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Kilt grew serious. ‘So, do we trust this man?’ he asked Jewd.
His big friend nodded. ‘Yes. He’s genuine.’
‘What’s going on?’ Leo asked, chewing on a cake.
Kilt fixed him with a grave look. ‘The man you spoke of years ago. You know, the one who is now aide to the emperor?’
‘Freath?’ Leo said, looking between them. ‘Tell me Loethar’s slit his throat,’ he added, putting his cake down and swallowing. Then he glared. ‘But then he’ll have stolen more from me. I want to be the one to spill that traitor’s—’
Both men shook their heads. ‘He’s not dead,’ Kilt replied, cutting off Leo’s words. ‘He’s made contact.’
Leo leaned forward. ‘What?’ he whispered, shocked.
‘Well, not contact, exactly. But there’s word out. We’ve just received it.’
‘What do you mean?’
Faris left it to Jewd, who took up the thread of conversation. ‘A few days ago Tern picked up snippets of information that money was greasing palms all over the north’s “network”.’ Leo nodded with understanding. ‘Word was moving in certain circles that an influential man was seeking an audience with the infamous highwayman of Penraven.’
Leo’s expression darkened and he scratched softly at the close beard he was growing, his syrupcakes forgotten.
Jewd continued, ‘We paid attention, of course, but we’ve had this happen before.’ He shrugged. ‘Lots of influential men want to speak with Kilt.’
‘Usually to claim the bounty on my head,’ Kilt grumbled.
Leo looked at him. ‘You’re safe, though, aren’t you?’
‘Not safe enough it seems. The barbarians came too close recently. We got sloppy.’
‘You didn’t,’ Jewd admitted. ‘That was my fault.’
Leo shook his head. ‘Jewd, it was no one’s fault.’
Kilt sighed. ‘Attributing blame is pointless. The fact is, they nearly stumbled across you, Leo. We must never be off our guard. As for me, no one outside of our band even knows what I look like. Most people in this town, don’t know who we are. And this town might keep its secrets quiet but it also knows everyone and everything passing through it.’
‘Aren’t you two rather easily identifiable?’
‘Not when I wear women’s clothing,’ Kilt offered indignantly. Leo smiled.
‘He’s not jesting,’ Jewd said, sounding slightly exasperated. ‘He’s done it many times. I’ve walked alongside him when he’s been an old man, an old woman, a blind beggar, a noble.’
‘Ah, but my leper was the best, wasn’t it?’ Kilt said.
‘He was a triumph,’ Jewd agreed.
‘People gave me such a wide berth. It was wonderful. I shall have to find that old pair of clappers we’ve got somewhere and roll him out again.’
Leo frowned. ‘I’m sure Lily would appreciate the humour.’
‘No, well, that’s right,’ Kilt said, his theatrics dampened. ‘It’s why I haven’t used him for a while. And anyway, it’s not just me.’ He lightly slapped his big friend’s chest. ‘Jewd loves all the get-ups too. He came into this very town not so long ago as a drunken friar.’
Leo looked over at Jewd and broke into laughter. ‘And that definitely wasn’t drawing attention to yourself, was it?’
‘Aha,’ Kilt said, waggling a finger. ‘Sometimes you can deflect the scrutiny by giving people something else to focus on.’
‘Is that why you’re wearing that ridiculous twirled moustache, then?’
‘Well, I’m glad you finally mentioned my ingenious disguise,’ Kilt said, feigning offence.
‘And I’m glad you’re having fun,’ Leo grumbled. ‘My disguise is real.’
Both men glanced at the crutch balanced against the table. ‘The arrow-wound is healing well. Give it time,’ Jewd reassured. ‘It will be as good as new as long as you trust Lily’s herbals and the chirosurgeon’s advice.’
‘If only they knew,’ Kilt mused. Then he smiled encouragingly at his young king. ‘At least you’ll have a warrior’s wound to show for your time with us.’
‘How long before I’m ready?’ Leo griped.
‘Not yet,’ Jewd replied.
Leo glanced at Kilt, who shook his head. ‘You’re only just a man now, Leo. We have lots to plan before you can start plotting an overthrow. You can’t ignore the fact that Loethar has been very subtle.’
Leo grimaced. ‘He’s a better ruler than I would have ever given him credit for.’
‘I think the mere fact that you do credit him with this is a sign of your maturity. As few as three anni ago you wouldn’t have been able to see that.’
The king became thoughtful. ‘Perhaps he is all that the Set ever needed.’
Both men gave sounds of disgust. ‘No, majesty,’ Kilt murmured firmly. ‘He stole your crown, he usurped your throne, he effectively murdered your parents and a lot of other good people. He wrote his imperial title in blood. And yet the true heir lives—he’s a man now. One day soon he’ll be ready to claim what is his. A Valisar has been on that throne for five centuries. It is your duty to return that regal line.’
Leo sighed. ‘I know all the rhetoric, Kilt. I just keep thinking that there’s peace now. It’s been a decade. Everyone has settled down to living harmoniously. I can’t forgive what he’s done but I am only one person…with a grudge. I keep wondering whether it’s better for the good of the Set, but especially for Penraven, that I suffer my family history and its sorrows in silence.’
Faris sat back, glad that they’d taken the precaution of seating themselves so well away from others. He could not have risked anyone hearing this conversation. He shrugged. ‘Well, before we start any discourse with Freath, you’d better seriously consider your position. I gave your father my word about several things, and one of them was to do everything in my power to return the Valisar throne to you. But there’s no point to that if you don’t want it.’
Leo glared at him. ‘Are you really going to meet with Freath? Is he mad, Jewd?’ he asked, turning to their companion.
‘I think so, is the answer to both those questions.’
‘Kilt,’ Leo spluttered. ‘Freath is a snake. No, he’s less. He’s vermin. And he’ll be up to something, mark my words. The man betrayed my parents. I watched him. I heard him. He laughed at both of their grisly deaths. He helped Loethar keep my brother on a leash, in a dirty shirt that carried the blood of my father. He would give you up to Loethar without a second’s hesitation.’
‘Which is why he won’t get the chance,’ Faris said jauntily.
‘Kilt, don’t. He’s not someone to allow into your life. He cannot be trusted, I tell you. I’ll kill him as soon as I see him.’
Faris looked pained by the younger man’s bravado. ‘Who said anything about trust? I want to know what his game is. If he’s up to something—or if Loethar is, and I know the emperor wants my head staring sightlessly from a spike at Brighthelm—then it’s in my interest to find out everything I can.’
‘It’s a trap, I tell you,’ Leo said vehemently.
Ciara returned. ‘Fresh dinch,’ she said, laying down the pot and mug. ‘You’ve got enough honey, I see,’ she said, opening the pot on the table but looking at Leo.
Kilt grinned. ‘Yes, I’m sweet enough, but this young man here needs something to wipe that scowl from his face. Can I offer you a silver piece to add some sugar in his life?’
Leo’s elbow slipped off the table in shock.
Ciara gave Kilt a puzzled smile. ‘Your young friend thinks you’re staining my honour.’
‘I apologise without reservation,’ Kilt replied, lifting his pot of strong but milky dinch.
Ciara turned to Leo. ‘What’s your name?’ she asked.
‘Er, Liam,’ he replied, sitting up straighter.
‘Well, Liam, I shall see you this evening at the bordello.’
The king nodded.
‘And you, Henk?’ she said to Kilt.
‘Ah, Ciara. I have a woman in my life now, and she would cut off my bordellos and feed them to me if she thought I was taking my pleasures with you.’
Jewd nodded. ‘That she would. But I’m free, Ciara. Is that lovely buxom Jenny still working?’
‘She is. I’ll tell her you may stop by.’ And with that she left them to it.
‘Henk?’ Leo repeated, reaching over and stealing the mug of dinch that his friend was about to pick up and savour.
‘Hey! Oh, that’s just not fair,’ Kilt grumbled. ‘Go and pay, Jewd. I’m heading off. I promised Lily some supplies.’
‘She’ll certainly have those “bordellos” off in a blink if you let her down,’ Leo said between gulps.
They all stood.
‘Get word through the right channels,’ Faris said to his longtime friend. ‘I’ll see Freath. Let’s find out exactly what he’s up to, shall we?’
Leo scowled as Jewd nodded. The big man handed Leo the single crutch. ‘Hope that wound won’t slow you up tonight.’
The grimace left the younger man’s face, replaced by a smile. ‘Not a chance,’ Leo said, limping to catch up with Faris. ‘It will take more than a barbarian arrow-wound to keep me from Ciara.’
Faris had left Jewd and Leo to their pleasures, and was watching Lily pack up the stores they’d bought. He had never been happier and Jewd assured him frequently that this was due entirely to Lily’s presence. Faris had dismissed the comment but now he wondered if there was something to it after all. Up until Lily, the only person he’d permitted intimacy with his thoughts was Jewd. No girl had ever come between them and Lily was secure enough emotionally to see that no girl should. She hadn’t once created any bad feeling between the two great companions and, above and beyond that, she had been a blessing in terms of playing a big sister role to the young king over the years since his arrival into the camp.
Faris watched as Lily worked, seemingly oblivious of his scrutiny. He liked watching her move; loved the way she’d flick back her hair when it fell forward, how in that second he’d catch a glimpse of her lovely long neck. He wanted to kiss it now. In fact, he would. Getting up from his seat by the window of the inn, he walked over, put his arms around her waist from behind and kissed the exact spot on her neck he’d been watching. He snuggled into its warmth; could feel her pulse against his lips.
She laughed and squirmed. ‘I’m busy, Kilt.’
‘Never too busy for me, I hope?’ he asked.
Lily turned in his arms. ‘No, never.’ She kissed him tenderly and it turned into a long, passionate embrace. When they parted, she looked breathless. ‘What was that about?’
‘Am I not allowed to show my love?’
‘Your love?’ She looked surprised by his use of the word, but quickly collected herself. She kissed him once again, softly and swiftly. ‘Don’t ever hesitate. It’s just not like you to be so demonstrative.’
He sighed and let her go. He sat himself down on the bed. ‘I’m very aware that you’re one woman among a group of men. I don’t want to rub it in that you’re all mine.’
It was her turn to sigh. ‘Well, I want you to rub it in. I’d quite enjoy the attention.’
‘Oh?’ It was Kilt’s turn to look surprised. ‘Do you feel ignored?’
She stared at him with a scornful expression. ‘Kilt, how could I? You spend so much time with me, and you share your innermost thoughts with me to the point where I want to cover my ears and yell, “no more!”.’
His gaze narrowed. ‘Less of the sarcasm, please. We were enjoying a nice moment.’
‘We could enjoy so many more if you’d only let me in.’ Lily turned away and continued carefully packing goods into sacks and saddlebags. She inhaled a bunch of fleshy leaves. ‘Ah, I love the smell of fresh borrega. We’ll have some deliciously flavoured stews through Leaf-fall as this dries.’
Kilt wasn’t ready to let their discussion go. ‘Let you in? Where?’
Now she looked at him with exasperation, before moving across to where he sat. Tapping his head, she said, ‘In here, you fool. That is the place I want to be permitted to glimpse.’
Ignoring her plea, he pulled her small, voluptuous body closer. ‘Well, I know where I want to be in,’ he said, his tone lascivious now.
She pushed away gently, slightly wearily. ‘I’m busy and you’re not taking me seriously.’
‘I am,’ he replied, his own exasperation matching hers. ‘Now come here, one of your bodice’s strings has loosened. I’ll tighten it,’ he offered, the tone in his voice and glint in his eye suggesting otherwise.
Lily deliberately moved further from him. ‘Besides, it’s not worth trying to be serious when you’re in this mood.’
‘What mood?’
‘The one that is hoping for a tumble in the bed without talking.’
‘Oh, Lily, isn’t that what every man is hoping for?’ he asked, frustration spilling over. ‘You’re ruining what could have been some precious time alone together.’
She didn’t answer him; she gave him an arch glance instead as she packed away some threads and new needles, ticking them off her list.
‘What do you want from me?’ he asked, feeling injured.
‘Is that a genuine question?’ she commented, looking up from her list.
‘Of course it is.’
‘Because I’m not sure you want the honest answer.’ Lily’s hands were on her hips now, the list momentarily forgotten.
‘Don’t I?’
‘No. Because honesty would require you to confront who you are, Kilt Faris. I’ve been with you for a decade now. I’ve healed your aches and stitched your wounds, I’ve washed your clothes and cooked for you. I’ve been your loyal companion and I’ve made love to you throughout that time and never tired of you. I’ve—’
‘You’re a perfect woman, Lily.’ He cut across her words with a triumphant grin.
She looked sadly back at him. ‘Everything’s a jest to you, Kilt.’ She turned away. ‘Even us.’
