AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And you are a lug-headed fool,” I managed to say pleasantly. “I’d say thank you for the concern but it’s unwelcome. Next time you should mind your own business. My brother and I can take care of ourselves and you’d do well to remember that.”
He raised his eyebrows again. They were very fine brows. Dark and thick with an elegant curve that contrasted with his hulking build.
“Is that a threat?”
I shrugged coldly. “Take it for what you will.” And then, before I could think it through, I found myself shoving him in the chest with both hands. He hardly budged but it still felt satisfying. “Leave me alone and stay out of my way.”
I turned away, my heart racing, and wondered if he was the kind of man who would follow. But there was only silence as I walked away.
Kaye was crouched beside Baudwin watching in fascination as the russet-haired woman tended to the hunter’s leg.
“Mor–” he began, then saw my facial expression and stopped himself just in time. “There you are, sister. I did as you asked and stayed out of the way.”
“Yes,” I acknowledged, shifting uncomfortably. I found out about the group from a friend of Lancelet’s who had told her. Now I hoped I wasn’t about to be told not to return because of Kaye’s presence.
But Baudwin only grinned and ruffled Kaye’s head. “He did a little more than that. Modest, isn’t he? Good boy.”
The older hunter met my eye. “You’ll have to bring him again. There is much we can teach him.”
I nodded eagerly. “If that would be all right. I’d like to join you. We want to help.”
I watched Kaye’s face from the corner of my eye and wondered if he even knew why we were here. He’d followed me, yes, but did he understand the significance of what we were doing? Did he realize the trouble we could be in if Arthur found out his brother and sister were a part of this little group?
Despite the growing food shortage in the city, I knew Arthur had little sympathy for the people’s suffering. Those who were discovered stealing or poaching were dealt with swiftly and harshly. Though not quite as harshly as the boy in the Great Hall.
“That boar will feed a great many hungry children,” Baudwin said with satisfaction, grunting as the woman finished tying a bandage tightly around his leg. He grinned at me. “We’ll have to practice our technique for the next one.”
I managed to smile back.
“The next one, eh?” the woman bandaging his leg said sourly. “Perhaps we should stick with stags.”
“Nonsense! Nothing like roast boar.” Baudwin gave a hearty laugh. “Eh, Yaryna?” He winked at the woman.
I tugged on Kaye’s arm. “Well, we should get back home.”
“Come join us at the Red Rogue,” Yaryna suggested, giving me a warm smile. “You would both be more than welcome. We’ll be celebrating.”
“That would be lovely, but we must get home. It’s very late and my brother...”
“Snuck out of the house, did he?” Baudwin guffawed. “Bold lad. Lucky to have a skilled huntress for a sister, too.”
“I’m not sure I can call myself that yet,” I said, my face flushing with embarrassment. But secretly I was thrilled to receive the praise.
“Do you know that man who arrived out of nowhere?” Yaryna asked me curiously. “He seemed to know you.”
I shook my head quickly. “I’ve seen him around the city before, that’s all. I think he’s a newcomer. But no, I don’t know him.” And thank the gods, he did not know me.
“We owe him our thanks,” the woman said,. “Praise Devina the boar did not reach you thanks to him.”
I felt a twinge of guilt, as if she thought I should have thanked the man. But I had no idea where he’d gone and had no intention of trying to find him again after his harsh words. Besides, we really had to go. Happy or not, I couldn’t put off the pain any longer. I needed my bed.
I wished them both a goodnight and promised to meet up with them at the next hunt, then led Kaye off in the direction we had come from, back towards the castle.
We walked in silence through the dark forest. Me, because I was in too much pain to speak.
Then Kaye spoke up. “Why doesn’t Arthur care?”
The question was so large, I didn’t know how to begin to answer.
