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Gryffyn was watching the group as they headed north on the road. “I count four,” he said. “I only saw four knights before I fled. Is it possible all four are leaving the castle? Where could they be going?”

Colvyn shook his head. “I would not know,” he said, his gaze tracking the four big knights and at least ten men-at-arms as they thundered down the road. “Mayhap we should follow them to discover their business.”

Gryffyn thought on that before his attention turned to the castle. “I have a better idea,” he said. “My sisters… they are still in the castle. Mayhap we should try to rescue them while the knights are away.”

Colvyn looked at him. “In daylight?” he asked as if Gryffyn had made an utterly foolish suggestion. “We would be too easily seen. It would be madness to try.”

“I can try.”

“But the English soldiers know you, do they not?”

“Not all of them.”

Colvyn wasn’t so sure that was a good idea. His gaze was intense on Gryffyn. “Why is it important to you to rescue them?” he asked. “I have known you for many years, Gryffyn. Chrystobel and Izlyn have never meant anything to you. Why would you risk yourself to go in after them?”

Gryffyn didn’t want to tell him the truth, that he wanted to slip in and kill them both and then blame their murders on the English. It would be a good way to incite rebellion within the Welsh. With the knights away, it was perfect timing and he could hardly believe the good fortune.

“Stay here, then, if it pleases you,” Gryffyn said, gathering his cloak as he began to move out from between the rocks. “I am going to see if I can gain entry to Nether.”

Colvyn regarded him dubiously. “Not to save your sisters.”

Gryffyn cocked a blond eyebrow. “I am not for certain yet,” he muttered. “I will know better when I get there.”

Colvyn watched him go, quite convinced now that Gryffyn wasn’t telling him everything. There was something very secretive and ominous about him. The further the man moved away from him, the more wary he became. Perhaps he shouldn’t be here. Perhaps Gryffyn had lured him into danger intentionally.

Still, the English were there for some reason, and Colvyn wanted to know that reason. As Gryffyn made his way down the slippery hill and headed for Nether Castle, Colvyn and a few of his men made their way back to their shaggy ponies, horses that were starting to grow their heavy winter coats, and spurred their mounts after the English riders that had headed off to the north. He wanted to follow their trail and see what business they had.

He was very curious, indeed.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

And suddenly, I know that it is time to start something new

And trust the magic of a new beginning.

My heart may be broken, but it is not destroyed.

My soul may be injured, but it is not shattered.

When I look at you, I see all things bright and pure.

I see the magic of a new beginning with you.

Chrystobel had read the note at least ten times. She was reading it again even now, thinking that it was perhaps the most wonderful note she had ever read. It made her feel warm and fluid and giddy inside. Seated on her father’s bed, surrounded by a half-packed trunk as she finished storing away the man’s possessions, she couldn’t take her eyes off the faded yellow parchment. After she’d read it a twelfth time, she looked up at Izlyn.

“You are sure that Keller composed this?” she said, holding up the scrap. “This is your writing. Moreover, it is in English.”

Izlyn nodded frantically and made motions that would indicated someone had spoken the words to her and told her to write it. It took Chrystobel a minute or so to figure out what her sister was gesturing about. She looked back at the parchment again.

“These are beautiful words,” she admitted. “Truly, he told you to write this to me?”

Izlyn nodded firmly. When Chrystobel looked up at her, the girl grinned and wrapped her arms around her body as if demonstrating something very romantic. Izlyn hugged herself dramatically and Chrystobel grinned.

“You silly little goat,” she said. “You like him, don’t you?”

Again, Izlyn nodded and Chrystobel sighed heavily. Her face took on a distant expression as she stood up, moving pensively towards one of the three lancet windows in the room. Reaching the window, she leaned against the sill, noting the puffy clouds and damp wind. Thoughts of Keller were heavy on her mind.

“I like him, too,” she sighed. “I just wish he had not lied to me.”