Not wanting to appear too interested, Cole shifted his eyes away from the conversation. Having a knight and city guardsmen along would increase their risk of discovery. He listened nervously, hoping that Monroe might deny the request.

“I don’t like surprises,” Monroe said. “Cronin should have told me. I can keep a secret.”

“I’m just following orders,” the knight replied. “You better do the same.”

“The alderman’s authority extends to the walls of Carthage,” Monroe said. “Not beyond.”

“His official jurisdiction ends at the wall,” the knight agreed. “But he controls who goes in and out of that gate.”

“I’m aware.” Monroe sighed. “I don’t want needless trouble. I’ve no intention of locking horns with Cronin. I just don’t like getting pushed around.”

“I’ll take that as consent to join you?” the knight verified.

“A larger armed escort makes everyone safer,” Monroe said. “But this remains my caravan.”

“All coaches except for one, and all personnel but mine,” the knight said. “We’d prefer to ride near the middle.”

“Fall in wherever you wish,” Monroe grumbled.

Cole glanced at Joe, who gave a little shrug, as if the presence of the guards might not be all bad. Cole supposed it could prevent other guardsmen or legionnaires from giving the wagon train much scrutiny. With Skye, Mira, and himself disguised by seemings, the chances were decent that the knight and his soldiers wouldn’t catch on that they were on the run.

“Thank you,” the knight said to Monroe. “Shall we get under way?” Turning toward the wall, he signaled with an upraised hand. A moment later the gate began to open.

Before long, the wagons started rolling. Cole settled back in his seat. They were on their way to Merriston—and to Dalton!

Chapter 13

DISTURBING TIDINGS

By the third day, Cole had fallen into the routine of traveling with the caravan. In his role as the plain-faced servant, he could move up and down the line when they made camp at night or paused to eat. While performing errands real or pretended, he kept his eyes and ears open. As long as he had some firewood in his hands or a bucket of water to lug, most people acted like he was invisible.

He spent most of his time riding in the coach with Jace, Twitch, and Joe. Besides fetching firewood and water, his only chores involved bringing Lady Madeline her meals and helping her in and out of her coach. He had plenty of time to daydream about how surprised Dalton would be to see him.

The wagons contained items going to Merriston for trade. A couple of the merchants rode in coaches to accompany multiple wagonloads. The less prosperous merchants drove their own wagons. The other passenger coaches belonged to people returning to Merriston, moving to Merriston, or traveling for business purposes. As far as Cole could tell, only Lucinda was visiting as a tourist.

Konley, the knight accompanying Lucinda, seemed to consider himself above any work besides riding around in armor. At night he removed his iron shell and slept in a tent while his men stood guard. Cole had gathered firewood with Mory, his squire. A couple of years older than Cole, the boy acted like the president of Konley’s fan club. Apparently, the knight was very skilled in combat and a favorite of Henrick Stroop, champion of Carthage.

Cole seldom saw Lucinda. She was a moderately pretty girl in her late teens. Her dark hair had lots of curls, and Cole thought she wore too much makeup. She spent most of her time in her coach. Whenever Cole saw her, she was wearing a dress and a fancy hat.

After lunch on the third day, while Cole helped Skye into her coach, she invited him to join her and Mira for the afternoon. Cole happily agreed. The seats in their coach had better cushions, and Cole hoped the change in company would help the miles pass more quickly. Since he was busy portraying a servant whenever they were together, Cole hadn’t really gotten to speak with Skye or Mira since leaving Carthage.

“Comfortable?” Skye asked as the coach started rolling.

“Yes, Lady Madeline,” Cole responded reflexively.

Skye laughed. “You can drop the act in here. I created a seeming to scramble all sound leaving this compartment. Even without any enchanting, I don’t think the driver could hear us over the noise of the road.”

“Sorry,” Cole said. “It’s automatic.”

“That’s probably a good thing,” Skye said.

Cole turned to Mira, who he was now used to seeing as a middle-aged woman. “How are you doing?”

“Being Gayline is easy,” Mira said. “People hardly notice Lady Madeline’s servant.”

“Me too!” Cole enthused. “It’s a great way to pick up gossip.”

“Have you heard anything useful?” Skye wondered.

“Nothing amazing,” Cole said. “You guys?”

“Some of Konley’s guardsmen knew me from the dazzle show,” Skye said. “I flirted a bit, and one of them confessed that part of their mission involves the Rogue Knight. Henrick wants to learn more about him. If Konley gets the chance, he’s supposed to kill him.”

“Can Konley do it?” Cole asked.

“The man can fight,” Skye said.

“His squire thinks he can outwrestle a bear while walking on water,” Cole said.

Skye grinned. “Konley places very well in the Carthage tournaments. Only a couple of our other knights can really challenge him. He’s the former champion of the town of Rudberg. Some thought he would challenge Henrick, but then he forfeited Rudberg to accept a position as one of his knights.”

“Do you think we’ll be robbed by the Rogue Knight?” Mira asked.

“I almost hope so,” Skye said. “Part of me feels the same as Henrick. I’d like to see him up close, learn more about him. He has no history of harming those he robs. I hid our cash in secret compartments and am carrying most of my wealth in the form of banknotes that only I can redeem.”

“I don’t know,” Mira said. “I’d rather steer clear of trouble with the Rogue Knight. Who knows what he might do? He’s too much of a wild card.”

“He’s the biggest wild card in Elloweer,” Skye said. “And most of what I know about him is hearsay.”

Cole definitely sided with Mira on that topic. He didn’t want to cross paths with a man who had killed lots of champions and liked to rob innocent travelers. Because that was all they needed—more danger to face!