Eoin decided to take mercy upon Breana, who was turning increasingly red. He looked back to Laura and said, "Well, thank ye. All of ye. For savin' me, for takin' us in… for everythin' ye do." He felt Breana's hand still in his and pressed his fingers reassuringly into her palm. "Is–is she here?"
"Nay," Breana said, answering instead of the others. "Shewashere. They explained it all tae me while ye were asleep. The princess, Neala, sheisalive. She's been kept here a secret all these years."
Eoin let out a breath, closing his eyes as a rush of emotion overcame him. He had no idea what Neala looked like, of course, but in his mind's eye he could only picture his own sister, Mary. He felt a yearning tearing at his heart. Mary was long dead, and there was no bringing her back. But suddenly, they were close to at least giving Cailean the chance that Eoin never would have. It was a sweet mix of pain and joy, of agony and hope.
He opened his eyes again. "Where is she? Is she well?"
"Neala was at the end of her trainin'. She's on a top secret mission," Cat explained eagerly.
Laura gave her a look, but then nodded. "I raised Neala as practically me own since birth. She's older than most are when they go out on the field for the first time, but I wanted tae make sure she was ready. But when this task came upon her… there was nae stoppin' her."
"Where is she?" Eoin asked again.
Once more, it was Breana who answered. "Blackthorn Castle," she replied in a solemn tone. "She took it upon herself tae serve as the king's own maid, tae spy upon his inner workin's."
Eoin sat up in alarm, ignoring the screeching agony that shot through his chest at the movement. "Blackthorn Castle! Are ye mad?" He addressed Laura directly. "How could ye risk her like this?"
Calmly, Laura met his eyes. "It was never me place tae stop her," the older woman replied. "Itisdangerous, naebody is denyin' it. But her mission is also crucial. And she isnae alone. She's trained her whole life for this, and one of our finest agents is placed alongside her, watchin' over her."
"Aye, but?—"
But Eoin's protests were cut off as the door swung open. Another girl came running in, panting, obviously having rushed here. She held a folded letter in her hand and wore a panicked look on her face.
"Laura, it's from Elspeth," the girl said, hurrying directly to the matriarch and holding out the letter.
Laura took it and dismissed the girl, unfolding the paper. While she read, Eoin turned to Breana.
"We need tae inform Cailean of Neala's whereabouts," he said.
"I ken," Breana replied. "As soon as ye're well enough, we'll?—"
Laura swore. It was so harsh and unladylike, so unexpected, that the whole room seemed to take in a breath. Both Eoin and Breana stared at her and saw a deep sorrow and worry in the older woman's eyes.
"There's nae use in directin' the young king tae Blackthorn Castle," Laura said, a terrifying rumble of anger in her voice. "She isnae there."
"What?" Iona demanded. "Is she hurt?"
"It seems the king and his son have come up with a plan." Though she kept a straight face, Eoin noticed a slight shake to Laura's hands as she spoke. "The rebels are currently marchin' upon McNair Castle. It's a trap—the king has sent his most elite forces, includin' his son, tae await them. Neala is with the prince, and the rebels are goin' tae walk right intae the ambush."
Breana gasped, throwing her hands over her mouth. Alarmed, Eoin immediately got to his feet, staggering slightly as he did. "We have tae go," he said immediately. "We have tae reach Cailean before he?—"
"Lie down!" Donella insisted. "Ye're naewhere near well enough tae ride anywhere, and…"
"Let them go," Laura commanded. "The two of them will be able tae reach Cailean quicker than any of us can. Go. Warn the rebels. Save me lassie."
Eoin met her eyes and saw something like fear hidden in their depths. He nodded.
Breana moved to his side. "What else?"
"What?"
Breana's keen eyes were examining Laura. "What else was in the letter? I can tell there's more."
Shakily, Laura started to reply. "They've—" Then she stopped and shook her head. "Nay. It isnae the time. Ye must focus on the rebels and Neala now."
"She's right. Whatever it is, we can help later. We need tae gonow," Eoin insisted. "Where are the horses?"
Taking his arm, Breana said, "Let me go with one of the Sparrows. Ye're in nae condition for such a ride, and?—"
