A Castle Contended: Castle in the Wilde - Novel 2 by Sharon Rose

Author:Sharon Rose [Rose, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781948160247
Publisher: Eternarose Publishing
Published: 2021-06-23T22:00:00+00:00

Dinner felt stilted, but worth it, for it allowed Tristan to study reactions. When Captain Wellinstine introduced his wife, and their guests grasped the fact that she had delivered a child only days before, they looked almost awed.

“Quick recovery?” Mistress Wellinstine said doubtfully, then passed it off with a smile. “Ah, well, I am just sitting at the dinner table, after all.”

Lady Fairiette made a comment about the history she’d been reading, to get the conversation rolling. They relaxed with talk of early kings and queens. However, when Tristan mentioned King Carleeton, the veiled look returned to the duke’s face. So tempting to inquire about the supposed conquering of the Wilde, but that would not suit his goals. Instead, Tristan prompted talk of King Carleeton’s prowess at uniting the duchies.

The strategy served him well. By morning, Lord Joseff walked at Tristan’s side with apparent ease. They descended one of the curving staircases into the hall. A long strip of parchment was stretched across the circular table below. Around it were gathered the two commoners from Selta and Tristan’s three captains. D’Jorge stood with his back to the stairs.

“Queuing one’s hair is common enough,” Lord Joseff said, “but I have ne’er seen it so long.” He pointed at D’Jorge and said, “His puts my horse’s tail to shame.”

They were far enough away that D’Jorge might not have heard—were it not for the marble walls of the hall. He reached behind his neck and undid the leather tie, allowing his straight brown hair to drape his back.

Tristan shook his head, and though he smiled, he whispered, “I hold you entirely responsible for whatever he comes up with.”

“Were my words offensive?”

“Nay.”

They joined the group around the parchment, a map of the plain. The border of Tower Woods seemed to have been drawn with accuracy. Less so, the Wilde. At least the eastern reaches of the stream were likewise well documented, and some areas shaded with rubbed charcoal.

Lord Joseff pointed them out to Tristan. “These areas lie low and get swampy in spring. Certain, the stream is shallow enough to ford, but if ever we build a bridge, we believe it would be well to anchor it at these two points. Not that there is any true high ground on the plain, but that is the best chance of keeping it passable in spring.”

That would bring the road almost halfway down the plain before crossing over.

Lord Joseff pointed at a few bold marks. “These are also high points, and this is the marker you can see from your towers. Naturally, the farther west we come, the less we know the lay of the land, so we would like your thoughts on the best route to bring the queen’s carriage.”

“Ah, my thoughts,” D’Jorge murmured, running his fingers through his hair. He held up his hand and inspected the few hairs that dangled from it. “This one will do nicely,” he said, selecting one.

Lord Joseff’s mouth fell open.

D’Jorge stretched the hair along the parchment. “Now, my lad,” he said to the startled squire.

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