- How's our prisoner?
- Better than yours.
I made a face for Keilan.
- You know it was necessary to imprison her.
- Yeah, but I thought it was too much to keep her in irons in a cell.
- Me too, but I trust that cell and the irons a lot more than I trust Bree.
Keilan frowned.
- I don't get it!
- Now, my friend, the rock wouldn't go out of place. - I said with a sarcastic smile. - Her friend, however, could run away, even if she was chained.
Keilan had a laugh, understanding what I meant. I tried to find out something about Bree with him, but all he told was the same story she had revealed. What he added to the story was just that Bree hadn't slept very well in several nights since they met. It seemed to me that she suffers from terrible nightmares and I assume it's scenes with her father. That's why I decided to take her to your tent. Who knows, at least that night, she couldn't sleep better.
- I believe insomnia is behind your bad sense of humor. - I said in a debauched way. Keilan rolled his eyes and got out of his chair.
- You know nothing about the monsters that inhabit Bree's soul. - he shot wiping his hand on the robe he was wearing. - When the time is right, when she decides to tell you everything in her life, I doubt she'll keep her usual arrogant stance, Alec.
I frowned on his comment, but I decided to focus on the task I had in mind. At the right time I'd try to figure out what he meant by that. Approaching the man tied to a chair, I removed the hood and gag. The man looked up and smiled.
- Hello! What's your name? - he remained silent and just breathed deeply. - Did the cat eat your tongue? I understand you spoke eloquently before you became a prisoner. Do you know who I am?
- Yeah. - He took a deep breath. - I know who you are. I've seen him before.
- Then you know I like having my questions answered, don't you? - the man nodded. - What's your name?
- Oliver.
- Are you French, Oliver? - asked Keilan.
- Just from a mother. - he answered with a smile. - My father was Scottish. A villager.
- Well, well, well, well, well, well, well. I said, approaching him. - A compatriot.
I kept looking for a few moments at Oliver, who faced me with a mixture of fear and apprehension in his eyes.
- I won't say anything. - he whispered in French. Smile coldly at him.
- We'll see! - I answered in the same language.
Oliver held his breath as soon as I got up. He knew me. You knew what I was capable of. I knew that because I knew him from a long time ago. I also knew he was important to MacGregor, and that's why I kept him alive. He'd give me the answer I needed. Which I longed to get. I'd take off if it cost me my life and his own.
When Alistair realised he couldn't dissuade our father from letting him go back to the front, or convincing me to stay in Dunhill, he decided to let me know the whole situation to know what I'd be up against. Bruce, who had been present at all times during the meeting, had simply remained silent and had only followed the guidelines, adding, time and again, something that Alistar had forgotten to mention. Sometimes he'd look at me seriously and I already knew why. Bruce knew that I was above things that went beyond our brother's understanding, so he remained silent. He was the only one who knew I was much more than I appeared to be.
- Your Highness, no matter what you say or do! - he said in a trembling voice. - I don't know where Morvan is. That cowardly idiot ran away watching his brother get captured by the Black Knight.
Oliver took a break.
- I haven't seen him since. MacGregor's been communicating with him, but he never told us where he might be. - Oliver laughed. - He doesn't even trust his advisor.
I had a laugh.
- It's hard for a traitor to trust anyone. - Oliver looked at me again, breathing with difficulty. - That was easy enough and you seemed to read my mind, now we'll see how it goes in the next ones. How MacGregor manages to get his men out of the fortress without being seen.
Oliver held his breath and remained silent.
- By your silence, I believe I've got the right man. - smiles ironically. - It's important to MacGregor, isn't it? You know a lot more than I need to know.
- I'm not afraid of you! - he shot between his teeth.
- I believe you do! - smiles coldly. I also believe that you are a liar.
The man swallowed dry, but then he laughed.
- You want to talk about lying? - he fired with debauchery. - Do your men know who you really are, or do they just think you're a spoiled prince trying to stand out?
I roared with hatred and hit a punch in Oliver's face. I heard his nose snap and then blood started to pour out.
- Does the truth hurt, Your Highness? - he continued.
- Shut the fuck up! - ...I've stirred up.
- You think you can fool people, but you can't.
- Alec,
