The Rebel Prince Read Free Page B

hat-shadow and scarf made it impossible to distinguish his dark skin. In his borrowed green cloak and with his remarkable height, her friend looked just like any other Merron warrior. Wynter hoped that her own lack of stature would not be too obvious.
    A whistle cut the air, and Wynter’s heart leapt as she recognised the signal Alberon’s allies used to identify each other. Úlfnaor whistled the correct reply. There was a moment’s silence from the trees; then a cultured voice called out in Southlandast.
    ‘So far?’
    The first part of Alberon’s password! Could they finally have reached their goal?
    Úlfnaor called out the reply: ‘And not yet there?’
    A rider detached himself from the shadows of the forest and brought his nervous horse to a halt by the huge boulder that edged the top of the path. He dipped his hat against the sunshine and squinted at the prowling dogs. This man wore no uniform, but his tack and weaponry were military issue and he rode a cavalry horse, which he handled well, despite it being white-eyed and skittish in the presence of the hounds. Wynter had no doubt that he was an officer of Jonathon’s army. She regarded him coolly from under the brim of her hat. An officer of Jonathon’s army, out of uniform and siding with Alberon against the King. How was she meant to feel about that?
    The words treacherous cur sprang readily to mind, but then Wynter thought of the dead soldiers at the river – the rebel and the King’s men, their blood mingling in the water, their loyalties split on either side of the royal divide. Each had been as certain as the others of where their duty lay. Each was as irretrievably dead. She forced her animosity down. Let us see what explanations this evening brings , she thought.
    Úlfnaor threw back his hat, allowing his long dark hair to fall across his shoulders. He shrugged back his cloak, revealing his tribal bracelets. Sólmundr drew his horse to his leader’s side and he too threw back his hat, shook loose his sandy hair, and bared his arms. For a terrible moment, Wynter thought that all the Merron would follow suit. But Hallvor and the red-headed brothers kept their faces covered and their hats on. Razi’s differences remained hidden.
    Úlfnaor called out in his broken Hadrish: ‘I Úlfnaor, Aoire an Domhain, diplomatic envoy for Royal Princess, Marguerite Shirken of Northlands. I bring paper destined for Royal Prince, Alberon Kingsson. I seek safe passage to his camp.’
    The officer tore his attention from the bristling war-hounds and regarded Úlfnaor closely. Then his gaze moved from rider to rider on the trail before him. Wynter stiffened as his eyes came to Razi, but the officer paid no more heed to her friend than to any of the others, and when it came to her turn, he passed over Wynter without pause.
    He turned once more to Úlfnaor, and addressed him in excellent Hadrish. ‘You have men in the trees,’ he observed.
    ‘As does you,’ said Úlfnaor.
    The officer huffed. ‘Quite the travel party for a common messenger,’ he said.
    There was a moment’s silence from Úlfnaor. When he next spoke, his voice was laden with warning. ‘I diplomatic envoy ,’ he said. ‘I High Lord of the Merron peoples, entrusted by Royal Princess of Northlands’ peoples for to aid in her negotiations.’
    Wynter eyed the officer carefully. Unless Alberon was running an intolerably sloppy camp, this man would have detailed instructions as to the treatment of each visitor: his attitude to Úlfnaor should be a calculatedly accurate reflection of the Prince’s.
    ‘Do forgive me,’ he murmured dryly. ‘No offence meant.’
    Wynter did not like his tone. Úlfnaor regarded him coldly and did not reply.
    The officer gestured over his shoulder, and another horseman emerged from the trees. ‘My lieutenant will accompany you to camp. By order of his Royal Highness Prince Alberon, you are granted safe passage. You may call your hidden guard to your side.’
    Úlfnaor