They both turned their attention forward, making it clear we were dismissed.
I shrugged to Steifan, then led my horse into the city. The wide stones of the bridge turned to cobbles, spreading before us to form a central court. Merchants gathered here, backed by stables and an inn on one side, and short wooden homes on the other. Beyond the inn I could see the tall arched roof of the guild hall.
The chatter of voices as we walked further into the square was both comforting and unnerving. I couldn’t pick out any specific conversations, but surely some were remarking on our arrival. I supposed I would never know what was said, but it was still nice being in a city outside Castle Helius.
I received curious glances from market goers on all sides as I led the way toward the stables. I was sure there would be separate stables near the duke’s estate, but after the strange words of the guards I wasn’t keen on leaving my horse there.
We didn’t make it far before a courier in green and gold livery stopped us. He was young, probably only twelve or thirteen, with sandy hair and freckles that made him look even younger.
He shifted his eyes between me and Steifan, finally settling firmly on Steifan. “Duke Auclair tasked me with waiting here every day for your arrival. He’ll be pleased to see you shortly. You can stable your horses within the White Quarter.”
I appreciated Steifan looking to me for instruction.
I clutched my reins protectively. “We will stable our horses here, then you will lead us to the duke’s estate.”
The courier opened his mouth like he wanted to argue, then his eyes flicked to the sword visible over my shoulder and his mouth snapped shut. He bowed his head. “As you wish. The White Quarter is not far.”
I had already deduced as much. In the distance a cobbled path led upward from the square, lined with a secondary inner wall. Tall roofs towered beyond that wall, their white shingles glaring in the sun. I was betting the duke lived somewhere behind those walls. Curious, that the vampire would risk the well-guarded area instead of preying on the peasants outside the city walls. Maybe the guards were right and it wasn’t a vampire. Either way, the murder was probably personal. Not a random killing. If the only need was blood or death, a duchess was not necessary.
The courier and Steifan were both watching me, and I realized I’d gotten lost in my thoughts.
I cleared my throat, then tugged my mare’s reins, continuing toward the stables. The courier was given the choice of either moving out of my way, or getting trampled by my horse. He moved.
We stabled our horses, then rented a room at the inn to store our belongings. Once we were ready, we followed the courier toward the duke’s estate. I noticed the market goers sparing more glances for the courier than they did for Steifan and me. His livery made it clear to which noble he belonged. Just what type of duke was this man who made city guards nervous, and whose courier drew more curiosity than a red-haired hunter?
I could feel eyes on my back as we started up the cobblestone expanse toward the wealthy estates. The path wound upward, bordering the tall wall guarding the homes to our left. To the right of the path were shops and more modest wooden homes.
Eventually we reached wrought iron gates and two more city guards, this pair younger and more alert than those outside the main wall.
Both guards wordlessly observed the courier, then looked us up and down. “You’ll need to leave your swords,” one said.
Standing straight I was taller than one guard and Steifan was taller than both, but I didn’t think these two men would be intimidated by size. Regardless, they were fools if they thought they would part me from my sword.
“We are here to hunt a vampire,” I said. “We will not be without our swords.”
“It’s daylight,” one guard said tiredly.
He did have a point, but I still wasn’t giving up my sword. I was tired from our travels, and ready for a hot meal and a pint of ale. As I saw it, these two guards were the only thing standing between me and that end.
“Lyss—” Steifan began, likely noting the change in my expression.
But I was already stepping forward past the courier toward the guard. “Look, you can try and physically take my sword from me, which I do not recommend, or you can explain to Duke Auclair why his wife will spend another day rotting in her bedroom waiting for us to avenge her murder.”
The guard to my right audibly swallowed, the one I was eyeing paled.
The pale one gave a curt nod. “I suppose if I escort you, and the duke accepts your presence with weapons, then we can allow you to pass.”
I wanted to say, There, was that so hard? But I knew better than to press my luck. I accepted his offer with a nod. “Lead the way.”
I stepped back as the guard who would remain behind opened the ornate gate, letting the rest of us pass through before shutting it behind us. The other led the way past a grouping of stables, down a wide expanse between estates. He walked with stiff shoulders, nose lifted.
As we walked Steifan gave me a look that told me I should behave.
I wrinkled my nose, but nodded. He was likely worried that word of my rude actions would make it back to his father. I felt sympathy for his position, but he was the one here to charm nobles. I was just here to solve a murder.
More confident now that he was within the secondary walls, the
