*
Ash hadn’t returned by the time they arrived at the next estate. Middleton Manor had high and thick walls in the style she’d noticed in places they’d passed since leaving Underwood. Tasmet had endured centuries of fighting and invasions. She imagined if they traveled south toward Kimisara, such homes would be even more fortified. Sage helped Charlie carry her trunk to the room she and Clare would share, sensing a growing uneasiness in the soldiers as they watched the eastern approaches for their missing companion. Dinner had passed and the sun was setting when the escort began organizing a search party.
Sage, now in a dress, watched the officers confer from atop the estate’s outer wall. Charlie fidgeted beside her, and she tried to soothe him despite her own fears. She intended to force some straight answers from Casseck tonight, but at the moment he was giving instructions. Captain Quinn stood at his side, arms folded. How could he look so unconcerned? Didn’t he feel any guilt for having sent Ash out on his own? She’d never seen him go out on a patrol himself, and while Sage didn’t know much about the army, that struck her as wrong. A commander should never order others to do what he wasn’t willing to do himself.
Five riders were armed and mounting up when four short horn blasts sounded in the distance. The soldiers instantly relaxed, and Charlie sagged against her in relief.
Several minutes later, a large dog bounded down the road in the dusk, followed by Ash on his brown horse, riding as though he was eager to get back to them, but not rushed. The gate opened, and he trotted through, making a series of hand signals to the riders in the courtyard. Casseck jerked his head at the assembled team, and they headed back to the stables with their mounts.
Casseck approached Ash as he dismounted. “Sorry to make you worry, Cass,” Sage heard Ash say. “But it was well worth it.”
The lieutenant tilted his head and pointed with his eyes to the wall where Sage stood with Charlie, and Ash turned to wave at them before walking away with Casseck. Charlie made to run down after them, but she grabbed him.
“Wait, Charlie. I’m sure they have important matters to discuss. We know he’s safe now; you should go to bed.”
“But I’m sure he’s hungry. I’ll get him something to eat.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s late. I’ll take care of it.” The page made to protest again, but she raised a finger. “Your brother put me in charge of you, soldier, and I say, go to bed.” She pointed to the barracks. “Now.”
Charlie obeyed with a sullen “Yes, ma’am,” and Sage headed to the kitchens and asked for a tray of food. Her arms full, she crossed the yard and pried the stable door open with her foot, using her hip to angle it just wide enough to pass through. Other than horses, the stables were nearly deserted, and she slipped quietly along the stalls toward the voices at the far end. Lieutenant Casseck was lecturing Ash.
She crept closer to the stall door and paused behind a dividing wall, just out of sight. Through a space between the planks, she saw Casseck looking down and to the rear of the horse, but Ash was out of view. “You had everyone scared, you know,” the lieutenant said.
Including me, Sage thought.
Ash stood from where he’d been crouching, probably checking the mare’s hooves. “I can take care of myself.” His voice rang with confidence and authority, so different from the way he spoke to her.
Casseck wasn’t cowed. “Not against a hundred and thirty men.”
Sage stifled a gasp.
Ash snorted. “They’re not all in one place.”
Sage’s brow furrowed. Were they surrounded? No wonder Quinn didn’t want anyone to know. Darnessa would panic.
“All right, then, ten,” Casseck conceded. “You’re good, but you’re not that good.” Ash clenched his jaw and swept a brush over the brown mare, making her shiver and stamp with enjoyment. Casseck patted her withers as he continued. “We can’t afford to lose anyone, least of all you. From now on, all patrols should be at least two men; three would be better.”
Ash shook his head. “We don’t have the manpower to spread out that much. It makes us vulnerable.”
“We’re already vulnerable,” Casseck said. Before Ash could protest again, Casseck stepped closer, putting a hand on the brush to make Ash pay attention. “I mean it. No one goes out alone anymore, especially you. Your father would kill me if I stood by and let you act this way.”
Yes, listen to Casseck. Sage wished Casseck were in charge rather than Quinn. He obviously cared more about the safety of his men.
Ash turned his face to glare up at the lieutenant. “I think you’re forgetting who is in command here,” he said slowly.
Sage needed to step in before Ash got into trouble. She moved around the wall, making enough noise that they wouldn’t think she was sneaking. Casseck’s eyes flashed to the opening as soon as she was visible, and Ash stiffened with his back to her. After looking to Ash’s face for a long moment, the lieutenant pulled his hand down and hooked his thumb in his belt. “I’ll speak to the captain. He’ll make you see reason.”
Casseck stepped around Ash, heading for the stall door. Ash pivoted to watch him go, eyes settling on Sage as Casseck passed her with a polite nod and disappeared. She hovered at the opening as Ash studied her with an unreadable expression before turning back to the horse. “How long have you been there?” he growled.
She might as well admit it. “Long enough to hear some things of interest.” He said nothing and continued brushing with swift, angry strokes. Her temper rose to match his. “I didn’t come to spy on you, if that’s what you mean. I came because I thought you’d be hungry. You’re welcome.”
“And now you know who I am,” he snapped. “Congratulations.”
Her anger evaporated. He hadn’t wanted her to know. Quinn probably made him hide it—he could gather more information as a commoner. “You’re the king’s son,” she said calmly. “I’ve known since yesterday. I won’t tell anyone.”
He stopped brushing and leaned his forehead on the mare’s flank. “You know this habit of yours is really annoying.”
The venom in his voice didn’t match the relieved slump of his shoulders, but he was upset, so she kept her tone neutral. “And which habit would that be?”