Page 91 of Kingdom of Chains

‘Am I supposed to trust you? Just follow you into the forest and hope you know what you’re doing?’

Margery responded by flying off again. Cursing under his breath, Blackmane left the road and headed into the trees after her.

He followed the eagle north for a while, watching the sun continue to sink. Just when he was beginning to think he had made a big mistake, he emerged onto a road. Margery landed on a low branch nearby with what looked an awful lot like an ‘I told you so’ expression. She was waiting to see what he would do next.

Blackmane glanced both ways down the road, then looked down at the ground. He counted six sets of fresh hoofprints headed east. The corners of his mouth lifted. ‘I guess you’re not just a pretty face after all.’ He looked up at the eagle. ‘After you.’

Off she flew, this time rising high into the sky before hovering.

Blackmane’s horse was tiring, so he continued at a trot now. That was fine, because he could tell by the spacing of the prints that the party ahead of him was moving at a walk. He suspected he was close when Margery disappeared from sight. That was as near as she would get to Hodge. Blackmane could not blame her after their encounter.

He decided to get in front of the group, because Hodge was more likely to stop if Blackmane was physically in his way. He veered his horse right into the trees and continued at a fast walk, listening for any noise up ahead. Nothing. He decided to return to the road and saw the tracks were gone. At some point, the group had left the road also.

‘What are you up to, Hodge?’ he muttered as he looked around.

He crossed the road and trotted into the trees, but a few minutes later, he stopped again. A familiar feeling came over him. He realised he was no longer the one doing the hunting.

Letting go of the reins, he raised both hands. ‘My bow’s on my back. My sword’s sheathed. Let’s talk.’

At first, silence. Then finally a horse walked into view.

Hodge.

‘I thought I made it clear that you were no longer a welcomed guest in Carmarthenshire.’

Blackmane slowly lowered his hands, resting them on the pommel of his saddle. ‘Word in the woods is that you’re no longer a welcomed guest in these parts either.’

Hodge watched him carefully from twenty feet away. ‘All right. I will take the bait. Clearly there is something you wish to tell me, defender, so go ahead.’

‘The wastelanders started a war today. Judging by your composure and the steady speed at which you’re travelling, I’m guessing you haven’t heard.’

‘What in heaven’s name are you rambling on about, defender?’

Blackmane looked around for Isabel, but she was nowhere in sight. ‘I’m saying that your father’s noble idea to build a camp for the people of Carmarthenshire has run its course.’ He paused. ‘Sometimes these ideas just don’t work, not because people resist being rehabilitated but because they never needed it to begin with. It’s over.’ It was undeniably enjoyable watching the colour drain from Hodge’s face. ‘You’ll need to find another way to make money.’

Hodge’s face twitched. ‘You expect me to believe that rebels have taken control of my camp in the short time since I left?’

‘I don’t expect anything from you. I didn’t come here for that.’

‘Then what are you doing here, defender?’

Blackmane searched the trees behind Hodge. ‘I came to collect one of the prisoners.’

‘Well, I am sorry for the wasted journey, but there are no prisoners here.’

‘I’m talking about Lady Isabel.’

A faint smile settled on Hodge’s face. ‘You know, I do not blame you for taking a fancy to her. She is truly lovely and would seem all the more enticing to a barbaric man like yourself. I was aware of your interest, from the very first day. I noted the way you kept aspecialeye on her during our short time together. I tolerated your presence because I had to. But now your heroic gestures are really starting to get on my nerves.’ He brushed a finger down his nose. ‘So let me be very clear about something. Lady Isabel returns to Hampstead Keep of her own free will. She is safe, and she is no longer your concern.’

‘If that’s true, then I’ll wish you both well and be on my way. But I’m going to need to hear it from her mouth.’

Hodge’s smile broadened. ‘Always the protector. I worry, however, that you might be drastically overstepping. The fact that you are here without your comrades says a lot.’

‘You don’t have to worry about me. I’m very capable on my own.’

Hodge chuckled lightly and looked over his shoulder. ‘Bring her out.’

A few moments later, four guards emerged from the trees, Isabel tucked between them. Her eyes were sunken with fatigue, her face a pale contrast against the vibrant green dress she was wearing. She held his gaze for a moment before looking at Hodge.

---