“Sometime in the night, when the feasting is still lively. I don’t know. I’ll get word to you somehow.”
He shrugged. “As soon as it gets dark, I’ll go out there and wait.”
“Burrich. Thank you.”
“He is my king. She is my queen. I need no thanks from you to do my duty.”
I left Burrich to creep down his staircase. I kept to the shadows and extended every sense I had to try to be sure no one was spying on me. Once I was clear of the stables, I flitted from warehouse to sty to pen, from shadow to shadow until I came to the old hut. Nighteyes came panting to meet me. What is it? Why am I called back from my hunting?
Tomorrow night, when it gets dark. I may need you. Will you stay here, within the Keep, to come quickly if I send for you?
Of course. But why summon me here for this? You need not be this close to me to ask such a simple favor.
I crouched down in the snow and he came to me, to rest his throat on my shoulder. I hugged him hard.
Foolishness, he told me gruffly. Go on, now. I will be here in case you need me.
My thanks.
My brother.
Stealth and haste battled as I made my way back to the Keep and up to my room. I fastened my door shut and lay down on my bed. Excitement thundered through me. I would know no real rest until all had been accomplished.
At midmorning I was admitted to the Queen’s chamber. I brought with me a number of scrolls on herbs. Kettricken was reclining on a couch before the hearth, playing the part of both bereaved wife and anxious mother-to-be. I could see that it wore on her, and that her fall had caused her more pain in truth than she cared to admit. She looked little better than she had the night before, but I greeted her warmly and proceeded to work my way through every herb listed, one after the other, with much discussion as to the benefits of each. I succeeded in boring most of her ladies away, and she finally dismissed the last three to bring tea, find her more pillows, and look for another scroll on herbs that Kettricken said was in Verity’s study. Little Rosemary had long since dozed off in a warm corner by the hearth. As soon as the rustle of their skirts had faded, I spoke quickly, knowing I had little time.