Page 44 of The Warrior Priest
Yet something was amiss. Mistress Milkwood hurried to her home, her head bowed and gaze averted. She slammed her door closed, just as I heard the sound of horses’ hooves approaching quickly.
“Someone’s coming,” I said.
Rhys took the bag from my grip and threw it back inside my room, then picked me up by the waist and lifted me high. “The roof. Go!”
I grabbed the edge of the tiles and with Rhys pushing on the soles of my boots, I managed to gain purchase and haul myself the rest of the way. I scrambled up the slope to the ridge and rolled over to the other side. Still gripping the ridge, I lay low and peered down to the courtyard.
Several constables streamed through the entrance on foot. Behind them, on horseback, came the sheriff, Uncle Roderic and four of his guards. Although the constables were the sheriff’s men, it was my uncle who gave them orders.
“Search every room! Don’t let anyone leave.”
My neighbors emerged from their homes and demanded to know what was happening.
“You’ve been harboring a fugitive,” Uncle Roderic announced. “She has been hiding under your noses as a boy.”
Their gazes turned in the direction of my room. Mistress Lowey gasped only to cover her mouth with her hand.
My uncle pointed. “Whose horse is this?”
“Mine,” Rhys said. I couldn’t see him from my position on the roof, but his voice was loud and clear. I felt sick. Why couldn’t he keep his mouth shut and leave quietly?
Uncle Roderic moved his horse forward. “You look familiar.”
“I’m Brother Rhys from Merdu’s Guards. I’ve been looking for the fugitive, too. Information led me here. It seems she left in a hurry.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. Rhys had lied to save himself. Thank the goddess his masculine pride hadn’t got in the way of common sense.
The sheriff gave one of the constables an order. Moments later, I saw the constable hand my bag to the sheriff.
“When did she leave?” the sheriff demanded of my neighbors.
Most shook their heads or shrugged, but Mistress Lowey stepped forward. “Some time ago. There was a disturbance and she panicked and ran off.”
Hailia bless you, Mistress Lowey.
Uncle Roderic ordered the constables to fan out and search the other residences, beginning with Mistress Lowey’s. She stepped aside, chin up and chest out, then followed the two constables who entered her home.
It was time for me to go. I would stay on the roofs until nightfall then drop down to the street and make my way to Minnow’s house. She would give me shelter until I could decide what to do next.
“You! Priest!”
My uncle’s bark halted me. Panic constricted my chest. Had he seen through Rhys’s lie?
But it was worse than that.
“I remember you now,” Uncle Roderic snarled.
“He’s Master Tomaj’s second,” the sheriff said.
“He is. But I also know him because I saw him the night I saw her.” He pointed at Rhys. “You were protecting her then, weren’t you? Just as you’re protecting her now.”
My heart surged into my throat. I couldn’t leave. I had to see what unfolded next, in case Rhys needed me.
I peered over the roof’s ridge and down into the courtyard. Rhys came into view, leading his horse. He stopped near my uncle. I closed my eyes, willing him to keep moving, but when I opened them, he was still there, standing alongside his horse.
“It’s true,” Rhys told him. “You stopped and asked me about a youth with short hair. Something like that. I don’t recall. But I wasn’t hiding anyone. Not then and not now.” He sounded calm. Too calm, given the circumstances. My uncle would know it was an act.
“What were you doing out that night?” Uncle Roderic demanded.
