Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [34]
But not as good as she is with men, Thea thought dryly, then felt a sudden rush of shame. The girl had become a whore when she was a mere child herself. Who was Thea to condemn her for trying to find security in a world that could orphan children like Haroun in one night of horror? “That won’t be necessary. Perhaps she could come to see him in a few days when he’s better.”
“Today.”
Thea wearily shook her head as the door closed behind Jasmine. Why had she bothered to argue? The woman would do as she pleased. She supposed she should be grateful that Jasmine had decided it pleased her to help Thea. Heaven knew she had needed support this night.
“The boy will live?”
Thea stiffened when she saw Ware standing in the doorway. He was no longer in armor, but he might as well have been. His face was as hard as a shield.
“I think so.”
He came into the chamber. “Jasmine said he woke and spoke to you. I told you to send for me when he woke.”
“Why should I? It seems Jasmine runs to you with every bit of news.”
His gaze searched Haroun’s face. “I want to speak to the boy.”
“No.” She moved protectively closer. “He’s sleeping again. I won’t have him disturbed.”
“I have no intention of shaking him awake.” He sat down in the chair. “I’ll wait.”
She did not want him there. His calm indifference grated on her control like salt on a wound. The world had ended for so many tonight and he did not care. “It may be hours.”
“I’ll wait.”
He was master there; she could not banish him. But she could ignore him.
It was not necessary. He did not appear to know she was in the chamber. He stared straight ahead at the wall in front of him.
Haroun opened his eyes three hours later. His gaze immediately fastened on Ware. “My lord?” he whispered.
Ware bent forward. “I need something from you, lad. Are you well enough to help me?”
Haroun nodded and then flinched. “But I cannot fight them…yet.”
“No, I have soldiers aplenty. I need you to tell me something. I need you to think back to when the village was attacked.”
“No!” Thea said.
He didn’t look at her. “Can you do that for me, Haroun?”
He nodded and closed his eyes. “They came at sundown. I was at the well drawing water for our evening meal. Mama was standing in the doorway.” He stopped. “When they rode into the village, she tried to get to me. They…the arrow—”
“Stop this.” Thea glared at Ware. “There’s no need for this cruelty.”
“Be quiet.” His gaze never left the boy’s face. “I don’t need to know about your mother, Haroun. Who were the men who attacked? Were they bandits?”
He shook his head. “I don’t…think so. They were Franks but not clean shaven like most Franks. Beards…a red cross on their mantles.” His eyes opened, brimming with moisture. “Is it enough, my lord?”
“It’s enough.” He rose to his feet. “You’ve done well. You have the makings of a soldier, lad. Now go back to sleep. We’ll talk again when you’re better.” He strode toward the door and glanced at Thea as he opened it. “Find someone to watch him and come to the Great Hall. I would have words with you.”
She wanted words with him, too. She wanted to hurl the same foul words at him she had heard the camel drivers use. She wanted to push him from the battlements.
“I’ve…done well,” Haroun said. “Did you hear him?”
“I heard him.” She tried to keep the anger from her voice. “Now go back to sleep. When you awake, I’ll get you some broth to eat.”
“I…did well….” He drifted off to sleep.
Ware was standing at the window, looking out at the mountains when she strode into the hall.
“That was cruel and unnecessary,” she burst out. “The boy has just lost his mother. Couldn’t you have waited until he healed a little?”
“No. If the attackers were bandits, we would have pursued them.”
“So that more people could die?”
He didn’t turn around. “Yes, that is war.”
“And it means nothing to you, does it? All those men and women and children…”
“Everyone dies.”
“Not like that.” She moved across the room toward him. “Those children…” She had to stop to steady her