In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness series Book 2) by Tamora Pierce

Author:Tamora Pierce [Pierce, Tamora]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 2009-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

Roger knew nothing other than the kind of spell that had been used on the cat and the sleeping guard. “Any village healer can do it, I’m afraid,” he told Jonathan grimly. “Sleep is particularly easy to create, because it is something the body does naturally.” He gazed out the window and sighed, knowing Jonathan was watching him closely. “A pity about that young man. With your father’s orders … We’ll have to wait for a ransom demand. Alan’s obviously a noble, and even Duke Hilam won’t dare to flout the conventions of war.”

But no ransom demand came by messenger bird across the river. It was well past noon on the day after the kidnapping when a red-eyed Jonathan returned to his tent. Faithful lay on the cot beside him, looking lost. Jon fell asleep while petting the cat, but within a few hours he was prowling the riverbank like a restless tiger. Other men were there—men from the camp, weapons-smiths, healers, Jonathan’s friends—all staring at the other side, as if they could see the missing three if they looked hard enough. When Jonathan returned to camp, he found Myles staring into a full mug of brandy. To his surprise, the shaggy knight wasn’t drinking.

“This is too serious for drink,” Myles said, guessing the prince’s thoughts. He nodded toward Faithful; the cat was lying with his head on his paws, his eyes wide and unblinking. “He’s worried. That makes me worried. I can’t be convinced that Alan’s capture was not the sole object of this raid.”

Jonathan sat down, twisting his hands together. “Myles, I can’t leave him over there,” he whispered. “He—”

Myles shook his head. “Don’t.”

“Sir?”

“You’re about to tell me why Alan of all people should not be left among enemies for very long. I would rather hear it from Alan, when he’s ready to tell me.”

“You already know,” Jonathan accused.

The older man smiled. “Let’s say I’ve formed an educated guess. I can wait to have it confirmed.”

Jonathan scowled, rising to pace again. “If Alan stays on that side of the river, you won’t have to wait much longer.”

Myles saw Jon was eyeing the river. “Your father was very specific, Prince Jonathan,” he pointed out softly. “It would mean the head of any man who tried to rescue them. I hope you’ll warn the others, because I’m afraid a rescue is exactly what they have in mind.”

Jonathan stared at Myles. Suddenly he had an idea, a wild idea, but an idea nonetheless. “Perhaps the punishment would depend on who led the rescue!”

Myles met his stare with calm eyes. “I would be obligated by my oath to your father to stop a rescue attempt.”

Jonathan smiled, knowing what the knight was really saying. “Of course, Myles. Oh, what will you be doing after the evening meal?”

Myles tugged his beard. “I think I’ll ride down to the fort to confer with our commander. I shall probably be there very late.”

Jonathan nodded absently. “You should take a couple of men,” he murmured, thinking hard. “We don’t want you kidnapped, with our security so poor.

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