There was a certain pledge, in particular, he was looking for.
He headed off to the west, which was the south side of St. Blitha’s compound. Just past the church was the main entry to the cloister, and he immediately saw Dashiell and Bric at their posts. He made his way towards them.
“Nothing unusual to report?” he asked.
Dashiell answered. “Nothing unusual, except the door to the cloister is still locked,” he said. “Wasn’t de Lohr supposed to have someone unlock it for us?”
Maxton nodded, looking at the enormous, fortified door. “He was, but I do not know what became of that. He may have a man on it as we speak.”
Bric cocked a pale eyebrow. “If we have to get in there any time soon, we’ll have to use an ax to break the door down.”
Maxton realized they couldn’t wait for de Lohr’s man, if there even was one, to unlock the door because it was a key component to the operation. Therefore, he remembered the layout of the complex, the one that Andressa had drawn for them in the ashesand the one he’d later sketched on parchment so they could all study it. He remembered it all down to the last detail.
“As I recall, there is an entrance into the cloister compound just inside the entry of the church,” he said. “It is a door used by the nuns. It is not too far from the cloister entry door, so you may be able to slip in and unlock the door without being seen. Are you willing to try?”
Young and hungry for a challenge, Dashiell nodded. “Indeed,” he said. “I remember seeing the cloister entry on her sketch.”
“Then go, man. Make haste.”
As Dashiell rushed off, Maxton turned to Bric. “Keep watch that he returns shortly,” he said. “If he does not, you have my permission to go in and save him. Just try not to make any noise and bring the entire church running.”
Bric’s silver eyes glimmered. “I’ve saved many a man before and have never made any noise,” he said. “But if he gets into trouble inside of a nunnery, I will never let him forget it.”
Maxton grinned. “As well you should not.”
A reluctant smile spread across Bric’s lips but, as he turned away, Maxton spoke. “The Marshal told me that every word out of my mouth to you would be considered a challenge, given our rough introduction,” he said. “He also said you throttle men at the slightest provocation. Is this true?”
Bric looked at him, a somewhat appraising expression on his face. “Depends on the provocation.”
Maxton snorted. “My first words to you yesterday were not a provocation,” he said. “They were an honest assessment, given the situation. I hope you realize that. If I mean to provoke you, you will know it.”
Bric faced him full-on, looking him over as if sizing him up. “So I’ve been told.”
“Then I do not have to be on my guard with you, waiting for a great Irish fist to come flying out at me?”
It was Bric’s turn to snort. “Nay,” he said. “I’ve heard what they call you. I’ve no desire to tangle with someone called an Executioner Knight.”
“Now Iknowyou are wise. I hope that means we can discuss our mutual quick tempers over a cup of ale someday.”
“I would consider it an honor.”
With a flash of a grin, Maxton turned away, heading down the length of the wall as he headed for the postern gate. He hadn’t moved too far away from Bric when Achilles suddenly came bolting around the corner of the wall, heading straight for him. Startled, he rushed to meet the man.
“What is it?” he hissed.
Achilles was trying to keep calm but, unlike Maxton and Kress, he sometimes didn’t possess that ability. The man’s talents lay in his ability to disguise himself and kill in stealth, not keep control of his emotions. As he and Maxton came together, he tried to keep his voice low.
“I saw your pledge at the postern gate just now,” he said. “Max, something has happened to her.”
Maxton felt a stab of fear. “What has happened?”
Achilles shook his head. “I do not know, exactly,” he said. “She would not tell me. She is upright and walking, and she is going about her duties, but she looks as if she’s been badly beaten. Her head and hand are wrapped.”
Maxton felt as if he’d been hit in the gut. All of his breath left him and he exhaled heavily, feeling sick to his stomach. “But sheismoving?”
“She’s moving. She is able to complete her duties. And she told me to tell you that only two attendants, not three, will be with the Mother Abbess today.”
Maxton frowned. “What happened to the third nun? There were supposed to be four in total.”
