Donnel's Promise by Anna Mackenzie

Risha’s arm. Killing these three would only bring the Westlarns against them. Nolan was right: they had nothing left to bluff with. Inside the barn Lyse stood up. Kahlen moved to her side. She steadied herself, patted her hair and, with a swift nod as if agreeing something with herself, strode into the yard.
    The Westlarn’s eyes flicked over her as she walked to Nolan’s side, Kahlen a respectful step behind.
    ‘My greetings, sir. Does your commander lack the courage to come and speak to me himself?’ Her voice was haughty and stiff.
    ‘My commander is no fool.’
    ‘I’m pleased to hear it. What terms does he offer?’
    The man’s smile was an ugly, twisted thing. ‘He offers you safe passage to your new home, Lady Havre.’
    There was a fraught silence. ‘But offers no reason why I should accept? You said he was no fool.’
    The Westlarn’s eyes narrowed. ‘Be mindful of how you speak. I also said he wasn’t patient.’
    ‘Perhaps he would be good enough to discuss terms with me himself.’ Lyse slipped off the ring Risha had given her and held it out. ‘Take him this. Ask that he attend me.’
    There was an extended moment when Risha thought he would leave Lyse standing with her arm outstretched, but he strode forward suddenly and gripped her wrist. At her back Kahlen jerked. The stranger plucked the ring from her fingers and turned her hand palm upwards. ‘Careworn hands for one so high-born.’
    Ciaran drew in a breath.
    ‘As a childhood spent in hiding in Westlaw determined.Perhaps my mother’s hands were otherwise.’
    ‘I heard your hair was darker.’
    ‘I heard Westlarn soldiers were tall.’
    Lyse’s chin was raised but even from the barn Risha could see the rapid rise and fall of her chest.
    The man dropped her hand. ‘My lord will meet you out of bowshot of either camp. You may bring two of your milksops with you.’
    ‘And he will bring no more?’
    He didn’t answer, turning and stepping up into his stirrup in a single flowing movement. As all three men clattered out of the gate, Lyse sagged.
    ‘You were magnificent,’ Ciaran assured her, as Kahlen walked her back to the barn.
    ‘He’s terrifying.’ Lyse grimaced. ‘And he stinks.’
     
    Risha stalked the length of the stable and turned. ‘I can’t let Lyse go through with this. It’s too dangerous. What if they realise she’s not me?’
    ‘You saw her, Risha. She’ll play her part and they’ll believe it because they have no reason to think otherwise.’ Nolan looked suddenly thoughtful as his eyes followed her agitated movement. ‘We must give them no reason to think otherwise.’
    ‘There must be a better course! Nolan, there must.’
    His expression remained set.
    ‘We held them off once. Surely we can—’
    Nolan caught her wrist. ‘My lady, I would die here, today, if I thought it would guarantee your freedom. How do you think it would go for Lyse if we followed that course? She would be worthless to them in all ways but one.’
    Risha shook her head, his meaning settling cold in her belly.
    Nolan continued, relentless. ‘While they think Lyse is you, she is safe. It is the only way she can be safe.’
    Her protest lodged in her throat like an unchewed lump of meat. Nolan turned her toward the door. ‘I’m sorry for this,’ he muttered, ‘but …’
    She felt a brief sawing tug at the back of her head then she jerked forward, her hand flying up as she turned. ‘What—’
    Her plait swung from his hand. Her mouth dropped into an O of surprise.
    ‘You should rub a bit of dirt through your hair to change the colour, and you might try to walk, well … Try to shamble a bit. And make sure you slouch in the saddle.’
    Colour rose in her cheeks.
    ‘They’re on the way back,’ Croft called.
    Risha’s hand rose involuntarily to the back of her neck. It felt cold.
    The sound of hooves in the yard broke through her shock. Outside the stable door Kahlen was helping Lyse from her horse. The girl started in