None of them wanted to accompany her. When they saw she was going to go anyway, they eventually agreed. Dakin refused to enter the woods alone, however; he wanted one of the men to accompany them. “Safety in numbers.”Matt gestured towards Carola. “She’ll stay to guard the castle. I’ll come because I’ll recognise the tree my wood should have come from where they found him. Will can stay to guard Carola. And Hamo’s staying to guard Will.”“What, from me?” Carola gave a faint smile.“You’re wrong on one count, young lad,” said Hamo. “I’m going with you. I don’t want to miss anything. And I have something you might need.” He produced a short broadsword from under his cloak. Hildegard had already noticed that everyone, even Carola, carried a dagger in their belts. So it was that Hildegard and her three escorts set out just as the sun was starting to trickle between the trees to the east. The going was soft after the rain. Dakin went ahead on a path that was no more than a shadow in the undergrowth.Hildegard asked, “Are we going to lose ourselves?”But Dakin shook his head.
