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This was our plan. My lord, Sharp, and I would travel on foot to Rockridge Castle, a trio of poor travelers seeking shelter from the bitter winter weather. Once inside the castle, Sharp would persuade the Lady Victoria to help us. She would bring the Lady Laurice out of her cloistered tower and into our hands, and we would capture her, collect our horses and the others at the Old Night Inn, and bear her off to Songless Castle. Once there, she would be given accommodations befitting a lady, but no freedom until she married her betrothed.
Our disguises were as much story as the cloth of our clothes, and I was proud to have woven them. I would be a Silent Monk, and Sharp would be himself, returning from a journey to Slatten. Lord Reinard was to be Wallen, the once proud son of a man who had married a young, cruel second wife. She turned father against son and had Wallen driven out into the snow, with only the clothes on his back. These were stolen by thieves who then beat him almost to death. In desperation, this young man had thrown himself on the mercy of the Bardhall. While the Masters agreed that he was indeed a needy soul, they wondered if he was strong enough for the trials of the craft. And so, as a test, he was to travel for a winter with Sharp, and give him complete obedience.
Even I wondered at how well this would go.
Charles would be our hidden dirk, should things turn nasty. He was to travel separately to Rockridge, supposably in disgrace for having let harm come to his lord’s treasured servant. He was to take the job of a common soldier there – as long as he was not called upon to give his allegiance to Lord Guerney, his honor would be safe.
Elise, Jason, and Ison were to stay at the Old Night Inn and protect the horses. At least, that is what my lord thought they would do. The four of us had agreed that they would take the horses up to Krast and hide them at Elise’s sister’s house, a much safer place, and more convenient for a hasty escape.
