She laughed softly.
“Am I not something of a wanderer, and yet know nothing of the ways? We have no need of ports and shipmen. A fishing-boat will serve. I have money for that.”
She showed him where she had ten gold pieces sewn up in her tunic.
“Isoult, you are a wonder of a woman.”
Yet his face and eyes looked sad.
“We shall go out like beggars. And it was in my heart to make you a great lady, with a ship to carry us, and ‘spears’ in our pay.”
“Then make me a great lady. Who will be prouder than Isoult when your sword wins that which it deserves? A stout heart is better than a full purse.”
He kissed her, and her fresh breath mingled with his, and for a while she lay in his arms, loving him dearly, and the dead men and the King’s ring were forgotten.
Then Fulk gave a sudden cry. She looked up and saw his eyes flashing at something over the water.
“Merlin’s men?”