tunic, and his cloak was open to reveal it. A gorget covered his neck, and he had bracers on his arms. Walking about ten paces behind him was a cloaked knight who looked to be the prince’s protector.
Ransom hadn’t seen him leave, which meant he had probably used one of the other three gates, which were all locked now. He had given orders to keep each one secure, rendering the main gate the only way to enter or leave the fortressed town.
As the prince approached, Ransom felt disappointment curdling inside him. The prince saw him—although he still wore his armor, he’d left his helmet near the gatehouse—and his cocky smile faded.
Ransom remained where he stood, letting the prince come to him. He folded his arms.
“You’ve caught me in my misdeeds, Sir Ransom,” said Jon-Landon. “Are you going to tell my father?”
“You shouldn’t have been out last night,” Ransom said, trying not to scold but unable to keep his voice as neutral as he wanted.
“I wore armor. I’m not the fool you take me for.”
“I’m not accusing you of anything. You’re a target for anyone seeking favor with your brother.”
Jon-Landon stiffened. “You think Bennett would hurt me?”
“I don’t. But there are others in Occitania who would. Get back to the castle before your father knows you’re missing . . . again.”
The prince frowned at him, the chagrin of being caught turning to fierce anger.
“I don’t live by your standards, Sir Ransom,” he said in a low voice.
Ransom took a step toward him, and the prince immediately backed away. “What harm have I ever done to you, Jon-Landon? Have I given offense?”
The young man’s lip twitched. “She was supposed to be mine.”
Ransom understood now. Jon-Landon had convinced himself that Claire would accept him eventually. That his father would eventually win out. He understood things better now. Disappointment was a bitter taste. Some found it impossible to endure.
“I know what it’s like to be a younger brother,” Ransom said. “I’m not your enemy, lad.”
The prince looked down, either ashamed of himself or unsure of what to say. “Don’t tell my father.”
“Then get back to the castle before I have to tell him,” said Ransom.
The prince nodded, still sulking, and then marched past Ransom through the gate. He took one of the castle horses tethered there for running messages and mounted it to ride the rest of the way back to the castle. The knight who’d followed him gave Ransom a nod of thanks as he jogged past him to get his own mount.
Ransom returned to where Dearley still stood. He’d witnessed the whole encounter, although Ransom wasn’t sure how much he’d heard.
“What was that all about?” Dearley said. “Why was Jon-Landon wandering the town at night?”
“We’ll not talk about it now,” said Ransom, staring at the eastern sky, which continued to brighten.
Dearley looked confused for a moment, but then his eyes widened, and he nodded.
When the sun finally peeked over the eastern hills, the last watch arrived back at the gate, led by Dawson, who was accompanied by Guivret and six others.
“Any signs of trouble?” Ransom asked.
Dawson shrugged. “They’re rousing already. A few have started campfires. But we couldn’t see anything except for the scaling ladders they were building yesterday. Oh, they also have sentries at the river’s edge, watching us. One called over and asked if the Elder King was still here, but we didn’t answer him.”
“Good,” Ransom said, relieved. Of course, Estian likely had the magic Wizr board with him, in which case he knew Devon was there. And that Ransom was too. “What of the other gates?”
“They’re still shut. But to be honest, Ransom, it wouldn’t take much to break one of them open. If three of us grabbed a bench and used it as a battering ram, we’d be through in a trice. Not this gate, though. It’s the strongest one. But what good will it do us if they manage to cross the river? They’ll go for one of the others instead.”
It was a good point. The main gate of Dunmanis was the obvious target, because of its size and proximity to the broken bridge and the street leading up to the castle, but Dawson was right—other breaches could be made more easily.
“Get some rest,” Ransom said. “You’ve done well.”
His men smiled with relief and walked past him through the gate. Others had begun to rouse, and a few men ran up to ask questions about the report from the watch. Then Ransom heard the noise of horsemen