"I noticed the carefulness," Cameron admitted, "But I thought it only that he was being careful not to spill."

"Shall I send to the kitchen for a tray?" Berk asked looking at the mess around on the floor and then down the hall in both directions.

"Nay. I doubt this was sent for, but walk with me to the kitchen anyway. I shall send a runner to the garrison to clear away this mess. I do not wish to explain this to his majesty."

Berk turned his feet toward the kitchen. "At least it is only three days more until you have men enough to properly watch him, especially upon the road to Brecken."

"About that," Cameron began as they walked, "I think we should take the north road through Kingspass and straight to Brecken. I know the pass is watched, but unless I am mistaken, Lord Neron will insist upon traveling with us. Neron will certainly ride by to his majesty, as that is the place that affords the greatest honor."

"Well, you know his lordship." Berk nodded as they neared the kitchen. "I should like to discuss this further...at a later time."

"As would I." Cameron nodded, and gestured that Berk should precede him to the kitchens.

"Good Woman," Berk approached the woman who seemed to be ordering the others about, "Tell me, has word come just now from his majesty to send a tray of foodstuffs and wine?"

"Nay, milord." She dipped her head to Berk and Cameron in turn. "But what brings you here, milord? Shall I prepare some food for you?"

"Do not trouble yourself, good woman." Berk gave a bold grin and a wink. "I ken my way well about the kitchen. I will not stand upon ceremony when my belly is empty and such fine food is to be found as there is in the king's own kitchens!"

She rolled her eyes and nodded her dismissal of them before turning back to her work, which was apparently ordering everyone else about.

Cameron frowned.

"Do not worry." Berk smiled and patted Cameron on the shoulder. "I spoke true. I smelled venison stew the moment we stepped inside. Let me fetch two round loaves and I shall make us bread stew. Do you suppose you can find wine?"

"I think I can manage to ask one of these lasses to find it." Cameron chuckled.

A few moments later, Berk found Cameron seated at the servants' table with two glasses of wine poured, and a bottle upon the table. Berk set a tray upon the table. Stew was ladled into the hollowed centers of two round loaves. The bread removed, the bowl itself, and the dirks upon their belt would be means enough to eat.

"It smells delicious." Cameron smiled as he pulled the tray so that it was between them, one bowl upon each end of it. "Now, tell me more about his lordship."

---

Cameron considered himself a man of great reserve and strength. He was able to resist the prodding of enemy taunts and never allowed his anger to be stirred so that he acted rashly. In battle to act thus could mean death. But the following morn as he stood at his place behind his majesty, his self-restraint was sorely tested.

Despite their efforts to keep the incident quiet, word of the failed assassination attempt had reached his majesty. Instead of ordering more security, his majesty sat upon his throne in the council chambers and crowed like a banty rooster, boasting of the failed attempt.

He made such ludicrous assumptions and challenges that Cameron twice lifted his hand before jerking it back to his side. At that moment, he fully understood what Berk meant by giving your loyalty to the crown and not to the king.

This king was a pompous fool and Cameron sorely wished to throttle the idiot and save the assassin the trouble.

---

"MAMA!" Robin burst through the door, caught the look on Gwyn's face and nearly bit his tongue off as he clamped his jaw shut and skittered to a halt. After taking a deep breath he stepped forward and gave a bow. "Mama." He said civilly.

"Robin." She grinned. This time she did not need to scold him. Perhaps next time she would not have to scowl at him either. "What is the news that has you so excited this morn?"

"The king is here. Or rather, he is almost here."

"King Axel is visiting us this morn?" Gwyn set aside the shirt she was mending and rose. "I was not expecting him."

"Nay, it is King Hugh that comes. His caravan is on the road and will be here shortly. That is why his lordship sent me to fetch you."

"And where is his lordship?"

"In his writing room. He said it was urgent and that you must make haste."

Gwyn could not imagine what was so urgent, unless his lordship wished for her to stand with Alexandi as they welcomed his majesty.

"Come. Come!" Brecken waved her in, "Close the door."

With a frown of concern, Gwyn obeyed.

"You must take the children and keep to your rooms. You must not leave them at all while his majesty is here. I have spoken with Lord Erec and he will join you there in a few moments. He is giving last orders to the men. Sirs Drew and John will stay above stairs with you. The others will be watching affairs and keep Lord Erec informed."

"But all here know that Lord Erec is here...that he negotiated the treaty..."

"That is only rumor if Lord Erec does not make an appearance. The people will begin to say that he has returned to the netherworld now that he is no longer needed." Brecken waved a hand, "Or wherever else they imagine he has gone away to. But the point is, my dear, that you and your family are safely hidden away from Lord Neron and his men."

"But I am not known to them, save by name. If..."

"Please, milady. Do as you are bid."

"I shall fetch the children at once."

"There is no need. Matilde has already taken Sofi in hand and I sent Robin off just now. Fetch what you need from the sitting room you share with my wife and then go to the rooms above stairs."

"I shall go to my rooms at once, milord." Gwyn dipped a curtsy. "It is a simple thing to send a servant for the mending."

After kissing his cheek, Gwyn left Lord Brecken and made her way through the halls. As she turned the corner and neared the stairs, she paused at the sound of voices. It was a voice she heard but once in her life, however, she would never forget it. Terror knotted her stomach and closed her throat.

With shaking hands, she reached for the nearest door and slipped inside just a heartbeat before the men on the stairs reached the top. As she peered through a crack in the door, her breath caught. They were stopped in the hall just a few steps from where she hid.

Could they hear the pounding of her heart?

"Listen, Remy, I care not what his lordship says. If that wench is here, I will find her and I will kill her with me bare hands..." he chuckled maliciously, "but not afore I have had a bit of sport with her."

"Aye, Remy. I am of a mind with Beck. We were interrupted afore and after what we been through, we deserve a bit of sport."

"Beck is a fool!" the one called Remy snapped. "And so are you!"

"You mind what you say about me, Remy, and Bram too. We are agreed to let you take the lead as you have a better mind for planning, but do not you be forgetting that we could either of us cut you from bullocks to nose and be done with you."

"And how long do you think you will survive after his lordship hears of your betrayal?"

The one called Bram chuckled. "We did fine afore him and we can do just fine without him should we decide to part with his company."

"Do not be fools. We are near to the completion of his plan. There will be more gold than you can spend in a lifetime. Aside, if anyone has a desire to kill that wench, it is I." Remy rubbed his thigh. "Do you forget that it was I that she stabbed with that fork?"

Gwyn gasped and pressed a hand tightly over her mouth as she held her breath and waited. Her heart thundered in her ears and she could not hear the reply before they continued down the hall and disappeared into one of the doors.

Closing the door, Gwyn leaned against it, but her legs would no longer support her and she sank to the floor. She rested her head upon her knees, willing herself to be calm. She would not swoon. She must gather her wits and make haste to the rooms above stairs before Erec came looking for her. It would not do for him to meet those three without a warning.

She allowed herself only a moment more before she forced herself to her feet and peeked out of the door. The hall was empty and she ran for the stairs. Down she flew, then through the hall and over to the stairs that went up to her suite of rooms. She took the stairs two at a time and nearly collapsed when she reached the top.

Leaning against the wall, she let her head fall back and rested a moment while she caught her breath. She could do nothing about the color flushing her cheeks from the exertion. Mayhap it would distract from the paleness of her complexion. Fear drained her of all color when she first heard that voice...

With a smile firmly in place, she opened the door and stepped inside.

---

"Gil!"

"Cameron."

The men greeted each other with a slap on the shoulder.

"How fares your wife?"

Gil laughed.

"The Lady Gwyndolyn is dear to my heart, but she holds the place of sister, not that of a wife. I am sorry that we deceived you, but it was a necessary deception in order for us to travel beyond Kingspass. Lord Neron, as you know, had the pass sealed up tight."

"Aye, I remember now. No offense is taken as I agree with you. A family was less suspicious. You would not have made it through the pass had you attempted it alone." Cameron nodded. "But tell me, how is your sister's husband? Is he also in good health?"

"Aye." Gil tipped his head indicating Cameron should walk with him. "Sofi is as sweet as ever she was. If she were not already taken into Gwyn's heart and home, I should take her to raise myself."

"She has you wrapped around her little fingers then." Cameron mused.

They bantered about nothing much appearing at complete ease as they made their way through the castle. They were stopped several times but Cameron always handled the business and excused them to continue their way. At length they reached the stairs and paused at the bottom.

Gil looked about and when it was clear, he gestured for Cameron to precede him. At the top, Cameron stepped aside and resumed following as Gil led him to the last door and knocked.

"It is I, Gil."

The door opened and Sofi squeezed out past Gwyn

"Papa G!" Gil scooped the child into his arms as she at once demanded his full attention, which Gil readily surrendered.

Startled, Gwyn squeaked as Cameron stepped from the shadows.

"My apologies, my lady." Cameron dipped his chin. "I did not mean to frighten you."

"It is Sir Cameron." Gil said by way of introduction. "He wanted to assure himself that you are well. And to speak with ...my brother."

"Do come in." Recovered of her senses, Gwyn smiled. "It is good to see you again, Sir Cameron. I hope that all is well with you."

"I am well, milady." Cameron dipped his head and followed Gil inside. When the door closed behind him, he took in the room.

It was large with two doors, one on either side of the room. Cameron thought, and correctly, that they probably opened to sleeping chambers. This room was obviously arranged for receiving guests. If Cameron thought it was odd that Erec and his family would be hidden away in these upper rooms near the back of the castle, he did not show it in any way.

They sat upon chairs drawn near the hearth and began their visit with the sharing of news. At length, Gwyn excused herself and took the children through one of the doors, leaving the men to discuss business.

... "And then he announced that he is of Royal Blood and would not be denied the comforts of Lord Brecken's hospitality. He would not be made subject to sleeping on the ground and out of doors like some kept animal."

"As if his majesty was sleeping upon the ground!" Berk, who arrived with Thomas shortly after Cameron, retorted. "His majesty's quarters are every bit as comfortable as those in the castle, save that his walls were made of tent instead of stone. I know this to be fact, because it was I and my men who were tasked with the duty of transporting, assembling, and disassembling the entirety of it!"

"It was precisely due to the king's excesses that I was forced to hire Berk and his fifty men." Cameron shook his head. "And this is also to blame for the slowness with which we reached Brecken."

"I am only thankful that you have managed a good report with his majesty King Axel, else he may have tired of the delay and departed with the treaty unsigned." Berk added.

"Nay, King Axel is not so foolish. He thinks our king a young upstart and has no other good opinion of him, but he knows the value of suing for peace, given the particulars of the circumstances."

"You mean your resurrection?" Cameron shook his head. "What I would not have given, were I to have been present for such a spectacle."

A door opened and the men turned to see Gwyn quietly closing it behind her.

"The children are asleep, and I shall retire also." She smiled at each as she crossed the room and neared the other door. "There is another matter that you men should discuss. I meant to speak of it first with John, but I have been thinking upon it and I feel that you should know of it now instead of later."