‘Make sure you are there for the briefing also,’ Shapur said to Roul.
‘Yes, sir.’
The warden strode off.
When he was gone, Roul linked his hands atop his head and turned in a circle. So many thoughts were crashing in at once. ‘Five men? There are rebel groups the size of armies in Carmarthenshire.’
‘Half our men are injured. We’ll struggle to find an additional four defenders prepared to risk their necks for what they’ll deem a suicide mission as it is.’
Roul stilled, his hands returning to his sides. ‘What about four recruits?’
Harlan slowly nodded. ‘A ready-made unit that Eda has already built trust with. Clever. Let’s go see if they’re willing.’
CHAPTER17
When Eda arrived at the royal borough gate the next morning, she found Roul waiting for her on the other side. She watched his serious face through the latticed wood as the gate rose, sensing his mood before they had even exchanged a word. A lot had happened since their last meeting. She was going to Harlech Castle, and he was now responsible for getting her there. Admittedly, she had felt relieved when Harlan told her the news. It would all be so much more manageable with him at her side.
‘I barely recognised you in a dress,’ he said when she reached him.
‘I barely recognise myself.’
He smiled at the ground as he fell into step with her.
‘I’m sorry you got pulled into this,’ she said.
‘I didn’t get pulled in. I volunteered.’
There was that light feeling in her chest again.
‘It’s what friends do,’ he added.
The lightness dissipated at the pointed remark. ‘Should we talk about yesterday?’
‘Which part?’
She looked at him. ‘The kiss, Roul. I’m talking about the kiss.’
He nodded. ‘The one you went straight home and told Blake and Harlan all about?’
She winced. ‘Sorry about that. To be fair, I only told Blake. Harlan chose that very inconvenient moment to enter the house. How bad was the lecture?’
‘It wasn’t bad. I like that he looks out for you.’
She regarded him, noting his heavy expression. ‘But?’ When he hesitated, she reached out and touched his arm. ‘It’s me. I’m listening.’
He moved closer until his cloak brushed hers. ‘You know I don’t speak much about myself.’
‘Much? You share nothing about yourself whatsoever.’
He met her eyes. ‘Well, there’s a good reason for that. I’ve had to tread carefully since coming here. Everything that’s been handed to me is fragile.’ He paused. ‘I need to know you’ll not speak of this to anyone—despite your terrible track record with keeping secrets.’
Her feet slowed. ‘You can trust me with this.’
He nodded. ‘I didn’t come to Chadora of my own accord. I came here because Queen Fayre sent me here. Our paths crossed at the Toryn border a few years back. I was in trouble. She spared my life in exchange for information.’
Eda’s feet slowed. ‘What information?’
‘Army information, mostly.’ Seeing her confusion, he added, ‘She needed a trustworthy source inside an army with a growing reputation of brutality.’
