The incident was obviously made up or falsely linked to his patrol, but Quinn acted contrite. “If my men are truly at fault for such damages, I assure you the crown will more than cover your loss.”
“You’re very free with the royal purse, Captain,” the duke sneered. “Is it Mother’s or Father’s influence that allows you such liberties? Your rank already makes it clear that being the general’s son makes for a fruitful career.”
Quinn ignored the insult. “That’s not for me to judge, Your Grace. I simply do my best to follow orders.”
D’Amiran’s face darkened. “In that case, Captain, I will issue new orders to you, being you are under my roof. You and your men are forbidden to leave this fortress until further notice. You will not patrol outside my gates, and you’ll submit to a muster three times daily, conducted by my captain to make sure no other faces go missing.”
“Who is missing, Your Grace?”
D’Amiran met his eyes coldly. “You seem to have lost one of your officers.”
“I think Your Grace must be misinformed.” Quinn’s tone was bland, respectful. “We haven’t mustered for the day, but I laid eyes on both only a few minutes ago.”
“Yes, but there were three yesterday. Four, including yourself. When your patrol returned, one of your men had been replaced by another. One shorter and filthy.”
Quinn looked back in bewilderment. “They told me Sergeant Porter fell off his horse and dislocated his shoulder. I can only suggest the man in question was him, and he wasn’t sitting up as straight as when he left. I can bring him to you, Your Grace, if you’d like to speak to him.”
“No,” his host spat. “I’m sure you covered your tracks there.”
“Your Grace,” Quinn said carefully, “I’m not sure why you think I would do such a thing—or how. If we’ve offended you, violated your hospitality, or shown ourselves to be untrustworthy, I sincerely apologize and beg the chance to make amends. Perhaps we should leave. There’s enough time in the day to gather the women and take them back to Lord Fashell’s estate. We can wait there for the pass to clear.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Captain.” The panic that flashed across D’Amiran’s face told Quinn the duke wasn’t quite ready to act. “Not only are the accommodations inferior, a sickness is present there. I only want you to respect my authority in my lands—a right granted by the crown.”
Quinn lowered his head. “As Your Grace wishes. Are there any other restrictions? May we continue to move freely within your walls and guard the ladies we’re assigned to protect? We have only their honor and safety in mind, and idle soldiers are a commander’s bane.”
The duke waved his hand irritably. “Yes, of course. But if any more of your party comes up missing, I will hold you personally responsible.”
“As you should, Your Grace,” Quinn said. “My men should be mustered now, if your captain is ready for his first inspection.” He stepped back and politely gestured for the guard behind D’Amiran to lead the way.
*
Casseck dropped into a chair opposite Quinn at the table. “What was that about?” he asked.
Quinn rubbed his face as he detailed his conversation with the duke.
“I think he’s worried about what he’s lost with Robert gone,” Casseck said. “Maybe he promised him to Kimisara.”
Quinn yawned. “You may be right. He would’ve been a valuable hostage. Ash said earlier their people were starving.”
“Speaking of Ash,” said Casseck. “How are he and the others doing out there?”
“Porter said they’re getting tired of squirrel meat, and they could all use baths, but generally fine. No injuries. Ash got sick that one time, but if he hadn’t, we might not have gotten our bottled weapon. How’s Charlie?”
“Fine. Out in the stables this morning, tending Surry and Shadow. Three days, right?”
“At least.” Quinn rubbed his neck and yawned again. “What do we need to do today, Cass?”
“Everything’s in hand. Two more small barrels of both kinds of alcohol last night. Gramwell’s team is done surveying the sewers. Our watch rotations cover all the areas you designated, and we have a running list of who’s here. There’ll be several parties leaving today, and several more arriving. The men are tired, though.”
“Well, now that we won’t be riding, there’ll be less to do. Make sure they get rest, though—they’ll need it.”
“You need some sleep, Alex. Go take a nap.” Casseck tilted his head at the side door.
Quinn scratched the back of his head. “I may just do that.” He stood to walk to the attached room they shared.
“Starling is coming to the meeting tonight.” Casseck made it a statement rather than a question.
“Yes.”
“She still doesn’t know, does she?”
“No.” Quinn wouldn’t look back as he pushed the door open.
“Mouse.” Casseck waited for him to pause. “I suggest you wear body armor when you tell her.”
58
SAGE SLEPT STRAIGHT through lunch and dinner, waking with a start as a tray of food settled on the table near her head. Clare sat on the edge of the bed and brushed hair from Sage’s eyes. “How are you feeling?”
Sage sat up with a groan. She felt like she’d been run over by a wagon. “I’ve felt better.”
“Where were you all night?” Clare asked. “I heard you leave, but you never came back. I went looking for Darnessa after a few hours.”
The matchmaker had been waiting when Sage returned that morning, disheveled and smelling like sweat. Though Darnessa had stopped short of calling her a harlot, it was a lecture Sage didn’t care to remember. She rubbed her face and tried to think. “Privy,” she said. “The soldiers said we passed a village with a nasty illness. I must’ve caught it.”
“Is that why Darnessa told us not to drink the water?”
“Probably. I guess she didn’t tell me in time.”
Clare smiled sympathetically. “I brought some dinner. Are you up to eating?”
Sage’s stomach roared in response. “Yes, thank you. I think the worst is over.” Clare handed her a cup of herbal tea and watched as Sage tried to drink it slowly. “Did anything interesting happen today?”
“Lots of departures and arrivals. Duke D’Amiran’s angry about something. He spent most of the day stomping around the outer walls, staring at the forest.”
Sage smiled to herself. “What has our escort been up to?”
Clare offered her a roll of soft bread. “Haven’t seen most of them, other than the regulars who patrol around us on occasion. I think they’re lying low. One of the maids said the duke was yelling at Captain Quinn this morning.”
Feeling guilty, Sage said, “I’m sorry you didn’t see Gramwell today.”
“He told me last night he wouldn’t be able to write or come near me for a while, but if the duke said anything interesting, I should tell you.” Clare narrowed her eyes. “Why would it be dangerous for one of our escorts to speak to me?”
“Did he say ‘dangerous’?” Sage asked.