Page 26 of The King's Bodyguard
Hugh grinned toothily.
“Good, good. Gareth will want a nice… civilized chat with the rogue.” Hugh glanced down at Landis. “But first, let’s get you on your way.”
“It’s not far, right? I can carry him.”
With Landis cradled in my arms, I followed Hugh’s instructions. Hugh guided me several paces over, where a small hard-packed path wound through the forest. Hugh had quite a bit to do: mount a search for Sanson, return my horse to the stables, escort the would-be assassin to the castle, and send a healer and more guards. Leaving him to his tasks, I trudged down to the hidden lodge.
Upon arrival, I battered the door down with a well-timed thrust of my boot’s heel. Laying Landis on a large bed in the back room, I set about making the lodge secure until the guards’ arrival. I had a fire stoked in the bedroom, and I was rummaging through closets when a band of dark-clad catkin arrived. The King’s Blades, I guessed. They were joined by Gareth, the mage Alan, and the court’s favorite medic, Aileen.
Without a word, Gareth stalked into the bedroom, followed by Alan and Aileen. As the latter two checked on Landis, Gareth stood by the head of the bed, arms folded, and gazed grimly down at Landis. I stood at the end, watching helplessly as the elderly molly examined Landis. According to her, Landis was bruised but was already on the mend.
“He’ll just need some rest and some care,” Aileen said, eyeing me meaningfully.
I blinked at her, trying to fathom what the molly truly meant. Alan set a potion aside for after dinner. Food had been brought, and three guards were posted around the lodge’s clearing.
“He’ll be waking soon,” Alan said.
“Yet you do not wish to move him back to the castle,” I noted.
“There are some inquiries that Lord Elthorne and I would like to make. Interrogations... and announcements. We hope that by approaching this in a more... roundabout fashion,” Gareth said, “we will be able to perhaps surprise someone into some kind of confession.”
I nodded. It made sense.
“We have not yet announced that we have found Landis.” Gareth led the way back to their waiting horses. “As such, removing too many guards from the palace would raise suspicions. Three of your kinsmen were chosen for this watch, and the outermost perimeter will be patrolled by five others from the King’s Blade. You will stay with him in the lodge for the rest of the evening. Understood?”
I understood. My serious, intense gaze brought a rare smile to Gareth’s face. He clapped me on the shoulder.
“Your country, your country kin, and your king owe you one this day, Corrin. I leave Landis in your care.”
“I will do my best.”
The promise was easy to make. Gareth, Alan, Aileen, and two guards disappeared into the trees. I looked around. As promised,there were three Munni tomkin, including Alf, standing guard among the eaves of the tree. I re-entered the lodge and began to cook up the simple dinner that the medic had brought for Landis and me.
Over the soft bubbling of the stew in the small iron cauldron over the fire, I heard a slight creak in the next room. There was a soft groan. In a flash, I was in Landis’s room. Landis was stretching lazily and wincing. I crossed over to him. I could not keep my hands off him, cupping his face and checking him for signs of pain. Landis’s hand rose to cover mine.
“Corrin. You-you found me?”
“I did, just in time too.” I ran my hands lightly down his neck and over his shoulders. “How do you feel?”
“Not bad, all things considered.” Landis looked around. “Where are we?”
“A hunting lodge, where we are staying for the night while Gareth and Hugh investigate.”
“Investigate?” Landis tilted his head. “They saw the thistles already?”
“Thistles?”
“Under Sanson’s saddle cloth.”
“Dammit.”
I glared at the ground.
“So the horse bolting wasn’t simply a fit of temper.”
“No.” Landis shook his head. “Sanson is a nasty fellow, but not that—Wait. What is Gareth investigating?”
I stared at Landis, wondering how I could tell him the truth. Someone had tried to kill him. I wanted to draw him into my arms and shelter him from what was coming. At the same time, I recognized that not saying anything would surely condemn him to death.
