Page 77 of Arrows and Gems
Cap brought up the rear, the longbow on his back and the sword at his hip marking him as the guard for their little group. The eyes of everyone they met slid right over him.
“Ho, there!”
Looking up, he saw a stern-faced man in Amitian blue striding toward them. Two other guards stood behind him.
Since when did Amitié have checkpoints on the roads?
“Where are you going with those horses?” The officer looked them over with a suspicious eye.
Adrien gave the man an understanding smile. “On the eye for horse thieves, are we? Don’t worry, my good man; these are some of Lord Cheval’s horses that he loaned to a friend. We aresimply returning them to him.”
The guard frowned. “You should be careful traveling this region with so few men. Le Capuchon has been active in this area, and we don’t have enough soldiers to flush him out.”
The minstrel’s eyebrows rose. Cap frowned a little himself. Someone else causing trouble in his name? He didn’t need more to overcome once he proved the prince’s innocence.
“Le Capuchon?” Adrien echoed. “I thought he operated farther north.”
“It appears he is expanding his territory as well as his exploits,” the guard replied solemnly. “We’ve had reports of five attacks in the last week.”
“Five in a week?” Adrien whistled. “And you haven’t caught him yet?”
The guard shook his head. “No, but it’s only a matter of time. Once we discover who’s helping him, we’ll catch him, never fear.”
“Best of luck to you,” Adrien said with a nod. “If that’s all, we should—”
“There is one more thing.” The guard narrowed his eyes at them. “We’re looking for a young maiden who may have disappeared in these parts. Her parents believe she intended to visit her cousin, but she never arrived. I’m also looking for information regarding her whereabouts.”
Laughing, Adrien swept a hand over their line. “Do you see any young maidens here, my good man?”
Cap’s hands tightened on the reins as the guard’s eyes swept over him. There were only three men and none held their weapons, but delivering the horses would be difficult if he attacked a checkpoint first.
But if it was that or let himself be taken, it wasn’t a choice.
The man returned his eyes to Adrien. “No maidens, but extra horses. Perhaps hers is among them?”
“Do you intend to stop all servants moving horses for their masters?” Adrien inquired with an amused tone. “Unless you have a description of her horse, I’m not sure how you intend to find it.”
“By asking her parents.” The guard motioned with his head, and his companions stepped forward. “We’re confiscating these horses. If they truly belong to Lord Cheval, he can bring proof of ownership to the local barracks, and they will be returned.”
“You mean to steal our horses?” Adrien exclaimed in outrage. He glanced over his shoulder at Cap, but Cap gave his head a tiny shake. Lord Cheval couldn’t provide proof of ownership, and neither could Cap. It would make their work more difficult come spring, but they couldn’t risk the confrontation now.
He watched as the guards led away the three riderless horses. Hopefully, Margit wouldn’t be too upset that her horse had just been legally stolen.
~
They increased their pace after that encounter. The General was getting bolder, and Cap didn’t want to be in the open for longer than necessary. But he still needed a home for the horses the guards had let them keep.
He began paying more attention to the expressions of those they met. The people were scared, and no wonder. How many other goods had been confiscated since the last time Cap traveled the roads?
It would be harder without horses, but it might be time to start harassing the King’s Guard.
No, the General’s Guard. Because there was no king in Amitié. If there was, the people meant to protect the citizens wouldn’t be causing them grief.
After quietly dropping the horses off with the stablemaster, Cap and his companions slipped around the side of the manor building. He would have preferred to hide in some trees, but Cheval had cleared his lands to provide more pasture for his horses.
“Which way do we need to go, Jean-haut?” Cap reached a hand to his quiver and fiddled with the fletching. “I would rather not linger in the open, given our welcome to the area.”
The forester’s eyes glazed over as he dipped into his magic. Cap took his elbow and pulled him to a stop at the corner of the building.
