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Page 510
necessary after that was fulfilled. He touched Joanna's cheek and then kissed her gently on the forehead. She sighed a little but did not stir and Geoffrey turned away to gather up his scattered clothing, surprised at how he had flung it about. One shoe was gone completely, and he hunted further and further from the bed until he found it near the seat that was built across the window. The shutters were fastened back because the day had been blazingly hot. Now, however, a wind was rising. The night candle flickered and, when a stronger gust blew in, went out.
Geoffrey leaned out to unhook the thong which held the shutter fast. As he drew one side toward him, his eyes traveled idly first up toward the sky and then out across the river. The sky above was dark. The moon and stars were hidden by a heavy veil of cloud, which was not unexpected. When a wind came after so hot a day, it was almost surely because a storm was brewing. Turning toward the other shutter, Geoffrey froze. South, across the river, the sky had an ugly red glow. Dawn? Geoffrey wondered. Even as the thought crossed his mind he knew it was not possible.
"Joanna," he called sharply, "come here."
He heard the bed creak in instant response and spared a thought to thank God for his betrothed's good sense and good nature. One time a silly bitch he had tumbled had simpered, when he called her to warn of danger, that if he wanted what she had he could come to her.
"What is it?" Joanna asked.
The soft breath on his cheek and the scent of her, woman and spice, nearly distracted him from what he had to say. However, in the few seconds that he had taken to call and she to come, the glare south of the river had deepened.
"Look there." Geoffrey pointed. "Is it my eyes? Can there be a false dawn that color?"
"It is not near time for dawn," Joanna replied, her voice thinner than usual, "and the sun does not rise in that place. It is fire, Geoffrey."
"Holy God," he breathed, "merciful Mother, have pity!"

 
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