Page 50 of Sword of Rage
“No,” the man said, sweat coating his face.
“I’m escorting Lady Harley to her parents’ estate. The very one you appear to be guarding.”
The man’s eyes bulged, and his face blanched.
“I would like to take her inside so she may see her parents.” He scanned the area for additional threats, not seeing any. His gut told him to kill these men since they knew about his abilities. If they meant him or Harley harm, they could return with more soldiers and overpower him. He didn’t want anyone else to know they were here.
“Lady Harley,” he called out, gaining her attention. “Get my bag and head to your parents’ estate. I’ll be along shortly.”
“What are you going to do?” she asked as she stood, brushing herself off.
“I have a few questions for these men.”
She nodded and did as he requested.
As she walked away, he retrieved his weapons from the ground. Once they were all accounted for, he dragged the men off the road and into the nearby field, concealing their bodies in the tall grass.
Harley’s back was to him as she headed toward her parents’ home. Ackley crouched, withdrew his dagger, and severed an artery in each man’s leg so they’d bleed out and die. Ackley wiped the blade in the grass and stood, sheathing it. As the life drained from each of them, he felt a tinge of remorse. However, as he’d been trained, it was kill or be killed. He turned and joined Harley.
“Did you learn anything important?” she asked.
“No.” They walked down the path, nearing her parents’ home. The large stone manor stood before them, smoke rising from one of the chimneys. The longer Ackley was there, the more uneasy he felt. “I’d like to see a map of Penlar. I assume there’s one in the house?” More specifically, he wanted to see how Penlar fit into the kingdom and if it was feasible Russek would have spared it.
“Yes.” The closer they got to the house, the more fidgety Harley became, wringing her hands together, pushing the hair out of her face, and playing with the edges of her sleeves.
When they reached the front door, Ackley took a step back from Harley, gesturing for her to take the lead. She lifted her hand, dropped it back at her side, peered over at Ackley, and then raised her hand again. This time she knocked.
After several tense minutes, the door swung open, and an elderly woman dressed as a servant stood there. “Lady Harley?”
“Carietta!” Harley stepped inside, hugging the woman.
When Harley released her, the woman took a step back. “It’s good to see you, Lady Harley. We all thought you were dead.”
So they knew about the takeover then. Ackley tried to keep his face impassive.
“Are my parents here?” Harley’s voice wobbled as she spoke.
Carietta looked Ackley over, scanning him from head to toe before answering, “Your parents are here. Come inside.”
Ackley followed a few feet behind Harley as they were led down a long hallway. The walls contained portraits, several of which were faded, indicating how old they were. Five suits of armor, one between each portrait, were on the left side of the hallway. On the right side, several sconces had been lit, illuminating the way.
Carietta opened a door on the left, ushering them into a grand sitting room. Tall windows framed by heavy drapes covered the right wall. Several sofas facing one another were situated in the middle of the room before a large hearth, a fire roaring in it. Tapestries covered the left wall. A small round table stood in one of the corners, a game of chess on it.
“Please have a seat,” Carietta said. “I’ll bring some refreshments.”
After she left, Ackley turned to face Harley.
Tears filled her eyes. “They’re alive.”
Ackley scanned the room again, taking note of all entrances and exits. He had a bad feeling about this.
Harley
“May I present Lady Mayle,” Carietta announced from the doorway.
Harley turned to face her mother, who wore a beautiful emerald green dress, her hair braided atop her head. As always, Lady Mayle’s appearance reflected her station and rank. Harley curtseyed. It took every ounce of strength she had not to run and hug her mother. However, her mother always insisted she behave as she should at all times, regardless of emotion.
“I’d like you to meet my escort, Prince Ackley of Marsden.” Harley gracefully gestured toward Ackley, curious to see how’d he’d act. So far, she’d seen him as an assassin and a soldier, not a prince.
