“Maybe.” He winked before heading off toward ranger headquarters.
Shaking her head, Kaylina walked down the trail toward the back gate of the castle. Before she reached it, she glimpsed someone standing in the shadow of a tree across the river. Someone spying on the castle from under a cloak and hood.
Even without seeing the woman’s face, Kaylina knew who it was. She hoped Jana Bloomlong was fuming because her vile plan had been thwarted.
Before stepping into the courtyard, Kaylina used her forearm and hand to give the woman a rude gesture.
Jana gave it right back.
“Now that the odds are even,” Kaylina said as she closed the gate, “we’ll see who makes the best mead.”
THE END