Page 40 of The Rising Wave
The second man, the stranger, tried to grab Velda's arms, but she screamed again, the sound loud enough that even Ava wished she could cover her ears.
It did the trick, though.
The dogs began to bay, and Tomas gave a shout.
Suddenly, they were surrounded by the pack, streaming into the hall, snarling and biting, and Ava remembered the time when they had been after her, and was very grateful they were now on her side.
The men dropped her, and the dogs swarmed her, some even standing on her, as they growled and bared their teeth at the interlopers.
“All right, all right.” The messenger backed away, arms raised.
Ava was pleased to see more than a few bites and tears on those arms.
The other man joined him, bleeding from his face and arms.
Tomas stood behind them, a shovel in his hand, and both men started when they realized he was there and edged around him.
Velda bent beside her and undid the gag, and Ava gave her a look of gratitude before rolling to her feet, her arms still tied to her side. “You can tell the speaker that he has now ensured I will never come to his court. And he has made an enemy of me.”
“Why?” Velda asked. “She is an Yngstra. She is the lifeblood of this country. Why would you do this?”
Neither men replied. They turned and ran, and Ava ran after them, the dogs jostling for place beside her. She stopped when she reached the bottom of the stairs, watching as they swung up onto horses and galloped away.
Tomas stood beside her, and then tugged the knots on the ropes around her arms loose.
Her legs gave way, so she landed on the stone steps, and the dogs were suddenly licking her and yipping, and she cried and laughed as she rubbed them and kissed them back.
Then she stood and gave Velda a hug. “You are formidable. Thank you.”
Velda wiped away tears. “I don't understand why.”
“Perhaps the same reason I was taken by Herron. The same reason my mother was taken before I was born. The same reason the Yngstras live quietly in the country.”
Velda opened her mouth to object, to say that would never be done by one of her own countrymen, and then snapped it closed. Nodded.
“Whatever the reason,” Ava said, “the time has come for me to leave. Because those men will be back. Probably with others to help them.” She looked at Tomas and Velda. “Is there somewhere you can go for a while? Where you'll be safe?”
Tomas nodded. “I know a place.” He bent down to rub the dogs’ heads. “Can take the dogs, too.”
“Thank you. If I go now, as soon as I've packed, can you still give the shirts to your friend tomorrow?”
Tomas nodded.
Velda didn't say anything more. She came to help Ava pack, but she said nothing, not until Ava tightened the strap on her saddlebags and turned for a final farewell.
Velda grabbed her in a tight hug. “Where are you going to go?”
“Somewhere safe, I promise.” Ava thought of Luc, drawing the soldiers into the woods to save her. “To someone who puts my life before his own.”
Velda gasped and drew back. “A lover?”
“A lover,” Ava agreed. “I'll be back when I can.”
“You better be, girl. The dogs'll miss you. We'll miss you.” Tomas wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
Ava swung into the saddle and rode up the hill, the way she'd come only three weeks before.
The hounds bayed behind her, but it was in sorrow this time, not excitement.
She felt excitement, though.
She was heading for the Rising Wave.
She was headed for Luc.
