Birtle’s gaze swept the length of the wall. ‘It might be warmer on top.’
Who was she to poke holes in his statement? If he wanted his wife off the cold ground, that was what they would do. ‘Good thinking.’ She used her remaining energy to lift Thea on top of another corpse that had been wrapped in a sheet.
The pair stepped back, breathing hard from their efforts while trying not to breathe in the stench of rotting flesh. There was no priest in the borough to say a prayer or offer any words of comfort.
‘Would you like to say anything?’ Blake asked. ‘Or do you want me to say something?’
He shook his head and scratched the silvery growth on his chin. ‘No, you’ve done enough. Let’s get you out of the rain before you end up sick like your sister.’ He turned and trudged back through the mud towards the village.
With a heavy heart and tight chest, Blake followed him.
Chapter 40
Prince Becket and Queen Fayre sent word that their ship had docked due to bad weather and they would not make it to Chadora in time for the funeral, so King Oswin’s funeral went ahead without them.
Since the nobility could not travel through the merchant borough, the defenders set up an alternative route through the farming borough. Harlan and his men were assigned the tedious task of accompanying groups between gates, because apparently they had nothing better to do than ensure rich families were not disturbed by grazing oxen.
When Lord Thomas and his family approached the gate, Harlan turned to the defender preparing to escort them and said, ‘I’ve got this one.’
The defender looked slightly confused but nodded before moving his horse to the side of the road.
‘Commander Wright,’ Lord Thomas said as the cart drew near. ‘I heard you have been enjoying some downtime.’
Harlan’s disdain for the man was written all over his face. ‘The walls still need guarding, my lord.’
Thomas nodded as his cart rolled beneath the archway. ‘I suppose so. We cannot have the king’s killer escaping. He must be brought to justice for his horrendous crime.’
Lady Victoria and Lady Kendra were seated opposite him, swaying slightly with the movement as they listened in on the conversation.
‘Aren’t you going to ask me how your family is holding up in there?’ Harlan said.
Victoria looked up from her lap. ‘Have you seen them?’
Harlan saw genuine concern on her face. ‘Only from afar, my lady.’
‘And did they seem well?’ Kendra asked, clearly not comprehending the severity of the situation.
His gaze slid to her. ‘As well as one can be when starved of food and basic human rights, my lady.’
She settled back in her seat with a relieved expression. ‘That is pleasing to hear. We have been so worried.’
Harlan’s eyes met Lady Victoria’s before facing forwards again.
‘It is a pity the place was not locked downbeforemy niece weaselled her way into the nobility borough and splashed herself around,’ Thomas said.
Victoria closed her eyes. ‘Thomas, please.’
‘Of course you will defend them,’ he replied. ‘It is your sister.’
Harlan narrowed his gaze on the man. ‘Blake didn’t weasel her way in. I invited her.’
Thomas scoffed. ‘But a proper lady would decline such an invitation. It is all right for her. She does not have a reputation to protect.’
‘If you truly care about your family’s reputation, then might I suggest you stop being the primary source of the rumours.’
Thomas’s face hardened. ‘You are lucky I did not have you removed from your post for your part in it.’
‘You don’t have that kind of power, so you can save your empty threats.’ He continued to stare at Thomas. ‘And the next time you swing that hand of yours, make sure it’s aimed at me. Because if you ever lay a hand on any of the Suttone women again, I’ll be paying you a visit.’
