Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,68

thought.

“War is never pretty,” Dexter said as he took a seat beside her. “It brings out the worst in people.” He took hold of her hands. “And when we march south into Axian, we will be at war. People will die.”

She didn’t want to think about people she knew and loved dying. “Who is going to tell Prince Owen?” He was the only surviving monarch. “I mean, King Owen?”

“Gordon went to ask the duchess to give the letter to Owen. Then we will release him so he can gather his soldiers and return home.”

“Do you think he’ll retaliate against us?”

“He can never know of our involvement in the matter. I’ve already told Idina she isn’t to say a word to anyone about what she did.”

Reid agreed. However, an ominous feeling took root. Secrets rarely stayed hidden.

Since Duchess Willer, Duchess Tucker, and Duchess Slader had each sent a messenger with word they would stand with Reid, only Duchess Ryder and Duchess Lyndr remained undecided. And both duchesses had arrived with their soldiers outside the city wall only an hour or so ago. Reid stood in Eldon’s office, staring out the window, wondering if Duchess Ryder and Duchess Lyndr would stand with Reid or side with Eldon. If they stood with Reid, then Dexter could proceed with removing the king. Dexter had yet to release Owen—she didn’t know what he was waiting for. However, she hoped once he was allowed to go, he’d pack up his soldiers and sail back home. If he didn’t, then Dexter would have to fight the Melenia soldiers as well. She chewed on her thumbnail, hoping it didn’t come to that.

Ackley poked his head in the room. “What are you doing in here?”

“Thinking.”

“Want to snoop with me?”

“What about the duchesses?”

He rolled his eyes, then stepped into the room. “Duchess Lyndr is refusing to meet with you. She said she supports the true king. I informed her the true king stripped me of my title so I wouldn’t be marrying her daughter. Once the shock wore off, she said she was taking her soldiers south as her husband and the king requested. Good riddance is what I say.”

Reid leaned against the window ledge. “I suppose it would have been too much to ask that all the counties support us.”

“You invoked the ring,” he reminded her. “That means if we win, her land and title will be stripped.”

Reid pinched the bridge of her nose. “What about Duchess Ryder?”

“She will only speak with Gordon, her son-in-law.” Ackley folded his arms. “She’s here with her two sons. Idina asked to accompany Gordon to speak to her.”

“I’m not needed?”

He smirked. “Thus, the snooping.”

She smiled. “Okay.” More than anything, she was curious what he was searching for.

“Go change out of that dress. I’ll meet you at the barracks.”

“Who do you need me to be?” A man, woman, merchant, servant?

“I need you to be yourself.”

Walking along the street in the City of Buckley, Reid adjusted her hat, making sure she hid her hair beneath it.

“Will you focus?” Ackley mumbled.

“Sorry.” They were nearing the gate in the wall, and they needed to make it past the soldiers without anyone recognizing them.

Since it was afternoon, there were still a lot of people coming and going, allowing the two to easily blend in with the crowd, no one stopping or questioning them as they left the city.

“Care to tell me where we’re going?” she whispered. When he’d said they were snooping, she thought he meant in the castle, not out here. As far as she could see, soldiers were camped in tents.

“To the mines.”

“In Bridger?” she squealed. They were leaving the area completely? Bridger was almost a day’s walk from there.

“We’re going to borrow some horses.”

“Even on horseback, it’ll take us a couple of hours. Each way.” People would question where they’d disappeared to.

“I told Dexter I was taking you to do some reconnaissance.”

“We won’t be back until after dark.”

“Exactly. It’ll be easier to sneak inside the castle under the cover of night.”

Not having the energy to argue, Reid followed him toward the forest. Just before they reached the cover of the trees, they came to a large fenced-in area where the horses for the Slader officers were kept.

Acting as if he belonged there, Ackley opened the gate, then began saddling one of the horses. Not wanting it to take any longer than necessary, Reid joined him. Picking up a smaller saddle, she put it on one of the horses. Once they finished, they led the animals