Sol looked to his wife. She gave him a subtle nod. Apparently they had already mastered the art of silent communication in the short span of their relationship.
“I would be honored,” Sol said to Robin.
“Thank you,” Robin said, then turned her attention to Meena. “You will be safe at Lockwood. We have long held our secrets, and Gareth will have no reason to look for you there. We can contrive a false story of how you and Sol went into hiding, and my network can spread the rumor from several villages so that it cannot be traced.”
“Trusting your safety to a rumor and a forest manor feels like a weak course of action,” Ian said. Gareth had made targeted attempts on his own life, on Erich’s life, and now Meena’s was in danger. Ian could not ride back to the castle without knowing that his sister’s life was as protected as possible.
“No Majis who has entered my care has yet been found out by Gareth,” Robin said. “I would argue that Lockwood is the safest place for her—and Sol—to be.”
“Ian,” Meena said. “You should come with us. If Gareth truly sent a forged message to get you isolated on the road, thenyou are in danger as well. You are the crown prince. If he can incapacitate you and Father—”
“No,” Ian cut her off, well aware of the laws of the Council. “Since he is targeting me, he must also be planning some sort of ambush on Father. I need to return immediately and ensure his safety.”
“What will you tell him about Sol and Meena?” Robin asked.
“The truth,” Ian replied, confused by Robin’s question. “He knows everything about the Majis, perhaps more even more than I do?” Ian looked to Meena, not sure he wanted to hear her answer.
Meena was suddenly quite fascinated by the glowing glass pattern on the wall behind Robin.
“What does he know?” Robin asked, sounding as hesitant as Ian felt to hear the answer.
“Everything I do, I think,” Meena said. She looked at Robin, then at Ian. “He knows that Robin saved Erich. And Sol. And about River’s Talon.”
Robin did not appear pleased with this answer, but she turned to Ian. “You may inform him that his daughter is safe in my care at Lockwood Manor. But do not attempt to communicate with me—or her—there. Gareth could be tracking every messenger from the castle. And I will not risk the lives of those in my care at Lockwood.” Her voice held no room for argument.
Chapter 9
Ian slipped his saddle over Rowena’s back.
It had been nearly dawn when they’d finished laying out their plan in the cave. Robin had left Meena and Sol at one of the cottages on the cliffside, then returned with Ian to the inn to see him off. After, she would smuggle Meena and Sol out of the city and take them back to Lockwood.
While Ian tightened Rowena’s saddle, he looked up to see Robin standing at the entrance to the stall. She was holding the reins of a brown horse he had never seen before. “You should take my horse,” she said. “Rowena deserves her rest, and you will need to ride hard.”
“Your horse?” Ian asked, confused. “Why is your horse here?”
“I have three more horses at two other inns in this city,” Robin replied, as though her answer should be obvious. “How do you think I am getting Meena and Sol back to Lockwood?”
“Aren’t Lane and Ulli arriving any moment now with horses from Lockwood?” Ian asked, using the question to show he had not assumed they would all be walking back to Lockwood. However, he had not considered that Robin’s connection toRiver’s Talon likely gave her access to horses in every major city between here and Etrar. Just how large was this secret organization? “What will happen to Rowena?” Ian asked.
“I will take her back to Lockwood,” Robin said. “Where I can assure you that she will receive excellent care.”
Ian patted Rowena’s side. It was a good idea. The horse had done significant work with only a few hours of rest. “I will retrieve her in a few days,” he said.
“You will not come anywhere near Lockwood,” Robin said quickly. “We already discussed this.”
Ian was taken aback by the harsh tone behind her words. “Yes, but...”
“It is not safe,” she said, not backing down. “For you. For me. Or for Meena.”
Ian knew that she was using his sister’s name to get him to agree, but he also could not fight that. “Then how will I get my horse back?”
“She will be safely in your stables within seven days,” Robin said. “I promise you.”
Ian wanted to threaten that if she was not, he would be knocking at the door of Lockwood Manor on the eighth day, but he was not sure if such a statement would be a jest or a serious threat. Robin probably would not appreciate the comment either way. When she had lived at the castle all those years ago, she had taken great pains to ensure that her donkey was happy and healthy. And despite her current penchant for breaking the law, he at least trusted her to look after Rowena well. “Seven days from now,” he said, acknowledging her words. “In my stable.”
Robin nodded. She took a step back to create room for him to leave the stall. “You can leave Rowena saddled,” she said. “I will take her with me immediately.”
Ian gave his favorite horse a gentle slap as he walked past her and took the reins of Robin’s horse.
