Page 64 of Arrows and Gems
“I can’t tell you what I don’t know. And even if I did, I wouldn’t.”
The guard abruptly stood, pacing away and running ahand through his hair before giving Cap a clear view of his face. Erwan again? Cap frowned; he’d always liked the young man, but they were on opposite sides this time.
Suddenly, Margit rose awkwardly to her feet. An amused smile pulled at Cap’s lips when she focused an arrow at the startled guard. But still he waited.
“What do you think you’re doing, Margit?” Erwan asked. His right hand twitched, but he wisely left his sword where it was. “Do you plan to kill me?”
“I don’t want to,” she replied icily. “But I’m leaving, one way or another.”
The guard scooted a foot toward her. “You can’t mount my horse with that leg. And it’s a long way down the mountain with a cane.”
“Better that than let you turn me over to the General.”
“If you’ll only tell me—”
“No, Erwan.” Her voice was firm, but her stance wavered; she couldn’t put the proper weight on her back leg. “I will not give up my friends.”
“Even though they abandoned you?” he shot back.
Her bow dipped for a fraction of a second. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.
“Oof!”
The guard tackled her, dodging her bow and catching her waist with one arm. The arrow flew into the trees.
“That will teach me to underestimate a woman,” Erwan grumbled, sitting up and wrestling her against his chest. Margit fought like a wild cat, but he wasn’t playing with her like Cap did.
The guard managed to lock both of her arms against her sides, then reached for the pile of rope where she’d been sitting. “Heavens, Margit, I told you Ididn’twant to hurt you.”
“Then let her go.”
They both froze. Margit’s eyes leapt up to Cap, and her frustrated expression crumpled into mashed lips and rather wet-looking eyes. “Cap. You came for me.”
“Always.” He said it without thinking, but the truth of it settled into him. Her green eyes had irritated him when they met on the road near Arles, then again after he brought her to camp. But they had softened since then, matured. Made him smile even when he doubted her. And he would miss them when he sent her back to Marielle’s estate.
Transferring his gaze to the guard, he ordered, “Let her go, then move away to the tree line.”
“Le Capuchon?” Erwan whispered. His mouth was hanging open, but his eyes weren’t wide with fear. And, Cap realized with a jolt, they were staring straight into his.
He’d forgotten to pull up his hood.
Margit rolled free of Erwan’s limp arm, snagged her bow, and hobbled over to Cap’s side. She looked like she wanted to hug him, but she wisely refrained.
Cap kept his focus on the guard, his heart pounding with the knowledge of his mistake. “Untie her cane from your saddle and toss it over here.”
The guard stared for another moment before rocking to his feet and saluting. “Yes, sir.” He jogged to the saddle, untied the prop, and passed it over from a distance.
“Sir?” Margit whispered. He could hear the question in her voice, but he couldn’t worry about that now.
“Don’t follow us,” Cap warned, backing away. He kept his arrow trained on the guard. “And whatever you think you know, don’t tell anyone.”
“No, I—I wouldn’t dream of it.” Sounding dazed, Erwan remained where he was, arms loose at his sides. “But why are you—I mean, I know why—but why—”
“Not another word.”
After another few steps, Cap stuffed his bow in its sheath, scooped Margit up, and jogged toward Farrell. She squeaked as she wrapped an arm around his neck. “What if he follows?”
“He won’t,” Cap assured her with more confidence than he felt. “But can you reach my quiver?”
