They left the forest quickly, silent the entire way back. All of them with pained expressions, yet none as fierce as Gavin’s. He held tight to his commander, his own wound draining with each stride his mount took, but he never loosened his hold. The strength it took to keep Greylen upright before him was nothing compared to the sickness he felt. The look Greylen had given him before they were set upon again replayed in his mind.

He could only imagine what Greylen’s words would have been, had he spoken them.

He sent Kevin and Hugh ahead as they reached the first of their border patrols. And with each group of men they passed throughout the holding, their numbers increased as men joined their procession.

Gavin’s pace was so determined, however, Kevin and Hugh remained in his sight as they passed through the gates.

Chapter 25

“Gwendolyn, you must tell me what you’re making,” Isabelle called over her work for the second time.

“I’ve told you it’s a surprise, Isabelle,” Gwen chastised. “I’ll make one for you, too, but I have something entirely different in mind,” she teased with a smile. They were sitting in the library with Lady Madelyn. It was still an hour or so before dinner and she had just begun to work on a garment for Greylen. A Christmas present.

Gwen had told them only a week before of how she celebrated the holiday and she’d cautiously asked Greylen if they might have a tree and exchange gifts. She was rewarded with one of his incredible smiles, and his assurance that he’d like nothing more than to begin such a tradition with her. Now, thanks to her big mouth, she had four months to make seven shirts, something naughty for Isabelle, and things for Lady Madelyn and Anna too.

Thank God she was good with needles.

They were startled as shouts rang from the courtyard and what had to be a stampede as horses and men raced toward the steps. Ian and Connell were already through the front doors by the time the ladies reached them and Gwen raced outside. Isabelle started screaming immediately and Lady Madelyn began calling instructions for the table to be cleared in the great hall.

Gwen ran straight to Greylen. She had no time for fear and immediately began a clinical assessment. He was covered with blood, unconscious, and suffered two apparent wounds.

Her assessment continued as Gavin confirmed each of her observations.

“He’s been unconscious for hours,” Gavin said, looking only at her. “Two arrows found their marks, one in his shoulder, the other his leg. There’s a gash behind his head, but the blood flow has stopped.”