. I looked across to Alice as I began slowly walking down the steps. Just as she was passing through the main doors, she looked back and silently we stared at each other. Knowing what I was about to do and both worried for the King and Seth, she nodded.

I ran and taking the reins of the horse they brought for Jasper. "Lady Alice wants me to go with Emrys." The servant looked hesitant before cautiously letting go of the reins. I thanked God for the obedience of servants to the monarchy. "Help me up! Quickly!" I exclaimed as I lifted one hand to the horse's neck and the other to the back of the saddle. Once on, I turned the horse, in time to see the tail of Emrys' stallion taking off through the castle gates. I gave the horse a kick and it burst into a canter, I was fortunate to have learnt to ride with Alice as a child. Together we had become enjoyed exploring the forest together, jumping logs and daring to ride like men with a leg on either side of the saddle. I hoisted the skirt of my dress up higher as the gelding raced after Emrys to allow my legs to sit more easily abreast the horse.

Cantering after him, I urged the horse faster into a gallop down the muddied track from the castle to the forestry. The horse sped up, its instinct to catch the other taking over as we flew after Emrys. Hearing the thundering of hooves, he glanced behind and pulled his horse up suddenly. Pulling on the rain slicked reins I only just managed to stop mine next to him. The horses danced and span impatiently, feeding off the stressful energy, "What the hell are you doing?!" Edward shouted irately.

"Coming with you." I answered breathlessly. "Alice and my cousin are out there. We cannot leave them." The rain was pelting and already my hair was soaked. My horse tossed his head impatiently, his white coat already turning gray in the damp.

"You will catch a chill or worse. Get back to the castle, Olwen." Steam rose from Edward's horse as it span, its eyes wide and keen in the wind and rain.

"No. I won't leave them. Lady Alice told me to come." I lifted me chin defiantly, but blanched as a flash of lightning ripped across the sky with a deafening crack of thunder. My horse spooked and I only just managed to get it under control as it skittered beneath me. Sure that if I attempted to restrain the horse any more, I would lose, I gave it the reins and it leapt forward toward the forest. Rain pelted my eyes as we bolted towards the forest, but I knew if I could get there, the less chance Emrys had of sending me home. I could hear his horse gaining on mine, and I urged mine faster until we flew into the mouth of the forest.

"Bella! For God's sake stop!" I glanced at him over my shoulder, "You don't even know where you are going!" I reluctantly slowed, knowing he was right, I had no idea and at this speed the horse was going to break a leg on the uneven forest floor. Emrys drew level, his green eyes blazing with fury, his hair soaked and in wild disarray. My own hair was stuck to my forehead and steam rose from our mounts in the chill air.

"I can't leave him." I begged, wiping at the rain as it dripped into my eyes hiding the tears that were beginning to fall. "Please, Emrys."

He hesitated seeing my distress, "Fine. Stay close." With that he urged the horse on into a faster trot and I sent mine after him.