Court of Swans by Melanie Dickerson

Author:Melanie Dickerson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2021-01-05T00:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

Geoffrey had not been able to get stationed at Wardroab Tower without inviting suspicion and was instead on general patrol around the grounds of the White Tower. As it was, there was nothing he could do beyond watching and waiting. Though what good that would do, he did not know. Undue commotion would draw several other guards, and then he could not help them. He couldn’t fight so many. Even if he could, he’d be seen and eventually caught and executed for the worst of crimes—attacking his fellow guards, not to mention treason against his king and country.

He saw Sir Robert coming toward him and nodded in greeting. After a minute or two of conversation, Sir Robert grew more sober as he stared into the distance.

“A sad business, this execution that’s happening tomorrow, beheading children.” He spat on the ground and shook his head. “I heard they have a young sister, very fair of face, who is staying with them in their prison cell.”

“Yes, I heard that too.” Geoffrey was pleased he wasn’t the only one who thought it dishonorable to execute children. But it was unfortunate that they knew about Delia.

“I might have thought the king would have granted them the stay of execution you asked him for.”

So that was known as well. Would he be accused of helping them when they escaped? He wanted to ask Sir Robert how he knew about Geoffrey’s request to the king and whether that was widespread knowledge. But although he trusted Sir Robert as much as anyone, he didn’t trust him enough to ask those questions.

“I just wanted to at least try to get them pardoned. After all, as you say, some of them are only children and obviously the victims of some plot to take their inheritance, I would imagine.”

Sir Robert grunted and nodded. “A dishonorable business.”

“Indeed.”

“But we can do naught but follow orders, as is our duty.”

“Of course.”

“I even heard they stationed an extra guard at the boys’ cell door.”

“Yes, two guards at their door and one at the lowest level.”

“No, they added a third guard at their door, as if those poor boys were a threat.”

Geoffrey’s stomach sank to his toes. “Three guards, you say? Outside the door?”

“Ridiculous, is it not?”

Geoffrey looked toward the west. At that very moment, the sun was sinking out of sight. Could the brothers defeat three trained guards with swords? When they were only expecting to have to fight two?

His heart pounded. He had to go and help them if he could. But what could he do without getting caught and attracting the attention of more guards?

Sir Robert was now going on about some of his soldiers he’d caught drinking and carousing when they were supposed to have been on duty. Geoffrey took a deep breath. He couldn’t show distress to Sir Robert. But he had to help them. He couldn’t live with the guilt and dishonor of allowing them to be killed.

“I think I will go check on my guards at the gate.”

“Shall I go with you?”

“No, no, I will just check on them, make sure they are at their posts.

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