Page 75 of Kingdom of Chains

Blackmane smirked. After a beat of silence, he said, ‘Come meet with the St Clare people. Have a conversation. That’s it.’ When Tolly did not respond, he added, ‘The alternative is you live like this forever.’

The muscles in his brother’s face tightened. Then he gave a reluctant nod. ‘All right. One meeting.’

CHAPTER 23

Unsurprisingly, Isabel was not very good at the rock game. She was aware of the women watching her the whole time, no doubt worried she might suddenly pull a knife on their offspring or drag them off to the camp while they were not looking. She was also aware of Tolly and Blackmane slowly relaxing into each other’s presence. While the shock for both of them must have been enormous, she was warmed by the fact that they had found each other after all these years.

‘Where are your children?’ the boy asked, handing her the rock for her next turn. ‘In the camp?’

Her heart pinched. ‘I do not have any children.’

‘Is that your husband?’

‘No.’ She glanced over at Blackmane, who was watching her as closely as the women were, but for a different reason. He was the furthest thing from her husband. He was a defender of Chadora. Andshehad no intention of ever living behind walls again. Not that he had asked her—or even hinted at it as a possibility.

Blackmane said something to Tolly, then walked over to where she was standing. ‘Who’s winning?’

‘Me,’ said the boy. ‘She’s not very good, but neither was my mother. She was good at making bread, though.’ He looked back at Isabel. ‘Do you make good bread? He might marry you if it’s really good.’

Isabel’s cheeks flooded with colour. ‘I am a very average baker. I am certain the defender can do much better if that is part of his criteria.’ She glanced awkwardly at Blackmane, who was watching her with a serious expression.

‘I’m taking Tolly to meet with the St Clare group. I need you to stay here.’

That explained the serious expression. ‘Why? The whole point is to get me to Ita. Then you get to go home.’

He exhaled. ‘The point is to keep you safe, and the safest place for you right now is here in this cave.’

She shook her head. ‘You cannot exclude me from this. I am part of it whether you like it or not.’

‘I’m not excluding you. I’m simply asking that you remain here while Hodge is combing the forest looking foryou.’

‘I’ll take care of you,’ the boy said. ‘You’ll still miss him, but at least you won’t be alone.’

Isabel felt her heart crack. It was unfathomable what these children had been through at such a tender age. ‘Thank you.’

‘I’ll be back as soon as I can,’ Blackmane said. ‘Do not leave these caves under any circumstances. You understand me?’

She stared at him a moment, tempted to argue, then sighed. ‘Fine.’

Blackmane placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Huw, sir.’

Blackmane clapped him on the back. ‘Take good care of her, Huw.’

She watched him return to Tolly, then glance a final time in their direction before they headed for the exit.

One of the women came over to her. ‘You want to have a wash while you wait for him?’

Isabel could only imagine what a mess she must have looked like. ‘That would be wonderful, thank you.’

‘Let me find you something to wear, and then I’ll show you where to go.’ She went over to one woman who was sewing and returned with some folded garments. ‘Not as fancy as the things you’re wearing, but at least they’re clean.’

Isabel took them from her. ‘Thank you.’ Generosity from a stranger who had so little to share was proof that the spirit of Carmarthenshire was not dead. This was what they were fighting for, the chance to live like this but above ground, where all the children could play in the sun and make as much noise as they pleased.

‘We will play again later,’ she told Huw before following the woman.

They headed down a narrow path with a low ceiling, ducking their heads for a few paces. She was relieved when the cave opened up once more. The woman used the candle she was holding to light another one, illuminating a pool of water.

---