AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Lady Arrow, I've been hearing some interesting rumors of late,” he began, then paused to scrutinize me. Obviously hoping for a reaction.
The words lodged in my throat, and my heart froze as solid as the Lily Pond behind Loxley manor in winter. He couldn’t be speaking of Will, surely.
“Oh?” I answered politely, hoping he’d buy my act.
A smile crossed his face, white teeth, and my heart stuttered in my chest.
“Well, you know what they say about rumors. You can’t trust them to be accurate. Especially here,” I attempted to sound dismissive and not panicked, but I didn’t think I fully succeeded. A suspicion that was confirmed when his smile widened, showing teeth that seemed entirely too big for a man.
“No, you cannot. Which is why it is always wise to go to the source,” he replied, but the words had a double meaning.
Rekker knew something, but not knowing what that was I needed to tread carefully. He’d been impressed during our first meeting and wouldn’t buy my simple Lady act again. Not after Captain Marcus boasted my abilities.
“Oh? And who is your source?” I asked, leaning forward like I was eager to hear the gossip.
My eyes darted to either side, looking for eavesdroppers but his fur-cloaked bulk was filling up the passageway. I could only hope he fell for my ruse and didn’t press the issue further.
When he took a step closer to me, I stepped back, which made his head cock to the side, eyes sharpening. Mentally, I kicked myself. It was a natural rule to never back down from a predator, or else you’d be prey. I’d done that, and now he was looking for a chase, but he wouldn’t get one. He was no different than the predators I’d hunted in Sherwood Forest surrounding Loxley. Determined to stand my ground, I squared my shoulders and lifted my eyes to his, staring back.I was not prey.
“In Brural, we have a custom,” he began, taking another step towards me, but I didn’t back away this time. “If there is an unwanted… rumor, it is eliminated.”
“That seems harsh,” I responded coolly, never breaking eye contact even when he stepped even closer, and my head tilted so I could maintain eye contact.
Something flashed in his eyes that was close to appreciation, or respect maybe? I was positive that he had initiated the meeting to gage my reaction. Yet, in doing so, I might have just surprised him with nothing else but my gall and unwillingness to back down.
“How so?” the Capitan asked, looking down at my face, his smile not so menacing anymore but curious and a bit enthralled, maybe.
“Well, rumors are rarely true. Gossip is mostly hearsay with no real truth, only what people suspect or what they wish was true. Do your people regularly “eliminate” regardless of truth? Seems like a poor way to rule a kingdom.”
“I believe there’s always a bit of truth.”
“So, you would condemn for only a bit of truth?” I chuckled, thinking of all the rumors that had been spread about me over the years. Most were true because Brex and I had started them, but some weren’t, and those were the dangerous kind.
“I believe we’ve gotten off topic,” he countered, trying to be coy, but there was no humor in his gaze.
“What did you hope to accomplish here, Captain? Do you make it a habit of subtly threatening your hosts? That is what I am after all, a host to you and the ladies you brought with you. I’ve been here for years, and I assure you that this court is just as cutthroat as yours. The strong rule the weak, and I’ve done everything in my power to be on the strong side of that balance.” I paused, then stepped forward, our bodies only millimeters apart. “Whatever rumor you’ve heard, I'd suggest questioning the gossiper rather than me.”
I held his gaze for a moment longer before I side-stepped him and walked down the passageway that led to my room. I felt his eyes on my back as I retreated, and I fought the urge to look over my shoulder. Hopefully my words had made him question the source of the rumor and not me. A little bit of doubt never hurt anyone.
I prayed it would give me time to figure out what I should do next. I had to look at the situation strategically because I would wager that Captain Rekker would be doing the same thing.
When I reached my room, I had a somewhat clear plan. First of which, was finding out exactly what the Bruralians thought they knew. As I opened the door and spotted Brexley laying out my night shirt, I knew that the first part of my plan would be executed with the skill only a maid could have.
Shutting the door behind me, my thoughts returning to my conversation with Little John, and I’d be damned before I let them use me as a pawn in their schemes.
The next morning, I rushed through breakfast, then hurried to dress in time for my meeting with the king. I ran all that I wanted to say in my mind so I wouldn’t forget. Even as his ward, the meeting with him was still nerve racking. If my father were here, he would be the one talking to the King, not me, and I felt a pang of homesickness.
The doors to the meeting room loomed before me, and I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. At my knock, the door opened to reveal the face of Secretary Lorel, who ushered me in before he closed the door behind him.
My heartbeat echoed the sound of the closing door.
“Lady Arrow, you requested to speak with me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Taking a settling breath, I squared my shoulders and forced my voice to soften—befitting a lady of court. “As you know, my cousin William was gravely injured—"
His booming laughter echoed in the chambers, and I stiffened, surprised.
“Yes, I have heard of your bravery in bringing him back to the castle. Is that why you wished to speak with me?” His laughter echoed again. “I have already planned to reward your bravery, there is no need to request it.”
