The image was too much, and I devolved into giggles as both men scowled with flushed faces.
We spent the rest of the morning laughing and teasing.Meg was an excellent source of information.She knew many of the escapades of their youth.Soon, Atlas and Torgrin joined in with other stories that Webber and Meg had yet to hear.They wrapped me up in their tales, and I asked questions occasionally, but more often, I was giggling at their expense.
Tomas came looking for us.‘Lord Warwick has requested a meeting.Now,’ he said urgently.
Atlas slowly removed the arm he had loosely thrown over my shoulders, and I straightened up from my resting position against Torgrin’s side.I felt his hand briefly touch mine as if in apology.
‘You too, Caris,’ Tomas said to everyone’s surprise.
I bid goodbye to Meg and Webber and followed the three men to Lord Warwick’s counsel rooms.
†
‘King Hared has sent for my daughter to return and marry his son,’ Lord Warwick announced to the room.
Lord Warwick looked at us from the head of the long counsel table.On one side sat Tomas and the library curator.I sat on the other side between Torgrin and Atlas.
‘There’s more,’ Lord Warwick continued.‘I have also received news from a spy in the castle that the king has imprisoned Queen Yaris.He has accused her of being Cursed.’
‘That is preposterous!’the curator declared, upset.‘The people only accept him as king because he is married to her!’
‘Yes, I agree it was a risky move, especially as Bethel and his son have not yet been married,’ said Lord Warwick.
‘Perhaps he no longer believes he needs the support of the people.His army and the Order are powerful and brutal enough to keep them afraid and compliant,’ said Torgrin.
‘Allowing him to do whatever he wants,’ agreed Atlas.
That wasn’t very comforting.A powerful and brutal sovereign who answers to no-one.
‘But why would he still need Goodwin to marry Bethel?’I asked.
‘Maybe naming an illegitimate heir puts the throne in danger from King Goa?’Tomas suggested.
‘Yes, you might be right, Tomas.An agreement was made years ago between King Goa’s father and the previous ruler, King Alfred.Part of the peace treaty between Ephemeros and Pedion was that King Goa would never try to seize the Pedion throne while the Stormwater line still sits upon it,’ the curator confirmed.
‘Then King Hared is still wary of someone – King Goa,’ Torgrin pointed out.
‘Well, with this development, we will need to strategise how we are to free the queen without putting Bethel at risk,’ announced Lord Warwick.
We all looked at each other.Was it even possible to do that?Free a queen, and then what?Hide her here?Surely, that won’t stay a secret for long.
‘I know this complicates things, but I can’t leave my late wife’s sister to spend the last of her days in her own dungeon.’Lord Warwick shook his head in disgust.
The curator looked across at me with watery eyes.‘Queen Yaris was a good and gentle ruler before she became ill.After she lost those poor twin babes, she was never the same.’He must have known her before they sent him to Murus.‘She deserves better,’ he proclaimed to the rest of the table.
‘I think we should go with our original plan.Captain Atlas will stay here along with most of the men to protect Ania and Wolfe and hold the fortress.Captain Torgrin and I will take a small contingent of our best soldiers for protection.’Lord Warwick nodded to Tomas and me.‘Then we will see Bethel married and rescue Queen Yaris, who will return here with us.’
‘My lord, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be in Capita when Queen Yaris escapes.You will be the first suspected of orchestrating the rescue.’
Torgrin had a point.
‘It might be best if you delay your arrival until after she’s been rescued,’ Atlas added.‘It will have to happen before the wedding as it will be just as suspicious if you aren’t there to see your eldest daughter married,’ Atlas said to Lord Warwick.
Lord Warwick sighed, then nodded.He knew his captains were right, but he didn’t like it.It was agreed that Lord Warwick would follow us a week after his daughter.He would arrive the day before the wedding.
‘My lord, how do you plan on rescuing Queen Yaris exactly?’asked the curator.
‘Well, that’s still to be worked out, but I have someone who could help us.I have sent for him to join us.’Lord Warwick called out to the guards behind the doors.‘Let him in!’
