Page 83 of Peregrine's Call
When dark fell, Robin was called down by Angelet, who told her that she needed food.
“Why aren’t they back?” she demanded, knowing the other woman couldn’t answer. “Why isn’t someone here with news? A runner, or one of the men. Something.”
“For all we know, they’re riding back now. Remember that you rode the distance far faster than anyone ought to, and now that the light’s gone, it will take longer to go safely. Now come into the hall. Supper is ready, and order must be maintained.”
The ladies sat at the high table, and the dining hall soon filled with people. Pierce joined them, looking as clean and well rested as ever. He didn’t ask for news—the lack of news filled the hall like a cloud, dampening all efforts to remain cheerful.
Then the mood broke. Several very young men all came in together, laughing and joking as they walked through the center of the room. Robin guessed them to be the boys sent here for fostering and military training. Most nobles sent their boys to other houses during their childhood. It allowed them to learn from experts they’d never get to in their own homes, and also served to build alliances and friendships between families.
“Gentlemen,” Angelet called. When they all looked up to her expectantly, she went on. “Please approach and make your greetings to our guests. I wish to demonstrate that your education does not happen solely on the practice fields. You have manners, do you not?” Her smile belied her words.
Robin found herself greeted with a chorus of politehow do you do’s andmy lady’s.The tallest of the boys barely managed not to trip himself as he bowed, his limbs not quite under his full control yet.
“Careful, Torin, or you’ll fall right at the lady’s feet,” his smaller neighbor teased.
“Shut up, Guy.”
The one named Guy turned back to Robin. “Fear not, my lady. Torin’s much more coordinated when he’s attacking one of us with a sword than when he has to confront any creature wearing skirts.”
“I’m relieved to hear it, since swords are rather more dangerous,” Robin said. The boy Torin was scarlet with embarrassment, and she wanted to make him feel better. “Perhaps I’ll see for myself tomorrow. You wouldn’t mind if I watched a training session?”
The boys’ expressions ranged from excited to alarmed. Guy nodded, and said, “Certainly, my lady. But tomorrow we practice archery.”
Angelet said, “Then you gentlemen can show Lady Robin your skills, and even allow her to shoot.”
“That would be most kind.” Despite her stomach being knotted like a tangled rope, Robin couldn’t suppress a smile, and she caught Angelet’s tiny answering smirk. She’d teach these boys a thing or two about archery, and she couldn’t wait to see their faces when she finished the lesson.
As if tomorrow will just be another day. Her mood sank. If Rafe didn’t come back with Tav alive and well, tomorrow would be the bleakest day Robin ever faced.
One of the other boys spoke up, addressing Angelet. “When is Sir Rafe expected back, my lady? We were training and only saw that a force left in a rush.”
“The guards said enemies were close by,” the fourth boy added, his eyes big with concern. “Is that true, Mother?”
“Nothing to worry about, Henry. A group of men were near the north bridge,” Angelet said. Her tone was calm but Robin heard the tightness in it. “Now, take your seats for the meal.”
The food came out of the kitchens, and Robin tried to eat. But nothing appealed to her. She nibbled on bread only when Angelet nudged her with a foot.
She kept looking to the doors of the hall, which remained stubbornly closed. All of supper passed, and still there was no word.
Pierce and Angelet exchanged pleasant, meaningless conversation after the meal while Robin sat in turmoil. Still there was no word.
She went to the chapel, accompanied by Angelet, and prayed with her hands clasped so tightly that her fingers grew cold and numb. Still there was no word.
She went up to the master bedchamber with Angelet, who asked her to share the bed during the night. “That way, if the men return and I’m woken up, you’ll know the very same instant.” So Robin prepared for bed along with Angelet and her maid. She tried to sleep, telling herself that the instant she did so, the men would ride through the gates, because wasn’t that how things happened?
Eventually, her tired, dry eyes slid closed. But when she woke in the morning, after fitful sleep and tortured dreams, still there was no word.
Chapter 30
When Robin woke up, Angeletand her maids were already gone, leaving her alone in the massive bedchamber. She stared up at the canopy, which was supported by four posts of oakwood carved to resemble tree trunks covered in ivy. The heavy fabric of the canopy and curtains hid much of the light, turning the bed into a warm, dark cave. And because this was Angelet’s home, the fabric was embroidered with flowers and birds and magical beasts, all rendered with such skill that they seemed ready to emerge from the cloth into the chamber itself. Robin reached out to touch a lion worked in gold thread, and then a unicorn standing fearlessly beside it. The lion certainly looked fierce, but what could frighten a unicorn? She wondered if Octavian had ever seen a lion in the flesh. He might have, traveling as much as he had from the Holy Land to here.
“Octavian!” she gasped. The events of the previous day flooded back into her mind. She sat up, flinging the covers aside. She yanked her gown on over the clean white shift. Shoving her feet into the soft slippers near the bed—also from Angelet—she hurried to the door and then down the stone steps to the ground floor.
Angelet was speaking to a maid when Robin rushed in.
“Any news?” she asked, skipping any good mornings.
The answer was clear in Angelet’s face.
