Page 81 of Arrows and Gems
The swordsman wrenched his weapon free and attacked again. Jean-haut blocked twice more, then dropped under the next swing and swiped the staff at his opponent’s knees.
And just like that, the fight was over.
Adrien was already wading through the brush behind the boulder in search of the men’s belongings. They had no rope or bandages, so Cap had to use his precious supply to truss them up and dress their wounds.
“We’ll send word to the local barracks to collect you,” he barked in his Le Capuchon voice. “Try not to expire before then.”
Grabbing one of their packs, he motioned to his friends and strode off into the woods. They would need to take the long way back now that his cover was blown, but at least he could finally walk upright and with his full stride.
He let Jean-haut take the lead through the unfamiliar trees. Adrien walked in the middle, and Cap covered their tail, eyes roving constantly.
A checkpoint. A squad at the Cheval estate. And now a trio of second-rate bandits on the road. Even if he wasn’t on edge from Margit’s missing token, this day would have had him on high alert.
Second-rate… He considered his assessment as they hiked. Second to him, perhaps, but the swordsman had been familiar with his weapon, and the leader’s form had looked decent before Cap’s arrow took him down.
“Cap.” Adrien’s soft word drew his attention. “You shouldsee this.”
Increasing his pace, Cap joined him. “What is it?”
“I found these in one of the bags.” Adrien held out his hand, but Cap didn’t take it. He preferred to keep both hands on his bow.
Adrien uncurled his fingers. On his palm lay a flat piece of metal.
Engraved with the insignia of an Amitian sergeant.
Bubbling heat spread through his chest. “And to think I once trusted him,” Cap growled. His left hand tightened around his bow. “The General is using his own men to spread rumors of my villainy.”
Jean-haut turned toward him. “Why would he do that? What’s the point?”
“Several things.” Cap forced his eyes away from the pin and relaxed his jaw. “First, he fills his coffers with items pilfered from travelers. Because Le Capuchon is causing such trouble, he justifies the increase in taxes to find the bandit and bring him to justice. And by targeting all travelers with no goodwill to the poor to offset it, he turns the people against me. They will be less willing to help and more likely to betray us to the General or his men.”
But what should he have expected from a man who would commit regicide and frame the crown prince for his crime?
“What are we going to do about it?”
That was the question, wasn’t it?
What could a handful of outlaws do to stop an unlawful regent from terrorizing the people?
His outlaws…
A frisson of fear wrapped itself around the heat of his anger. Margit was too quick to be beaten by the sergeant-bandit he’d just defeated. But there might be others, and he’d put her in the position of protector.
His eyes dropped to his too-short cloak and his gray beard. “First, we rejoin our friends.” He lifted his hard gaze to meet his friend’s. “Then we teach the General a lesson.”
CHAPTER 28
Cap
Afew snowflakes drifted through the trees, settling on Adrien’s cloak. Cap was sure that more nestled in his hair, but he left his hood down. They were deep enough in the mountains that he didn’t expect trouble, and he needed the physical space more than he needed warmth or safety. Dusk was quickly approaching, but a mere quarter mile separated them from the new campsite.
Cap wanted to run up the steep incline and prove to himself that Margit was safe.
He wanted to root his feet to the feldspar and delay confirmation that he would never see her teasing smile again.
But Jean-haut kept moving, and Cap kept following. He might not like the answer, but he needed to know. One way or the other.
He saw the flickering orange light of the campfire before he heard the subdued murmurs. Dread of the reason for those murmurs tried to lock him in place, but his feet pulled him forward. They moved faster, passing Adrien and Jean-haut.
