grey beast gave out with a loud baying yelp and leapt ahead, straining at the leash—and the party was away once more. This time, they were led directly to the tree where Ifor and Brocmael had hidden Brocmael’s spear a few days earlier, the hound bawling and barking all the way. Upon arrival, the hunters discovered a heap of filthy rags—the prisoner’s ratty clothes, now cast aside.
The dog handler picked up the heap of rags and showed it to the earl, whose eyes narrowed. “He is smart, this one,” he said with grudging appreciation. “But it will take more than that to throw one of my dogs off the scent.” To the handler, he said, “Give him to mark.”
The handler shoved the bundle against the dog’s muzzle to renew the scent, and the hound began circling the tree to raise the trail. Once, and again, and then three more times—but each time the beast stopped in the place where the clothes had lain, confusing himself the more and frustrating his handler.
“We must raise another scent, my lord,” reported the handler at last. “This trail is tainted.”
“Tainted!” growled Hugh. “The man shed his clothes is all. Give the hound his head and he will yet raise the trail.”
The handler loosed the hound from the leash and urged it to search a wider area around the tree. This time the dutiful hound came to stand before Count Rexindo, who gazed placidly down from his saddle as the dog bayed at him. “Lontano!” said the count, waving the dog away.
The handler pulled the animal off, but time and again, the fuddled dog ran between the heap of clothing on the ground and Count Rexindo on his horse. Finally, the handler picked up some of the rags and gave them a sniff himself. Then, approaching the earl, he handed up the rags. “There is some mischief here, Sire,” he said. “As you will see.”
The earl gave the scraps a sniff and straightened in the saddle. “What?” He sniffed again. “What is that?”
“Lavender, methinks,” replied the handler. “Tainted, as I said.”
The earl looked around suspiciously. “How in the devil’s name . . . ?”
Count Rexindo, impatient and keen to be off, spoke up, and Alan offered, “The count says that clearly the dog is useless. Our prey cannot be far away. He suggests we spread out and raise the trail ourselves.”
“Yes, yes,” replied Earl Hugh. “You heard him, eh?” he said to the Ffreinc noblemen. “Go to it—and give a shout when you find the trail.”
So all scattered, each a separate way. The count led the search farther down the run, and several of the Ffreinc followed that way. Bishop Balthus led lords Galindo and Ramiero to the opposite side of the run and began searching there—all of them knowing full well that Gruffydd would not be found.
CHAPTER 20
Caer Rhodl
Mérian’s fingernails dug deep grooves in her palm, and she fought to control the rage she felt roiling inside her. She did not expect the ladies Neufmarché to understand, much less accept the least part of what she had to tell them. They would refuse to listen, call her liar, heap scorn upon her. So be it.
Her mother and brother, however, could be counted on to support her. Once she had explained what had happened the day she was abducted—as well as all that had happened since—she knew they would rally to her aid without question. She drew a calming breath and organized her thoughts, deciding how she would relate the events of the past two years in the greenwood. Then, raising her head, she squared her shoulders and put her hand to the latch. She pushed open the door to the hall and stepped inside. They were all assembled to hear her: Lady Agnes beside her daughter, Queen Sybil, and in the next seat, her brother, Garran; beside him sat her mother, the dowager Queen Anora. The two Ffreinc women sat erect, grim-faced, clearly unhappy; they had heard the accusations Mérian had laid at their feet. Her brother, the king, appeared no happier; drawn and somewhat haggard, he was torn between his own family and that of his new bride. Only her mother looked at all sympathetic, offering her a sad smile, and saying, “Do come along, Mérian. We have been waiting for you.”
“Pray forgive me,” she said, moving farther into the room. She saw there was no chair for herself. Very well, she would stand; it was better this way. Taking her place before