otherwise ordinary patrol. ‘We’ve had word of such to the east.’ He motioned and the two returned up hill, only to come back a few minutes later. ‘It’s as he said, Sergeant,’ said one rider. ‘Cutlasses and the like. One of the dead has Keshian sandals on.’
‘Well, then,’ said the sergeant. ‘So far you’re telling the truth. Now, about this need to speak with someone of higher rank …’
Hal stripped off his left gauntlet and moved to the other side of the sergeant’s horse, which blocked him from the sight of the others. He pulled off his signet ring and handed it to the sergeant. The seagull crest of Crydee with the cadency mark of three points over the gull, indicating the eldest son, was clearly carved into the fine gold alloy.
‘Where did you get this?’ asked the soldier.
Quietly Hal said, ‘My father gave it to me.’
‘And where did
‘From his father, who got it from his before he became Duke of Crydee.’
For a moment the old soldier’s expression showed that truth or lie, this was a problem for someone of superior rank, so he turned and shouted, ‘Tanner, Williams, your horses!’
Two soldiers dismounted and came over. To Hal he said, ‘For the ladies, so they may can ride if they are able. You lads can walk with my boys. I’ve got a patrol to continue.’ To the two soldiers he said, ‘Take them to the captain,’ and without another word, raised his hand, signalling that the patrol was to continue.
Hal looked to Stephane who said, ‘I can ride,’ before he could ask, and he smiled at her. She returned one, though weak and exhausted.
Gabriella helped Stephane mount and then climbed into the saddle of the other horse and the four fugitives and their two escorts turned west.
Hal asked, ‘How far to Ran?’
One of the soldiers said, ‘At a walk? We’ll be there in two, three hours.’
Hal and Ty looked at one another and both managed a beleaguered smile.
Despite days in the wild, the trek along the highway was the most tedious portion of the journey. The road to Ran led down from a series of escarpments above the shore and so the city came into view miles away. As they trudged along it appeared to be getting no closer, but at last they were suddenly outside the city’s eastern gate.
The guards at the gate raised a hand and one said, ‘What this then?’
‘Captain?’ was all the soldier said and the sentry nodded, waving him through.
They moved past a crowded area, part caravanserai, part customs inspection point, ringed by make-shift booths and stalls where hawkers sold a variety of goods. The smells of cooking food caused all four of the travellers to realize they were weak from hunger and Princess Stephane said, ‘Oh, whatever that is, I’ll eat it here in the saddle.’
‘We’ll get you fed soon enough,’ said Hal, his own stomach reminding him how long it was since he had had a handful of berries.
They reached the office of the city patrol and the soldier who escorted them in saluted before a bored- looking young captain sitting behind a small desk, and said, ‘Sergeant says you should talk to these people, sir.’
The captain waved him away and looked at the four of them. Seeing the young women he perked up a little, for despite their road-dirt and fatigue, they were still attractive women. He stood up and motioned for Hal to fetch over another chair. ‘Ladies, please, you look exhausted.’
Sitting on the desk, he looked first at Ty, then Hal. ‘So the sergeant says I’m supposed to talk to you. About what?’
Hal said, ‘Forgive me a question, Captain, before I answer you. Who is in command of the city?’
The captain looked at Hal as if he was joking. ‘The Duke of Ran, of course.’
‘I mean is he in the city or in the field?’
‘Here, in Ran. The army of Ran has been recalled and even as we speak is disembarking from ships in the harbour. The war is over, if you’ve not heard.’
‘Over?’ asked Ty.
‘What about Roldem?’ asked Stephane.
‘We’ve no news from Roldem, lady, so I assume all is well there.’
‘I must speak to the Duke,’ said Hal.
‘First you’ll speak with me,’ said the captain, not happy at Hal’s tone.
‘Sorry, but I must speak to the Duke.’
‘And who might you be to tell me you must speak to the Duke?’
Hal took off his gauntlet again and held out his ring. ‘I’m Henry, son of Henry, Duke of Crydee, and you have the honour to address Her Royal Highness, Princess Stephane of Roldem.’
Stephane gave a wan smile.
The young captain was completely flummoxed for a moment, then looked again at Hal’s ring. If it was a forgery or ruse of some sort, let the Duke’s personal household guard captain sort it out. He was just a garrison captain ordered to patrol the King’s Highway and arrest smugglers. Decision made, he shouted, ‘Williams!’
A soldier stuck his head inside the small office. ‘Captain?’
‘Get a carriage and take these people to the palace.’
‘Where am I going to get a carriage at this time of day?’ he asked, showing a casual disregard for the formalities of rank.
‘I don’t care if you steal it! Get a carriage now!’
The soldier vanished, his expression showing shock at the young captain’s tone. ‘My name is Greyson,’ said the captain. ‘Can I get you something, anything while you wait?’
‘Water,’ said Gabriella.
‘And something to eat,’ said Stephane.
Hal and Ty looked at one another and in unison said, ‘Ale!’
Still fatigued but now fed, Ty and Hal stood before Duke Chadwick of Ran. A stern-looking man in his late fifties, he still had the look of a brawler about him. He was thick-shouldered, and deeply tanned from years of soldiering, but his once-red hair was now white, as was the small moustache and pointed beard he sported. The young women were being seen to by the Duchess and her women and were enjoying baths and fresh clothing. The Duke had felt the young men’s stories were important enough to demand a hearing straight away, so here they were, still dirty and tattered.
Ty and Hal had been somewhat circumspect in naming particular players in the political game in Roldem, but in the end the Duke had said, ‘Odd that the King and Queen should feel the need to smuggle their daughter out of Roldem rather than simply call this Worthington fellow to account.’ He was silent then said, ‘A coup?’
Ty said, ‘After a fashion, I suspect, Your Grace. The rumour prevalent in the capital is that Lord John is ambitious to have his son wed to the Princess.’
‘Who wouldn’t be?’ asked the Duke with a laugh. ‘Had I a boy of the right age, I’d be sending him to Roldem. But my sons from my first wife are all grown, and those from my second still toddlers.’ He grew thoughtful. ‘Still, as the King’s Chancellor, Lord John has more power then any man non-royal in Roldem, so what’s to be gained from forcing the girl to a marriage no one but Lord John wishes?’
‘She’s fourth in line for the Crown,’ answered Hal.
‘Roldem, of all places.’ The Duke shook his head. ‘I just can’t see it.’ He glanced around to see if they were overheard. ‘Here, the Isles? That’s another kettle of fish. You’re a royal, young Hal, albeit a minor one, so there are people out there who wish you had never been born. If the King doesn’t get on with it and father another son one of these days, we could have a serious mess on our hand in a few years.’
‘Few years?’ asked Hal.
‘Well, Gregory’s not a well man by all reports. Oh,’ he added quickly holding up his hand, ‘not that he’s at death’s door or any such, just that he’s not robust and has had bouts of ague over the last few winters. Certainly, there are healing priests and chirurgeons hovering when he’s taken ill. If he passes any time soon, it’ll be because Lims-Kragma wants him now!’ He barked out a laugh, to show he was making light of the matter. ‘You’ve got a dozen cousins who would happily dance on your corpse rather than see you standing before the Congress of Lords
