Page 18 of Sword of Desire
She needed to tell them something. “Ackley is, well, he’s taller than me.” She couldn’t be too specific. “He’s skinny, has dark hair that goes to his shoulders, and he has dark eyes.” Other than the dark hair, that described half the soldiers stationed on the castle grounds. Unfortunately, Ackley’s distinct hair would give him away.
“What else?” Lyle demanded.
She had to say something. “Ackley speaks with an accent. His words sort of run together.”
“Anything else?”
She shook her head.
The men’s attention returned to Lyle. “You know where to go and what to do. When you return with Ackley, my wife will verify it’s him, and you’ll each be generously rewarded. Don’t mess this up. If you do, I’ll kill you myself. Dismissed.”
The soldiers exited the room.
“Would you kill them?” Harley asked.
“The last time I sent men after Ackley, he killed every single one of them. If they don’t succeed, I’m sure Ackley will do the job for me.” He turned and strode away.
Harley shivered, unable to believe Lyle had managed to find Ackley. However, since Ackley was with hundreds of soldiers, locating him would be a lot easier than if he traveled alone.
Not knowing how long it would take the soldiers to reach Ackley, Harley had to do what she could to warn him. Rushing back to her room, she snatched the tall, skinny candle from the vanity table. After lighting it, she placed it in the south window. The sun had only just set, so she didn’t know if anyone would even notice the candle until it got darker.
Ten, twenty, thirty minutes passed, and nothing happened. She didn’t know how long she should leave the candle lit. When it came time for supper, she snuffed it out and headed to the first floor. As she casually strolled down the steps, she took note that in addition to two guards posted at each landing, the second-floor hallways had every other torch lit, not casting enough light for the sentries to notice if someone lurked about. To retrieve her sword and the letters from the guest suite, she should be able to use the secret passageways.
She entered the dining hall and found Lyle already seated and waiting for her, a goblet in hand. “Sorry I’m late.” Even though she was early. “I didn’t realize you were in here already.”
“It has been a long day.” He swirled the wine in his goblet, not looking her way. “My father should be here to help me navigate through this.”
Something must have happened since the last time she saw him. “Your father may not be here to help, but I am,” she said kindly, batting her eyes and trying to come across as sincere and demure. Inside, she wanted to gouge his eyes out.
He peered over the rim of his goblet at her.
A servant entered carrying two plates of food. She set one before Lyle and the other in front of Harley, her hand trembling as she put the plate down.
“Thank you,” Harley said, trying to help calm the woman’s nerves.
The servant didn’t respond. Facing Lyle, she asked, “Is there anything else, Your Majesty?”
“That will be all.”
The servant bowed, then left the room.
Harley picked up her fork and took a bite of her potatoes. A piece of paper hid under her food, the butter and gravy soaking into it. Taking another bite, she read the words:Midnight. Oriana’s room.
Ackley
Brodek stood in the doorway. “Sleep well?” he asked, glancing between Ackley and Gytha.
Ackley chuckled, the sound low and sultry. “When Gytha is with me, I always sleep well.” He winked. In all honesty, he spoke the truth. There were very few people he trusted to keep watch over him.
“Really Ackley?” Gytha mumbled. “Don’t you think it’s early to be annoying the hell out of me already?” She shoved past him. “I’m starving. Where can I get some food?”
“Is she always this lovely in the morning?” Brodek asked wryly before rushing after her.
“She’s like this morning, noon, and night,” Ackley said as he followed them down the hallway.
When Gytha came to an intersection, she turned right.
“We’re actually going to head this way,” Brodek said, going to the left.
