Donnel's Promise by Anna Mackenzie Page A

surprise as she saw Risha.
    ‘Your beautiful hair!’
    Ciaran turned. ‘Captain Nolan! What have you done?’
    ‘There must be no shred of doubt if Lyse is to convince them. And that means we must give them no reason to look closely at my youngest guardsman.’
    There was a brief, stunned silence while everyone stared at Risha’s cropped head.
    ‘Who leads them?’ Nolan asked tightly.
    Lyse cleared her throat. ‘Harbin. Ciaran says he’s Goltoy’s nephew. He smells better than that weasel-faced brute, at least.’
    Nolan’s eyed narrowed. ‘Goltoy must have been sure of his information to risk his nephew this deep in Havre.’
    Ciaran abruptly turned to her saddlebags. ‘We can’t send Lyse alone. Harbin has agreed that I may accompany her.’
    ‘Ciaran, you can’t!’
    ‘Think a moment, Risha. Would we really send our lady off without aid or support? If I go, it helps prove who she is.’
    ‘And doubles the number of hostages they have,’ Croft muttered.
    ‘Should immediate rescue prove impossible, as it may, then my presence will also serve to strengthen the resolve of Havre’s Council,’ Ciaran said.
    No one answered.
    ‘That’s settled then. Now, we have ten minutes to ready ourselves. Unfortunately Harbin wouldn’t agree to a cart and the pavilion — it would have slowed us admirably — but we should take as many trappings as we can load onto a packhorse.’
    While Ciaran supervised preparations, Nolan had two guardsmen pile dry straw, broken timbers and stable rubbish in a towering heap in the yard. Three men were detailed to dig a grave for Bray’s former inhabitants.
    ‘Once you’re clear we’ll light the signal fire,’ Nolan told Ciaran. ‘If Talben’s close it should fetch him. If not: my first task must be to get the lady to safety, mistress.’
    Ciaran gave him a wintry smile. ‘I’m aware of that, Captain. And I’ve always wanted to travel. Perhaps Harbinwill be amenable to a passing tour of Elion.’ There was a strained silence. Kahlen tightened the girth on Lyse’s mare and made a quick inspection of its hooves.
    ‘Will you make for Havreport or some closer refuge?’ Ciaran asked.
    ‘Tatton, in the first instance; directly south from there.’
    ‘It’s time,’ Kahlen said.
    Ciaran squeezed Risha’s hand. ‘Until we next meet, Guardsman Rush.’
    Risha’s throat tightened. ‘I’m sorry I got you into this.’
    There was a slight pressure on her fingers then a nudge in her mind.
Trust me
.
    She jumped as if stung.
    It will not be for long
.
    Ciaran withdrew her hand and the mental contact was broken. ‘Do try not to let the good captain die of guilt,’ she said.
    Risha, still reeling, pulled Lyse into a fierce hug.
    ‘Unhand me, Guardsman!’ Lyse said, the effect of her haughty expression somewhat spoiled by the quiver in her voice. ‘You will look after Eon for me?’
    Risha winced. Two years ago Lyse’s brother had risked his life at her behest. That they’d ultimately beaten Westlaw’s attack made no difference to the guilt she’d since carried. He’d been only thirteen. And now Lyse was putting herself similarly at risk.
    ‘Just until I get back, mind,’ the girl added. ‘And if I’ve grown used to this lady business by then, he’ll need to watch out.’
    Risha forced a smile and turned quickly away.
    As the two women mounted and rode to join the Westlarn soldiers waiting beyond the gates, Croft strolledto Risha’s side. ‘Ciaran’ll keep them both safe. She’s a resourceful woman, that one. And survived worse than this in the past.’
    Risha said nothing. The day had clouded over and a brisk wind swept the grass on the hillside into shifting waves. A sheep bleated.
    ‘Rush: stop idling and check the horses. Croft, you’ve got somewhere to be.’
    Croft ducked away across the yard and Risha turned into the shadows of the stable, her belly a tight, twisting knot. By allowing Ciaran to go, had she improved Lyse’s safety, or doubled the