‘Anyone can learn to use a sword. However, the discipline component is what makes a soldier unique,’ she added. ‘Do you agree?’
‘Yes.’
She sat a little straighter in her chair. ‘That is what you teach your recruits, is it not?’
Any relief he felt moments earlier dissipated. ‘That’s part of it.’
‘And have you taught unruly men in the past? Made soldiers out of them?’
He grew uneasy. ‘Yes. Though some men can’t be taught. Some never make it past the training phase.’
Fayre thought on that for a moment, then said, ‘I would like Eda Suttone to train under you. I would like to know if she is up to it, physically and mentally. I want to see if she is capable of following orders—anyorders.’ She paused. ‘You know her, know her limits. I would like you to push her to those limits. By the end of the month, we should know if she is up to it.’
Roul felt winded. ‘Those things you speak of can’t be taught in a month.’
‘We do not have the luxury of time, Commander. Who knows what plans Queen Isabella and her son are making as we stand here debating what is possible? Chadora needs a king. I cannot keep my son’s throne warm forever. Will you help me with this?’
Everything inside him screamed no. ‘The training we provide is designed to break grown men.’
‘Better she break here inside these walls than out there.’ She lifted her chin. ‘Do you not agree?’
He could see he was not going to talk Queen Fayre off the ledge now. She had made up her mind. ‘I’ll train her if that’s your wish.’
But could he break her?
She tilted her head, studying him. ‘I can assign her to someone else if you are not comfortable.’
That would be worse—much worse. That someone would not know her limits as he did and would not care if he pushed past them. ‘I’ll do it. I’ll train her.’
Queen Fayre’s shoulders relaxed. ‘Good. I shall inform the warden and write to Lord Thomas. I am certain he will agree to the arrangement under the right conditions.’ Her tone suggested she knew him well. The man would do anything to keep the queen’s favour, even sacrifice his niece. ‘Good day, Commander.’
Roul’s feet were heavy as he turned away. ‘Your Majesty.’
CHAPTER5
Her mother read the letter over and over while Eda’s uncle paced the length of the room, looking slightly bewildered.
‘The queen offers no specifics as to what the family will gain from this arrangement,’ Thomas said. ‘Perhaps it depends on Eda’s success.’
Candace held the letter out to Blake, who snatched it from her hands and began to read.
‘You will send me to an early grave,’ Candace said, pressing a hand to her chest. ‘This is my fault. I should have stepped in a long time ago. The day I saw Harlan teaching you how to fight with multiple swords, I knew it had gone too far.’
Eda was seated on the floor beside Blake, chewing her lip. ‘Wouldn’t that make it Harlan’s fault?’
Blake dropped the letter on her lap and leaned back in her chair. ‘You nagged him incessantly, day after day.’
‘And he indulged me,’ Eda said with a shrug.
Blake closed her eyes. ‘This is like Lyndal’s time at court all over again. Why must it fall on you to bring him home? Let Queen Fayre go to England and retrieve her son herself.’
Thomas stopped pacing, linking his hands behind his back. ‘Queen Fayre cannot go. If anything should happen to her, we may as well open the gates and invite King Edward’s army in, hand them our food as a welcome gift.’ He looked down at Eda. ‘Though why she thinks sending a merchant girl without an ounce of propriety will be beneficial I still cannot fathom.’
‘Propriety won’t help me navigate the rebel-infested wastelands of Carmarthenshire, Uncle.’
Candace closed her eyes at the words.
‘It’s only a few weeks of training,’ Eda said. She crawled over to her mother and took her hand. ‘Nothing’s been decided yet.’
