Page 102 of Kingdom of Chains

‘I guess the rumours about your training are true,’ Tolly said. ‘That was one hell of a drill.’

Blackmane glanced in the direction of Flat Rock. ‘It’s a decent amount of work. What are you doing here?’

Tolly leaned on the embrasure again, looking around. ‘We met with King Becket.’

‘Ah.’ Blackmane crossed his arms. ‘How did it go?’

‘I like the man. He’s intelligent, and he listens. Those are rare traits in a king.’

Blackmane nodded slowly. ‘Did you meet the warden?’

‘Terrifying man.’

A soft chuckle came from Blackmane, his first in months. ‘True.’

‘King Becket seems in favour of our move towards independence,’ Tolly said. ‘Not surprising given we stand in the way of all your inland trade routes.’

‘Like you said, he’s intelligent. He’s also a peaceful man, which works in your favour.’

Tolly watched the water for a few moments. ‘At least we won’t be forced to meet again on the battlefield.’

‘I’d prefer not to kill you.’

Tolly’s amused gaze slid to him. ‘I’d like to think you would let me live.’

‘Hopefully we never have to find out.’

A few seconds of silence passed before Tolly said, ‘I saw Isabel a few days ago. She’s back in Llanelieu.’

Simply hearing her name spoken aloud made his pulse quicken. He was pleased to hear that she had returned to her home village, though. He had so many questions but was not sure if he wanted all the answers. ‘She seem well?’

‘Physically, she’s fine. She’s rebuilding Maddock House.’

He had expected that. There was no other home she would have settled for other than the one taken from her.

‘And when I say she’s rebuilding Maddock House, I mean she’s doing the labour herself. Ita and Rabbit are helping, of course, but she was sawing wood when we arrived, covered in dust.’

The corners of Blackmane’s mouth lifted at the visual. She would be living her best life with no one around to tell her no. ‘What about her family?’

‘They’ll be joining her soon. The tricky part is getting through without Hodge noticing. There are fears he’ll try to intercept them.’

‘Valid fears, no doubt.’

‘He might be staying out of the wastelands, but he isn’t giving up on her. Our sources tell us he has men placed all along the border, waiting for them to emerge from hiding.’

Of course he did. He would not miss an opportunity like that. ‘Probably better they stay where they are for now.’

‘Isabel’s concerned he’ll widen his search. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about that.’

Blackmane shifted his weight. ‘I guess that’s what you meant by physically fine. Mentally, not so great.’

Tolly studied him intently. ‘She asked about you. Wanted to know if I’d heard from you.’

He had thought about writing to Tolly but had struggled with what to say. ‘Well, if she asks again, you can tell her I’m fine.’

‘And are you?’

Blackmane swallowed. ‘Yes.’