‘Ah, pretty Ciara,’ Faris said. ‘Another pot of dinch, please, and we’ll need a fresh mug. Liam, some for you?’
The younger man shook his head but looked appreciatively into the big brown eyes of the woman. ‘Got anything sweet?’ he wondered.
Faris broke into a surreptitious grin and looked over at Jewd, who winked in reply over the mug he was sipping from.
Ciara’s lids lowered slightly as she regarded the youngster. ‘We might have some syrupcakes left from yesterday,’ she said. Then she blinked innocently. ‘If that’s what you mean?’
Leo cleared his throat. ‘I hear they’re always better the day after, anyway. Yes, I’ll have a couple of those. Thank you.’
‘I like good manners. Anything else?’ she offered.
Leo blushed, hesitated, then smiled politely. ‘I’ll, er, I’ll let you know once I’ve finished those, if that’s all right?’
She returned his smile, seemingly enjoying the innuendo.
After she’d left, Faris looked over at Leo but spoke to Jewd in a murmur that only they could hear. ‘It seems his majesty is in dire need of some female company.’
‘I’ll say!’ Leo exclaimed.
Jewd spat some of his dinch with amusement. ‘Now look what you’ve made me do,’ he complained.
‘Well, it’s all right for Kilt, he’s got Lily. And you, Jewd, I know you and the others can escape the forest whenever you want for some rumpy-pumpy.’ This made both men roar with laughter. ‘But you keep me on such a close leash. I’m twenty-two anni, I need some freedom and I desperately need a—’
‘Here we are, then,’ Ciara said, back with a pair of small, oval-shaped cakes dripping with syrup. ‘Careful, they’re moist. Don’t get yourself all sticky.’
The men laughed louder and even Ciara threw them a backward glance of amusement. ‘The dinch is on its way,’ she said.
Leo looked indignant. ‘Laugh it up, you sods. I really need—’
‘I know what you need,’ Kilt said, chuckling, ‘and we’ll fix that. I’ve been remiss.’
‘You’ve been a gaoler more like,’ Leo said.
Kilt grew serious. ‘So, do we trust this man?’ he asked Jewd.
His big friend nodded. ‘Yes. He’s genuine.’
‘What’s going on?’ Leo asked, chewing on a cake.
Kilt fixed him with a grave look. ‘The man you spoke of years ago. You know, the one who is now aide to the emperor?’
‘Freath?’ Leo said, looking between them. ‘Tell me Loethar’s slit his throat,’ he added, putting his cake down and swallowing. Then he glared. ‘But then he’ll have stolen more from me. I want to be the one to spill that traitor’s—’
Both men shook their heads. ‘He’s not dead,’ Kilt replied, cutting off Leo’s words. ‘He’s made contact.’
Leo leaned forward. ‘What?’ he whispered, shocked.
‘Well, not contact, exactly. But there’s word out. We’ve just received it.’
‘What do you mean?’
Faris left it to Jewd, who took up the thread of conversation. ‘A few days ago Tern picked up snippets of information that money was greasing palms all over the north’s “network”.’ Leo nodded with understanding. ‘Word was moving in certain circles that an influential man was seeking an audience with the infamous highwayman of Penraven.’
Leo’s expression darkened and he scratched softly at the close beard he was growing, his syrupcakes forgotten.
Jewd continued, ‘We paid attention, of course, but we’ve had this happen before.’ He shrugged. ‘Lots of influential men want to speak with Kilt.’
‘Usually to claim the bounty on my head,’ Kilt grumbled.
Leo looked at him. ‘You’re safe, though, aren’t you?’
‘Not safe enough it seems. The barbarians came too close recently. We got sloppy.’
‘You didn’t,’ Jewd admitted. ‘That was my fault.’
Leo shook his head. ‘Jewd, it was no one’s fault.’
Kilt sighed. ‘Attributing blame is pointless. The fact is, they nearly stumbled across you, Leo. We must never be off our guard. As for me, no one outside of our band even knows what I look like. Most people in this town, don’t know who we are. And this town might keep its secrets quiet but it also knows everyone and everything passing through it.’
‘Aren’t you two rather easily identifiable?’
‘Not when I wear women’s clothing,’ Kilt offered indignantly. Leo smiled.
‘He’s not jesting,’ Jewd said, sounding slightly exasperated. ‘He’s done it many times. I’ve walked alongside him when he’s been an old man, an old woman, a blind beggar, a noble.’
‘Ah, but my leper was the best, wasn’t it?’ Kilt said.
‘He was a triumph,’ Jewd agreed.
‘People gave me such a wide berth. It was wonderful. I shall have to find that old pair of clappers we’ve got somewhere and roll him out again.’
Leo frowned. ‘I’m sure Lily would appreciate the humour.’
‘No, well, that’s right,’ Kilt said, his theatrics dampened. ‘It’s why I haven’t used him for a while. And anyway, it’s not just me.’ He lightly slapped his big friend’s chest. ‘Jewd loves all the get-ups too. He came into this very town not so long ago as a drunken friar.’
Leo looked over at Jewd and broke into laughter. ‘And that definitely wasn’t drawing attention to yourself, was it?’
‘Aha,’ Kilt said, waggling a finger. ‘Sometimes you can deflect the scrutiny by giving people something else to focus on.’
‘Is that why you’re wearing that ridiculous twirled moustache, then?’
‘Well, I’m glad you finally mentioned my ingenious disguise,’ Kilt said, feigning offence.
‘And I’m glad you’re having fun,’ Leo grumbled. ‘My disguise is real.’
Both men glanced at the crutch balanced against the table. ‘The arrow-wound is healing well. Give it time,’ Jewd reassured. ‘It will be as good as new as long as you trust Lily’s herbals and the chirosurgeon’s advice.’
‘If only they knew,’ Kilt mused. Then he smiled encouragingly at his young king. ‘At least you’ll have a warrior’s wound to show for your time with us.’
‘How long before I’m ready?’ Leo griped.
‘Not yet,’ Jewd replied.
Leo glanced at Kilt, who shook his head. ‘You’re only just a man now, Leo. We have lots to plan before you can start plotting an overthrow. You can’t ignore the fact that Loethar has been very subtle.’
Leo grimaced. ‘He’s a better ruler than I would have ever given him credit for.’
‘I think the mere fact that you do credit him with this is a sign of your maturity. As few as three anni ago you wouldn’t have been able to see that.’
The king became thoughtful. ‘Perhaps he is all that the Set ever needed.’
Both men gave sounds of disgust. ‘No, majesty,’ Kilt murmured firmly. ‘He stole your crown, he usurped your throne, he effectively murdered your parents and