Page 80 of King's Warrior

“It’s working for me so far. You’ll also agree to whatever I say to keep your dear, sweet mother safe.”

Mother! “Where is my mother?”

The formerly smug guards averted their gazes. Even if they disrespected Niam, they still respected Mother.

Whreyn poured himself another glass of wine. “Oh, she’s safe. For now.”

A guard ran in, approaching the desk without waiting for an invitation. She whispered into Whreyn’s ear.

His face clouded. He growled, “Well then, find her!”

Ah, so Mother had escaped.Good for her.

Whreyn attempted to get his arrogant control back in order. “I’ll give you twenty-four hours to decide. Don’t try to find the boys. They aren’t here.” To the guards, he said, “Take him to his rooms. Keep him under guard. He’s to go nowhere alone.”

Twenty-four hours. Niam had twenty-four hours to form a plan. If only Rufe were here.

Rufe.

Niam allowed the soldiers to take him from his office and to his rooms. One guard entered with him.

“There’s no need to stay with me. I obviously can’t escape,” Niam growled.

The guard drew close and murmured, “Whreyn offered us a choice of death or serving him. His henchmen threatened our families as well.” He glowered. “They killed any soldiers who wouldn’t comply, but know this. Just because we chose life doesn’t mean we don’t choose you.”

Dare Niam trust this man? “There are loyal soldiers due to return after escorting Commander Rufe to the border. We must warn them.”

The guard nodded. “It will be done.” His eyes turned pleading. “Please don’t give them a reason to hurt you.”

Like they did Willem?Poor Willem. Niam didn’t answer. What had Willem told them? Had he mentioned Rufe? “Do you know where my mother is?”

“No, but I’ll find out if I can. The two guards assigned to your door are Whreyn’s men, sobeware. Right now, they need you because the people won’t follow Whreyn. As soon as he no longer needs you…”

“Because my sons and I are out of the way, and his niece supposedly carries my child, making dear Uncle Whreyn regent.” Which seemed the likeliest scenario.

“I don’t know. I’m a simple soldier. But please. Many of us believe in you.” The soldier pressed something into Niam’s hand. “I believe these belong to you.” Niam’s sheath and the dagger Rufe gave him.

The guard turned to leave.

Niam stopped him. “One more thing.”

The guard peered over his shoulder. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

Niam kept his voice calm despite his seething rage. “Please check on poor Willem. He didn’t deserve to be beaten.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Niam stared out the windows toward Renvalle.Please let Rufe be safe.

The door opened and closed. The lock clicked. Trapped.

Thank all the deities! Whreyn apparently didn’t know about the warren of tunnels hidden inside the castle walls.

Mother did.

Niam dragged a trunk to the door, blocking the entrance. It might not slow the guards down for long, but might buy him some time. He dashed into his bedchamber and paused, briefly visualizing an image of Rufe lying naked on his sheets. No time for fantasy now.

He formed a rope of the bedcovers, tied one end to the bed, and dangled the other out of the open window. A little misdirection never hurt. Niam lifted a brick by the hearth, pressed his foot against the hidden lever, and then returned the brick. A seldom-used panel by the hearth swung open to reveal darkness.

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