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“I reckon we’ll have at least half the men on their feet by week’s end. They may not be battle ready, but they’ll be braggin’ about their bravery and eatin’ more than their share again.”

Rhys chuckled. “You’ve worked wonders, Enid. I am most grateful.”

“Nerys has been a big help.” She gave Rhys a look that hinted at something more. “She’s a good girl is our Nerys.”

Rhys kept his expression placid. “Please give her my thanks.”

“She’s coming now.” Enid pointed at the door that was opening as they spoke. “Why don’t you tell her yourself?”

Perhaps it was the civil thing to do, but Rhys was not sure that it was the most advisable course of action. At the sight of him talking with her grandmother, the young woman had stopped in her tracks and currently wore the look of a scared rabbit. He had no desire to engender fear in any female, but in this instance he thought it might be preferable to encouraging any form of admiration. He shook his head.

“I shall not delay either you or Nerys any longer.”

“’Tis no inconvenience, Marshal Rhys,” Enid said.

Offering her a polite smile, Rhys inclined his head. “Good day, Enid.”

“And to you, Marshal Rhys.”

He turned away from her disappointed expression and started back toward the archers. The men were still practicing, but Maredudd had paused his tutoring and was focused on something beyond the longhouse. Rhys looked over his shoulder to see what had caught his brother’s attention. Two horsemen were entering the valley, and it took Rhys only a moment to recognize them. He paused, watching as Emyr and Dyfan guided their mounts over the area of loose shale. As soon as they were clear of the shifting rocks, the two riders picked up speed.

By the time they reached Rhys, Maredudd had joined him. Dyfan barely waited for his horse to stop before leaping off the saddle.

“We came as soon as we knew,” he said.

“Knew what?” Maredudd asked, looking from Dyfan to Emyr.

“We followed Henry and his men into Conwy. It seemed that they were going to take refuge in the castle, and we were about to return to camp with our report when we spotted some of the soldiers down at the dock.”

Emyr slid out of his saddle and picked up the story. “The soldiers cleared the area and stood guard until the ferry from Anglesey arrived. They forced everyone off except the crew, and not long afterwards, Henry and a goodly number of his guards boarded.” He faced Rhys with anxiety in his eyes. “They set sail for Beaumaris straightway.”

“What of the remainder of his men?” Rhys asked.

“They are awaiting the king’s return at Conwy Castle.”

Maredudd swung on Rhys. “He’s gone to exact his vendetta on the Tudors. There’s no other reason why Henry would go farther than Conwy.” His voice was taut. “I must go. Margaret is alone at Penmynydd.”

Rhys placed a tense hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I shall travel with you.” Turning back to Dyfan, he asked, “How long ago did the ferry leave?”

“We left Conwy as soon as the ferry pulled away, and we made the journey at a trot.” Dyfan glanced at the lengthening shadows beside the longhouse. “Mayhap two hours.”

A knot formed in Rhys’s stomach. With the lead he had, Henry could easily exact his punishment on the Tudor family before he and Maredudd so much as set foot on Anglesey.

“Maredudd, go saddle our horses. I will speak with Gwilym.” Maredudd took off at a run and Rhys turned back to Dyfan and Emyr. “I thank you for delivering your report so swiftly. Go now and take care of your mounts.”

The two young men hurried after Maredudd to the far end of the longhouse, and Rhys marched over to the small copse of trees where Gwilym was demonstrating correct finger positions on the bow and arrow.

“A word, if you please, Gwilym,” Rhys said.

Gwilym glanced up from his bow, took one look at Rhys’s grave face, and left his explanation to the group unfinished. “Practice resetting your grip,” he told the men before turning his back on them and walking away.

Rhys wasted no time on preamble. “Maredudd and I must leave for Anglesey immediately. I’m placing you in charge of the camp until I return.”

Gwilym’s eyes widened. “Why Anglesey?”

Quickly, Rhys rehearsed Dyfan and Emyr’s report. “As soon as we reach Conwy, we shall find a fisherman to take us across the straits. Henry has a decent head start, but we know the area better than he or his men. We shall make up time.”

Gwilym gripped the sword at his side. “Let me go with you.”