Page 15 of To Love

He and Roland stepped to the side of the training field, where their leather waterskins sat alongside their other belongings.

“We’ve discussed the man before,” Roland said. “Nothing more than that.”

Unfortunately Alden had not been attempting to root out a traitor among them when they’d discussed the archery instructor previously.

“He and Lady Elara do not appear to get on well.”

Roland side-eyed him. Fully aware it was not possible to disappear after the evening meal more than a day or so, he was resigned to lean into the idea that he and Lady Elara were engaging in a romantic relationship. That she hinted at the idea shocked Alden less than how much he wished it were true. Nevertheless, with his two friends at least, there was a high likelihood he would be forced to lie to them about his true purpose.

“Nay,” he said, “they do not.”

Alden waited.

Roland did not disappoint.

“Your interest in her has not waned, then?”

“I’ve never admitted such an interest.”

“You did not need to do so.”

“We were talking of Lord Stirling,” Alden reminded him.

“Ooo.” Roland winced as Aldric Langley was knocked to the ground. “That will hurt in the morn. As for Stirling, he comes from a long line of nobles, always favored until now by the crown. His distaste for King Stephen, along with a deep-seated resentment toward the courtly intrigues and manipulative politics that pervaded the royal court, eventually had him disinherited. But you know all of this already.”

“He was one of the original founders of the Guardians of the Sacred Oak.”

“Aye.”

“But says little outside of lessons.”

“His reputation as a stoic man is well-earned.”

“Hmm.”

A man who lost his inheritance for not supporting the crown could not be counted as a prime suspect for being the traitor. Unless circumstances had drastically changed . . .

“We’ve more to worry about than Stirling.”

Alden’s head turned toward his friend. Indeed, much more. Did Roland know something?

“Such as?”

“Such as how long we will remain at Blackwood, idle. With Stephen continuing to be held prisoner and Matilda in hiding, summer will likely turn into fall and winter.”

“You’ve good friends with whom to visit the village tavern, some of the most skilled men in England with whom to train, and a wife to warm your bed if such an occasion comes to pass. Do you truly consider it such a hardship?”

“Say as much to my father who wrote just yesterday with wishes for me to return home.”

Roland’s father, the earl of de Vere, did not agree with his decision to fight against the king’s reign in this way. Eventually, however, all nobles would be made to choose sides if they had not already. It was for this reason the order and their identities were kept secret. If the traitor intended to do so, he or she could easily bring down some of the most powerful families in England, like the deVeres, whose split loyalty could see families disinherited, or worse.

Like Stirling.

Alden continued to watch the man from across the training field. Perhaps he had become disenfranchised at seeing men like Roland, who kept their land and inheritance while he’d been unable to do so.

“You’re much too serious for a day such as this one,” Gareth said, approaching them. “The sun is shining, unlikely as it may be. No serious injuries today.”

“Yet,” Roland added.