Page 82 of Keeper of the Word

Elanna shrugged, uncertain of her own feelings. “Speaking of. Any word from Lord Tolvar?” she asked as they strode to the Crown Hall to break their fast. Goosebumps moved over her skin at the thought of him. It’d been such a long stretch of days with nary a word. Would that she’d See something to ease her. Would Tolvar return in time for Prince Dashiell’s wedding?

Dashiell, the phantom prince.

Mayhapshecould send a message to Tolvar. Find out when he would return.

As Elanna remained deep in thought, she all at once became aware of Joss’s attempt to reply to her question. “None, m’lady,” Joss said. The dame’s worried brow betrayed her.

“’Tis been too long. Let us set our course of action. Come. To the ravenmaster.”

The three made their way to the message tower, Elanna squinting in the dawn’s sunlight.

“Wait,” Barrett said, throwing an arm across Joss and moving them into a shadow. Across the yard, Prince Dashiell slunk out of the tower’s entrance. His eyes darted to and fro. He paused against the stone wall before walking with purpose to a side door of the keep.

Elanna made to take a step, but Barrett shook his head.

A moment later, the prince’s three guards came out of a different door, clearly in search of someone. The prince, of course. “He could not have gone far,” one said.

“I do not fancy playing nursemaid,” said another.

The guards decided upon the door the prince had gone through and vanished.

“Wait until you speak to the ravenmaster,” Hux’s voice came from behind, catching them off guard. “’Tis absolutely fascinating.”

Joss hissed out a curse. Her patience with him was as waned as the Nay Moon.

“What do you mean?” Elanna asked, not meeting his eyes.

“The prince has been coming here every dawn. He sends a message to the same person every morning.”

“How do you know this?” Barrett asked.

“Please,” Hux said. “This castle’s security is a farce. I’ve been tailing the prince and those scatterbrains for days. Have you not noticed my absence?”

“Aye, we noticed, you dunce,” Joss said.

Hux shrugged. “I’ve been incredibly helpful. Come. Let us see our bird playfellow.”

At the top, the rancid odor of the ravens struck Elanna as it had the first time they’d been here. At the window, the ravenmaster stood, one of his black birds on his forearm, a message tied to its leg. He whispered intently to the bird, and Elanna had the distinct feeling that the raven understood him. He extended his arm out the window, and the raven took off, its wings furiously beating.

Obvious surprise plastered the old man’s face when he turned to the group at the doorway.

“Stars almighty!” His hand clutched his chest. “You startled me something fierce, Lady StarSeer. How may I be of service, m’lady?”

“You know exactly how you may,” Hux said, stepping forward, making a show of throwing his shoulders back. He’d already made a few complaints about not having permission to carry a sword in the inner keep and most certainly wished for it now. “The prince comes in here every morning, and I’ve observed a raven leave this tower shortly after, always in the same direction. When last we spoke, you were told—nay, warned—by the Wolf to send no more. Now. Where is that cunning prince sending his messages?”

“I cannot reveal that,” the ravenmaster said indignantly. “As I already said, I serve the House of Sidra.”

“Did you not listen to Lady Elanna?” Joss shouted. “Thesemessages are to bring ill fortune to the House of Sidra. Are you prepared to tell the Wolf of your disregard? Or the sovereign?” Joss added.

The ravenmaster nervously scratched his beard.

Elanna was finished with this. These messages the ravenmaster sent for Prince Dashiell were important. She knew it when they’d first arrived, and she knew it still. The prickling down her back proved it.

She’d waited. She’d prayed. She’d practically done nothing since coming to Asalle, and all at once, she was tired. Tired of waiting and doing naught.

She stood before him and gave her best glare. “Tell us.” She crossed her arms. “This instant.”

Sweat broke on the ravenmaster’s brow. “The prince is sending messages to a village in the south of Anscom. ’Tis almost on the border of Greenwood.”