Page 83 of Stolen Crown

She gave Gethin a quick look, but Gethin did not acknowledge her words.

“Good thinking,” I said to her.

“Thanks,” she said, clearly mocking me.

“Who do we talk to?” Gethin asked. “Do you know anyone?”

It was dark and most of the prisoners were already in their beds. But I could see a few familiar faces.

“Even if he doesn’t know them,” Casja said. “They’ll soon realize who Kieran is.”

That was true. I wasn’t in a disguise or anything. Anyone who had seen me before would remember who I was.

“We should find someone before that,” Gethin said. “What if they decide to tell on us?”

“Why would they do that?” Casja asked.

“Siding with Lugh might mean getting out of here,” I replied.

“Why didn’t you talk about this before?” Cari asked. “I can...”

“No,” I stopped her. “Don’t mess with their minds. I know who to talk to.”

The man sat in a chair, his back turned to me. He was leaning over a table, doing something rather seriously. I could not see what he was so focused on, but I had recognized him without even seeing his face.

The others followed me as I walked up to the man and stood behind him.

“Lord Petret?” I asked.

As he moved, the man lying on the bed right beside the table stirred. I thought he would turn around to watch us, but he did not get up as Lord Petret looked over his shoulder.

I saw that he had a book opened in front of him. He was taking notes on the sides of it; the page was full of scribbling as though he did not think the printed words were enough.

“Prince Kieran!” he said.

He was surprised to see me here, but he didn’t appear to be shocked by it. Still, he closed the book and got up to face me.

“He got you too?” he asked.

“No,” I said. “I came to save you.”

The sleeping man stirred again. He was lying on his side, his face turned to the wall. I could not see who he was.

When Lord Petret pushed air from his nostrils, I could not make sense of it. Only after he spoke, I realized that it was a sigh.

“That’s all well and good, son,” he said. “But we cannot leave.”

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