The boy would rub down all the horses and feed them before he was allowed to eat and sleep. And he would do this every night until they reached London. It came as no surprise when Aelia left her own meal to help him. “Aelia.” He caught her arm and stopped her before she could move away from the small fire at the center of their camp. “He’s too small to do such work,” she protested as he directed her back to her place. It would have surprised Mathieu if Osric tried to run off again. The boy was foolish, but not stupid. He knew how close he’d come to death, and was unlikely to try such a stunt again. Besides, the men had removed all the saddles before turning their horses over to his dubious care, and they were too heavy for him to lift. “He’s going to fall.” “Why? Has he never climbed onto a boulder before?” Mathieu knew his casual tone infuriated Aelia more than she already was. “You are treating him cruelly.” Mathieu looked ’round at his men. “What do you think?
