That was a big step up for Harlan. To command a borough was one thing, but to protect the outer-wall was quite another. He would be responsible for the safety of the entire kingdom.
‘Are we expecting unwanted visitors?’ Roul asked.
The creases on Shapur’s face deepened. ‘We certainly need to be prepared for it.’ He paused. ‘We have received reports that Prince Becket is staying at Harlech Castle.’
Roul’s eyebrows rose. Harlech Castle was one of King Edward’s homes in the north. ‘I don’t understand. Was he taken there at swordpoint?’
The youngest prince was the only living heir to the throne. He had spent the previous two years since his brother’s death dodging the crown aimed at his head.
‘He willingly boarded a ship from Ireland. We have no reason to suspect foul play.’ Shapur took a step back, signalling that question time was over. ‘Make sure I do not regret this decision, Commander.’ And with that, he strode off.
Roul stood processing the conversation. The correct reaction to being promoted was pride. He had accomplished something every defender wanted but most never got. But he felt only guilt. He was a fraud. In two years, when his minimum term was up, he planned on returning to his home in Carno. Of course, the warden did not know that. Harlan was the only person who knew anything of his plans, and he had advised Roul to say nothing of them to anyone until his five years were up.
‘My plans haven’t changed,’ Roul said, meeting Harlan’s gaze. ‘My family’s waiting for me to return.’
Harlan nodded slowly. ‘You know, you get to leave regardless of your title.’ He took hold of Roul’s shoulder. ‘You’re allowed to feel good about this. It’s an enormous achievement, especially at your age.’ Letting go, he added, ‘In fact, I think you should come to the house for dinner tonight. We’ll celebrate.’
‘There’s really no need for fuss.’
‘Before you feel too special, Lord Thomas will also be in attendance. I invite you for my own sanity.’
Roul frowned. ‘I thought he avoided Wright House at all costs.’
‘Except when trying to marry off a relative. The bootmaker will also be joining us.’
Roul shifted his weight. He had heard about the bootmaker firsthand from Eda, but witnessing their courtship would be something else. The nature of their friendship led him to protect her as a brother would. ‘Does Eda know he’s coming?’
‘Even the high lord knows better than to try and spring a suitor on Eda Suttone.’ Harlan crossed his arms. ‘With her nineteenth birthday now behind her, the pressure to be married is at an all-time high. I suspect Thomas is trying to secure free boots for the rest of his life.’
Roul watched the recruits bend to collect the weapons, stiff with pain. ‘I’m surprised she agreed.’
Harlan observed him a moment. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll intervene if there’s cause to. No one wants to see her unhappy.’
Roul had not considered the possibility of Eda finding happiness with the man. He had assumed he would fall short of her impossibly high standards. Maybe he would not. Maybe he would make her laugh, indulge her adventurous nature. Maybe he would even make her happy.
‘So you’ll come?’ Harlan asked.
Roul swallowed, nodded. ‘I’ll come.’
* * *
It was a large family affair. Roul was seated at the table between Candace and Eda, except Eda’s chair was empty, and she was nowhere to be seen.
‘You did not happen to see her on your way in?’ Candace whispered as she passed Roul the roasted carrots.
‘Afraid not.’ He glanced at the bootmaker. Leigh Appleton. A man of few words who was a few years older than him. Leigh was a gentle kind of man, perhaps too gentle for Eda. She would break him in the first year of marriage.
A glowering Lord Thomas rose from his chair and smoothed down his tunic. ‘I shall go outside and find her.’ There was no hiding the agitation in his voice.
‘I can go if you like,’ Blake said, moving to stand.
‘No. I’ll go,’ Thomas replied, walking around the table. He almost stepped on the baby, then collided with the duck. ‘It is like a barnyard in here. Someone get rid of that animal and put that child somewhere sensible.’
Blake plucked Luella from the floor and placed her on her lap. Her daughter arched her back and cried, wanting to be on the ground with Garlic. A heavily pregnant Lyndal rose from her chair and went to lock the duck outside.
‘Mother and I were so excited to discover a few flower buds on the apple trees in the orchard this morning,’ Kendra said as she inspected the tray of pork. ‘It is autumn, yet the trees seem to think it is spring.’
The seasons still did not mean much, despite the gradual easing of rain over the past few months, which apparently counted as summer.
