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Since tomorrow was the Lord’s Day with no lessons or training, they sometimes left the castle grounds, as did many of the recruits. Though Alden would be glad for an evening with all three men, he was uncertain of Darien’s meaning.
“Thank you?”
Darien winked as they approached Lady Elara.
Understanding both his meaning and Darien’s purpose in speaking to him during the lesson, Alden resisted reacting, not wishing for the lady to misinterpret him. But he would certainly have words with Darien later.
“This is not the first time I’ve needed to speak with you both,” she said, Lady Elara’s words ringing true.
She wore a ruby gown, an unusual color for her though one quite striking against her skin and dark hair. Though it was higher cut than the one she wore last eve, Alden nonetheless averted his gaze and held hers instead.
“Apologies, Lady Elara,” Darien said smoothly. “It was I who spoke to Alden during your lesson.
She looked from Darien to Alden, her expression, as usual, inscrutable.
“And he who answered. I’ve no qualms with quiet conversation, but the frequency of yours makes me wonder if you feel the information is not worthy of your attention?”
Alden had no wish for her to believe such a thing. “Nay, my lady, I can assure you that is not the case. You are an invaluable resource to our cause and we believe, I believe, just the opposite to be true.”
Alden could feel Darien’s eyes rolling back into his head as he spoke.
“Indeed,” Darien said. “Neither do we want to displease you further, my lady, but since Alden wishes to speak with you privately, perhaps I can take my leave? In the future, I will be more mindful of our conversations during your lessons.”
He would kill him.
She waved him away. “See that you are, Sir Darien.”
His friend wasted no time leaving the chamber. Once again, they were alone.
“You wished to speak with me?”
Alden could not tell her it was a ploy by his friend, one he would pay dearly for. He thought quickly to find a topic.
“I wish to apologize for last eve,” he said. “My intention was not to interrupt your solitude.”
If it sounded like an excuse to speak with her, that was better than the truth.
“No apologies are necessary. You did not know I would be there.”
“Nay,” he said. “I did not. And you can be assured your spot will remain a private one as I’ll not intrude again.” Even though he wished to. Very much. “’Twas an especially interesting lesson today, my lady.”
Her brows rose. “Aye?”
“Aye. I’ve made a close study of the chivalric code, which seems at odds with some of your points.”
“Such as?”
He continued, wondering what it would feel like to run his hands through Elara’s hair. There was so much of it, and she never restrained it in any way. It was the one thing, the only thing, about her that was unrestrained. Though most unmarried women such as she did not veil their hair, they often held it back in some way.
But not her.
He nearly forgot the topic at hand.
“I wondered . . . is it justified to use deception in warfare to achieve a noble cause, even if it means sacrificing the truth and potentially deceiving allies and enemies alike?”
“Some would say aye, that deception is often a necessary tactic with the potential to save lives. It could also be used to safeguard sensitive information or prevent adversaries from gaining strategic intelligence.”
“Others might argue deception undermines trust and honor among allies and adversaries, potentially leading to long-term consequences such as damaged relationships and broken treaties. Or even increased hostility.”
