Page 28 of Bride of Ice
“Nay. I keep it in the stable. But I can show it to you from the window later.”
“I’d like that.”
As strange as it was, Colban was enjoying Ian’s company. The lad was bright and fearless and full of curiosity. For someone who’d claimed to need peace and quiet, he chattered endlessly. And he played chess with a skill far beyond his years. Indeed, Colban might well lose this match.
But there was something Colban couldwinfrom his encounter with Ian. Something that would serve him well in the critical days ahead. He could win the lad’s trust.
“What are ye writin’ there?” Colban asked, nodding at the ledger the lad had set aside.
“Everything.”
“Everythin’?”
“Would you like to see?”
He nodded. What Colban saw in the ledger left him speechless. Crowded onto each page were dozens of drawings and hundreds of words, written in tiny letters. On one page was a sketch of a mill, a v-shaped flock of birds, and what looked like a design for a knight’s helm. Another was filled with lines of text. A third featured a detailed cart and several depictions of flowers. A branching tree took up one entire page. Squeezed between the branches were hundreds of words, written in tiny letters. Colban wished he could read them.
“Ye made these?”
“Aye.”
“They’re wondrous indeed.” He turned the page and narrowed his eyes. “And this?”
“’Tis Rivenloch. I’m working on the defenses.” He pointed out the various features. “Here’s the courtyard. And the great hall. And the armory. Here’s where we are right now.”
Colban had to temper his excitement as he scanned the illustration. It was a detailed map of the castle. Nothing could be more valuable to the mac Girics, should they need to lay siege to Rivenloch.
“I think ’tis your play,” Ian reminded him.
Colban returned the ledger to him with a wink. “And I think ye’re eager to pummel me.”
Ian grinned.
Colban studied the board and finally slid a bishop forward.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Ian asked.
Colban wasn’t sure. But he’d already made his move. “Aye. Once a man makes up his mind, I believe he should commit to that choice and follow through with—”
“Checkmate.”
How the imp had infiltrated his ranks so quickly, he couldn’t fathom.
But before he could recover from the shock, there was a sound at the door. Ian gasped, upsetting the chessboard and scattering pieces across the coverlet. As the door swung open, Colban instinctively leaped from the bed to defend the lad.
In the doorway stood the Valkyrie. She was breathless and beautiful. Her blue eyes were cold and fierce.
Hallie had been scouring the castle for her missing youngest sibling all day long. He hadn’t shown up for supper, and now the clan was gathering for the last meal of the day.
There was still no sign of her parents. Ian was her responsibility. She needed to locate him before the inquisitive lad heard about the hostage and made it his mission to question him.
She’d checked the storeroom to be sure Rauve had concealed the tunnel entrance and that Ian hadn’t escaped through the passage.
She’d searched the dovecot where he sometimes liked to observe the birds.
She’d looked in the armory, where he spent hours designing armor plate and war machines.
Finally, she’d been forced to give up. She’d told herself Ian would probably turn up before nightfall. After all, he’d have to eat eventually.
