Page 38 of To Desire

Chapter 18

“There is more to her than you’ve told us.”

Darien and Roland had both hit their marks, though Darien’s was dead center and Roland’s just outside of his. Their instructor, Sir Theobald Stirling, peered at the pair of them with his good eye. The other was patched from a battle injury that the recruits heard more often about than they cared for. He was not the most beloved of their instructors, but Sir Theobald was loyal to the cause. And a fine archer. One of the best.

“You do not need to train with us,” Stirling said, coming up to them.

“Ah, very well.” Roland pretended to walk away. The training yard was filled that morn, the weather holding out for now. Soon, though, it would rain. And while the instructors would have them remain to continue their training, Roland obviously thought to take advantage of the opportunity to stay dry.

“Not you,” Stirling clarified, though Roland knew as much already. Shoulders slumped, his friend returned.

“I’ve no wish to attend a double strategies session,” Darien said. “And can only hone my skill if I practice it.”

Stirling’s frown of disapproval was one Darien had become accustomed to. The man was perpetually angry. “I understand you brought a guest back with you?”

Since the other instructors—Sir Eamon, Gareth, and Alden’s wife, Lady Elara—knew or were being told about Liana, they’d agreed there was little choice but to share with Stirling too. Darien liked it not.

“I presume Sir Eamon told you already?”

“He did.”

“You do not seem pleased,” Roland stated what was obvious to them both.

“I have faith in God. Not seers.”

“Can you not have faith in both?” Darien asked.

“Nay, you cannot,” he replied, walking away from them to yell at a recruit who had taken, and missed, his second shot. Archery was not everyone’s strength, and not that particular recruit’s especially.

Darien reminded himself not to bring Stirling near Liana. He was the exact sort of person who would condemn her without knowing a thing about her.

“She’s warned me of people who think such as he does.”

Roland handed his bow and quiver of arrows to the squire in charge of weapons. Darien never let his own from his sight and the squire knew already he’d be keeping it, but Darien was surprised they were being collected. He assumed Stirling would have kept the recruits training despite the impending storm.

“Thankfully, none will know of Liana’s true purpose here.”

Thunder clapped as the training field began to empty. It was a cue to the two men to retire back to the keep.

“Already some have asked where I am injured and why I needed to travel with a healer.”

“You owe none an explanation.”

“Which is what I said, but questions will continue to swirl.”

Roland shrugged. “Let them swirl.”

The two men stepped into the front entranceway of the keep just in time. Those behind them were already wet. The sky had opened, rain falling harder than it had that night in the cottage.

“Dare?”

When he made eye contact with Roland, Darien did not like the understanding in his friend’s expression.

“Not you, as well.”

He said nothing.

“I suppose that as the rest of us have succumbed, ’tis only fitting you do as well.”