Page 132 of A Tale of Ice and Ash
“If it’s still an option, we shouldn’t dismiss it. I could get word out through carrier pigeon or something–”
“I still vote assination, if anyone’s interested,” said Wren.
“She’ll see you coming,” the Huntsman advised.
“I am small andverystealthy, as you are well aware–”
“We’renotkilling her,” said Eirwen firmly. “Not unless… not unless we absolutely have to.”
Wren sighed, “spoilsport” at the same time Cole mouthed, “thank you.” She wanted to squeeze his hand, but she didn’t dare do it with an audience.
One day, one day, one day.
A dark thought she’d kept buried in the back of her mind pulsed up inside her. What if one day never came? What if they lost, if they went up against his mother and she was the victor?
Cole tilted his head. “You all right?”
“Cole, I–”
“We’re going to need more allies,” Onyx announced. “I’ll take some of the rebels into the city and see if we can scout some. Anyone have connections in the palace?”
“Should I come?” asked Eirwen.
He shook his head. “Too noticeable right now. Write another letter to Marie. See if you can drum up some support from her.”
Eirwen nodded. She’d had another letter from Marie waiting for her yesterday, asking for an update, but she hadn’t had a chance to respond.
“Is there anything I should be doing?” asked Cole.
Onyx buckled, as if he’d completely forgotten Cole was there. “Check the traps with Wren. We’re low on food provisions.”
“Yes, sir.” He shot Eirwen a look as he got up to collect his equipment.It’s almost like he’s trying to keep us apart,it seemed to say.
Eirwen smiled at him, and said nothing.
∞∞∞
She tried to pen an answer to Marie, politely asking if she knew of any nobles who might support her, but she couldn’t finish it. She was struggling with her words. Onyx was better at this. He was gruff in person but he was excellent with written words. Together, she imagined, they made quite an effective team.
She was going to need so much help if she ever ascended the throne. The thirteen years of preparation had slid away from her in forests and the Underground, or perhaps they’d never been there to begin with. Her father had raised her with all manner of courtly pursuits, but the histories and political side of things had been shelved and ignored. Unimportant.
She could catch up on her reading. She could relearn what she’d lost. But she needed someone who understood nobility in a way she never had, who was confident and assured–
She needed Cole. ShewantedCole.
Why was it so hard to tell him that?
She sighed and scrunched up her third letter. She’d accidentally written Cole’s name into it. Three times. Marie would tease her deliciously if she knew.
After an hour or so of trying to organise her thoughts, tidying her tent, polishing her sword and sorting her equipment, there was a call from outside, a thudding on hooves in the snow, a braying of horses. Eirwen shot for her weapon and ran from the tent, whipping across the site.
Two dozen men on horseback shifted to a halt. They made no move to attack. They were not the Queen’s guards.
“Hold your fire!” said the man at the head. “We come to aid you.”
Eirwen sheathed her weapon. “Lord Hammersmith.”
He slid from his horse, dropping into a bow. “Your Highness. I apologise it has taken me a while, but I have secured some men for your cause. We are at your command.”
