- Why would I? - she asked. ? - Roy's about to win that siege. Soon I will leave this place with the queen's crown on my head.
- Your mistake! - smiles with arrogance. - Alistair will have the power of the English army at his side.
- Because of Aideen? - she laughed. - She's a bastard. Phillipe never recognized her. I doubt he'll send an army in your name.
- But I would send it in my name. - I fired. Ravenna frowned like she didn't understand. - A few nights ago, in a small Edinburgh chapel, I became Aila MacCalister. As the rightful heir to the English throne, I feel obliged to reclaim my father's support. As I am his only heiress, I do not think he will deny support to my brother-in-law, the king of Scotland.
I got even closer to the bars.
- As you can see, there's no chance of victory for Roy. He'll die and you'll rot in this dungeon, fading away little by little.
Ravenna kept staring at me, but didn't say anything. Taking a deep breath, I turned my back and looked at Alistair. He had a confused frown on his forehead, like he was asking a silent question. Shaking my head, I began to walk back to the exit of the dungeon.
- Wait! - shouted Ravenna. I stopped turning around to face her. - I accept your agreement. What do I have to do?
Laughing, I turned to her again.
- I knew you'd be smart. - stretching out his hands, I signaled to the guard, who handed me a piece of paper and a feather with an inkwell.
- You're gonna write a letter. Tell Roy she's on her way to Edinburgh and that some mercenaries are with her. Ask him to give you full passage into the fortress on the west side. Tell her it's for safety, so Alistair's men won't see her.
Ravenna looked at me with contempt, but she took the part. She started writing and Alistair smiled at me. It was a confusing and, at the same time, confident smile. When she finished writing, she handed me the paper. I read the text and saw that she explained everything I asked for.
- Thank you! - said by folding the paper and delivering it to Alistair. - That's the first decent thing you've done since you put us in the world. Now, on behalf of your royal majesties, Alistair and Aideen MacCalister, and as spokesman for their highness, Aileen MacCalister, Countess of Duvengard, I inform you that you, Ravenna MacBride, have been sentenced to death by hanging for the crimes of treason, conspiracy and attempted murder. That sentence shall be carried out at dawn.
Turning my back on Ravenna, I left the dungeon. Alistair followed me. There were several question marks hovering over his beautiful head.
- Can you explain what just happened? - he asked for it.
- Simple! - said by shrugging his shoulders. - Ravenna hates to feel pain, to be marked or to be threatened. I used that to our advantage.
- Well, that was a great idea! - Alistair exalted. - But what about the idea of the letter? The army bluff? Don't you think that's an exaggeration?
I took a deep breath, passing my hands on my face.
- Alistair, that wasn't a bluff. - I said calmly. - Alec discovered a passage that gives access to the Edinburgh fortress. Keilan knows exactly where it is and how to get there. If you gather a group with this letter, you can enter the fortress.
- All right! All right! Still, we don't have an army to confront his men. That's exactly why I prefer to maintain the siege and beat Roy by fatigue.
- I agree with you, but we don't have any more time.
- What do you suggest we do? - he said exasperated. - That I order the invasion of Edinburgh? Even with this letter and taking MacGregor by surprise, there is a huge possibility that we will lose the confrontation and reduce the number of men we have to practically nothing.
- I know that.
- So you know this plan won't work?
- Not exactly. - I took a break, breathing to take courage. - If I say I can get an army to help us beat Roy, what would you do?
Alistair frowned.
- I'd really appreciate it.
- So... I can get Phillipe's support. His army, or part of it, will be enough for us to defeat Roy.
Alistair's expression changed to incredulous.
- You must be crazy if you believe I'll agree to ask that miserable man for help! - he fired. - Besides, I can't leave Dunhill. I took the throne a short time ago and promised my father that I would do the best for my people.
- Then call for backup! - I said in a desperate tone. - You don't have to go there.
- And how should I ask for support? By letter? - he fired with irony.
Alistair was angry as I knew he would be, but I saw in his gaze that there was a possibility of considering the situation. He approached me and held my shoulders.
- These things can only be solved face to face. - he said trying to calm down. - Believe me, even though it sounds crazy, your idea is very good, but there's no way I'm leaving Scotland now.
He took a deep breath by passing his hand through his
