From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [124]
She cleared her throat and turned her focus to the other soldiers. “Prince Gidon’s army attacks even now, weakening the stronghold from the outside. If you can get weapons, you can cripple it from the inside. Arman be with you all.”
Boten pulled keys off the ring and passed them to other soldiers. “Let’s do this as quickly and quietly as possible.”
Averella handed the sword to Sir Rigil, whom she believed was the highest ranking soldier present. He accepted the weapon and grinned. “After you, my lady.”
She lifted her skirt and ran back to the stairs. Halfway up, she met two guards coming down. Sir Rigil, Bran, and Jax surprised them and were able to take their weapons. They dragged the guards back to the third level and locked them in a cell. They took the stairs again, this time making it to the crack into the wall.
Averella found her lantern where she left it. She moved slowly, for Jax had a difficult time squeezing through the tunnel. She reached the boat and waited, holding the lantern up so that everyone could see as well as possible.
Gren reached her first, then Sir Rigil, who nodded to Gren. “Madam Hoff. Fancy meeting you in such a place.”
She curtsied. “Good day, Sir Rigil.”
Sir Rigil turned his gaze to Averella. “Master Rennan said you had two men with you. Where are they?”
“Master Fox is there,” she nodded to Noam, “and the battle separated us from Master Poe.”
“These are peasant men from Sitna, is that correct?”
“We were forced to be creative with our recruitment process, were we not, Gren?”
Gren mumbled, “Yes, my lady.”
Jax finally ducked out of the tunnel. He walked to the boat and inspected it.
“What I want to know,” Sir Rigil said, “is where in all Er’Rets you learned that move, my lady? When you took down that guard? It was very well done.”
A thrill coursed through her veins at Sir Rigil’s praise. “I cannot be certain, but I believe the real Prince Gidon taught me.”
Bran chuckled, his tone icy. “Well, that explains it. You always were an independent one. I’m not surprised you fell for a man who taught you to fight.”
“Master Rennan!” Sir Rigil scolded.
Fire kindled in Averella’s chest. “I do not know for certain that Prince Gidon taught me. I merely suspect he did. I cannot remember him, really. So I certainly have not fallen for him, as you accuse, Master Rennan.”
“I’m sorry you don’t remember, my lady,” Bran said. “But it’s true.”
She sputtered, angry that he was angry, but Sir Rigil took her arm and led her to the boat. “Lady Averella, you say the castle is under attack?”
“It had only just started before we came underground.” She set the lantern on the ground and stepped into the boat, gripping Sir Rigil’s hand to keep steady. “Once we are on our way, I will see where Master Poe is.”
“And where are we going?” Bran’s voice sent a chill over Averella as she settled onto the back bench. The familiarity of his tone both elated and angered her. She could not explain why.
Her only defense was to give Sir Rigil her answer. “We had planned to travel to Armonguard. We have two horses in the stables but traded our wagon for the boat. I covet your wise council, Sir Rigil, as to what our next move should be.”
“We’re better off in the boat,” Sir Rigil said, climbing into the craft. “Prince Oren says the road south is blocked.”
“I did not know you could bloodvoice, Sir Rigil.”
Sir Rigil sat on the bench beside Averella. “I cannot. But Prince Oren speaks with me when he has opportunity.”
“But your brother has the gift,” Averella said, thinking of Sir Eagan.
“Aye, but it came from Sir Eagan’s mother, Princess Alondria. My mother, Lady Zora, was from Jaelport.”
Averella wrinkled her nose.
Sir Rigil laughed. “I quite agree, my lady. But Lady Zora does not ascribe to the teachings of her mother and aunts. Since Lady Zora had no affinity for magic, her mother sent her to Nesos when she was a small girl. She was one of Queen Dara’s childhood companions.”
“Was she?” Averella said, guessing she probably knew this already but had forgotten. “How interesting.”
Bran