Scorpion Mountain by John A. Flanagan Page B

“I suppose we should be . . .”
    She didn’t finish the sentence. There was a clatter of hooves and a squad of a dozen armored cavalrymen trotted out under the raised portcullis and across the drawbridge, forming up in a loose cordon around the group.
    Cassandra frowned at them. “And what are you planning?” she asked.
    The lieutenant in command of the squad saluted, his right hand touching his helmet. “We’re your escort, your highness,” he explained.
    Cassandra snorted in disdain. “Who says I need an escort?”
    The lieutenant shifted uncomfortably in his saddle and looked toward a tall figure who was striding across the drawbridge.
    â€œI do,” said Duncan. “I was going to join you but something’s come up. So I’ve ordered an escort for you.”
    â€œBut I don’t need an escort,” Cassandra protested. “I’ve got Cedric and Farrer here.” She indicated her two guards, who both stiffened to attention. “And four fierce Skandian warriors to protect me. And anything they can’t handle, Lydia and I can take care of.” She grinned at Lydia, who gravely nodded agreement. To her way of thinking, all of the others were superfluous.
    But Duncan wasn’t impressed.
    â€œCassandra,” he said, “just humor me until we find out about this new threat from Iqbal. I don’t want you taking risks.”
    â€œI’m not taking risks, Dad. I’m going hunting with my friends, and I’ll be perfectly safe. I’m not going to be a captive in my own home just because of some vague threat from Arrida. Please tell the lieutenant and his men to stand down.”
    There was a long silence between them. Her brow tightened into a frown and she said, with extra emphasis, “
Please.
”
    Duncan hesitated a few more seconds, then capitulated. He’d spent his life trying to protect his freedom-loving daughter and, not for the first time, he realized he couldn’t keep mollycoddling her as if she were a baby.
    â€œAll right,” he said. “Lieutenant, take your men back to the barracks.”
    â€œYes, sir!” said the cavalry leader, saluting once more. At his brisk command, the troop wheeled and trotted back into the castle.
    Duncan shrugged philosophically. “Happy now?”
    His daughter beamed at him as she stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “Delighted—although I’d be happier if you could join us.”
    He shook his head. “I’ve got dispatches in from Halt. Horace is fine, by the way,” he added as an aside and she nodded.
    â€œI know. I had a letter from him by the same courier.”
    â€œSo there you have it. I have work to do, while the crown princess traipses off into the forest with a crowd of wild northmen.”
    â€œAnd woman,” Cassandra added, indicating Lydia.
    Duncan bowed slightly in her direction. “Forgive me. And a wild northwoman.”
    Lydia shifted her feet awkwardly. She knew from his tone that he was joking but she was never completely sure how to respond to jokes. That was one of the reasons she found it difficult to deal with Thorn’s teasing.
    Duncan swung his gaze over the small party. “Have a good hunt,” he said. “And keep an eye on my daughter.”
    â€œWith pleasure!” Ulf and Wulf chorused as one, and their shipmates all turned to look at them in surprise.
    â€œLet’s be off then,” Cassandra said briskly. “We’re wasting daylight.”
    As the small party walked down the slope toward the dark line of the woods, Duncan stood watching them depart. Eventually, he sighed and turned, heading back into the castle and his paper-laden desk.
    He wasn’t sure whether he was sighing out of concern for his strong-willed daughter, or over the fact that he’d rather leave the papers to take care of themselves and go hunting.
    Sometimes, he thought, it wasn’t so