Sainte sparred with another soldier in the courtyard below. Today’s swordplay demanded agility over the brute strength his ax required. From my balcony vantage point, I could see the crimson stains seeping through the back of his shirt.
“Not I, Princess,” Anderz grumbled. “Chosen of the Gods or no, I don’t hold much stock in them heeding mortal matters.”
I slouched against the stone railing, resting my chin on my palm. “Too busy doing their godly duties?”
“Regardless of your disbelief, you must prepare—”
His thin hand settled beside mine, urging me to meet his eye.
“—if you do not pass this second trial, it could kill you.”
“The first almost killed me,” I stated, examining the closed wounds along my skin.
They had healed remarkably well. Most of the small blisters had faded. Those that burst and were lanced remained free of infection.
Adastrus was not so lucky.
Despite the impossibility, his blackened, dead fingers clung to his hand, immobile at the knuckles yet able to move as a unit. His preferred method of unsettling dinner guests became drumming the table with the lifeless limbs. The dreadful sound stirred unease among the guests, much to his amusement.
“I suggest you go with…”
Anderz’s words faded into the background as my attention sharpened on the figure entering the courtyard.
Urien?
Men trickled in behind him, their faces rugged from the trail yet not as worn as Sainte’s had been. Practice halted, replaced by enthusiastic greetings and rough embraces. Sainte enveloped each in a one-armed hug, and they handled him with care, mindful of his back, as if this were routine.
“Don’t tell me they’re all going to be flogged.”
I didn’t recognize half of them, and the other half I resented for their involvement in my kidnapping. Despite this, I couldn’t bear the thought of them being harmed.
A frizzy halo of sand-colored hair among the men caught my notice. Lyana? I leaned over the railing and my breath caught in my throat.
Anderz followed my gaze. “Everything all right?”
Her ocean eyes found mine, and she lifted her hand to shield out the midday sun.
“Lyana!” I shrieked.
Her smile brightened, consuming the whole of her face as she smacked the chest of the big warrior beside her. “Grimm, my man! Which way to that balcony?!”
He gawked at her, then blinked up at me. When he met my eyes, he dipped into a modest bow. Sainte’s words from Landing’s End echoed in my mind, as though spoken ages ago. ‘When she acts like a princess, feel free to treat her as one.’ I grabbed the sides of my lush green dress and curtsied.
“Scale it!” I called.
Amidst the small crowd, I spotted Ethyan giving me a salute. I squealed, throwing him a cheerful wave. I could hardly believe they were here.
Was ‘here’ even safe for them?
“I’ll put up ten coppers!”
“A silver!”
Wagers went up among the men as she headed my way with a swagger and a grin. We scaled the bell tower regularly. What was a cold icy wall but another test of our skills?
I leaned forward as she reached the wall, peering over the edge. The stone’s chill bit against my palms. Beside me, Anderz made a thoughtful noise as Lyana threw her cloak aside and searched for handholds along the rough, weathered surface.
“I’m coming for you, girl!” Her voice echoed across the courtyard as she began her ascent.
