Empire of Night (Age of Legends 2)

The youngest glanced her way. His eyes widened. He reined his horse in so quickly that hers nearly bumped it. The other two stopped as well, and looked at her with varying expressions of surprise. They hadn't noticed Tova, who'd slipped into the crowd and now had come out on the other side of them, standing watch.

When the men turned, she noted that each wore his forelock in a braid with red, blue, and white beads. The beads likely signified membership in some criminal group, though that was hardly her area of expertise.

"My sincerest apologies for interrupting your travels," she said, her voice soft and her gaze lowered. "I . . . I fear I didn't know where else to turn. My father is Lord Vernay of Coldwall, and I'm hoping that forgives some of my impudence in speaking to you."

The youngest of the three straightened in his saddle. "Of course, my lady." He looked over her shoulder. "Where is your escort?"

Ashyn's gaze dropped further. "That is the problem. I have not been long out of the North, and the sights of the empire are so new and exciting. My maidservant"--she waved to Guin, who had stopped on the other side of the road--"and I rode on ahead. We could clearly see my father's wagons, but then the road became more congested, and we rode farther still and . . . and I fear we rode quite far, perhaps past a branching road that my father may have taken. We've gone back and forth but there is no sign of him."

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Ronan speaking to Tyrus. Get him moving. Quickly. While their backs--

The oldest warrior glanced over his shoulder, as if remembering their target. He saw Ronan, and Ashyn tensed, but only nodded as if relieved that some random traveler was slowing Tyrus's progress.

He turned back to Ashyn. "We would be happy to assist you, my lady, but I fear our own lord expects us, and we are already late."

"Oh? Who is your warlord?"

The man hesitated. One of the others jumped in. "Asano Bakenko."

"Truly?" Ashyn leaned forward, her eyes wide. "My father knows Lord Bakenko. In fact, we're due to visit him next moon. This is quite fortuitous. Your lord and my father were boon companions in their youth. Their fathers fought at the Battle of Dahuran, alongside the emperor himself. But, of course, you know that."

They nodded, but their blank expressions said they had no idea what she was talking about. As they struggled to follow her blathering--and not give themselves away--none thought to check on their target, who was leaving the road quickly, Ronan guarding his rear.

"I'm so glad we've met," she continued. "Your lord will certainly understand if you are delayed on my account. My father will reward you most handsomely. Now, we're looking for a retinue of two wagons and--"

Ronan rode up behind Ashyn and exhaled loudly. "My lady. There you are. I've been looking for you and asking after you . . ." His gaze traveled to the three warriors. "Oh. Thank you, brothers, for finding her."

"These are Lord Asano Bakenko's men," she twittered excitedly. "What is the chance, to meet friends so far from both our homes?"

Ronan's gaze took in the three men's attire. "Lord Bakenko . . . I see . . ." He gave the men a hard look, as if to say he knew they lied. A wise move, which kept them from looking more closely at him--shabbily dressed for a warrior despite his blades.

"Well, I thank you, brothers, for your kindness," Ronan said with a half bow. "I'll take my lady to her father's retinue. Her maidservant, too." An equally hard look Guin's way. "The girl will be properly chastised for this."

"Me?" Ashyn said, eyes wide. "But I only--"

"I mean your maidservant, my lady, for allowing you to wander." He rolled his eyes at the warriors and mouthed Northerners, and they shared a small laugh at the silly, empty-headed girl before he ushered her off.

"You're a very good performer," Ronan said as they rode back to Guin.

"Who says I was performing?"

He chuckled, his dark eyes glittering conspiratorially, and she felt a rush of warmth, as if he'd paid her the highest compliment. She glanced away and waved for Guin to join them.

They headed back the way they'd come, as if returning to their retinue.

"Guin?" Ashyn whispered, moving closer to the girl. "Can you tell me what they're doing?"

Guin frowned.

"You're supposed to be my maidservant," Ashyn said gently. "Your curiosity will seem less suspicious than ours."

"They aren't looking in this direction," Guin said. "They're searching for the prince. Where is he?"

"Safe," Ronan said. "We'll keep him that way by not riding directly to him. Follow my lead."

"Blast him," Ronan hissed as they surveyed the empty space behind the roadside shop. "He may tell us not to treat him as a prince, but he cannot stop acting like one. He does as he pleases."

"Only when it's in my best interests," Tyrus said as he rounded the shop.