Free Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03 by A Knight of Valour

wake. 
    The thick stands of trees lining the river gradually switched to the saplings and offshoots created by coppicing. With so many trees being used for building and fuel the method was created by the village to replace what had been taken.
    Consumed with worry, Mylla heeled her horse into a reckless gallop briefly passing Talan. No match for the longer stride of his destrier, he easily caught up to her. He expertly guided his battle-trained destrier closer to the mare’s flank. In one swift motion, he stood in his stirrups to lift Mylla clear off her sidesaddle to sit between his thighs. Tying the mare’s reins to the back of his saddle, he slowed his horse to a more leisurely gait. “You are overwhelmed by recent events,” he said holding her close against his chest. “Take deep breaths to calm yourself.”
    Safe in his protective embrace, Mylla wrapped her arms around Talan’s waist. “I cannot bear the thought of losing you.”
    “Do you trust me?” Talan asked softly.
    “With all that I am.”
    “Then fear not,” he said. “Leofrick and I have worked out a route which will lead us well away from the justice’s reach.”
    The sky gradually lightened as they rode west along the curve of the river Medway. Rochester was well behind them when the sun began to make its appearance on the horizon with varying shades of bright orange, red, and magenta.
    Riding in silence for some time, Mylla reached up to touch Talan’s cheek. “Will you share the plan with me?” 
    “I will share everything with you, Mylla.”
    “You will?”
    “Why would I not?” Talan smiled at her look of surprise. “From this moment forward, everything I do will involve you.”
    “Thank you.” Relaxing against him, Mylla rested her cheek against his shoulder. “I did not expect to be treated like your equal.”
    “You are my equal in every way, mon coeur.” Gently kissing the top of her head, he inhaled the rose scent of her flaxen hair. “Would you like to know where we are going?”
    “Aye, I would,” she said. “All I know is that we are heading south.”
    “We will continue to ride south until we reach the town of Chertsey. There we will take time to refresh ourselves. We will then ride until nightfall to an abbey currently under construction in the village of Reading. King Henry had it commissioned not so long ago. The master builder overseeing the construction on the tower often spoke of it when he visited Rochester. We will blend with the itinerant workers encamped there so we can rest and send work back to your family.”   
    “Would not the justice expect us to send messages to our families?”
    “It has been arranged for me to send messages to Winifred at The Wounded Stag,” Talan said. “She will deliver word to Leofrick when it is safe to do so.”
    “What about your family?” Mylla asked.
    “Tis best for everyone involved if I cut all ties with them,” he said after a long silence. 
    “Talan.” Tears filled Mylla’s eyes. “Is there no other way?”
    “I will not be used as a weapon by de Glanville to hurt my family, Mylla.” Tracing the line of her jaw, he lightly kissed her. “Please do not be sad. I am where I most wish to be and they will understand.”
    “It appears you have thought of everything.” Mylla once again rested against him.
    “Your brother and I have worked out the entire journey.”
    “Where do we go once we depart the abbey?”
    “We will make stops in Avebury, and Aust where we will hire a ferry to cross the Severn into Wales,” Talan said. “Our final destination is to the west in Aberdovey on Cardigan Bay.”
    “Wales,” Mylla said softly. “It is so far from our home. Do you know anyone there?”
    “Nay, I do not. It is isolated which is why I chose it.”
    “You believe we will be safe there?”
    “If I thought otherwise, I would take you elsewhere,” Talan said. “It will be rough going until I can build us a suitable shelter but there is game in the