Serena turned back to them, eyes flashing. “What?”
“Haru just brought her back,” Will explained, now desperate. “And we need to help. I can help, I’m not hurt, I just-”
Serena cut across him with a hollow laugh. “Help? Help? Do you see what you’ve done tonight?” She waved a hand behind her at Eldin’s feebly stirring form, her face still dirt streaked and unconscious. Serena took a step nearer to them, anger twisting her features. “Your help could have got my squire and Eldin both killed. The Cutthroat Prince was in these walls. It could have just as easily been Kalia who he captured.”
“The Cutthroat Prince wasn’t in these walls,” Will retorted, ignoring Rowan’s hushing movement. Colin groaned behind him. It didn’t matter. He was terrified for the Ranger, frustrated with the knights, and livid with the whole castle for keeping him locked away like a child right now when he should be helping right what was wrong. What he’d done by being stupid enough to get Niet that information about Marl in the first place. “We left the walls, we-”
“Then it was your fault the bridge was wide open?” Serena snarled. “Your fault that my squires were out? You realize what you risked? Because you can’t control your own stupidity–just like the Ranger. You think that a bit of Royal Thornten blood makes you better, makes you above the rest of us, and thought it’d be fun to ride after The Cutthroat Prince? Is that it?”
“No, I-”
“And what about the guards then, eh? Was it that you didn’t notice they were dying and dead or that you didn’t care? Maybe you knew and-”
“Serena!” Niet reached out a hand to stop her as she approached Will, a murderous glower in her green eyes, teeth bared. “It wasn’t him.”
But Serena either didn’t hear him or didn’t care. She was raising her voice, straining against Niet to take another step toward Will. He took a half step back, between Rowan and Colin, his own instinct to fight hesitating. Serena was a knight, a furious knight, armed with a sword. Hadn’t she already proven she’d throw a knife at him when they broke into her chambers? Whether she was the spy or not, she might try to kill him or, worse, Rowan and Colin.
“Maybe you thought you’d earn some further favor being an idiot, or you just like to flaunt your stupid blood rights. Or maybe you decided to go back to your father, back to being an heir, but I don’t care. I don’t trust you. You’re just like the Ranger. He’s probably out there now, reporting to his brother, causing this panic as a diversion.” She pulled her arm free of Niet, her hand leaping to her sword. Will reached out an arm to block Rowan behind him, his other hand diving for his dagger, heart slamming in his throat.
“Serena!” Niet’s voice boomed through the room. He stepped between the three squires and his knight, sword in hand, barring her way.
“Out of my way, squire,” Serena snarled. “Get out of my way!”
“It wasn’t his fault!” Niet bellowed. “It was mine! I led them out, it’s my fault Eldin’s arm is broken. And the Ranger didn’t just ride off. He saved our lives. He saved Eldin and all of us. I’m the one who took us outside the wall.”
Serena took a step back, confusion breaking the mask of anger. “What?”
“Yeah, it was me.” Niet lowered his voice but still stook braced between Serena and the Alamore squires, blade at the ready to fight. “I climbed the walls. Eldin realized I was gone and Will and Rowan helped her come after me.”
“What about the guards then?” Serena demanded. “What about…” She shook her head. “What?”
“The spy,” Colin said firmly. “It must have been the spy who killed the guards. They were trying to make it easy for the Cutthroats to either get in or for them to get out.”
Serena looked past Niet, at Will, then back at her squire and took a hesitant step backwards. “And what of the Ranger then?” she asked, some of the anger leaching from her voice.
“He must have heard us leave or something before the knights did,” Niet continued in a tone of forced calm. “He came after us. The Cutthroat Prince and his riders separated our group. They took Eldin as bait to make Will ride with them. The Ranger found Rowan and I riding back and ordered us to come with him, to cause a diversion while he got them out. Rowan threw some rocks and then Will showed up with Eldin a short while later. We scattered. I don’t know where he went but Haru’s just returned with his horse. Rockwood and Ross are out looking for him still.”
Serena snorted, releasing the hilt of her sword and moving to step past Niet. He sidestepped, blocking her way and she gave him a cool look, brows raised. “Out of my way, squire.”
“You’re not touching Will,” Niet growled. “It’s not his fault what he was born to be.”
The shadow of a smirk flitted over the knight’s lips then faded to a grim thin pressed line. “I don’t intend to harm him. If you all would move.” Her eyes drifted back to Will’s and she gave the smallest of nods. “I intend to help find the Ranger.” When all four squires fixed her with distrusting glowers, she sighed. “I don’t intend to be in any debt to that man for saving my squire’s life from his own stupidity. Now step aside. They’ll need more help to search the forest.”
“Come on,” Colin muttered, pulling on Will’s sleeve.
Will paused, watching Niet step away, not sure he trusted Serena to be anywhere near the Ranger. She seemed to hate him enough she might just murder him to simplify her life. He stood steadfast in front of the door as she approached. It was she who had planted his doubt of the Ranger, she who had known his truth and plans. She had never lied but she’d been the reason for so much mistrust between him and the Ranger now. They glowered at one another a long moment before she rolled her eyes to the ceiling.
“Storms of the sea, I swear I won’t kill him, boy.”
“I don’t trust you.”
She fixed him with a green glower and shook her head. “I never said you had to.”
“Why do you hate him?” Will demanded. “What did he do to you?”
It was Serena’s turn to falter. She looked away from Will, toward the dancing flames of the hearth, then back at the squire and shrugged. “This isn’t the time for old stories. If the knights are to find the Ranger, they’ll need my help. Please move.”
Will finally stepped aside, his chest tight, and watched the knight pull open the healing chamber door. She almost collided with the round-nosed healer who was on the verge of pushing through the door on the other side, his arms full of bandaging and clean sticks. He yelped in surprise, leaping aside and Serena pushed past wordlessly, stalking down the steps.
The healer turned to the four squires, scowling as though it was their fault for his surprise. “Well, if you’re hurt, pick a bed and let me look you over. If you’re not, get out of my way or assist.”
“I can help.” Colin stepped forward, ducking his head politely and relieving the man of his armful of bandages.
None of them spoke after that. Will walked to one of the beds, his mind humming with empty panic and exhaustion. He didn’t protest or fight against the healer when he was forced to drink a bitter tea that was supposed to help him sleep. He didn’t even notice the stinging pain when the healer applied salve to the slices over his face and arms. When the medicine in the tea took hold and started to pull him into sleep, he still felt that strange numbness. The last thought to cross his mind was the sight of the Ranger swaying as he held the knife to The Cutthroat Prince’s neck and the realization of how weak he had still been. The Ranger had been too weak to run…and he’d known that even before he arrived to save them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Will first thought it was the faint grey light in the eastern window that woke him until the hand lifted from his shoulder. Turning and blinking against the heavy exhaustion that clouded his vision, he saw the broad shouldered and towering form of Ross lowering himself into the chair beside his bed. Standing behind Ross was Colin, bouncing nervously on the balls of his feet. The knight looked haggard and exhausted. His blue eye
s were bloodshot with lack of sleep, dark shadows resting beneath them, and the lines in his brow were deepened by its furrow as he frowned at Will.
“How are you feeling?” Ross growled.
Will blinked again, trying to make sense of his surroundings. He wasn’t in the squire chamber. Why wasn’t he? Why did Ross look so grim? Was this the healer chamber and, if so, was the Ranger…the Ranger…
Will sat up with a yelp, causing Colin to take a step back and, in one of the other beds, he heard Rowan’s small shriek of surprise and a string of swearing. “Did you find him?”
Ross held up a silencing hand, his stony features impossible to read. “Steady, Will.”
“Did you find the Ranger?” Will pressed. He didn’t need to be treated like a patient. He was fine. He’d had a few scrapes from trees but that was it. “Is he back?”
“No,” Ross said bluntly, and Will stared, mouth falling open in silent horror. “We found the scene of the fight not long after the mare found us in the forest. But they were gone, all of them. There was some blood but not enough to track by.”
“So maybe he was hiding?” Will offered wildly. “Or…”
Ross shook his head and Will’s voice died in his throat. “He wasn’t. We’ve searched nearly all night–Serena, Haru, Rockwood, me and Laster. Not a sign of him anywhere with the exception of that horse.”
“Did you try to track the riders to see if maybe-”
“As far as Thornten’s line,” Ross said, interrupting his questions. “But that’s it. We can’t risk riding to Thornten right now. It would have left the castle under defended.”
Will remembered the guards and his stomach churned sickeningly. He turned away from Ross, feeling ill, and took in his surroundings. Three of the other beds were occupied. Rowan, Eldin, and Niet were all sitting upright and listening. Their faces echoed the horror he felt.
“We’re still searching though,” Ross added hastily. “We’ve employed the help of a few people from the town as well, anyone who can ride and track halfway well. We’re not giving up looking for him.”
Will nodded mutely, unable to speak through the knot in his throat.
Ross pushed himself to his feet, sighing. “But for now, if you are all up for it, the council would like you to join us. We need to sort out what’s happened. Colin tried to fill me in, but the King wants you to speak for yourselves.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Will scrambled from the bed, grabbing up his torn cloak from the foot of his bed and throwing it over the pale sleeping tunic. From the other beds, Rowan and Niet were already springing to their feet, grabbing up their tunics and weapons. Ross watched in silence until Eldin reached her unbandaged arm to grab her dagger from the side table.
“Not you, Eldin.”
“What?” Eldin stared at him, openmouthed. “I was out last night; I should be there.”
“Your arm is broken. If it heals wrong, your days of a knight will never begin,” Ross growled dangerously. “You’re staying here. That’s not a discussion.”
With a snort of disgust, Eldin dropped back against her pillows and scowled at the knight but held her tongue.
“I’ll be back as soon as we’re out,” Niet promised. “And I’ll bring Kalia so you can tell her your story.”
Eldin didn’t answer and Will hurried to look away. She seemed on the verge of frustrated tears.
“Right then,” Ross said, striding toward the door. “They’re waiting.” He held it open, his blue eyes unreadable, jaw set. Without a word, Will led the way through, Rowan and Colin at his back and Niet stepping out with Ross. None of them spoke in the journey down the steps. The castle was eerie and still, though outside the walls Will could hear the clamor of voices, the sounds of guards going through training. It had to be early morning still, he was certain. So not too long. The Ranger still might be out there…
“Did we miss breakfast?” Rowan asked, pausing in the dinner hall. He looked between them, clearly crestfallen.
Ross snorted, not bothering to slow his stride. “No, it’s delayed. The cooks have been feeding the soldiers on the walls. You’ll go out to the courtyard for breakfast after the council.”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” Rowan grumbled, breaking into a trot to catch up with Will and Colin. “Just let this poor squire wither and die, that’s fine.”
Ross ignored him, pushing through the door to the squire chamber. Will was surprised to find that all their fellow squires were gone, their beds already made. He couldn’t form a question of where they had gone but it seemed unnecessary as Ross grunted, jerking his head toward the bed he was passing.
“Squires are on wall guard for the morning, learning under some of the soldiers.”
At the door to the council, Ross hesitated for the first time, glancing back at the four squires. His brow furrowed, dark eyes hardening. “All you need to do is tell what happened. Don’t elaborate and, for the love of Alamore.” His eyes shifted to Niet, “Don’t bring anger and emotion into it. We just need to know what’s happened. We aren’t hunting Marl. This isn’t the time for revenge or hatred. We’re trying to understand how you were out and what happened to the soldiers. You’re not in trouble,” he added when Rowan opened his mouth. “You’re being questioned. That’s all.”
Turning away, he opened the door and waved them through. Feeling as though the weight of the world pressed on his shoulders, Will stepped into the council chamber followed by his friends.
All of the knights sat in silence, with expressions of weariness similar to Ross’s own. Kalia sat to the right of King Revlan, her face pale and drawn, her eyes haunted. Catching Will’s eye, she shot him the ghost of a smile which he attempted to return though it felt more like a spasm over his lips.
Catching sight of Haru, Will hurried to the empty chair at his knight’s right. His knight gave him an exhausted half smile that did not quite reach his grey-green eyes.
“How are you?” Haru muttered, his eyes following Ross across the room to the seat beside the King.
Will grimaced. “Not bad,” he lied.
Haru’s grim smile was enough for Will to know the knight hadn’t been fooled but there wasn’t a chance to speak further as the King rose to his feet.
“Council, we are gathered to discuss the events of last night.” The power that always surrounded the King was present, though Will could feel the cold fury crackling around him like storm clouds. “Last night the castle was attacked from within our walls. We lost twelve soldiers–the entirety of the night guard–and never knew we were under attack.”
“Which means the guards didn’t see it coming either,” Bane said flatly.
The King inclined his head in agreement. “Indeed. Which leads me to believe it was our spy that killed the guards.”
“A spy who is, more than likely, in this very room.” Laster sneered. His amber eyes narrowed, flitting from face to face. “Anyone care to admit it now?”
“They might be in this room or they have already left the castle,” Serena added coolly. All eyes shifted to the Kelkor knight, seated on Kalia’s other side, her arms folded over her chest. She met the gazes with a proud look of defiance, brows raised. “Don’t pretend it hasn’t occurred to any of you.”
“That what hasn’t occurred to us?” Ross asked. Will pressed slightly back in his seat. Ross’s voice warned of danger.
Serena snorted. “The Ranger.” When no one spoke she continued, arms still clamped tightly over her chest. “He’s known about every plan; he knew the route he would be taking with Kalia and the others. He’s the only one not in the castle today and-”
“And he’s the reason we’re here,” Niet cut across his knight, giving her a scathing glower. “He saved us last night, I’ve already told you. He’s how we escaped.”
“And the best actors make the best spies,” Serena pressed, lip curling in disgust.
“Enough,” the King barked, cutting across Niet who’d opened his mouth to retort. Turning to the squires i
n the room, the King sighed, seeming older than ever. “I think it best we know exactly what happened last night from those who might have seen anything. Would you mind explaining, if you weren’t captured from within Alamore’s walls, what you were doing out? And how did you leave the castle?”
Will shifted uncomfortably, shooting Niet a sideways look. Anything he said would sound like an accusation. Even if they had been after Niet, it wasn’t his fault they hadn’t gone for help. That’d been their stupidity.
To his relief, Niet rose, clearing his throat and gripping his hands behind his back. “It was my fault, King. I’m the reason the others left the castle, they came looking for me.”
The King’s expression remained calm and unchanged as he asked. “And why, Niet, would you leave Alamore?”
“I wanted to find Marl, King.” Niet hung his head. Will saw Kalia’s eyes brighten and her fingers curl into tight fists in her lap. “I wanted to kill him for killing King Azric.”
“Don’t we all,” Laster said quietly.
The King nodded. “Understandably. But Niet, why would you leave last night? What made you pick them to go?”
Niet straightened, raising himself to his full height and Will felt a stab of admiration for the squire’s bravery as he met the King’s eye with a defiant glower. “Because I had Will find out where Marl would be. I helped him get to the healing chamber to speak to the Ranger yesterday.”
Next to Will, Haru swore under his breath and Will closed his eyes a moment. He could feel all eyes shift to him. When he opened his eyes, Colin was watching him in confusion, Rowan was frowning, and Haru had shifted his gaze forward to Niet again. His grey-green eyes were stone cold.
“You helped him speak with the Ranger?” the King asked, frowning. “How so?”
“One of the guards was saying he was tired of guarding the Ranger, that he couldn’t be bothered with it,” Niet continued. “I heard him say that. Haru was on patrol, and I offered to train with Will. But I told him that the Ranger was unguarded, and I lied to him, King. I told him I needed to know where Marl was because I was concerned for Kalia’s safety. Will went to the Ranger…” Here Niet paused and Will braced himself. All the knights knew who he was now but this was the moment the Ranger’s motives could come out.
The Cutthroat Prince (William of Alamore Series Book 2) Page 29