Page 105 of Kingdom of Chains

Frustrated by the conversation, Ita stepped away.

‘I think arriving with a large group would be a mistake. I could escort you there to speak to him.’

‘I’m obviously coming with you,’ Ita called to them.

Isabel shook her head. ‘Absolutely not. You are another pawn he can use in his game. I cannot be worried about you too.’

Rabbit glanced over at the paddock where the horses were grazing. ‘I’ll saddle your gelding.’ Then he headed off in that direction.

Ita emitted a frustrated groan, which made Margery fly off.

‘I am sorry to drag you into this mess,’ Isabel said to Tolly. ‘There are probably a million more important things you should be doing right now.’

‘I’m more worried about my brother hanging me from the closest tree when he finds out I took you straight to Hodge.’

Isabel dropped her gaze, palms heating. ‘Let me pack a few things. I will be with you shortly.’

Blackmane was seated in the mess hall, having just finished his second bowl of stew. The harder he trained, the hungrier he was. Thankfully, the famine was far enough behind them that rationing was finally a thing of the past. Defenders were now permitted to eat whatever they needed to in order to perform at their peak. He was considering going back for his third bowl when Tatum strode into the room and looked around. Spotting Blackmane, he walked over and sank down onto the bench seat beside him.

‘I have a letter for you.’ He wrestled it out of his pocket and slapped it down on the table next to Blackmane’s bowl. ‘I hope you appreciate me not reading it on the way here. Very tempting when there’s no seal.’

‘The fact that you want to be acknowledged for that says so much about you.’ Blackmane had received a few letters from Tolly over the past few months, but they were always sealed, and this was not his handwriting. His eyes went straight to the signature at the bottom.

‘Who’s it from?’ Tatum asked.

It took Blackmane a moment to reply. ‘Ita.’

Tatum’s brow creased. ‘I didn’t realise the two of you were still in contact.’

‘We’re not.’ Blackmane read quickly, the parchment creasing beneath his grip. ‘Bastard.’

Tatum appeared taken aback. ‘I know she can be a tad bossy, but—’

Blackmane rose abruptly, shoving the note into his pocket as he stepped away from the table.

‘Where are you going?’ Tatum asked.

‘To see the warden.’

Tatum winced. ‘This can’t be good.’

Blackmane fled the mess hall, ignoring the questions that followed him out. He went straight to the warden’s quarters, knocking and then entering without waiting for a reply.

Shapur looked up from the table he sat behind. ‘You are supposed to wait until you are invited in after knocking, defender.’

‘Apologies, sir. I’ve received some news from Carmarthenshire and require a few days’ leave.’

Shapur stared at him. ‘For what purpose?’

He did not dance around the facts. ‘My brother and Isabel Maddock have gone to Hampstead Keep, and I fear they might be in danger.’

Shapur rose slowly. ‘You have a lot of nerve barging in here with this request. Now, get out before I have you locked up.’

Blackmane did not move. ‘I’m happy to go alone.’

Shapur’s eyes narrowed into slits. ‘Are you trying to start a war?’

‘Actually, I’m trying to prevent one. Lord Hodge is holding Lady Gwenore and her son at Hampstead Keep against their will. Swift and discreet action could prevent this from building into a fight that will halt all chains of supply to Chadora.’ He paused. ‘I just need four days.’

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