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“Lead the way!” Slayer snapped at Reed, though he knew where the captives would be held. He wanted the warrior’s eyes off Sky.

Reed jumped at Slayer’s gruff command. “Aye, sir.”

They reached the area where the captured mercenaries were being kept corralled in a circle surrounded by Gallowglass warriors. Some men lay on the ground groaning in pain, their bandages soaked with blood. Others had minor wounds, and a few had no wounds at all. But every eye there focused on Slayer as soon as he came to a stop in front of them. The groans soon ceased, some men paled and some trembled. Their fate lay in the hands of the man now looking from one captive to another until he had met all eyes there.

“We count now, Reed,” Slayer ordered and once again looked from man to man.

“I counted twelve,” Reed said when finished.

“I counted the same,” Slayer agreed and looked to his wife.

Sky had waited to see if he would permit her to join in and she was pleased that he did. “I got twelve as well.”

“You say Glen got one more than you,” Slayer said.

“Aye, thirteen was what he counted,” Reed confirmed.

Slayer looked over the captives and called out, “The first who tells me who escaped from your group will be freed.”

They all started yelling out names and Slayer waited, not saying a word, letting them call out name after name until the voices died and no one spoke. They stood staring, waiting for Slayer to speak.

Sky watched fascinated. Her husband had to know they all would attempt to throw a name at him in hopes of being freed. Yet he stood there and did nothing but listen. She pondered what his plan might be, then one man spoke up.

“He snuck in and snuck out. He’s not one of us.”

All heads turned, their eyes going to an older, grey-haired man. A blood-stained bandage was wrapped around his leg, and another circled his arm.

Slayer waved him forward. “Come we will talk.”

CHAPTER20

Sky expected to be dismissed upon entering the Great Hall with her husband and was pleased, though surprised when informed otherwise.

“You may join me at the dais while I question the man, but you will remain silent,” Slayer said and with a light touch of his hand on her lower back guided her around the dais to sit. “Not a word,” he reminded and only after she sat, did he settle himself in the chair beside her.

Jugs of cider and ale were brought to the table and tankards filled while bowls of food were sat in front of them. Sky’s stomach gurgled reminding her that she had yet to eat this morning.

“Eat,” Slayer ordered. “The morning meal has been delayed long enough.”

Sky did not hesitate. She reached for a quail egg and a piece of bread just as Reed entered with the prisoner. She was reaching for another quail egg by the time the man reached the dais, his wounded leg leaving him with a slow gait and a visible limp.

“Your name?” Slayer demanded when Reed forced the man to a stop a few steps away from the dais.

“Lester, sir,” the man said, staring at the food with hunger in his eyes.

“Tell me of the man who snuck in and out of the prisoners’ circle.”

“I did not see him sneak in. I did not even give it any thought until you asked about him and I looked around and did not see him there.”

Sky now understood why Slayer had handled the situation as he did. He knew someone would think to look around and see who might be missing.

“He looked no different from us, though talked more with a grunt of sorts. He was about my height, though younger than me. Common enough features, at least from what I could see through the dirt and sweat worn on his face. He hadn’t been injured. He sat beside me, worried over our fate and if more mercenaries would attempt to kill the woman.” Lester went to nod at Sky and stopped when she raised her head. He stared, not able to look away.

“Take your eyes off her,” Slayer ordered.

Lester turned his head away and shifted his injured leg with a grimace.

“What else did this man say to you?” Slayer demanded.