As he contemplated the events of the day, the face of the woman he’d seen in his dreams the night before wandered through his thoughts. Who was she? He closed his eyes, hoping to keep her with him. She looked sad. He couldn’t say why he thought so. Behind the sadness, he could feel…love? He shook his head. Where had that come from?
“You must have been deep in fever dreaming,” he muttered to himself. Turning over, he closed his eyes and shut out thoughts of anything, much less dark haired, beautiful women. He needed to focus on more important things tomorrow.
Try as he might, she didn’t leave him be in his dreams.
***
Hadden came awake suddenly, hand clasping the knife he slept with under his pillow. His heart pounding, he scanned the tent. He couldn’t explain why, but he felt certain someone had been in the tent. Scanning the small space again, he leaned back, knife still in hand.
Since returning from being ill, he had not been able to sleep. Dreaming of the same sad woman night after night did not help, but camp was unsettled as well. He could not shake the unease that the current situation brought.
He didn’t want to think about the coming warfare. He turned his thoughts to the woman in his dreams. He knew of no one who looked like her. His thoughts were interrupted by one of his men poking his head through the tent door.
“Lord Maddox wants to see you. He says in his tent immediately.”
Hadden got out of bed, nodding at the man as he did so. He hurried into his clothing and left within minutes of being summoned. He stopped at the door of Maddox’s tent and waited for the sentry to announce him. He could hear Maddox within, and the sentry opened the tent flap. Ducking his head, he entered.
“That was fast, Hadden. Good. I need you to scout on the other side of the border.”
“Begging pardon, sir, but why?”
Maddox whipped his head up from the documents he was studying to look at Hadden. “Are you still suffering the effects of your head injury? What do you mean, why? We’ve been tasked with surveillance of the border, and what or who may be on the other side. We do as we are told. There is no why.”
“Will it not be considered a hostile act to be in Ethion? We have not been invited.” Hadden normally would not have questioned Maddox in this fashion, but Maddox was not behaving normally.
“It might be, if you are caught.”
“But, sir, at this point in time, as you have said yourself, we are not at war or even in hostile negotiations with Ethion. This would not be seen in a positive light by King Markellus.”
“We do as we are told.” Maddox’s face was tight. Hadden could tell that he was angry, but in spite of that, he didn’t think that anger was directed at him.
He didn’t want to make things more difficult for Maddox, in spite of his unease. He nodded, letting Maddox know that his questions were at an end. “Where will I be, and what, specifically, unofficially,” he grinned as Maddox looked up, “Am I looking for?”
Maddox smiled back, a tight, grim smile. It made Hadden suddenly glad that he had taken this tack. “We need to see, unofficially, of course, if there are troops arriving at the border. It would also be very nice,” he said with heavy sarcasm, “If you could let us know whether or not the bandits are involved in any such maneuvers. And the quicker, the better.”
“Am I to be in the open or more hidden?”
“You make the call. I trust you to assess the situation properly.”
Hadden nodded again. He preferred the autonomy. It would allow him to gauge the situation without worrying he might be breaking orders.
“Once you have a sense of the countryside and any movement of troops and bandits, then you are to get back here immediately. I need to be able to send word to the Earl Marshal so that he might apprise the king.”
“Mayhap the king should not have been so hasty with the axe.”
“Do not speak treason!” Maddox slammed his hand on the table. “It may be that your comment is not completely off the mark, but it is not for us to say one way or the other. Do I make myself clear?”
“Perfectly, sir. When do I leave?”
“This evening. Take Roysten with you. He’s a dour old sod. Should you be in a town, he’ll draw a complaint out of the happiest of maids.”
Hadden laughed aloud. “I am sorry, sir. I don’t make light of the situation. It’s merely your description is so very apt.”
“I’d forgotten—you rode here with him, did you not?” Hadden was glad to see that Maddox had a genuine smile.
“In record time, no less. I was most eager to be back with my men,” Hadden said earnestly.
Maddox laughed harder. “He’ll be a fine companion to you. Take what you need from the quartermaster.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll check in with you before we depart.”
Maddox nodded, and Hadden left the tent. He didn’t feel good about this, but at least he would not be going alone. Roysten would be company. The fact that he would grumble the entire time was not relevant.
Or at least Hadden could tell himself that now.
Chapter Eight
The company on his journey was as expected. Roysten kept up a steady stream of complaint. However, in his favor and probably his saving grace, he was funny as he totted up his list of grievances, so Hadden felt he could tolerate him enough to let him live.
For now.
They made good time and were in Ethion in time to find space at a tavern for the night. He knew they didn’t look like anything other than what they were—so he let it be known they were two former soldiers, cashed out and looking for another place. Although he said it in a way that indicated they were in no hurry.
Roysten, enjoying his second tankard of ale, raised it up and nodded. For once, he kept silent. “No one seems to be plotting in corners,” Roysten said when the tavern maid had moved away.
“No, they don’t, but we’re strangers. They’re not going to welcome us and show us all their plans and discussions, now are they?” He looked at Roysten. “How much of that ale have you had? Your wits have truly addled.”
Roysten laughed. “I don’t think that there’s anything to worry about. Not that I’m complaining, mind you!” He protested at Hadden’s snort. “I’m not! It’s fine to get away from camp, have some time to take your ease and the like.”
“We’re not here to take our ease. Put that thought aside immediately. As well as any thoughts about the local girls.”
“You’re awfully serious since you came back from your injury,” Roysten groused. “Nothing wrong with a bit of fun with a young lady who’s willing!” He winked at one of the girls clearing tables. She looked startled.
Hadden had to laugh. He’d be startled too if Roysten was winking at him. Startled and frightened.
“I know that, but we need to be able to give an accurate report to Lord Maddox. He’s more worried than he lets on.”
Roysten dropped all teasing. “Is he, now? What’s he know that we don’t?”
“He hears from court more than we do, my friend,” Hadden clapped Roysten on the back. “We’re not privy to such. He nearly took my head off before we left.”
Roysten didn’t respond, but studied his ale. “It’s odd, ain’t it?”
“What?” Hadden wasn’t used to seeing Roysten thoughtful.
“All this over what some girls are doing to their shoes at night.”
He didn’t know why, but the thought gave him a pang. “Well, they’re princesses. Their doings are important until their father gets them all married off.”
Roysten shrugged. “I don’t know, Commander. It seems odd. Are they so indifferent? Two or three men are dead since this fuss began. Something’s not right.”
Hadden gave his own shrug. “It’s not our concern. Unless—” His words were cut off by a local standing up, banging his fist on the table, and calling for silence.
“All you lot, raise your glass! To Casimir, the finest prince since ‘is father!”
The patron
s of the tavern all did as instructed with a great roar. Hadden and Roysten followed suit.
Roysten glanced at Hadden. “Little dicey feeling, ain’t it?”
“I hear he was a decent prince. It’s a loss even with other heirs.”
Roysten didn’t reply, just took another drink of his ale. “We’d best just sit and listen.”
They sat until much later that evening, but whether there was really no talk to be heard or the locals were concerned about strangers in their midst, they didn’t hear anything of interest. Finally, they both headed up to their room.
When they woke the next morning, Hadden found he was rather at a loss. Were he back in camp, he could work on something, anything. There was always something needing to be tended to. Here, there wasn’t much they could do without drawing unwanted attention to themselves.
He looked over to where Roysten was still snoring. He figured that nothing would come amiss from letting the man sleep. He got dressed and went down to see what there was to eat.
Thankfully, the smells from the kitchen indicated this establishment made their own bread. He took a seat and ordered bread, cheese and ale. The tavern was quiet this time of morning. He was glad to have the time to sit and think.
Thus far, there was nothing to the fears that Maddox had expressed. He’d give it another day and evening, and then he and Roysten would make their way back to camp. He couldn’t explain it, but being here made him very jumpy. He expected something—he couldn’t say what—to jump from every corner. It wasn’t a good feeling.
Roysten joined him after he’d finished the last of the bread.
“What did you leave me? Did you eat it all?”
“We can order you some more. Calm yourself. You look a mess.” He peered at Roysten.
“Ah, the ale has a bit of a bite to it, wouldn’t you say?”
“Mayhap I didn’t drink enough to offer a learned opinion,” he said, keeping a straight face.
Roysten glared and hunched over, looking around for the serving girl. “Where is she? I might die.”
Hadden laughed. He couldn’t help it, even with his distinct unease. Roysten had definite value at times. “Don’t even think about it. I’m not hauling your old bones back.”
“I’ll be here long after you, laddie boy.”
“I’ve no doubt, grandfather.”
The look Roysten shot at him was worth it. He laughed again. Just at that moment, the serving girl came by, and Roysten ordered breakfast for himself, rather ungraciously, Hadden noted.
“Pray, don’t mind my friend. He’s not at his best this morning.” He stifled another laugh as Roysten glared. The maid looked between them, and scurried away.
“How nice. You’ve established we’re both mad.”
“It’s of no consequence. We’ve got to find a way to occupy ourselves today.”
“What’s wrong with sitting here?” Roysten looked alarmed.
“You’ll be face down before your next meal,” Hadden said, reproof in his tone. “I know you, remember?”
Roysten grunted. “Then what do you suggest, Commander?”
“I think we need to ride out, maybe visit any other nearby villages. We’ll come back here tonight. If there is nothing else, I want to head back tomorrow. I don’t like being here.” He glanced around hurriedly. “Gives me a bad feeling.”
“I agree. Be good to get out.”
“What? I thought you were enjoying the life of a lord!” Hadden clapped Roysten on the shoulder. “Taking your ease in the middle of the day and the like!”
“Shut it,” Roysten muttered. He took his ale that the girl brought over and hunched over it.
“Eat up, my lord,” Hadden said teasingly, rising from the table. “I’ll go and make sure our horses are ready.”
A grunt was the only reply he got. Laughing to himself, he headed for the stables. This was a nice inn, nicer than he’d thought the surrounding area could manage. He wasn’t worried about the care of the horses. He did want to be out of doors, enjoying the day, however.
He spoke with the hostler, and together they saddled the two horses.
“Are you leaving, sir?” The boy looked up at him.
“No, we’ll be back before sundown. We want to take a look hereabouts. Is there anything we should see while in the country?”
“No…I don’t think so, sir.” The boy looked confused.
Hadden felt shame. Where had that come from? He sounded like some spoiled lordling, whose only purpose was to waste his family wealth. He chose not to speak again. The boy handed him the reins, and left him to wait for Roysten.
The man finally emerged from the tavern, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. “Oh, you’ve saddled my mount. Thank you, boy.”
Hadden laughed again, his shame gone. Roysten wouldn’t allow him to be uppity. Not one bit.
“Of course, your lordship. I do as I’m told.” He bowed low to Roysten, who coolly waved a hand at him as he mounted the horse.
“Where are we off to?” Roysten was all business once in the saddle.
“I asked the stable hostler what there was to see here, and he looked at me as though he had no idea of what I spoke of. So, my thought was to just ride and see what we come upon. This is the road that leads to one of the king’s main residences, if I remember correctly. There’s traffic on it regularly. So we ought to find more inns, or taverns, or something.”
Roysten nodded. In silence, they rode from the yard.
***
After several hours, Hadden was questioning the wisdom of his plan. It hadn’t been well thought out, and he and Roysten were paying the price. Not an inn, or tavern, or cottager’s hut in site. Certainly nowhere to stop and get some food or even a tankard of ale.
“What’s in your bag?” He gestured with his chin to Roysten.
“Not a thing. We probably ought to turn around, eh?”
“We’re a fine pair, aren’t we?”
“Well, at least we know that any hotbed of anger or uprising will be right where we were.” Roysten shrugged.
Hadden felt annoyed with his cavalier attitude and with himself. He had chosen the direction to travel and nothing had come of it. All that he learned was that he and Roysten would be home later than planned with nothing to show and dying of thirst. He rarely failed, so this was even made their lack of success even worse.
Just as he was about to tell Roysten they were to turn back, a simple house came into view. Well, perhaps calling it a house was a stretch, but it was a dwelling, and a plume of smoke drifted lazily from the peaked roof.
“Perhaps we might find something to eat there,” he said.
Roysten grunted, showing that he wasn’t of the same mind. Nevertheless, he followed Hadden as he rode into the little clearing in front of the house.
“Hello, the house!” Hadden called. He wanted no surprises.
There was no noise, no indication that anyone was inside, much less heard them.
“Hello! Is anyone at home?!” Roysten bellowed loudly enough for the dead to hear.
Again they waited, and just when Hadden had decided that no one was about, the small door swung open.
A little gray head poked out. “Yes, good sirrahs?”
“Good afternoon, madam. I am Corbet and this is Renold.” Hadden told the person who answered, giving the names of families known to be prominent in the south of Ethion, “We are travelers, and find that we are further afield than we’d expected. Is it possible to get dinner from you?”
The head considered them for a moment. Hadden hoped that he’d gotten it aright when he referred to the person as a woman. He couldn’t really tell, but it sounded like a woman.
Then the head nodded. “You may, Corbet and Renold. Leave your horses by the road and come in.” The head disappeared.
“Thank the heavens,” said Roysten. “Even moldering bread will be tasty right now!”
“Enough,” said Hadden. “Be grateful.”
“Oh, I am, Commander.
Trust me.” But Roysten went silent as they reached the door of the hut.
Just as Hadden was about to knock, the door swung open, and a small woman beckoned them in. It was a woman, he saw. A fairly old woman.
“Thank you, mother. We are most appreciative,” he said, offering her a bow.
She smiled up at him, and he saw that her face and eyes were lively. “’Tis glad I am for the company, my lords. It’s not a fine meal, but I wager it’ll do.”
“We thank you,” interjected Roysten, moving rapidly around Hadden to a crude table with stools around it. He hesitated, and the old woman laughed.
“Don’t let me stop you, good sir!”
Roysten had the grace to look slightly abashed, but not for long. He sat at the table, and the woman, while gesturing at Hadden, joined him.
“What is the news, madam?” Hadden asked after happily eating a hunk of bread. He hoped he didn’t look as ravenous as he felt.
“Well, we’ve lost our prince, as you might have heard,” she said, giving him a stern look.
“We have indeed, and I am sorry for the king.”
“For all of us,” she said, still looking stern. “Prince Casimir was a good man.”
“Why’d he go seeking trouble, then?” Asked Roysten, mouth full.
“Love, of course! What other reason makes us all act like such fools?”
Hadden looked at her sharply. For a moment, she sounded far above the station of a peasant woman. The moment passed as she met his gaze and handed the platter of meat to him.
“May we ask your name, madam? To know the name of the lady who has saved us?” He added with a laugh.
She rolled her eyes, showing him that she understood his teasing. “My name is Grizelle, and don’t be pert with me!”
Her glare reminded him of—he couldn’t remember exactly who, but the vision of an older woman giving him the same glare with her arms akimbo flashed through his mind.
“Madam Grizelle, we are most grateful.”
Roysten nodded enthusiastically. “’She’s a good cook, too!” His voice was muffled because he was still stuffing.
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