Chapter 16
The next two weeks passed by agonizingly slow, as I began to receive regular reports from Edith.
So far she'd been an excellent spy for me, and I'd been sure to reward her handsomely.
I found that she couldn't resist such treasures, which was a benefit for me.
The list of servants under suspicion kept growing larger and larger, and I began to keep a separate list of servants I could trust.
That's quite a few people to get rid of, I sighed. But if I wanted to ensure only those loyal to us remained, we would need to purge the vipers from our territory, down to the last one. I glanced out my window at the sky. I hope the prince sends his response soon.
I noticed that these days, the dark circles under Julian's eyes were growing as he pored over the cipher. I could tell he was on the verge of figuring it out. "Just make sure you take care of yourself," I told him. "It's okay if you can't figure it out."
He ignored me, of course. Nothing was going to turn him away once he set his sights on something. When I told him about Rowan he was skeptical but he didn't seem against the idea. "Just make sure you can trust him," he told me warily.
"I know," I told him. "So far, I don't think he knows who I am. But for now, I'd like to keep it that way, at least until I know I can trust him entirely," I admitted.
Julian folded his hands, "It would be useless to keep someone around like that," His blue eyes held a bright spark. "I can help you come up with something so you know you can trust him without a shadow of a doubt."
I didn't like the twinkle in his eyes. "Julian... Is your plan going to put me in some sort of danger?"
He didn't answer me. "Just listen carefully..."
___
"I'll meet you outside the tavern at twilight, and bring two good horses. This should cover the cost. There I'll explain everything."
That was what I had told Rowan when I met him yesterday and received his weekly report on the Black Dragon's movements, as I'd come to call the gang of Shadow Walkers operating in Averine.
The Black Dragons had been quiet lately, slinking around in the shadows unnoticed, but he'd began to notice a trend in their pattern of movement.
"I think they must be allied with Lord Arwen," He said slowly, glancing around to make sure nobody was around to hear him. "I haven't been able to catch them in the act yet, but I'm close. Very close."
Over the last two weeks, he'd told me of the Black Dragon's smuggling operation.
Not only had they been terrorizing citizens as a vicious gang, but they'd been stealing imported goods.
I'd set Rowan on the task to find out where they were going, but so far he was unsuccessful.
It's not a one man job, I sighed.
But he seems pretty eager to keep going.
He must be enjoying this "spy work, I mused.
As promised, Rowan was waiting for me outside the Tavern, his hood pulled low over his face. He had two horses with him, black as night, that looked to be of Destrier bloodlines, tacked and ready to go.
"Well done," I said, emerging from the shadows. "This is much more than I expected."
"Lady Grey," he greeted me.
"There is strange activity in the Cavar Pass," I said. "You are to accompany me there and help me investigate. I believe it is the Black Dragon making a move, and it could be their main hideout."
I took the reins to one of the horses, mounting it swiftly.
I didn't have a lot of experience on horseback, but I wasn't about to let him see that.
I glanced over my shoulder. Knight Gareth had been instrumental in helping me sneak out of the estate unnoticed, although it wasn't that hard since the guards were practically sleeping.
Julians plan was to set up an ambush with three of our most loyal guards: Gareth, Barca, and Jon.
The strategy had been agreed upon the night before, with the pretext that if anyone was in real danger, we would stop the test. I had no idea how strong Rowan actually was, and I didn't want him killing my knights.
Rowan, of course, had no idea. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine as we rode deeper into the forest. The moon peeked through the canopy, casting silvery light over the winding trail.
He rode beside me, one hand loose on the reins, the other resting lazily on his thigh, relaxed despite the cold bite of the wind sweeping through the narrow mountain trail.
He looked completely at ease in the saddle, like a man who belonged on horseback.
"So," he said, his voice light, "are we just enjoying the mountain air, or do you actually have a plan?"
I smirked. "Why, Rowan, have I ever struck you as someone without a plan?"
He gave me a sidelong glance, his mouth quirking up in a lopsided grin. "No, but you do strike me as someone who enjoys keeping secrets. It's charming, really, but frustrating."
"I see," I said, shifting my weight in the saddle, "Do you always take jobs from mysterious women in dark alleyways?"
Rowan smirked. "Only the interesting ones."
I rolled my eyes. "And what exactly made me so interesting?"
He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, for one, you paid me. That's always a good start." He shot me a sideways glance. "And second, I was curious."
"Curious?"
He shrugged. "Most nobles wouldn't even dream of getting their hands dirty with all this mess. Yet here you are, sneaking around, investigating crime rings, riding through the woods in the dead of night."
"How do you know I'm nobility?" I asked.
He raised a brow, as if I was seriously asking that question. "Well for starters, you made me call you Lady Gray, you dress in expensive clothing, and you go around poking your nose in places it doesn't belong."
I scoffed. It wasn't exactly as if I tried to hide my status, but I hoped he didn't know my true identity as Rosaria. "And what about you, oh wise and worldly mercenary? Why take this job?"
He spread his arms dramatically. "Why else? For the adventure, of course! Nothing livens up life quite like dodging knives and unraveling conspiracies."
I gave him a skeptical look. "And here I thought mercenaries were all about gold."
"Oh, I love gold," he said cheerfully. "Keeps me fed, keeps me housed, keeps my boots in one piece. But a job that comes with a bit of intrigue? That's the real prize."
"Spoken like someone with too much time on his hands," I muttered.
He laughed. "You wound me, Lady Grey."
I shook my head, but I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. He was infuriating, but there was something refreshing about his lighthearted approach. Most people I dealt with were either schemers or sycophants. Rowan, for all his arrogance, was neither.
I decided to probe further. "You said before that you don't work for people you don't trust."
"Mm, that does sound like something wise and admirable I'd say," he mused. "Go on."
I narrowed my eyes. "So why take this job? You barely know me."
He tilted his head, considering. "True, but I do know people. And my instincts told me you're worth the gamble."
"And if your instincts are wrong?"
He grinned. "Then I'll make a dramatic escape and find a new job. Simple."
I let out a dry laugh. "Reassuring."
"Glad to be of service."
We rode in comfortable silence for a few moments, the only sound the steady clip of our horses' hooves against the dirt path. Then, as if he'd just thought of it, Rowan spoke again.
"By the way, this little trip of ours—it is going to be dangerous, right?"
I gave him a sidelong glance. "Why? Are you hoping for a fight?"
"Oh, absolutely," he said with far too much enthusiasm. "All this riding and talking is nice and all, but I didn't sharpen my sword just to look pretty."
"I hate to break it to you," I said, deadpan, "but you might not have a choice."
He sighed dramatically. "Tragic. I suppose I'll just have to settle for charming conversation."
We continued this relaxed banter for a while as the pass grew closer. I asked subtle interrogation questions, and while Rowan dodged some, he continued to remain lighthearted and open about his motives.
We rode on through the trees, and my mind mulled over questions. I liked how honest Rowan was, but I still wanted to be certain he had no ties to the black dragons. For now, he seemed to just be in this for the money and the thrill of the job,
As we rode closer to the pass, Rowan's voice took a more grave tone.
"I think they've caught on to me," He admits, his expression darkening for a moment.
"I've been sniffing around their supply routes, trying to figure out where the stolen goods are going.
Thought I was being subtle, but apparently not. "
I frowned. "You think they've caught on?"
"Well, the last time I tried following one of their couriers, I nearly got a knife in the ribs. That's usually a bad sign." He grins, as if almost getting stabbed is an amusing inconvenience. "I take it as a good thing, really. Means I'm on the right track."
I grit my teeth, unimpressed. "I thought you'd be more capable than that."
My comment seemed to slide over him like water off a ducks back, as Rowan shrugged. "Even the most skilled assassin makes mistakes. Relax, I'll be careful. They won't be able to track me down, or trace me to you, and I'm close, Lady Gray, real close—"
The sharp whistle of an arrow cut through the air, and before I could react, an arrow buried itself into a tree trunk just inches from my head. My horse reared, nearly throwing me, but I yanked the reins and forced it under control. The ambush had begun.