From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [63]
It appears so, Master Rennan.
What do you suppose they’ve done with Lord Agros?
I dare not say. It is clear he is not down here, unless he is too injured to speak.
Bran shifted his hands. Scratchy rope bit into his wrists, bringing tears to Vrell’s eyes. Can you loose your bonds at all?Mine are cutting through the skin.
As are mine. That old man is a smart devil. Even had his guards check my boots.
Mine as well. If only you’ d taught me to hide a knife somewhere else.
We must not give up hope. Arman will provide.
Bran sighed. Unless He is ready to take us home.
Do not get sentimental, boy. We may be here a long while. It would be better for Sir Caleb to leave us than risk men in a rescue attempt. I should have had Jax tell him so, though he will likely come to that conclusion on his own.
At least by our capture the men will know not to bring Achan this way, Bran said.
Good man, Rennan. That’s the way to look at it. See? Arman has already used us, and we almost missed it. But I’ve told you not to refer to the prince as “Achan.”
Bran was about to respond, but Jax spoke.
The army moves out today. Sir Caleb was grieved to hear about his brother but thankful to know of this trap.
Vrell pulled away from the men, heart heavy. A trap in Allowntown? There was no time to waste. Mother? It is Averella. I have news.
One moment, dearest.
Vrell squeezed her hands while she waited. A prisoner in the cell on her left sang a slurred tune.
What is it, Averella?
I’m in Sitna. I thought I could catch up with Jax but—
Mother sighed heavily. I am in a meeting, Averella. Unless you are in mortal danger, we shall speak of this later.
I am in the dungeons. Reggio Levy had me arrested.
A dungeon? Averella, why did you leave Carmine?
Gren wanted to go home.
The peasant widow? And you are her escort?
Yes, Mother. I—
Of all the ridiculous… Really, Averella. We are in a war for the throne of Er’Rets. I cannot be rescuing you every other day. For all that was sacrificed to see you safely home…
I am sorry. This would not have happened if I had used my head. And gone on without Gren.
That much is true. What did Lord Levy say to you?
I have not seen him. Reggio put me here.
Has anyone hurt you?
No, but they put me in the dungeon, Mother! It’s horrible here.
Averella, it is you who seem to want to be treated like one of the men. If you insist on this lifestyle, you should get used to dirt and manhandling. I love you and will do all I can to see you freed. Let me speak with your father.
Mother, wait! Allowntown is a trap. Vrell explained what she had heard from Jax, Sir Rigil, and Bran.
Sir Jax just informed Sir Caleb of this. Do not despair, Averella. I shall send help. But rest assured, once you are back under my roof, you will be living in another kind of prison. Do you understand my meaning?
Yes, Mother.
Vrell exhaled a shaky breath. Something moved across her cell. Her heart jolted, and she drew the peasant skirt tight around her knees, no matter how much the fabric itched.
Feathers rustled. Odd. How could a bird have gotten so far underground?
“Greetings, favored one,” a low voice purred.
Vrell glanced to the cell on her left. The man had stopped singing and lay asleep. The cell on her right was vacant. Who had spoken?
A sound came from the corner of her cell, like a boot scraping over dirt. A rat, perhaps? Digging at the dirt?
Vrell swallowed and stood, wanting to climb the walls.
A hooded figure stepped into the stripes of torchlight. “Many years have passed since I have seen a woman garner such attention from men.”
Vrell pressed against the half-stone wall. The bars that rose to the ceiling cut into her shoulder blades. “Who are you? How did you get in here?”
“First, Lord Nathak asked for your hand.”
Vrell’s mouth went dry. No one but Vrell and her mother knew Lord Nathak had also asked to marry her. “Lord Nathak had no right to ask for my hand. He is already married to Lady—”
“When