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He nods as if considering my words before clasping his hands behind his back and taking another step toward me. I reply in kind with a step further away. His smile fades to a thin line as he sees me moving back, our eyes still locked. “Why don’t you sit down and let me ask you a couple questions before you go? I simply want to know if you’ve seen anyone else around here. Any other women, perhaps, wearing pants?” There’s a gleam in his eye. Is he willing me to run? I could stay and fight my way out of this, and Turin would be short one more guard.Good riddance.
But I hesitate. I’ve never met this man, this guard, before today. But it feels like I know him somehow. Not the kind of knowing that comes with a direct introduction. But the kind of knowing that comes when I find the perfect spot to watch the sunset, and I don’t want to leave. Or when the first green of spring makes its debut, and the cold finally melts away to the warming seasons.
In my curious daze, I miss the couple steps he takes in my direction, closing the space between us.
Just before he reaches me, I dig both feet into the ground and run.
7
The Captain
Thegirlisdistracted.I want to think she’s as distracted by me as I am of her.
Is this really the thief Sir Reynauld is looking for? This girl, or woman, can’t be much younger than me. She isn’t delicate by any means. I can tell by her stance and quick draw of her blade that she’s had training. Her instincts, from what I can see, are honed like the sharp end of a sword. But something about her, something I can’t quite point to, doesn’t fit the spiteful person who Reynauld described.
It’s hard not to look at her with admiration. She hurt Reynauld in a way I’ve never had the ability to do. I can’t help but wonder what would drive a young woman such as her to risk herself against one of the most powerful men in the city.
Pieces of hair have come loose from her braid. They frame her face like a repoussoir guiding me to take in her full intensity, her focus resting solely on me, and her features made even more fierce within the shades of night. For just a moment all words, all judgment, all reason have become frozen inside of me.
Never have I had to keep to my training so intently before. I’ve battled men twice my size without hesitation, without acquiring so much as a scratch— but here I am. Roan Montgomery,Captain of the Guard. Bested by a woman half his size without her even having to lift a finger.
I blink away my stupor, attempting to remember my purpose once again. I need to keep her talking so I can get closer to her, but I can’t tell if I’m getting closer to soak up more of her or try and capture her for questioning. Either way, my feet are moving.
I keep my eyes focused straight ahead, not giving away my second in command this evening, Aiden Gothery, who I left behind as lookout after we spotted someone running across the property. This girl.
She looks me up and down, not returning the conversation. How desperately I want to hear her voice…
Pull yourself together, Roan. This is a mark just as any other— most likely the thief I’ve been searching for. And she needs to be held accountable for her actions, even if it’s on behalf of a man like Sir Reynauld. I’ve seen pretty women before. Just keep talking, keep her distracted, move forward, and everything will be fine.
I see my window when her gaze turns distant, and I lunge. But her focus snaps back before I can reach her. She maneuvers out of my grasp, her form fading into the darkness as swiftly as an arrow glides to its target.
I loathe to run, dread already filling me. But I spur myself into action nonetheless. I signal Aiden to follow, hoping he can see me through the dark. Maybe he can intercept her from the other direction. Because I don’t know how she’s doing it, but she’s beating me— badly. I was one of the fastest recruits in my year, yet she’s making me look like a child. I don’t know whether to be impressed or upset that my pride has taken such a hit. My legs move as fast they can go, but she still hits the tree line a few paces ahead of me. Did Reynauld ever stand a chance once she set her sights on him?
As I finally duck into the foliage, I can’t see anything. The illumination from the moon is swallowed up in the leaves and branches overhead. I keep moving though, following the sound of crunching leaves and panting breaths.
A whinny sounds in the distance. A horse nearby. Her horse.Must move faster.
I drive for one last burst of speed before pushing through to nothingness. A small clearing lies before me.
Her horse is tied up on the edge, the silver hue of moonlight accentuating the girl’s movements as she pulls the reins free of a nearby tree and grabs the saddle to swing herself up. I run, reaching both arms out to stop her, crashing headfirst into the girl.
We fall together, an entanglement of limbs under the open night sky.
8
The Thief
Mybodyhitstheground hard, the breath completely knocked out of me. The panic of not being able to breathe grips me tightly. Somehow I pick myself up from the forest floor before I can mindfully make the decision, ready for whatever comes next.
The guard is up before my lungs can recover enough to take a full breath. I search him up and down for close range weapons. No sword. Maybe a knife hidden in his belt or boot. I keep my eyes forward, my dagger still clutched in my own hands.
I find my ground, my feet steady, even though my breathing is still hot and heavy. The words from Marg’s training hit me:You won’t win without structure. Quiet the panic. Quiet the chatter. Calm your heart. Calm your breath. Trust yourself, and you will win them all.
My focus returns as I take my first full breath since this man, easily a head taller than me and at least fifty percent more bulk to his form, plowed straight into me. He stands unmoving, chest heaving, his eyes locked on a single target— me.
He breaks the silence. “I’m sorry, but I need to ask you some questions. And since you don’t seem to want to talk out here,” he gestures to the woods around us, “I’m going to have to bring you with me.”
I smile at his statement. I’m not going anywhere, nor do I have any plans on answering his questions. He glances around the clearing, his eyes searching. What is he looking for? My smile falters as his words come back to me.I do have a fellow further back, but he won‘t come unless signaled.
