“Look. There, at the gate.”
A team of men was passing through the town gate. They were dressed in the unmistakable Mir army’s golden armor with feather plumes. It wasn’t a large contingent—only five men.
“Probably a scouting team,” Valenden said quietly. “Sent here to protect some Mir oligarch who came for trading…or other vices.”
The soldiers milled around the Grand Market, purchasing roasted chicken legs.
“This is it,” Valenden said. “Are you ready?”
Bryn swallowed down another long sip of beer. “No. But let’s do it anyway.”
On the way out of the tavern, Valenden gave the bandit woman dressed as a prostitute a firm squeeze on her backside right in public where anyone could see. The woman yelled and stormed out of the tavern after them with disguised bandit men following.
“You blackguard!” the woman yelled loud enough to turn a few heads in the town square.
Valenden held up his hands innocently. “You’re mistaken, madam.”
“I saw it!” One of the duke’s men accused, which turned a few more heads—everyone was interested in a bar brawl. “Don’t think we don’t know who you are. You’re that middle Baer prince! Valenden Barendur!”
“The Baer prince?” One of the nearby vendors perked up at this, causing even more commotion. She whispered to her companion, who whispered back.
“Mir princess . . . blonde hair . . .” Whispers began to spread in the crowd as more people paid attention. Even the Mir soldiers turned their heads, watching and listening.
Valenden grabbed Bryn’s arm, tugging her roughly toward their horses. “Come on. We’re leaving.”
Bryn dug in her heels and acted like she didn’t want to go with him. “No!”
One of the duke’s bandits said loudly, “Hold on there, sir. Doesn’t look like your woman wants to go with you. What’s going on here?”
One of the vendors, who had doubtlessly heard the spreading rumors, cried out, “It’s the missing Mir princess! Lady Bryn Lindane! That blackguard stole her!”
At this, the duke’s men grabbed Valenden, who made a show of trying to fight them off. He slipped Bryn a wink as she pulled out of his grasp.
The entire crowd had turned their attention now to the scene. Rumors spread that this was the Baer prince who had stolen a Mir princess, and the promise of drama pulled everyone in closer.
“Come back here!” Valenden yelled at Bryn, swiping at her, but one of the duke’s undercover men held him off.
Bryn stumbled back, trying to appear frazzled, which wasn’t that difficult. She made her unsteady way through the crowd, flinching whenever someone called her name. The Mir soldiers had moved to attention and were watching closely. She made a show of spotting them across the square and gave a relieved gasp.
“Help!” She raced toward them. “I need help!” She practically threw herself into one of the soldier’s arms.
He looked down from his helmet in confusion. “What is the matter, miss?”
“She’s the princess,” one of the other soldiers hissed. “Are you daft, Gunther? That’sLadyBryn!”
The soldier holding Bryn stiffened, his face going pale, but he quickly regained his composure. He drew his sword, which prompted the others to as well.
“It’s him!” a shopkeeper cried, pointing to Valenden. “That’s the Baer prince that abducted her!”
Two of the Mir soldiers remained with Bryn with swords drawn while the other three crossed toward Valenden. He struggled against the duke’s men, who let him slip away while still making it look like a fight.
For a second, Valenden’s eyes met Bryn’s. His were on alert like a wild animal's.He can’t let himself get caught, she thought. Rangar was already in the Castle Mir dungeon; if Valenden werethere too, there would be no one to go back to the Baersladen for help.
Valenden saw the soldiers approaching and tore away from the duke’s men, plunging into the thick of the crowd. The duke’s men yelled and pretended to chase after him. The soldiers attempted to pursue him, but after a few minutes, they returned sweating and red-faced, claiming he’d vanished.
Thank the Saints, Bryn thought with relief. Valenden had gotten away—but now she was on her own.
Feeling sick to her stomach, she turned to face the Mir soldiers.
