Emma brought her some porridge and pieces of flatbread, asked if she needed anything else, then bustled off when Caitlin answered in the negative. Damn. She should have asked the maid to stay. Then at least she might not have looked so conspicuous sitting here alone. She busied herself with her breakfast, trying to appear at ease when really all she wanted to do was get out of here.
But she needn’t have worried. It wasn’t long before other women came to join her at the table—the wives of the castle’s guards and functionaries. They chatted amicably amongst themselves, asking polite questions of Caitlin, which she answered just as politely without revealing anything about herself. Their easy small-talk helped her relax a little although she still found herself scanning the hall for Kai.
By the time she’d finished her breakfast, he still hadn’t appeared. She pushed the bench back, rose to her feet, and bid good day to her breakfast companions. Trying to walk demurely like a medieval lady was supposed to, she crossed the great hall and made her way outside into the bailey.
A cold wind was blowing in off the sea and Caitlin couldn’t help scanning the horizon anxiously, dreading the sight of sails coming this way. But the sea was empty except for the small fishing vessels of the locals.
For how long?she thought.How long until the fleet arrives?
The thought made her stomach clench. She remembered the explosion at the fair, the ringing in her ears and the sound of screaming. Would the same thing happen to Dun Cator?
No, she thought fiercely.It won’t.
She looked around the bailey and spotted Kai standing by the stables talking quietly with Conall and Magnus, who was brushing down Smokey.
Caitlin tried to ignore the flutter in her chest at the sight of Kai as she picked her way carefully through the mud of the bailey towards the three men. Kai had changed into a green tunic that accentuated the pale gold of his hair. He looked up when he heard her footsteps.
“Caitlin,” he said, inclining his head.
“Kai,” she replied, matching his somber tone. “Magnus. Conall.” She stroked the velvety end of Smokey’s nose and the horse nuzzled her, looking for a treat. “What are you doing? It doesn’t take three of you to groom one horse.”
The men shared a glance. Magnus shifted his feet uncomfortably. Conall scrubbed a hand through his hair.
Caitlin crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. Whatever they’d been discussing, it was clear they didn’t want to reveal it to her. Well, to hell with that.
She tapped her foot, waiting.
“We were...um...just discussing what we’ve discovered since we arrived here,” Magnus said at last.
“Oh? And what is that?”
Kai scowled. “Naught that ye need to worry about, lass. The less ye know, the better.”
Caitlin’s cheeks flushed with indignation and she took a step forward. “I’m risking as much here as you are. Don’t you think I deserve to know what’s going on?” She glared at him, daring him to refuse her.
Kai held her gaze for a long moment before heaving a heavy sigh. “Fine. We think there may be a mole within Dun Cator. Someone who’s working for Leif Snarlsson.”
Caitlin blinked in surprise. “Do you have any idea who it could be?”
Kai shook his head. “Not yet.” He glanced at Conall and Magnus. “We were just discussing some possible suspects.”
“Such as?”
“It would have to be someone who can come and go from the castle without causing suspicion,” Magnus said. “My guess is a servant.”
Kai shook his head. “I dinna think so. How would a servant have access to secrets that Leif Snarlsson would be interested in? It has to be someone higher ranked than that. A merchant? A castle functionary? One of the lord and lady’s personal guards?”
Conall shrugged. “Maybe. I’ve checked the guild register. There hasnae been anyone new arrive in the last six months. All the merchants are well known in Dun Cator and have been plying their trade here for years.”
“Could it be Lorna?”
Caitlin hadn’t realized she’d asked the question out loud until all three men turned to stare at her.
“Lorna?” Conall asked. “What would make ye suspect her?”
Caitlin shook her head. “I... I don’t know. It’s just a feeling. She was a little strange with me when I bumped into her yesterday. She asked lots of questions. Odd questions. She was very interested in when the Order of the Osprey will arrive and how strong their forces might be.”
“So what?” Kai snapped. “Of course she would be interested in those things. Of course she would ask questions. Her home is under threat!”
