The Temporal Knights (24 page)

“If we be going alone it must be verily early, before the cock crows,” she whispered. “Aunt Eldreena does not sleep well these nights, and oft stays in bed past sun up because of it.”

Matt nodded and frowned, very tempted. “Perhaps we should have a chaperone. I’m sure we can get Giles to go with us...and possibly he could rustle up another girl to go along as well.”

Her disappointment was so evident on her face that he chuckled. He reached over and squeezed her hand, and they both glanced over at the now dozing Eldreena. Ellyn moved closer and pressed her body next to his wickedly, looking up at him with longing. Helpless before her, he bent and let his lips lightly brush hers. The touch was feather light, but he felt her shiver, then he straightened up, knowing for sure at that moment that she was his. They stared at one another for a few seconds before something caused them both to glance again at her aunt. The old woman was awake now, alert and staring directly at Matt, a frown on her face. He smiled to her and gave an exaggerated bow. Eldreena could not help but smile back through her scorn, but she did rise and made quick excuses and took her leave, pulling a reluctant Ellyn along behind.

Matt stayed with the dancers for a long spell, and even danced a bit more with the many ladies who’d waited patiently for the pig from Bridgwater to retire. Matt enjoyed himself with all of them, unwilling for the night to end, but finally he headed back to his tent. He would need his sleep. He had to get up early after all.

§

The next morning, with the blessing of the Lady Merwinna and with the help of the Ransley Gilbert, the Stable Master, Matt and Murphy acquired a pair of fine horses to ride.  Selby Conner, a common girl who worked in the kitchens of the Manor Hall, shyly came along as Murphy’s date. The two had hit it off nicely a few nights prior and Murphy was looking forward to spending more time with the buxom young woman. The Lady Ellyn had Elsie, her own large strawberry roan, saddled for the occasion. Both the Americans walked their mounts from the barn, very excited, for neither of them had much experience with horses. Murphy was raised in Philadelphia and Matt in Norfolk Virginia, neither was truly horse country any longer.

“Good Morn,” Ellyn said, already mounted on her horse. She straddled it like a man, since the nonsense of women riding side saddle had not yet come into fashion. Both men smiled up at her.

“My Lord but your horse is enormous,” Murphy exclaimed, admiring the beast. Elsie was half again as large as either of the men’s mounts.

Ellyn blushed slightly at the blaspheme, but said nothing. These men were strangers and should be given every courtesy. “She’s been mine since she was just a yearling. Methinks me da’ regrets na havin’ her for his own these days,” Ellyn explained with a smile, proud of her horse.

“Good morn, Selby,” she added, greeting the girl who walked quietly behind the men. Ellyn knew of Selby…though only vaguely. She’d seen her countless times serving food, but they’d never conversed. Selby was older, but not overly so, perhaps a year or two Ellyn’s senior. But she must be unmarried and Ellyn briefly wondered why the kitchen maid was free. Selby had muddy brown hair which normally hung lifeless from her head but was now tied up in a fairly intricate bun.

‘Acting the noble,’
Ellyn thought with amusement. She remained quiet however, well aware of the strangers propensity for treating all women as equals. It was obvious that Selby was lowborn, but she was clean and buxom, and Ellyn could see how men might find her looks somewhat pleasing in a common sort of way.

“M’lady.” The girl replied in a voice barely above a whisper. She was vastly uncomfortable but very excited to be out mixing with those of noble birth. Luella, her mother, ran the kitchens for the Ealdorman and was thrilled at the fortunate turn of events. She woke her daughter a full two hours earlier than usual so they could prepare for the outing. Selby even borrowed a dress from her second cousin just for the day. It was as fine a dress as Selby had ever worn, but even still, it paled next to Ellyn’s riding clothes. She felt awkward and out of place and wondered why she ever agreed to such a thing.

“Selby’s been giving us pointers on handling horses,” Murphy said and smiled down at the young girl, and suddenly Selby remembered why she had agreed. She smiled warmly back at the tall man. He always treated her like a lady, as if he didn’t care whether she was noble or common.

“Yes, she’s been very helpful,” Matt added and then with a fair amount of grace he pulled himself up into the small saddle. Within moments they were off, riding past an old barn, which was barely standing, and then along the river Exe. They left Lieutenant Turnbull in charge, but took along a small GBF transmitter just in case. Matt had no intention of going very far outside the perimeter, and both he and Murphy wore their sidearms against any unforeseen dangers.

The day was beautiful; the sky was clear and it was much warmer than it had been for the past week or so. The Exe was a small river, and still fairly low despite the recent rain, and all along its banks grew great, mighty oaks. They soon passed Private Stroff, the farthest sentry from camp in this direction. Matt gave him a quick salute, and then they were riding out into the countryside. They rode along at a walk, chatting about the scenery, the weather, and any other little thing that struck their fancy, and when Matt estimated they’d gone about two miles downriver he suggested they circle to the north before heading back toward Athelney.

“No, no...” Ellyn said with a pout. “Let us stay along the river, tis ever so much more pleasant with the water and the trees.”

Matt looked at Murphy who shrugged, but the Major would not have it. “I can’t go any farther out than this,” he explained. “I have to keep in touch with the camp just in case anything happens.”

“Happen. Wot could happen?” the girl argued.

“Anything,” Matt answered.

“Well, let us stop here for a spell then,” she suggested, not wanting the outing to end any sooner than was necessary, a desire they all had in common.

  “Yah, tis lovely here,” Selby agreed watching as the river gurgled its way around a half dozen small boulders. “We should rest. Riding is verily tiring,” she added and was warmed by the smile and nod she received from the Lady.

Matt raised his eyebrows, knowing he was being manipulated by the women, but somehow he enjoyed it anyway. “All right,” he agreed smiling with Murphy. “We’ll stay here a bit.”

They all dismounted together and tied their horses to low sturdy branches.

“Just like John Wayne,” Murphy said with a chuckle as they made their way over to the riverbank. Ellyn picked out a spot on a large flat rock and patted the place next to her. Matt smiled and joined her and soon they were all sitting and gazing out over the water.

Matt took a moment and contacted camp and let Turnbull know their exact whereabouts, then sat back and enjoyed the countryside and company.

“This is great,” Matt said after several quiet moments. “The day is perfect.”

“Umm...I’ll bet that water tastes fresh too,” Murphy added which made the girls wonder just what water was supposed to taste like.

“Wot is it like in yor land?” Selby asked, finally mustering the courage to speak. Both men’s faces darken and Selby knew instantly that she’d made a terrible blunder.

“It was crowded...more than you could know. Many cities had far more people in them than all of your England does now,” Murphy said quietly, trying to find the words to explain a life so different from the one the girl was now living. “And it was fast. People could travel anywhere in the world in only a few hours...and there were different people all over, all together. It was such a small place, our world...but now that’s over. It’s gone.”

They all sat quiet for a time and Selby punished herself mentally for being so stupid. Everyone knew the strangers were driven from their lands with many, many kilt… and all of the women if the stories be true. She felt sick, stupid and sad, and though she tried not to cry, the tears began to fall unbidden until Murphy noticed and put his arm around her.

“Hey, hey,” he said drawing the attention of the others. “Why are you crying?”

“Wot a stupid little wench I
be,” she said of herself. “I be so sorry for bringin’ up the dead. Methinks it was na right on such a fine day.”

Murphy chuckled. “It’s a great day,” he added and held her closer. “No offense,” he told her and then turned to Matt. “Why don’t you two take a hike or
something.”

“Yeah,” Matt said smiling, but worried at the same time. “Why don’t we go for a walk along the river,” he agreed grinning at Ellyn who was instantly on her feet, grateful to Selby once more, though only a minute ago she was very cross. She grabbed Matt’s hand and led him back the way they’d just come on horseback.

They walked hand in hand for a spell, saying nothing just glad to be with each other, until Ellyn stopped and leaned against an especially large oak with low, sprawling branches.

“Wot ye thinking?” she asked demurely, hoping against hope it was about her.

“I was just thinking how nice it is here...how nice it is here with you,” he answered seeing through her easily, and grabbed her other hand. She pulled herself close, pressing her body next to his. She wanted this man.

“Will ye kiss me, Matt Thane?” she asked, reveling in her wantonness. She had never felt this way before, with man or boy. A growing need was firing within her body, something hitherto unknown and something wickedly delicious.

Matt said nothing, just stood looking down at the very attractive and aggressive young girl. He tried to resist, wanting to take it slow, but her body felt divine, her face was fresh and she looked into his eyes with such directness that he could no longer help himself. She wanted him and he knew it, but more than that, he wanted her…very badly. This time the kiss was not light, but hard, deep and searching, and when it was over Matt pulled back, worried. She was so young, too young really, but he did not understand that in this time it was customary for the finest ladies to be married above their station to older, powerful and successful men, often while they were still very young. The Lady Ellyn found nothing untoward in finding herself with a man nearly twice her age, what she did find unusual is that she was attracted to the man, desperately.

“Kiss me,” she whispered and pulled his head down again. They kissed for a good ten minutes, the fire steadily growing hotter in both of them. His hands moved to the small of her back and pulled her even closer as he pushed his body against hers. She felt his need and was thrilled by it. Her breathing became ever more rapid as his hands began to wander along her back, down to her buttocks, which were well hidden within the mound of skirts, and then finally up and to her left breast. She gasped, his hands were lighting tiny fires all over her body, she knew now that she would have this man, here, today.

But then Matt’s wife and children inexplicably appeared in his mind. He released Ellyn and jumped back, as if pinched. He stared at the girl for a long moment, aghast, and then all the passion that was written on her face fell away and was replaced with self-loathing.

She’d been too quick, too wanton, too common, and now he’d rejected her. Mercifully tears welled in her eyes so that she could no longer see his face, but his appalled expression would be forever burned in her memory. She staggered away from the tree, tried to run, but couldn’t see, and then his arms were around her again.

“I’m sorry...I’m sorry,” he said and stroked her hair. “It’s not you. Ellyn, it’s not you.”

He helped her to sit at the foot of the oak and then plopped down next her and began to talk, unbidden. He told her all about Cindy, his wife, how they met, when he first knew he loved her, their wedding day, the birth of Shelley, their first child, and then Matt Jr. He told her everything; how Shelley snored softly when she slept, and how little Matt squirmed so much through the night that his head was often at the wrong end of the bed come morning. He told her how Cindy always slept on her stomach, in the nude, and how she moved her feet at night, back and forth, back and forth, to lull herself to sleep. They were his life, his family and then he told Ellyn of their deaths, quick yet painful, no one to help, all the hospitals full of dying women already, every home full of its own grief. In the end, he saw to them all alone, holding each one in those last moments, expecting at any time to catch the dreadful disease himself, but he never did.

Finally, he told how he buried them, out behind the house, his life, his world, spinning off into chaos. It was too much and then the Skawps came, and with them the need for vengeance.

She reached over and grabbed his hand, holding it tightly, and he looked over at her, completely spent, but feeling much better for the telling.

“No matter,” he said at last. “It’s not because of you, whatever happens.”

“Na me?”

“No, I want you still,” he answered and her heart jumped in her chest, and she smiled, so happy she started to cry again.

He hugged her and then stood, bringing her up with him. “Come we’d better be getting back. I don’t want to be gone when the General returns.”

She nodded and they made their way leisurely back along the river, not talking, just holding hands. They topped a slight rise and saw them lying nude in the sun on the far side of the river, Murphy and Selby.