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He had told her to get word to him at the inn. Escaping Cadwgan and Gwenllian long enough to go to the inn herself was impossible. Not without an explanation of why she felt the sudden urge to go there. She needed a messenger, but the only people she knew in Dinefwr were Dai and Heledd, and they were at the castle.

Cadwgan spoke. Startled, Rhiannon looked up. Whilst she had been pondering, they had reached a woodcarver’s stall. Thankfully, Cadwgan had not been directing his question to her but, instead, was talking to the old man standing above his wares. Gwenllian handed Cadwgan a bowl covered in an intricately whittled pattern. Cadwgan turned it over to examine it more carefully, and Rhiannon seized the opportunity to scour the marketplace. Surely there was someone who could help her.

A child’s laughter caught her attention. She turned in time to see the two little girls she’d spoken with walking away from a woman selling honey. The older one held a small pot, and beside her walked a gangly boy carrying a basket of eggs. He must be their brother.

Another glance at Cadwgan and Gwenllian assured Rhiannon that they would be occupied for a few more minutes. Cadwgan’s three retainers stood nearby, but for the moment, their attention was on the couple selling ale two stalls down. Moving quickly, Rhiannon approached the children. The girls broke into smiles.

“We bought the honey,” the oldest said.

“I am very glad to see it,” Rhiannon responded before turning to the boy. “You are Iago?”

He frowned. “Aye.”

“This is the lady who gave us the coin,” his sister said enthusiastically.

The creases on Iago’s forehead disappeared, but Rhiannon did not wait for him to speak. She withdrew another coin from her purse and held it out to him. “Would you like to earn another coin?” she asked. “I need to get a message to someone at the inn.”

Iago eyed the coin hopefully. “I can do that.”

Rhiannon glanced over her shoulder. One of Cadwgan’s retainers was watching her. She swallowed, a sense of urgency pulsing through her.

“Here.” She handed the boy the coin. “Go directly. At the inn, ask for a guest named Luc. Tell him, ‘Cadwgan.’”

“Cadwgan,” Iago repeated. “That is all?”

“Yes.” Footsteps sounded behind her, but she did not turn around. “Quickly.”

He handed the basket of eggs to his sister. “Meet me at the well,” he said, and then he took off running.

“Rhiannon? Why this sudden obsession with these children?” Cadwgan’s voice set her teeth on edge, but Iago was out of sight, which gave her reason to smile.

“It is hardly an obsession,” she said, turning to face him and Gwenllian. “The youngest reminds me of how I looked as a child. I gave them a coin earlier to buy some honey and wished to see if they had accomplished the task.”

Cadwgan glanced at the pot in the older girl’s hand. “And the eggs also? There was no need for that, surely.”

Given the threadbare condition of the children’s clothing, Rhiannon thought the children’s need for extra assistance was clear, but she refrained from saying so. It was better that she make no mention of the missing brother, who had purchased the eggs. “In truth, the youngest’s hair does look much as yours did at that age,” Gwenllian said.

Rhiannon wanted to hug her. Cadwgan might not consider a wild, untamed mane to be an asset, but at least the wariness in his eyes had been replaced by impatience.

“Well, if you are quite finished with the children, they should be on their way,” he said.

Rhiannon offered the girls a reassuring smile. “Be sure to walk carefully lest you break the eggs.”

The older girl nodded. “Come, Ina,” she said, forgoing any attempt at another curtsy in her desire to be gone.

Ina took hold of her sister’s tunic and stumbled after her. With Cadwgan frowning over them and his retainers hovering in the background, Rhiannon understood the children’s unease. She only wished that she could escape with them.

Chapter 31

“Luc!” The innkeeper’s voice preceded a loud knock.

Leif set down the few items of clothing he’d been gathering and darted a concerned glance at Knud before crossing the room and opening the door.

“Good day, Elis,” he greeted the man. “How may I be of service?”

“This is Iago.” The innkeeper pushed a scrawny boy forward. “He has come to the inn with a message for you.”

Instantly, Leif’s pulse quickened. Rhiannon was the only person, other than Grom, who knew he was here. Had she discovered anything?