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So my stay at Okoitz was to be cut short and when next I saw Annastashia, she'd
likely be a peasant's wife with dirty children crawling around a smoky fire. I did
not go straight to my room, but stopped in the great hall. The remains of the feast
had not yet been cleaned up. I found a nearly full pitcher of wine, a cup, and a
joint of cold meat. It suited my mood to eat and drink alone. Endings are such
sad things.
The lauds bell struck as I stumbled into my room and dumped my armor on the
floor. I got into bed and found Annastashia already there. In an instant we were
crying in each other's arms.
"Sir Vladimir," she bawled, "I don't want to leave you."
So much for Duke Henryk's secrecy, I thought. The girls always knew everything
that was happening.
"And I don't want to leave you, my love."
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"Your love? You never called me your love."
"Perhaps because until this hour, I never realized how much I truly do love you."
"Oooowww! Don't you see that that only makes it worse! I mean, why do we have
to do what everybody else says? It isn't fair! Why do I have to leave because
Lambert says so? I don't want to go anyplace else I"
"Wait a moment, love. It is I who must leave and you who must stay."
"But no! Lambert says that I must go with Sir Conrad."
I am sure that my laugh woke half the castle.
"And I shall accompany him as well!"
Our joy was such that we got no sleep that night. At dawn we were packed and
ready in the bailey before Sir Conrad got there. When he arrived, he was in the
company of Krystyana and three other ladies besides. Indeed, it seemed that he
had picked those who were most gracious of manner.
"Well, Sir Conrad. It seems that our lord sends you out well provisioned."
"Indeed. He is most generous. But why are you saddled up?"
"I hoped to accompany you and help you guard these treasures."
"More treasures than you know, Sir Vladimir." Conrad slung a pair of small,
heavy saddlebags over his horse and lashed them stoutly to the cantle. "Your
presence is needed, and I hope you'll come as my guest. It looks like I'm not the
only one who needs you." He winked at Annastashia, for of course he knew of our
relationship.
The girls felt obligated to cry at leaving their families and homes, and
Annastashia joined them in this even though her parents had been dead for a
year. But in an hour their tears were dry and the joy of adventure was on them.
Our company made a rich appearance on that clear morning. Conrad and I were
in full armor on our chargers, our ladies well dressed on fine palfreys and we had
three good mules loaded with provisions and clothing. Conrad took the lead with
Krystyana at his side, so perforce Annastashia and I rode rear guard with the
others between.
After a few hours, I said, "Annastashia, do you know where we are going?"
"Why, to Sir Conrad's lands."
"But where are those?"
"Well, I suppose in that direction." She pointed forward.
I found this location to be inadequate, and questioned my love more closely. I
was amazed to learn that not only had she not the slightest concept of geography,
but that this was the first time since early childhood that she had been out of
sight of Okoitz. Her blind faith in me and Sir Conrad was touching, but I feel best
when I know what I'm about.
Our trail had been winding through a dense forest and the dangers of being taken
unawares was such that I dared not leave my rear-guard post. But when we found
ourselves among plowed fields, I spurred Witchfire to the head of the column.
"Sir Conrad, I would speak with you."
"You've picked a fine day for it. How can I help you?"
"You know that I missed the feast and did not hear Lambert's settlement on you.
Where are we going?"
"That's a very good question. When we started, I didn't know myself. I've been
worrying about it all morning. You see, I've been given a huge tract in the
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mountains south of here. There's an old coal mine on it that I hope to reopen. But
there's not a building there, not so much as a shed, and we can hardly dump these [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]