Retreat, p.5
Retreat, page 5
part #2 of Stormers Series
Kade pulled himself to standing. With the plentiful food, kind people, real beds, and now the hot springs, it was the closest thing to heaven they’d likely see.
If there really was such a place as heaven, he doubted someone like him, who killed for a living, would gain entry. But if other newbie Stormers wanted to follow Cester into his religion for comfort’s sake, who was he to tell them it was foolish? It wasn’t hurting anyone. What did it matter if everyone believed something different?
“We even went to that house of worship before the weather got rough,” one said.
Kade gave a half-hearted smile as the two youngest, and therefore the most impressionable, began to talk about a book that the high priest or some nonsense would read to them.
“Meg sings like an angel,” another said.
A slight frown worked its way over his face as he answered questions about the princess and why he’d been so delayed, his attention diverted by the idea that Meg was now following Cester’s religion too. The signs were all there, he supposed. She’d been leaning that way for a while now. Desperate people do desperate things.
Brute rolled his eyes. “She does sing like an angel, but I still ain’t going along to that place again. They want us to kneel: I don’t kneel for no one.”
Carl, now dried and dressed, be it reluctantly, caught his eye. “Well? This better be good.”
Kade gave the Stormers a nod and steered Carl out of their earshot. He took his time before answering. The snow falling softly around them, coating them in a light dusting of white.
A shiver snaked down his back, and he pulled his coat tighter around him. “I need your help, and before you start whining about this being your holiday, the earl came with bandits who are going to attack us if we don’t deliver the princess.”
Carl’s jaw slackened slightly before his gaze turned hard. “Then hand her over.”
Kade bristled despite expecting the reply. “That would be an easy fix if she were in the fact the princess and not Hadley.”
Carl scrunched up his face. “You get hit on the head while you were away? ‘Cause you aren’t making any sense.”
Kade sighed, his shoulders slumping as he prepared to explain. “Hadley was pretending to be a boy.”
Carl’s lips twisted into a leery smile. “You dog! You still took her!”
Kade’s stomach flipped at the look on Carl’s face. Of course, his cousin assumed the worst. “Focus: they think she’s the princess. The real princess is in Amaria, and we need to figure this out before they do.”
Carl gave him a lop-sided grin. “No wonder you were gone so long; didn’t think you had it in you, cuz.”
Kade ground his back teeth together. If he weren’t trying not to aggravate his injuries, and if he didn’t need Carl’s help, he’d have punched him by now.
“Nothing happened between us. Got it? Get a grip, would you? Not everyone loses focus when a pretty girl is around.”
Carl’s eyes widened. “She’s pretty then? I need to get another look at her.”
Kade blew out a sigh and snapped his fingers in front of Carl’s face. “I need you to come with me when I scout; can you do that?”
Carl gave him another sneer then seemed to pull himself together. “I think I can manage that. What about you?”
Kade shrugged lightly. “I’ll be fine.”
Carl cocked his head, brushing away snow as it landed on his nose. “Uh huh, and nothing happened between you and Hadley the entire time. What a bloody waste.”
Anger curling in his veins, Kade turned around and began walking away before he did something that rendered Carl incapable of speaking any more.
From inside the sitting room, anxiety making her palms sweat, Hadley avoided the earl’s leery gaze as Cester saw him to the door with instructions to return to his cabin.
When Cester took a seat and gestured for her to do the same, she sat, her hands trembling as she crossed her ankles. The words spilled out. “Kade said he could help me find my brother.”
Cester raised an eyebrow. “Did he now? And when exactly did he say that? Before or after he found out you were a girl?”
Hadley swallowed, her cheeks heating. “After.”
Cester nodded, tension written on his face as he leaned forward slightly. “Kade was a gentleman, I hope?”
Hadley nodded quickly. “At all times.”
Cester’s face relaxed, and he sat back a little. “Good. Some of the others wouldn’t have been; perhaps the Ancient had this in His plans all along?”
Hadley wasn’t sure what to say, so she merely smiled politely. A knock at the door stopping him from asking any more questions.
His frown disappeared when Meg entered, a smile on her face as she stepped inside the room. “You asked me to sit in?”
Cester’s smile was warm as he rose to his feet. “Thank you, I need to go. I’ll be back shortly.”
Meg smiled sweetly as he pulled on his coat and turned his gaze to Hadley. “Kade shouldn’t have promised you anything without talking to me first. But I’m sure you’ve heard there are reports of more boys and men being taken. It would be remiss of the Stormers not to investigate.”
Hope ignited in her chest at his words. “Thank you.”
Cester dipped his chin slightly, his tone serious. “I’m sure you understand the importance of maintaining this illusion? I’m sorry you’ve been involved in this, but I’m going to have to ask you to continue it for the time being.”
Meg shook her head. “Why? They can’t possibly know what the princess looks like. Hadley doesn’t need to be involved, not really. You could send anyone in her place.”
Cester paused, his face creased into worry lines. “Meg, there isn’t anyone else.”
Meg gave him an incredulous look. “What about me? I can go. I can throw a punch or a dagger if need be. Better I go as bait than Hadley.”
All the air left Hadley’s chest as Meg and Cester stared at each other. A single word froze in her mind. Bait.
Was that why Cester was agreeing to search for Thomas? Because she would be putting herself in danger to keep his family safe?
Cester shook his head, a fierce expression on his face. “Absolutely not. You aren’t trained for such a thing.”
Meg snorted and placed her hands on her hips, her blue eyes narrowing. “I’ve completed more training than Hadley has, and you said it yourself, I look more like the real princess than Hadley does.”
Hadley found herself nodding. It was true. While the princess did have dark hair, and Meg’s was a dishwater blonde, it was a similar length, and they were both curvy and tall, while she was petite, and her hair was short.
Cester blew out an angry sigh. “Your brother would never allow it, and I will not allow it.”
Meg’s lip protruded as she screwed up her face. “I can’t believe you are being so ludicrous! It’s totally unreasonable to expect Hadley to face armed bandits.”
Cester only shook his head, his hand on the door. “I won’t be discussing this any more, Meg. I’m going to find your brother and your cousin. Stay here. Please.”
Before Meg could say another word, he closed the door, and his footsteps were lost in the snow covering the steps.
Meg growled and sunk into a chair, her bottom lip protruding slightly. “It doesn’t make sense to send you. He’s being ridiculous.”
Hadley fought the smile tugging at her lips. How could Meg be so oblivious? It was evident Cester had other reasons for her not going. Should she mention it?
Hadley took a seat again. “He’s just trying to protect you, though?”
Meg scrunched up her nose. “Probably, but if he is, I wish he would just come right out and say it.”
Hadley’s eyebrows rose at the admission. “So, you are interested in him then?”
Meg’s eyes widened before a blush spread across her cheeks. “Is it that obvious I like him?”
Hadley’s smile matched Meg’s as she replied. “Yes.”
Meg slapped a hand to her face and groaned. “I can’t help it, Hadley; he’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met, and his family are wonderful. What do you think? Do you think he shares my feelings?”
Hadley smothered a laugh for fear of offending Meg. Even if she hadn’t seen them sending shy glances back at camp, one look at the captain and Kade’s sister when they shared a room would let anyone know they cared for each other.
“I think you should ask him that question.”
Meg waved her hand in front of her face in dismissal. “I can’t do that! That’s far too forward. What would he think of me!”
Hadley shrugged lightly. What did she know of such things? “It’s plain he cares for you.”
Meg seemed less than satisfied with the answer. “He cares for everyone. I suppose that’s one of the reasons I admire him so much.”
Hadley nodded slowly. “Will there still be a party? Maybe you should tell him then?”
Meg’s scowl marred her pretty face. “I’m not sure if we’ll have the celebration. Not with the silly earl showing up.”
Hadley was about to voice her agreement, when the door opened again and Kade stepped inside, his face set grim as his gaze slid from his sister back to her.
Carl pushed past him and sent her a broad smile as he stared openly at her. “Huh, can’t believe I didn’t see it before. Hey, darlin, how’d you like a tour around the Retreat?”
Hadley’s cheeks flared as Carl was rewarded with a sound punch to the shoulder by a stony-faced Kade. “Quit it.”
He turned and sent her a half smile. “We need to go scout; Meg can you make sure Hadley stays safe?”
Meg got to her feet and wrapped her arm around Hadley’s. “Of course. I think Martha said you wanted dumplings? We’ll be in the kitchen.”
Kade gave her a distracted nod. “Looks like we might have to carry this on a bit longer. But at least Cester’s going to help you in return? He can do more than I ever could anyway.”
Before she could say anything sensible in reply or warn him to be careful, Meg tugged on her arm and pulled her away as Kade closed the door again.
“Don’t worry. Kade and Carl are two of the best Northern Stormers,” Meg said.
Hadley’s smile was shallow, her stomach tightening at the danger Kade was once again placing himself in. “I hope so.”
Kade’s heart thudded in his chest as he and Carl climbed the snow-covered hillside. His boots sank into the powdery snow as he pushed on.
“Can’t believe he’s making us work,” Carl grumbled.
Kade growled. “What’s a bet you won’t be able to stop whining for this entire scout.”
Carl pulled a face. “You don’t have anything to bet.”
Kade shrugged. Anything would be worth it if he didn’t have to hear the excessive complaining. “Five Amarian crowns if you keep quiet.”
Carl extended his gloved hand. “You’re on.”
Kade covered a smile. The coins were useless to him now anyway. The minute he told Cester the prince had placed a death warrant on him, he’d probably not be able to travel to Amaria again. Something he should probably get around to sharing with Cester in case Hadley accidentally let it slip.
Kade shook his hand and carried on upwards, his breath ragged, his thighs burning with exertion. Carl looked sidelong at him. “Hadley’s a turn up for the books; not the type I usually go for, but what the hell, eh?”
Kade’s jaw worked as they plodded uphill, hopefully closer to where the bandits would be hiding. There weren’t many places that would shelter half a dozen men. The caves seemed the best place to go. “What about Rose?”
Carl blew out a long breath, leaving wisps of white as he climbed. “What about her?”
Kade stopped and gave his cousin a hard look. “What about the engagement? Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
Carl laughed. “Oh, come on! I’m too young to settle down right now. You’re beginning to sound way too much like Meg. What’s the harm? Rose doesn’t need to know; no one gets hurt?”
Kade shook his head and pushed on. Better to face armed bandits holding hostages than try to convince Carl his behaviour was despicable.
“She still doesn’t know you’re a Stormer?”
Carl shook his head. ‘What’s the point? She doesn’t ask, and I don’t tell.”
Kade refrained from commenting. Rose was a sweet girl, way too forgiving, and she didn’t deserve Carl’s unfaithfulness. He was about to say so when a flock of birds made a sudden exit from a nearby tree, and he had no time to do anything but dive for cover.
Carl pressed his back against the nearest tree trunk, his hand already on one of his blades. “What is it?” he mouthed.
Kade peered around the bush he’d dropped in front of. A man, tall and skinny with a week’s worth of growth on his face, was crashing through the forest towards them. He risked another look, taking in the tattered clothing, navy blue, just like the earl’s.
A shout filtered through the trees and he glanced at Carl, raising his hand to tell him to hold his position before checking again.
A muscled man covered in a thick lambskin coat that barely covered his stocky frame crossed the distance to the scrawny man as he cowered against a tree only a few metres from Kade’s hiding place.
“You can’t run up here. Nowhere to go; I told you.”
The earl’s man seemed to shrink back at the words. “You were going to kill me anyway,” he stammered.
The larger man laughed. “That’s true; may as well take care of you now.”
Kade flinched as the man callously ran a blade across the terrified man’s throat then without so much as a twitch to his eye, sheathed his knife, one of many across his broad chest.
His eyes narrowed as he caught a snatch of colour and the shape of a dagger tattooed on the man’s brawny forearm.
The man stalked away, leaving the victim dead in the snow, and Kade pulled himself to a crouch. When the man was far enough away, just a moving blob amongst the trees, he turned to find Carl already at his side. “That was brutal. Even for us. He look familiar?”
Kade took a moment to steel himself before saying the words. “He was a Stormer. Southern, I think.”
Carl stood stock still for a moment. “Are you kidding?”
A knot sitting in his stomach to accompany the one in his throat, Kade gestured to where the thug had disappeared. “We better follow his tracks.”
Kade didn’t bother to check on the fallen man. Neither did Carl. The crimson stained snow was enough of a confirmation.
After trailing the Stormer’s footsteps in the opposite direction to where they thought he’d go, Kade realised the man wasn’t heading towards the caves.
It had been sheer luck they’d stumbled on him. Another few minutes and they would have gone in the wrong direction.
“Still don’t understand why we can’t just get rid of them all then go back,” Carl said.
Kade frowned. “We have no idea if they have any more men waiting for a signal. What if we go back to the Retreat thinking we’re clear and more follow us back?”
Carl raised his shoulders. “Let’s just see who we’re dealing with?”
Kade carried on stomping through the snow, weaving his way around trees, until the faint smell of smoke alerted him to unwelcome visitors.
Carl was immediately alert and Kade knew that, despite his protestations, he’d be at Kade’s back when he needed him.
They hid behind a thick outcropping of bushes until the man retreated inside the shack. Kade waited a beat then signalled to Carl he was going to take a look inside the cabin from the tree above them.
He stretched slightly and quickly found his footholds on the solid tree. His ribs burned slightly as he pulled himself up. He concentrated on using his legs and arm muscles as much as possible.
By the time he was at a good height to peer into the cabin’s solitary window, and the dull ache in his ribs had shifted to burning, he knew he was pushing his luck.
He winced as he adjusted himself so he had a clear view. Just as the earl had said, Kade counted six men, all armed with knives, a few bows, and quivers of arrows stacked in a pile.
A dingy fire burned in the shack that Cester used on the odd occasion when he hunted towards the end of winter. There were likely a few supplies inside, not enough for six men, but enough to stretch out a few days.
He squinted through the branches and held his breath, trying to hear snatches of conversation. When all he could make out were murmurings of laughter, he gave up.
There was nothing to be done. They needed to get closer, which meant leaving tracks, which meant time to clear them. None of which they could do. Not with the deadline to hand over the princess looming.
They’d achieved what they needed to. The earl wasn’t lying about this at least. Kade climbed down, his ribs beginning to protest vehemently at the unaccustomed movement.
He hurried back to where Carl was already standing with a branch ready to sweep their tracks. He gave him a clipped nod and they both backtracked till they were far enough away from the cabin to speak freely.
“So, the earl wasn’t lying. What now?” Carl asked.
Kade looked up and was relieved to see the snow starting to fall again, helping to cover any tracks they’d missed.
“Report to Cester, then see how he thinks we should play this.”
Carl looked glum as they began the slow descent back to the valley floor. “No celebration, I suppose.”
Kade sent him a warning look. “But you wouldn’t be complaining about that though, right, cuz?”
Carl’s eyes narrowed, a smile tugging at his lips. “Just be nice to see Hadley all dressed up, that’s all.”
Kade pulled his eyes front before Carl could comment on the heat blazing through his chilled cheeks.
His mind immediately pulled up the memory of seeing her in the gown old Jack had asked her to wear. Hadley wearing a dress was the last thing they needed right now.
In the sitting room, Hadley took a sip of the tea Meg had brewed. Her stomach pleasantly full with the lunch Martha had prepared. The cook had insisted the dumplings would be better for the evening meal. And that they were traditionally cooked on top of stew and had proceeded to explain in great detail how they were made.
