Page 81 of Keeper of the Word

Tolvar’s knights stood in the square outside the constable’s office where the horses were hobbled, unspeaking. They did not stand in a casual manner.

Gus shook his head. “Nothing abnormal, m’lord. And no sign of an outsider.”

Tolvar nodded and stepped into the empty constable’s office with Gus while the others waited outside. “Where did he go?”

“Said he’d return in a moment and asked if we’d ‘watch the place,’” Gus replied.

Rolling his eyes, Tolvar withdrew the two parchments. He opened the one from Marga first.

Once unfolded, he stood motionless for several moments, staring at the familiar script. Like the eerie quietness of Trysinmar, this made the hair on the back of his neck stand.

Clever Ghlee.He was right to give caution in secret. When I intercepted his message before it reached that whore, Marga, I thought to simply let you reach a dead end. I knew it would drive you mad. But then I considered I ought to be kinder to Ghlee so decided to let you receive it after all. Especially as it is a riddle you’ll ne’er solve. That shall drive you equally as mad. Do try to identify your enemy before my next move. It shall not go unnoticed. Give my regards to your little starling.

—Crevan

He’d signed it.Crevan hadsignedit. He was through with hiding as a ghost. Which could not be good.

Next move.Stars.

Tolvar allowed Gus to read the note and gave an unquestionable expression to say nothing. Then he tore open the other note, which he now knew was from Ghlee.

Wolf,be careful. I hear rumors of the dead walking, shadows shifting their shapes, and tales of watchdogs turning on their masters.

Crevan was correct.Tolvar read it numerous times—albeit sheer fury glazed over his vision—but ’twas such a riddle, Tolvar knew he wouldn’t understand it in his calmest moment. He wished to believe some of it was discernible, but he would be fooling himself. The only thing that was clear was Ghlee’s heightened mode of security. He was desperately attempting to tell Tolvar something, but there was someone, or someones, who he did not trust. And rightly so, as Crevan had easily absconded Ghlee’s message.

Marga’s words about this new bandfeelingstrange made sense. Stars, ’twas most likely Crevan who’d delivered the message. Crevan washere. If Tolvar had a dozen men, he could extract him out of one of the darkened bolt holes in this hole of a town. But he didn’t have a dozen men here. And ’twas evident that the Wolf—not Crevan—was the mouse at present.

“Damn it.” Tolvar would not risk these men in a muddled scenario with terrible odds. That was what Crevan would count on.

But if he didn’t discover him now, then what? Crevan had obviously made new “friends.” And his words “next move” were terrifying, at best. Could Tolvar afford riding all the way back to camp for reinforcements and all the way back here? Bernwald had all but emptied Trysinmar when he’d gathered knights from Lessio, leaving this place with naught but an idiotic constable.

Tolvar had not thought on it at the time, but why had Bernwald taken all the knights from this town? ’Twas clear in only one hour’s time here that Trysinmar needed protection and order.

“What are your orders?” Gus said, his mouth a firm line. IfTolvar sentenced them to scour Trysinmar in the shadowed, witching hour, Gus was ready.

Tolvar stepped out of the constable’s office; Gus followed.

The deserted square sent a warning coursing through the Wolf.

Tolvar exhaled, fighting his knight’s sensibilities. “We’re leaving.”

Chapter

Thirty

ELANNA

Elanna was not accustomed to being barred from places in Ashwin, but in Castle Sidra, there seemed to be very few places she was welcome, despite the sovereign’s words of hospitality.

Prince Dashiell’s whereabouts were kept secret. She considered asking King Rian, but something held her back.

She had chanced upon Daved again while searching the castle for the prince, but their interaction at the entrance to the training yard had been brief. As no one had outright commanded Elanna to leave, she stood observing Daved train with the other Warins. Although he and the other three new Warins were distinguishable by their yellow bands on their uniforms, their combat skills matched the seasoned Warins. Daved and one other in particular, Sir Petre—she’d overheard someone call him—moved in a simultaneous fashion that drew her attention. Petre kept his eyes hooded as he sparred alongside her brother, so ’twas nearly impossible to read much about him. Yet Elanna had a sensation of familiarity marking them together. She would have to ask Daved later if they were friends.

She caught a commander throwing her uneasy scowls, so shedetermined to leave. Part of her longed to stay as if there was something she should note. She shrugged off the feeling. It must be the fascination of reconnecting with Daved, ’twas all.

After the night of the kiss, Hux had not returned to guard duty. Finally, one morning, Joss could not stop herself from voicing her opinion.

“That man is a menace. Shirking his duties! I cannot believe that Lord Tolvar—” She blushed. “A thousand pardons, m’lady.”