“And the King’s Courier has been through Briarlock twice,” Lady Karyl says. “I find that an interesting turn of events.”
“He was looking for Lord Alek,” I say. “We told him he hasn’t been here.”
She frowns. “Has he asked about anyone else?”
“No.”
“And you’ve never mentioned me?”
“No,” I say again. “My lady.”
She’s quiet. I’m quiet. I’m thrown by her mention of my father and the implied threats to Callyn. I cast another glance at the shadows.
Lady Karyl notices. “If you’re being truthful, you have nothing to fear from my guards.”
“I’m being truthful,” I say.
“I find it interesting that you’ve said nothing of my visit to your father.”
“Well, he never mentioned you to me. Do you find that interesting, too?”
She frowns. “Your mouth is going to get you in trouble.”
She still hasn’t brought up the message, and I’m not sure what to say to that, so I fall silent again.
“I like that you’ve kept my secret,” she finally says. “And your girl from the bakery must be a loyal friend, too, because many days have passed, and neither Lord Alek nor I have been implicated in anything.” She pauses. “The queen is planning some kind of competition, that she would like to resurrect the Queen’s Challenge.” Her lip curls. “She plans to invite competitors from Emberfall.”
“That won’t affect Briarlock,” I say. “We’re a long way from the Crystal City.”
“Yes, you may be, but if these plans for a competition continue, it will mean more people crossing the border. More business for you, and more business for your baker friend.” She pauses. “More opportunities to carry messages of great importance.”
“More opportunities for you to spend a bit of silver,” I say.
Her gaze darkens, but she smiles a bit. “I’ve learned you are easily motivated.”
I bristle at that, as if I only crave silver to line my pockets and live in luxury. Maybe that’s whatshewould do with it, but she has no clue what life is like for us here. “Yes,” I say tightly. “I am.”
She dips her hand into the purse tied at her waist and withdraws a handful of silver. She counts it fastidiously, then holds it out. “The payment you requested.” She pauses. “I will take my letter now.”
I withdraw it from my pocket. There are smudged fingerprints all over it from my time in the forge, but I take the offered silver and watch as she inspects the carefully placed seal.
“Good,” she says. She drops the letter in her purse and withdrawsanother, the parchment perfectly clean, each fold crisp. Then she withdraws another twenty-five silvers.
She keeps them both close to her body. “I’ve told your father that I’ve found a new messenger,” she says.
I nod, but my heart kicks to see that much more silver in her hand.
“You’ve proven yourself trustworthy,” she says. “Lord Alek will return in a week. Don’t disappoint me.”
I take the parchment. The coins rattle into my hand. My heart is beating as hard as it did when I grabbed hold of the forge and wanted to die from the pain. I wish I could run to Callyn right this very moment.
It’s enough, I want to shout.It’s enough to save the bakery right now.
“I won’t, my lady,” I say, and my voice nearly trembles.
She turns away, but just before she reaches her guards, she stops. “Blacksmith?” she says.
“Yeah.”
