Page 22 of Lucie
“Boom, boom, boom,” ColeMastinquipped. “Three in a row.”
“Actually, there are nine of us, more or less a day’s rideapart,”Pechardsaid. “We found it was imperative to be that close together in the event of a Blood attack.”
Yulengrunted. “You said both Schutz Ridge and Tarkington had been taken over by the Damaged?”
The emissary gave a nod. “That’s what we’ve been told, but we didn’t get close enough to verify it. Didn’t dare.”
“What aboutWhiterock?”
“Don’t know aboutWhiterockeither way. Once we reached Schutz Ridge, that’s when we detoured through the woods.”
The battle lord straightened. “All right. Since we don’t know aboutWhiterock, I want everyone in full battle armor before we leave here.”
“Including helmets?” Warren Paxton asked.
“No, but keep it in arm’s reach. Except for you.” He staredat his son. “You will wear yours to protect that wound.”
Lucien gave a nod as both seconds left the hall to inform the troops.
“Lucien.”
He looked back to his father.
“You’ll ride behind me and your mother. Let Iain know I also want him in that position.”
“I’ll tell him,” Lucien said. The order didn’t surprise him. As the weakestsoldiers in the group, and because he and Iain were family, they would be kept within the innermost circle for their protection. It made even more sense now because of his uncertain health.
“All right.”Yulenrolled up the map and shoved it inside his shirt. “Everyone listen up! Eat hearty! We leave within the hour!”
Lucien bent over his trencher, when a hand touchedhis shoulder.
“Your mother says you’re feeling okay. The moment you sense anything different, notify someone immediately, understand?”
Normally, Lucien would rankle whenever his father gave him a direct, no arguing command. This time, though, he heard the heartfelt plea in the battle lord’s voice. It wasn’t so much an order as it was a wish that there would be no needfor Lucien to seek assistance.
He glance up over his shoulder at the man. He noticed how his father’s eyes searched his face, as if trying to reassure himself that his son was still healthy. “I will,” he promised.
Yulengave him a lopsided grin. “Thanks. By the way, try the sausage.It’smuskrat, and they used your mother’s recipe.”
Lucien chuckled. “Inthat case, I’ll grab a couple of links to take on the road.”
Yulenpatted his shoulder and left the dining hall. Scouring the room, Lucien noticed that the majority of the soldiers were also heading out the front doors. He also realized that he’d been left on his own, in direct violation of the battle lord’s orders. Rather than question the slight, he took one last bite from hisplatter, then hurried to the kitchen to put in a request for an order of sausage to go.
