Page 123 of Arrows and Gems
“You’re telling me Lord Raoul isn’t a flirt?”
“Oh, he’s definitely that,” the maid replied with a shake of her head. “But he knows how to make use of his reputation. And he’s more dependable than you might think.”
She finally let Helena crawl out, then motioned to the drawers. “But he can’t do it again without drawing suspicion. We’d better clear out before the General returns.”
Helena followed the maid to the hallway, preparing to rejoin General Valentin and his guests. But the maid caught her arm. “Before you go, Princess. May I ask you a question?”
Raising an eyebrow, Helena glibly replied, “It would seem you’ve already asked me one.”
The maid ignored her. “We’ve heard rumors about Le Capuchon’s archery skill. You lived with him. And fought alongside him, if I’m not mistaken.”
Helena stayed silent.
Her companion’s eyes glowed. “So tell me: is he as good as they say?Ishe the best archer in the kingdom?”
“Depends on the kingdom,” Helena smirked. “If it’s Ralnor, that would be me. But Amitié...” Her voice trailed off as she pretended to consider. The memory of Cap burying a smile as he lined up four arrows made her own lips curve farther. “He declined my challenge to prove which of us is better. But yes, Iwould be surprised to find a better archer in Amitié.”
“I knew it!” the maid breathed. “Itishim!”
The smile slid off Helena’s face. “I only say that because the Amitian archery I’ve observed is so pathetic,” she backpedaled. “I wouldn’t know if you were hiding a truly excellent archer someplace.”
The maid winked as she sauntered away. “Thanks for the assistance, Princess. See you around.”
Helena’s heart sank as she watched the maid leave. She’d thought the information unimportant. But she might have just betrayed Cap to the General.
CHAPTER 44
Cap
The city he grew up in had never seemed quite so large or impregnable as it did now. It was a long way to the castle when he didn’t want to be seen.
Cap crouched on a tree branch several hundred yards from the gate, the closest the thick forest grew to the walls, while Jean-haut lurked in the next tree. Rouge was escorting their people to the Lancée estate. Cap would have gone with them, but it was out of his way. Since he couldn’t simply stroll into Laurier, he had decided to spend the extra day or two scouting the city.
“The guards are more wary than the last time I was here,” Jean-haut muttered. “They’re searching every single cart. It’s like he knows you’re coming.”
“Perhaps the kingdom has become more unsettled,” Cap murmured back. “Wehavegiven him a bit of trouble lately.”
The forester fiddled with his silver cuffs. “That’s true. But look, that soldier is opening a barrel of potatoes. They’re checking for people sneaking in.”
The irate farmer waved his arms, his loud protests wafting all the way to their hiding spot. Cap frowned. “It does seem that way. But why assume an outlaw would rescue his men from the castle dungeons? It would be safer to recruit new followers.”
“An ordinary outlaw might not.” Jean-haut’s voice was somber. “But you would. If he knows who you are, he’ll expectyou to come.”
Cap watched the altercation at the gate, dread pulling at his chest. Which of his choices had led to this? “If he knows who I am, he may threaten my family.”
“Marielle will let us know. Or if she hasn’t arrived yet, then Princess Chloe.” Jean-haut spoke hesitantly. “But if he did capture Margit, he might believe that holding her will be enough. Depending on what he thinks he knows.”
Cap’s forehead wrinkled. “Knows?”
Jean-haut opened his mouth, then closed it again. Finally, he said, “The General may assume you have…an understanding.”
Curses; one more thing to worry about.
“We’ll have to go in at night.” Another cart pulled forward. Another of his people harassed by the General’s men. Cap’s jaw clenched. “The patrols the last two nights have been sparse enough that we should be able to clear the wall.”
“Don’t forget, I can’t manipulate the plants this time,” Jean-haut warned. “You’ll have to shoot a rope over and trust it to hold.”
“Or let me make a door.”
