“A risk I was willing to take.” The knight nudged his steed forward, paused below them. “Sir Cailin, my full name is SirJames Arbach.”
Surprise rippled through him. James Arbach, a man who’d been a friend in his youth. His body relaxed as he acknowledged the man’s familiar looks, albeit older. “Iremember you.”
“’Tis a blessing to see you. You canna imagine my surprise when I heard you were alive.”
“Once I had sailed and learned of my uncle’s treachery in my youth,” Cailin said, “I assure you, I never expected to return.”
Sir James shifted in his saddle. “The earl is nasty business.”
“He is, one who will be taken care of, that I swear.” Cailin paused. “Why did you seek me out?”
“The master-at-arms sent me to find you.”
A gust of wind whipped past Cailin as he secured his bow.“Where is he?”
“In the earl’s dungeon.”
His heart sank. “Wait there, we are coming down.” After one last look to ensure none of the earl’s men were about, he and Elspet hurried down. A short while later, they rode out and joined Sir James. “What happened?”
“Late yesterday afternoon, after Sir Petrus spoke with me about shifting their alliance to you, another of the knights he talked tobetrayed him.”
Tension slid through Cailin.“Is he alive?”
“Aye, barely. Though tortured for refusing to answer any of their questions, he told the earl naught.” Worry furrowed Sir James’s brow. “In our brief conversation in his cell once the guards left, Sir Petrus wanted me to warn you, and explain why he didna appear at your planned meeting. ’Tis why I volunteered to ride with one of the groups of knightsto find you.”
Cailin grimaced. “I thank you. We will free Sir Petrus.”
A pained look crossed his face. “The sooner the better. I dinna think he can survive much longer.”
Cailin fisted his hand around his sword, wishing his uncle stood before him. The man’s treachery knew no bounds.
“As well, before the master-at-arms was betrayed, in addition to having started meeting with men in the castle he trusts, he sent several messengers to influential men.” Sir James glanced toward Elspet. Regret flashed on the knight’s face. “I am sorry about your mother and stepfather.”
“I–I thank you,” she rasped. “I didna know of Blar’s treachery.”
“Nor I, until he was recently knighted after his arrival at Tiran Castle. Though Blar serves the earl, I assure you, he is loathed by many.”
“’Tis easy to despise a man who would turn on his own flesh and blood.” Cailin paused, considering the ramifications. “Now that Blar and the other knights know you are loyal to me, they will inform my uncle.”
SirJames nodded.
Cailin frowned at the unexpected complication. “Nor can the knights who have shifted their loyalty to me remain at the stronghold. ’Tistoo dangerous.”
“Indeed, ’tis how I came to my decision this morning,” Sir James explained. “The others loyal to you departed the castle beneath the guise of searching for you and Elspet. Once I had warned you, I was to meet with them near the river.”
“A good plan. Still, when the knights dinna return to the stronghold, ’twill take little time for my uncle to realize they have betrayed him, label them traitors, and order them killed. As for the meeting with the knights,” Cailin said, “’tis one you will keep. Elspet and I will ride with you. After, we will all travel to Taog MacCarron’s, where you, as the others, will remain until we make a plan of attack.”
Surprise flickered in Sir James’s eyes. “The Romani leader isna known for accepting strangers into his camp.”
“He isna,” Cailin agreed, “but given the situation, there is nay other choice. Also, to avoid the risk of leaving any sign that the Romani are supporting me, we must ensure that any trace of our passage is erasedas we travel.”
“A fact I will ensure,” the knight said.
Satisfied that he’d done all he could do for the moment, Cailin glanced at Elspet. “I promise you, Blar willbe dealt with.”
She gave a shaky nod.“By my blade.”
“Nay. However much you despise him, I refuse to allow his blood to beon your hands.”
