Page 97 of Arrows and Gems
But the minstrel family needed to be complete before the guards searched the village. So Cap was right. They needed to go.
She watched his broad shoulders as he shifted into a jog. Cap would be on the move until Prince Raphael returned and pardoned him.
So if she wanted him to stay, she would need to help complete his mission.
CHAPTER 33
Helena
Stealing money bags helped disguise the fact that Cap and his raiding parties were looking for information when they stripped the casualties. But if they stopped every troop movement and faux-Le Capuchon ambush they knew about, General Valentin would realize what they were doing.
It would make them predictable and easy to trap. So when they didn’t stop the guards, they tried to warn the family.
Helena followed Cap along the edge of a beautifully manicured garden. Most of it was brown and dormant, but the gardeners had included a few plants that were still green in late winter.
The colors were difficult to see as she crept through the twilight. Cap raised a hand, motioning for her to wait as he peered around the stone wall. She put her back to his and scanned the area behind them.
He tapped her elbow. They sprinted across the path to the main building and disappeared into the shadows of the stable. From there, it was a short jog to the kitchen door.
A distant owl hooted, the sound echoing through the peaceful evening. Cap melted against the wall and watched the door.
Suddenly, it opened, light and warmth streaming out from the busy kitchen. “‘Fetch the water, Clara. Never mind the dark, can’t finish cooking supper without two more buckets from thewell,’” the young woman grumbled. “The fancy houses in the capital have water indoors; why can’t we have it here?”
The servant stalked past their hiding place, intent on her mission. Helena followed as Cap peeled himself away from the wall and padded after her. When they reached the well, he said quietly, “Clara.”
“Who!” she yelped. The buckets swung wildly as she spun. Helena bit her lip to keep from laughing as she watched Cap dodge.
“Easy!” he grunted. “We’re friends. I need to speak with Lady Jocelyn.”
“Oh, sure you do!” Clara growled. “All the lady’s suitors come sneaking about the well to visit her in the dark.”
Sighing, he replied, “I have no wish to harm her. Please. Tell her—tell her the shield is strongest with the support of an arm.”
“Is it?” the cranky servant sniffed. “And why would I bring her out to meet two strange young men? I see your friend lurking back there.”
Helena stepped forward. “And if his friend is a woman?”
Clara startled, her eyes dropping to the trousers that Helena wore for their escapades. “A woman dressed like a man?”
“It is common in Castellia,” Cap interjected. He waved a hand toward Helena. “My friend takes after their sword maidens.”
“Please, Clara,” Helena urged. “It’s important that we speak with Lady Jocelyn.”
The servant eyed them warily. “I have to fetch the water. And Lady Jocelyn will be dressing for dinner.”
“I’ll draw the water,” Cap quickly offered.
“All right.” Clara thrust the buckets toward him. “I’ll give her your message then, and those had better be full by the time I get back.”
“They’ll be waiting by the kitchen door,” he promised.
After one more disgruntled look, the young woman strode toward the manor. Helena kept watch while Cap filled the buckets and hauled them back to the kitchen.
“I hope no one notices those sitting by themselves and wonders what happened to our sweet friend,” Helena murmured.
He snorted. “As long as she doesn’t report us to the guard, I’m not worried.”
It had happened before. Gaining access to nobles wasn’t easy as a bandit.
