Blake knew Lyndal’s despair ran as deep as her own. That was what made her stand and go with her sister. She saw her own misery reflected when she finally turned to Lyndal.
‘Let’s go.’ Her sister’s voice barely carried the two feet between them. The rock of their family was cracking down the middle.
Blake took the hand extended to her and walked away.
Chapter 18
Harlan went by the tower to make sure Eda had received food and water before going to see his father. Shapur had just finished training and was standing over a basin of steaming water with a towel wrapped around his hips.
‘I can always tell when you want something. You have this wounded puppy look,’ Shapur said. ‘Out with it, then.’
Harlan stepped into the room, hating asking his father for anything. ‘I spent the night in the farming borough trying to locate a young merchant girl.’
Shapur snatched up his shirt and began dressing. ‘How old?’
‘Fifteen.’
Shapur continued dressing. ‘A young woman. Did she get locked in by accident?’
Harlan drew a breath before proceeding. ‘Locked in the tower, actually. Only found that out this morning. Tried to steal a chicken, I believe.’
‘Serious crime in these times.’ Shapur eyed him. ‘What is your interest in the matter?’
‘I know her.’
‘So?’
‘So, I would like to see her released to her family.’
Shapur turned to face him properly. ‘This another one of your good deeds? I thought you wanted the respect of your men.’
‘I do.’
‘Yet you show up at my private quarters, with that bleeding heart of yours, asking for favours.’
The towel dropped, and Harlan looked away while his father tugged on his trousers. ‘You left your post yesterday.’
He had expected that to come up. ‘A merchant woman was hurt. I helped the family get her home.’
‘Yes, I heard you gallantly carried her the entire way in your arms. This girl in the tower connected to that woman by any chance?’
His father knew everything that happened within Chadora’s walls.
‘They’re sisters.’
‘Ah.’ Shapur belted his trousers. ‘The crime happened in the farming borough. You have no jurisdiction there.’
‘Which is why I’m here. I never ask for favours. I never really ask for anything.’
‘But now you are asking me to overstep.’
Harlan did not reply.
‘These the same sisters you helped in the square? The same girl you pulled from the wall and let walk free?’
Harlan exhaled. His father really did miss nothing. ‘Yes.’
‘I see.’ Shapur took a few steps towards him. ‘I cannot help you, and you should not be asking me to.’ When Harlan went to speak, the warden raised a hand. ‘However, Lord Thomas Welche of Cardelle Manor is the girls’ uncle, is he not?’
