8
The silence lasted only a moment. Then Lionel was on his feet. “You’re what?!”
“I’m sorry,” said Thomas. “The church is after them. They know they’re from Elmvale. They will follow you and take them.”
“You can’t take them with you! Their mother will have their hides! She’ll have my hide!”
“Where else can they go?” Thomas asked, getting to his own feet. Lionel was changing colour; knowing the smith’s temper, Thomas was not inclined to be sitting when the man was turning red. “They’ll be hunted, Lionel.”
“And what will they be if they go with you?” Lionel demanded. “Do you think the church won’t go after them there?”
“They will not,” said Henry.
Lionel rounded upon the young lord. “And how do you know that?”
“Because we won’t let them,” said Henry.
“Thomas is a good lad who needs
