Page 24

“I don’t need to,” Philip answered, offended. “You know of the smuggling raid. You are from Cornwall, after all.”

“Aye, the League supposedly helped a small group of smugglers get out from under the fist of a tyrant.”

“Who was using them as slaves.”

“So I’ve heard.”

Philip shook his head. “And yet you doubt. Christ himself could appear and you would still…”

John let Philip talk on.

Philip finally frowned. “You’re not even listening. Those soldiers playing dice look like they need a jovial companion.”

John glanced at him with interest. “I cannot wait to hear everything you discover.”

Philip stood up, smiling. “Perhaps I’ll tell you; perhaps not. You’d doubt me anyway.”

John grinned and shook his head. He was glad to have a friend such as Philip, who could certainly be off on his own adventures instead of helping him. By tomorrow, John would have to send Philip into the forest to meet up with Ogden and Parker, to exchange information. Perhaps luck had been with them, and they had already found Alderley’s army.

John remained in the great hall throughout the evening, observing both the castle residents and Bannaster’s soldiers. Musicians played for several hours, and even a traveling jester performed. But the merriment seemed forced—except for the soldiers, who grew more boisterous throughout the evening.

And Philip was right in the middle of it. If he was only pretending to be drunk, it wasn’t evident. He grew just as red-faced with laughter as the next man.

Strangely enough, Anne’s departure seemed to signal a relaxation amongst the castle’s residents. Though their conversations were muted, and they glanced suspiciously at the soldiers, they didn’t find their pallets quickly. It was as if without Anne, it was easier to forget the plight of Lady Elizabeth, trapped in her tower. Several people came and introduced themselves to John, and he encouraged their friendship. He needed to know as many people as he could, in hopes of earning their loyalty if he needed to rely on them to help rescue their lady.

When John was alone again, Philip staggered back to him and sat down on the same bench, almost knocking both of them to the floor. John caught the table and held on, glaring at Philip, who looked apologetic.

“Any ale left?” Philip asked, his words slightly slurred.

John silently passed Philip his tankard.

Across the hall, a game of Tables was growing boisterous, as two soldiers hunched over the game board, and more gathered around.

In a soft voice, Philip said, “They’re all Bannaster’s men, at least the ones in here tonight.”

“So ’tis true that Alderley’s soldiers were sent away. Are any left on the grounds?”

“Not many.” Philip tipped his tankard back and drank, spilling some down his cheek to his neck. “Most were sent out into the forest to hunt for thieves. It seems the castle residents would have been more upset, but the attack on us showed them they really had a problem.”

“So Bannaster wants them gone indefinitely.”

“But he didn’t kill them,” Philip pointed out.

“But they’re not here to do their duty.”

“Four soldiers remained behind to take turns guarding the base of Lady Elizabeth’s tower.”

John glanced at his friend incredulously. “Milburn allows Alderley soldiers to guard his captive?”

“There is one Bannaster soldier and one Alderley soldier guarding the tower at all times.” Philip halted, and gave a bleary grin as two young maidens walked by. When they were far enough away, he continued. “It seems Lord Bannaster did not want to trust even his own men with his prize.”

“And did you discover whom they allow to see Lady Elizabeth?”

“Didn’t get to that,” Philip said, hiccuping. “Too many questions. And ’tis your assignment, isn’t it?”

John smiled. “Aye, it is. I’ll start to walk the corridors to keep up my strength. Strangely enough, that tower will be my frequent destination.”

“So I am finished with the soldiers?”