‘My orders are to take the horses, sir. I intend—’
‘Be silent! Your intentions interest me not at all.’ Gaise swung to Lanfer Gosten. There were some fifteen musketeers close by. ‘Sergeant, gather your men.’ Lanfer Gosten barked out an order and the musketeers ran forward. ‘Are those weapons primed?’
‘Yes sir,’ answered Gosten.
‘Very well.’ Gaise returned his attention to Konran Macy. ‘Remount your gelding, captain. Return to General Macy and tell him I do not appreciate discourteous behaviour. Now get thee gone.’
Konran Macy stood for a moment without moving. His face had lost all colour and Gaise could see he was struggling to control himself. His blue eyes shone with anger. ‘Are you deaf, or just stupid?’ asked Gaise, stepping in close.
At that moment a rider behind Macy edged his horse forward. ‘Konran!’ he called out sharply. ‘Let’s go.’
Macy blinked and relaxed. Turning on his heel he walked to his horse and stepped into the saddle. With one backward glance, burning with hatred, he rode away, his men following.
Mulgrave approached Gaise. ‘I think that man does not like you, sir,’ he said.
‘And I shall never sleep again for worry,’ muttered Gaise.
‘I think we should put off our ride, sir,’ said Mulgrave. Gaise nodded agreement.
‘Move the horses into town, Lanfer. Picket them on the common land beyond the market square.’
‘Yes, my lord.’
Now, as he sat in his small study, Gaise was growing more concerned. What if Lord Winterbourne was intending a surprise attack on Luden Macks in violation of the truce? What if Macks were to break out? He would head due east – directly towards Shelding. Without mounts, with little ammunition and only one hundred and forty musketeers and riflemen, the Eldacre Company would be overrun.
As evening approached Gaise pulled on a fur-lined topcoat and, with the black hound Soldier padding at his side, left the house. Taybard Jaekel and another rifleman – a big fellow with a bushy red beard – both saluted as he came into sight.
‘Warmer tonight,’ said Gaise.
‘Aye, sir,’ answered Taybard Jaekel. ‘Spring’s coming.’
‘Taking its bloody time,’ muttered the bearded soldier. Gaise struggled to remember the man’s name, which he acknowledged was a symptom of his weariness.
‘Bard, isn’t it?’ he said at last.
That’s right, sir. Kammel Bard. You had me flogged.’
‘You seem to have recovered well,’ said Gaise, with wry amusement. He wished Mulgrave could have been here to witness the moment. What on earth was the proper response to a man you’ve ordered lashed?
‘Breed ’em tough in the highlands,’ said Bard. ‘Rigante blood, you know.’
Gaise laughed. ‘Only a few years ago it would have been an offence to say that. Now I can tell you that my own family is equally blessed. My great-grandmother was half Rigante. Fine woman, so the legends have it. Even the king now talks of his grandfather and his Rigante heritage.’
‘That’s why we’re unbeatable, sir,’ said Kammel Bard. ‘We’re a Rigante army.’
Gaise smiled and strolled past the soldiers, who fell in step behind him. As they reached the gate Gaise saw Cordelia Lowen walking towards him. She was dressed as if for riding, with a heavy split skirt and boots, and a tunic coat with a fur collar. Her dark hair was hanging free. Gaise felt his breath quicken and his heart begin to pound.
‘Good evening to you, general,’ she said.
‘And to you, lady. May I introduce my guards, Taybard Jaekel and Kammel Bard – two fine lads from my homeland.’ Both men bowed clumsily. Soldier padded to her. Cordelia dropped to one knee. ‘Best be careful,’ said Gaise. ‘He’s nervous around strangers.’
Cordelia tilted her head to one side and flicked her fingers. The hound instantly settled down on his haunches at her feet. Cordelia patted his head. ‘He seems perfectly sweet to me.’
‘Indeed so, lady.’
‘Are you going to invite me inside for a hot tisane, or do I stand in the cold?’ she asked.
‘Inside? I … er … have no servants.’
‘Is it beyond the skills of a general to fill a kettle with water and hang it over a fire?’
‘I did not mean that. I meant we would be … alone.’