He looked in her direction, then straightened. ‘Your Majesty.’
Fayre came to a stop, eyes going to Eda, who was still well ahead of the others. ‘How is our newest recruit doing?’
‘She’s doing well.’ She was always going to do well.
They watched Eda touch the wall, spring to her feet, then run back in their direction.
‘I have received reports that King Edward and his wife have left Harlech Castle for Windsor,’ Fayre said without looking at him.
Roul crossed his arms. ‘And Prince Becket?’
‘He remains at Harlech Castle with the queen mother and Lord Roger Mortimer. For how long or what purpose, I do not know.’ She paused. ‘I fear we are running out of time.’
Roul knew what was coming next.
‘Is she ready?’
And yet the question still hit him like ice to the face. ‘She’s only been training a few weeks.’
She turned her head to look at him. ‘Yes, Commander. I can count the days. Is sheready?’
‘Physically, absolutely. Mentally, it’s too early to tell.’
‘She can fight,’ Fayre said, clasping her hands together. ‘But can she follow orders under pressure?’
Eda came to a stop in front of them, breathless and sweating. ‘Your Majesty.’
When she went to curtsy, Queen Fayre held up a hand. ‘That is quite all right.’
‘Did you come to see me in action?’ There was childlike hope in Eda’s voice.
Fayre nodded once. ‘It seems you are keeping up with the men.’ Her eyes creased at the corners in place of a smile. ‘How doyoufeel it is going?’
‘I feel it’s going great, but I suppose Commander Thornton’s opinion is of more value to you.’ She somehow managed yet another glare in his direction.
‘I wonder if you might be up to a little test this afternoon to gauge your progress,’ Fayre asked, chin lifting slightly.
Roul looked down at the ground. He had known she would be tested eventually but wanted longer to prepare her.
Eda’s eyes were wide with excitement. ‘Really? Of course. I can do whatever you need me to.’
‘The point of the test is to find out if that is true,’ Fayre replied.
The others had returned from the wall and were waiting for instructions.
‘Three laps to cool down,’ Roul told them. He looked to Eda. ‘You too, Suttone.’
Another glare, another penny earned. She jogged off after the others.
Roul turned to face Queen Fayre and found her looking over at the tower.
‘We have a merchant man in our custody at present who choked his own son to death,’ she said, her expression thoughtful. ‘He is due to be executed tomorrow.’
It took Roul a moment to catch up to her thinking. An uneasy feeling enveloped him. ‘You want to use him for the test?’
Fayre’s eyes met his. ‘I shall have Commander Wright take care of everything. Say nothing to her beforehand.’ She bowed her head before turning and leaving.
With his stomach in knots, Roul watched her walk away.
