Free Knight of Runes by Ruth A. Casie Page A

to feel the grit and composition and estimate the water content. Bringing her fingers to her nose, she sought out additives and minerals. She moved on to the flora and pulled up sprigs of grass and stems of flowers to examine their roots and check their leaves. Her brows furrowed, she examined several areas the same way.
    “It’s strange.” She approached Doward with her findings. “Some sections of the meadow are vibrant and healthy while others are dying as you said. I also found small burned areas possibly a result of direct lightning strikes. I suspect the strikes took place before the ground dried or the burnt areas would be larger. There’re no signs of infestation or any tainting.”
    “Our conclusions are the same. This blight appears in different places but the results are the same. And they always start with lightning.”
    The thunderous sound from the road behind them startled her. She felt the pounding of horses and heard the jingling of their tack before she could make out who approached them.
    Doward looked up and smiled, his mood lightened. “It’s Lord Arik and three of his men. Ah, I see Logan, Arik’s brother is with them. We travel to Arik’s village. He’s a good man, and friend of King James.”
    The men advancing were indeed on horseback and also in costume. How many people were involved in the reenactment? Rebeka felt uneasy. Every instinct in her screamed beware. She moved cautiously back toward the wagon and listened attentively to the exchange between the men.
    “Good morrow, Doward. It is good to see you about.”
    “Good morrow, Lord Arik. I hope you and your people are well.”
    “Aye, they wait for your visit. They want your stories and songs as well as information from Easton.”
    “What brings you so far from your estate?”
    “My men and I are out on patrol. I wanted to see the impact this blight has had on the land. There is concern it will attack our crops and affect our winter food supply. We have not found any sign of the disturbance yet last night I felt something unsettling but could not make out what it was. When I saw you in the distance I hoped you’d have some word from the other villages or possibly you may have seen something on your travels.”
    Rebeka felt his stare as Lord Arik looked over Doward’s shoulder and found her standing by the wagon.
    “I too felt a disturbance of sorts. I sense there’s a pattern but I can’t see it clearly,” said Doward.
    “Here, Simon, gather the water bags and get water,” Arik ordered, giving his man the water bag. “Logan, you and Willem check the meadow and see if there is anything worth noting.”
     
    Arik didn’t recognize the woman with Doward. He made it his business to know as much as he could about everyone who lived on or near his lands in order to protect his domain, and wanted to know who this woman was before leaving. His horse pulled on the reins eager to be away but Arik was not finished yet. “Who’s the woman, Doward? Is she traveling with you?” His tone was direct. His words clipped. He wanted to make sure this woman wasn’t here to cause trouble. That was the last thing he needed.
    Doward motioned to Rebeka. “Arik, this is Lady Rebeka. She was—” he hesitated, “—on her way to the village from London. I found her hurt, dazed and alone on the trail. We’re traveling together. I decided I would act as her escort.”
    “Her escort! Doward, I mean you no disrespect but you can hardly act as protector. This woman puts you both in jeopardy.” Arik’s horse, Spirit, began prancing, startled by Arik’s outburst. He spit out the words, directing all his anger at Rebeka. What was the woman thinking letting an old man like Doward protect her?
    Rebeka stood taller, planted her staff on the ground in a quiet but emphatic fashion and stared squarely into his eyes. “I can take care of myself thank you very much.”
    Arik shifted his attention to her, taking a moment to take her in fully. He was