Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

" H ow long has it been since we've all eaten a meal together?"

Lady Evelina, Gareth's wife, asked the question as Alden sat. He was the last of them to the table, which included all four of his friends and Gareth and Roland's wives.

"Too long," Roland said, reaching for the pitcher of ale. "You should really dine in the hall more often," he said to his wife, Amalia.

"There is a reason Lady Elara takes her meals in her own chamber, and why Evelina and I have followed suit." Amalia nodded to the table next to them.

Alden followed her gaze and gave his fellow recruit a look that made clear his unsolicited gaping at his friends' wives was most unwelcome. When he turned back around, both Gareth and Roland were frowning.

"There are few women at Blackwood," Darien said, stating the obvious. "Of course two as beautiful as yourselfs will attract notice."

"Precisely," Evelina said. "'Twas Amalia's point, I believe."

"What is the occasion then?" Alden asked. He was surprised to see the women at the table where he and Darien had been sitting, of late, with some of the other recruits when the others took a private meal in their chambers.

"Roland misses supper in the hall," Amalia said with a smile. It was very much like him to do so. "Despite seeing the three of you all day."

"Untrue, my lady wife," Roland said to her. "Gareth is now an instructor, lest you forget."

"Should you not be sitting there?" Darien asked Gareth, indicating the raised dais where Stirling and Eamon sat. When any of the nobles who financed their order visited, they could also be found at the head table, but this eve, the two men sat alone.

"Nay," Gareth said simply, without explanation.

He'd told Alden, and the others, that he felt more like a recruit than an instructor. Neither would he wish to subject Evelina to even more scrutiny.

"Should you not be leaving us for your post-meal excursion?" Darien changed course, making Alden his target.

"Darien," he warned.

As expected, his repeated leave-taking after the meal had not gone unnoticed. When Darien questioned him, as he'd done the night before, Alden had attempted a vague non-answer, but in the end was forced to walk away to stop his friend's interrogation. All day he had been asking for him to reveal where he'd been going, and all day Alden had avoided answering him.

"Each eve," Darien said to the others, not heeding Alden's warning, "he has been leaving after the meal for some undisclosed location."

"Perhaps," Gareth said, picking up a piece of meat from his trencher, "he does not wish to discuss his whereabouts."

"Clearly 'tis so," Roland said dryly.

"Alden," Amalia sweetly addressed him. "Do you have an admirer here in the castle?"

He nearly choked on his bread. "An admirer?"

"He feigns innocence," Darien said. "But he knows precisely what you're asking."

"An admirer." Roland appeared thoughtful. "There are few to choose from here, unless he travels to the village each night."

"I do not believe he does so," Darien said. "He returns much too quickly for that."

"How quickly?" Roland asked, the innuendo clear.

Alden rolled his eyes but said nothing. He'd known the meetings would not go unnoticed and was actually surprised Darien hadn't pressed him harder before now.

"Could it be the kitchen maid?" Darien asked no one in particular. "What is the name of the blond one who was caught with—"

"Nay." Roland shook his head. "Not her." Roland's tankard froze halfway to his mouth. Placing it back on the table, his jaw dropped open. "Alden admires one woman alone here at Blackwood."

Everyone at the table looked at him. It was either allow them to believe he was meeting with Elara or tell them the truth. He glanced at Gareth, who knew Alden was well and truly caught.

"Perhaps a bit more discretion," Gareth said. "From his supposed friends?"

"We will offer discretion when Alden offers the truth. Is she who you are visiting?" Darien asked. None needed to say her name aloud. His affections for Elara were not a secret among his friends, though Evelina and Amalia did appear confused.

"Of whom are we speaking?" Amalia asked.

No one answered.

"Alden?" Darien repeated, concern lacing his tone.

"I do not wish to speak of it," he said, as much of an admission as he'd offer. But in not denying it, the damage had been done. The ladies had enough grace not to ask again, though they'd know soon enough. Darien and Roland were both unusually quiet, and Gareth looked at him with pity, though said nothing.

This would not be the last he would hear of the matter from his friends, but thankfully they seemed inclined to move on to other topics, for the moment.

"Gareth." Amalia swatted Roland's hand from the bread she'd just put onto their shared trencher. "I overheard it mentioned this morn that Matilda may soon come out of hiding. Have you heard the same?"

"Why do you ask him and not me?" Roland asked his wife.

Her smile showed that Amalia knew precisely how to rile her husband. "Because he is an instructor and likely knows things that you do not."

Little did Amalia realize how true her words were.

Gareth clearly relished the role of being Roland's superior. He did not gloat—Gareth was not that type of man, or knight—but with Roland? He did seem to enjoy the role.

"I've heard the same but have not yet spoken with anyone who can confirm the rumors."

"Some say she sets her sights on Winchester," Evelina said. "With its strategic and economic importance undeniable, controlling the city would be a boon to her cause for certain."

"Perhaps you should ask my wife," Gareth said to Amalia, "and not I, about the rumors."

"Perhaps I shall," Amalia teased back. "How is it the women are most informed?"

"I know very little compared to Lady Elara." Evelina reached for her wine goblet. "I spoke with her this afternoon and continue to be amazed at her resourcefulness. They were wise to bring her here, do you not think?" she asked none in particular.

Alden remained silent.

Both Roland and Darien grinned.

Gareth cleared his throat. "Aye, most wise."

Gareth's strange behavior was enough to raise her suspicions. Evelina's eyes widened. Alden stood, despite the fact he'd not finished eating.

"Pardon me," he said. "I've business to attend to."

"Business," Roland muttered, earning him another swat on his arm from his wife.

Alden gave his friend a warning look, and Roland pursed his lips together in an exaggerated manner.

"Be careful," Darien said, more serious than usual. "'Tis dangerous business to which you attend."

His friend had no idea how dangerous. Alden caught Gareth's eye, and unless he was mistaken, Evelina noticed. She would very likely be questioning her husband before the night ended. Would he share the truth with his wife despite being told not to tell anyone?

As Alden made his way through the corridors, he thought of Elara's instruction the day she spoke of deceit and the necessities of it during battle or war. Was it ever justified? He hoped so, having just lied to his friends, even if only by omitting the truth. He trusted those men with his life and wanted to tell them.

"Master Alden, is it not?"

He stopped, just before turning the corner that would have led him toward the secret entrance to Elara's chambers.

"Lord Stirling," he said, with a slight bow as befitting his station. Alden looked back toward the hall. "You were just..." He realized his instructor had followed him.

"I wished to speak with you earlier, after lessons, but did not see you about."

Alden was unsure how the instructor had missed him as he had been present for the entirety of the lesson.

"How can I be of assistance, my lord?"

The man's one good eye squinted. "Eamon spoke of you last eve. The man thinks highly of you."

"I am grateful," he said cautiously, wondering if Lord Stirling knew of his involvement with Elara somehow. Were his questions related in some way to that involvement? It seemed highly unusual for the lord to have left his meal to speak to him.

"There is talk of sending a contingency from our order to Winchester. If such an occasion occurs, I will be leading the men and would have you at my back."

"It would be my duty and honor," he said.

"Good. So you will join us, if the need arises?"

Alden was confused. "I am yours to order, my lord." Stirling did not need his permission to send him into battle. Why, then, did he ask such a question?

"I find it preferable to go into battle with those who are willing."

"Is not every recruit willing? Hence the reason they agreed to be here?"

"Not all," he said, a cryptic statement if ever Alden had heard one. "Speak of this to no one. Good eve, Master Alden."

Dismissed, but not wishing to continue on his path to Elara's in sight of Stirling, he instead doubled back to his own sleeping quarters and waited, considering.

As always, his thoughts meandered back to Elara.

I am equally impressed by your visage and intelligence.

Alden had found it difficult to concentrate on his training that day. Or rooting out the traitor. On anything other than his conversation with his instructor last eve. Believing she might desire him, and knowing as much, were two very different things.

He wanted to see her.

Alden had access to her now. He could go to her private chambers, where she would be waiting to speak with him. He wanted nothing more than to do that now, even if they could not be together.

But Stirling's odd behavior continued to replay in his mind. What if the swordmaster was behind the supply inconsistencies? What if he was the traitor they sought, and he suspected Alden was working with Elara? He'd gone to her chamber, something Elara said he had never done before. Had sought him out, asking Alden to fight with him when such a request was not necessary.

Knowing he needed more answers, Alden left his chamber to seek them.