Celesta slid from Peter’s knee and ran across the room as Robin turned to look at the door, where Meena stood with a wide grin on her face.
The princess scooped the small girl off the floor for a swinging hug before setting her back down. They instantly began communicating in a mixture of spoken words, lip reading, and hand gestures.
Robin smiled at the joyful reunion. Celesta would find more than safety here.
Meena took Celesta’s hand. “I want to hear about Father,” she said, looking back up at Peter and Ian, “but she should nothave to sit through that. You can fill me in later. I’ll get Celesta settled.”
Smiling down at her young friend, Meena disappeared out the door.
Robin closed the door behind them, then turned back into the room. “What is the news?” she asked.
“Bleak,” Peter replied. He gestured to a small wooden crate on Bernard’s desk. “But first, I come with gifts.”
“Gifts?” Robin asked.
“For the crown prince,” Peter said.
“Ian,” the prince in question corrected the old man as he stepped forward to open the crate. “We are family in more ways than one at this point.”
Ian opened the box to reveal several small pouches that jingled suspiciously like coin.
“Thank you for bringing this,” Ian said, smiling at Peter.
Robin saw Bernard’s eyes light up from behind the desk.
Ian tossed one of the bags to her treasurer, who caught it quite adeptly for someone with a snow-white beard.
“What is this?” Robin asked, though she thought she could deduce the answer for herself.
“A deposit into your loan program,” Ian said, shuffling through the bags. “From myself—and it looks like Onric and Erich have contributed as well.”
“And a little more from me,” Peter said. “But it is not much.”
“Thank you,” Robin said. She wanted to feel a sense of shame at accepting such a gift, but she knew too well how badly the coin was needed and how much good she could accomplish with it. “The local farmers and businesses will benefit greatly from this.”
Bernard needed no further invitation to immediately open the pouch and begin counting its contents.
“You will put it to far better use than I can,” Ian said. He turned to Peter. “But now for the news?”
Instead of responding, Peter reached into the inner pocket of his thick jacket and produced a letter, which he held out to Ian. “From Onric.”
Robin noted how Ashlin’s father referred to Onric without the royal title.
Ian opened the letter. His eyes scanned it quickly before he handed it to her.
Brother,
We kept up the facade that you were sick for nearly six days before Gareth found out the truth. He is spreading word that you have abandoned your family, your responsibility, and your people. He has encouraged anyone who sees you to apprehend you and bring you back to the castle.
Stay where you are. Watch your back.
O.S.
“This is not unexpected,”Ian said when Robin looked up, indicating she had finished reading the letter. “How is my father?”
“The same,” Peter answered. “The physicians are perplexed. And he is never left unattended.”
Ian nodded his understanding, but Robin saw the way he looked down, hiding his pain at the news.
