Hannah checked the girl over and tucked a cushion under her head, making her more comfortable. She hurried to put a kettle on to boil and to stack some towels to warm in front of the fire.
“I’ll be right back. Just need to move my horse,” Jerrol muttered as he strode back out of the kitchen. He led Zin’talia off to the looming structure slightly darker than the night shadows. The barn was dry and warm. He rubbed her down with an old blanket, though left her saddled. “I’ll try not to be too long. Sorry about the conditions. It’ll be better at Stoneford.” He ran a soothing hand down her neck.
She rubbed her head against him. “Stop apologising. We may need to move fast,” she replied. He filled the tub with water and left her nibbling on an armful of hay.
Jerrol returned to the kitchen to find that Hannah had removed the girl’s outer clothing and had wrapped her in blankets. She was bathing the girl’s face with warm water, the cat by her side.
“There’s nothing broken, though she does have a nasty lump on her head,” Hannah reported, still gently prodding. She gave Jerrol a searching glance. This was the boy she had fostered so many years ago, now a man in his own right, and one she was inordinately proud of. “You do know who this is, don’t you?”
Jerrol shrugged. “I’m assuming she is a daughter of the Greenswatch. Which is why I thought it better to bring her here than leave her on the field.”
“Not a daughter, the daughter. Lady Alyssa, daughter of the Lord Captain himself.” Hannah wiped her hands on a towel. “What are you doing with her? What are you even doing here? You’re supposed to be up in Vespers with the King.”
“I was just passing through, or so I thought. I can’t linger.” Jerrol clasped her arm. “I’m sorry to drop her on you, but she is in danger. She was travelling with her father and a large party back to Greenswatch, but they were ambushed. She was supposed to be killed with the Lord Captain today. I couldn’t leave her there to die as well, yet she can’t go home either until we know what is afoot.”
Hannah gasped, her face paling in shock. “T-the Lord Captain?”
Jerrol helped her sit in the chair. He squatted down in front of her, his precious face scrunched up in concern. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have sprung it on you like that, a bit of a shock I know. You need to be careful who you let in. I’m not sure who is involved. I need to speak to Jason.” He rubbed his temple. “I’ll be back later, and we can figure out what’s best to do. It may be that you go to the council and let them deal with it. I’m not sure yet whether she would be safe. I sent a man to bring Torsion here. I could use his insight into what is going on.”
“Torsion isn’t here. He travelled up to Velmouth, oh, must have been three months ago. He was talking about the Veil Watchers and wanting to go on to the towers. The council encouraged him to go,” she said. “He never said when he would be coming back.”
Jerrol stifled a curse. “I’m missing everyone. Is Lord Jason still at the keep? I’ll try him first, see what he thinks; if not, we’ll have to head up to Velmouth. I can’t stay. I’ll help you bundle her up in front of the fire, warm her up. If she comes around, she may be able to tell you what happened before we came across them.”
He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a heartfelt hug.
Hannah sniffed and hugged him back hard. She tugged at his stubborn chin. “A sight for sore eyes, that’s what you are.”
He gave her a brief smile. “I’ll be back soon. I sent a guard called Birlerion off to find Torsion. If he turns up before I’m back, keep him here; otherwise we’ll be delayed even further tracking each other down. Jennery may turn up at some point too.” With a nod of his head, he was gone, out the kitchen door and ghosting into the darkness.
Hannah gave another sniff. Jennery was involved in this, too? That meant nothing but trouble. Both her foster sons causing havoc; there would be no peace for anyone.
She looked down at her unexpected guest. She was tucked up in her best quilt in front of the fire. The girl was pale, though her lips had more colour in them. Well, it looked like it was going to be a long night. Keeping an eye on her guest, she sat back down in her chair.
It had to be at least two years since she had last seen Jerrol. Being a King’s Ranger kept him busy and away from home. She had been so proud. He had worked so hard to be accepted.
She had recognised him straight away, just the sound of his voice was all she needed. He had gained a few inches, though not as many as he’d wanted, and he was far too thin. He felt like a bundle of bones when she hugged him. On that thought, she stood and placed a pan of soup on the hearth. Whoever turned up would be hungry, she was sure.
Her ruminations continued as she worked. Jerrol had always been a live wire as a child, never standing still. He had boundless energy that invariably led him into trouble until the warden had apprenticed him to the keep and fostered him to her. Between them, they had managed to turn out a King’s Ranger. One of the elite soldiers in the King’s ranks, responsible for his security, occasionally sent on diplomatic or tricky missions, often on their own.
She sighed as she set to restoring the girl’s riding clothes. She
