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“Who goes there?” One of the guards stepped forward, spear in hand.

Leif reined his mount to a halt and called out his response. “I am Leif, son of Jarl Ottar of Dyflin. My companion, Knud, son of Svend, rides with me.”

“What business do you have at Dinefwr Castle?”

“I have an urgent message for Prince Cadell of Deheubarth and Owain, king of Gwynedd.”

The guard eyed him distrustfully. “We were not told to expect anyone from Dyflin.”

“Neither the king nor the prince is aware of my coming, but they will both be most anxious to hear the news that I bring.”

The guard hesitated only a moment longer. “You will wait here,” he said.

Leif watched as the guard consulted with his associate. The other man nodded twice before disappearing through the entrance. Taking a defensive stance in the center of the entrance, the guard eyed them silently.

“Do you think he realizes that if we had wished to storm the castle, we would have done it by now?” Knud murmured.

“I would have thought he knew that if we had wished to storm the castle, we would have brought a few more men,” Leif replied.

“Mayhap you should tell him.”

“Or we could simply do as he asks and wait.”

Knud shifted restlessly. “I do not like waiting.”

“If it keeps us out of the dungeon, it is worth our time.”

That, it seemed, was motivation enough. Knud said nothing more until the clatter of hooves and clink of hauberks announced the arrival of a dozen guards on horseback.

“And so it begins,” Knud whispered, one hand sliding to the knife at his waist.

The men rode out through the entrance and circled Leif and Knud. An older guard, carrying himself with a confidence that came with rank, approached Leif.

“Leif, son of Jarl Ottar of Dyflin.” He inclined his head, his expression wary. “I am Euron, marshal to Prince Cadell. I have sent word of your arrival to the prince. My men and I will accompany you into the inner courtyard while we await his response.”

It was no royal welcome, but it was more than an instant dismissal or an arrest.

“As you wish,” Leif said.

Signaling his men, Euron wheeled his mount around and started back the way he had come. Knud glanced at Leif, his eyebrow raised.

“We’re going in,” Leif said in Norse.

Knud gave a brief nod, and as they nudged their horses forward, Cadell’s guards fell in behind them.

To Rhiannon’s dismay, she was seated beside Cadwgan once again. She had hoped to reach the great hall in time to pull Hywel aside even if she were unable to approach Cadell or Owain Gwynedd. Unfortunately, Cadwgan had arrived before her and had insisted that she take her place at the table before any member of the royal family entered the great hall.

Gwenllian had come in on Cadell’s arm. Her smile, although not glowing, had been reassuring, and Rhiannon experienced new hope that ultimately, all would be well with her cousin. Even Cadell seemed more at peace with his situation than he had the night before. Indeed, his attention did not deviate from Gwenllian until a guardsman entered the room and approached the head table to speak with him.

At Rhiannon’s side, Cadwgan raised his goblet but did not bring it to his lips. He watched the guard bow before Cadell before the man stepped closer and lowered his head to exchange a few quiet words. Cadwgan’s eyes narrowed. Rhiannon glanced at the king and Hywel. They too were watching the unexpected interaction occurring at the other end of the table.

“Why would one of the castle guards feel the need to consult with Cadell in the middle of a banquet?” Cadwgan muttered.

Before Rhiannon could respond, the guard stepped back, bowed again, and exited the great hall at a brisk walk. Cadell immediately turned to Owain Gwynedd, who was seated at his right. The two men consulted briefly, and when they separated, the king was frowning.

Rhiannon set down her knife and slid her trembling hands beneath the table. She had no way of knowing exactly what the guard’s visit was about. Reason told her it was something serious; instinct told her it involved Leif.

A low buzz of conversation interspersed with laughter continued among those seated at the other tables in the great hall. Servants wandered between them, carrying platters, replenishing goblets, and clearing away empty bowls. At the head table, however, a sense of disquiet descended.