‘I was just thinking about how filthy your feet were when you rose from bed this morning,’ Lyndal said, wandering closer, ‘despite all of us washing before retiring.’ She paused. ‘I was also wondering why you wore your good shoes out of the house this morning and returned wearing your boots.’
Blake fiddled with the bell in her hand. ‘Kingsley was supposed to fix this.’
Lyndal looked down at the bell. ‘I remember. It was the last thing he said before he went off and got himself killed.’ She glanced away. ‘If you follow in his footsteps and die trying to play the hero, I shall never forgive you.’
Blake looked at her sister. ‘I know.’
‘Do you? Do you know what it would do to us if we lost you?’
She knew. ‘I’m not going anywhere, I promise.’
Lyndal looked down at the bell again, then disappeared into the house.
Blake turned the bell over and over in her hands, then went to fetch the bag of tools from the cupboard. She grabbed the stool from behind the table and placed it next to the door. Bell in hand, she stepped up and finished the job her brother never could.
Chapter 33
‘Iwant five archers in each turret along the south wall,’ Harlan said. ‘Out of sight so the merchants don’t feel threatened.’
He had objected to the unveiling of the new wall, but his reasons had fallen on deaf ears. The king insisted it would reduce tensions and turn the narrative to a more positive one. According to Astin, Prince Borin was in complete denial about the merchants’ feelings. He believed any conflict would blow over once they realised they were better off.
‘I want forty men behind the crowd,’ Harlan continued, looking around at his men. ‘Ten more archers along the east wall to ensure the royal borough is protected. The rest of you will be in the port, also out of sight. We’re taking precautions, not provoking civil war.’
They were standing outside the armoury, Shapur listening at the back. He was not interrupting for once.
‘The king will speak from atop the wall,’ Harlan said. ‘That’s the safest place for him. You’ll be focused only on the crowd. If anyone becomes vocal, you remove them with minimal fuss. It only takes one defender to remove a merchant, not five—remember that. If you start ambushing people, others will step in. Seen it happen a hundred times before.’ He looked around at their faces, making sure they understood.
‘Will the gate be open or closed?’ Roul asked. He was standing at the front with his arms crossed.
‘Closed.’
Roul shifted. ‘Won’t that provoke them?’
Shapur spoke up at that. ‘We cannot have them wandering into the port borough for no good reason.’
Roul turned to the warden. ‘Who decides which reasons are valid?’
‘Careful what comes out of your mouth next, defender,’ Shapur warned.
Roul faced forwards again.
Harlan had grown rather attached to the new recruit. He had been quick to poach him at the end of his training.
‘Right. Everyone clear?’ Harlan asked.
The men nodded.
‘Good. Let’s move out.’
* * *
‘I’ve no interest in going,’ Lyndal said. She was seated in the main room with her legs tucked up and Garlic on her lap.
Yes, the duck was still alive.
‘I’m with Lyndal,’ Candace said. ‘Attending the unveiling will be taken as a sign of support, and I’m against it.’
Every merchant is against it,Eda signed.
