He sighed. “We must prepare for battle now.”
My hand went to my throat and my mind to the conversation at dinner. “Will we have war with Marseden?”
“With Marseden? We’ve no way to know that yet. King Regnault may have been involved in Lord Clement’s plot, and with that plan thwarted, he may take other measures to seize power in Aerador. Or he may be horrified to learn of his grandson’s treachery. Time and spying will tell. Neither monarch is the type to easily or recklessly dispatch armies.”
“Then why prepare for battle?” I had been trying to avoid that from the start. “And what does any of it have to do with Alaric?”
“I need Alaric’s help to prevent treason.”
It wasn’t an answer, but we were close enough to the stables that the stable master had come out to see what we wanted. Ronan dispensed with the muffling spell and told him to have Alaric bring out two of Lady Edith’s horses. “Lady Marcella iscontemplating keeping one with her in Valistowe, and I want to see the condition of the animals. Have him bring them to the field behind the stables. We’ll wait there.”
A few minutes later, Ronan and I stood in the field, and Alaric arrived towing two mares. He eyed Ronan suspiciously. “The horses you requested, my lord.”
I wanted to rush over to Alaric, grab his hands, and tell him the king’s announcement, but anyone watching would find such a thing notable. I kept my place beside Ronan, chin lifted like an indifferent highborn woman, but my voice betrayed my emotion. “Have you heard the news about the servants’ price?”
“I did.” Alaric still eyed Ronan. “I imagine the servants’ quarters will be full of celebration tonight.”
Ronan nodded. “And the noblemen’s chambers, full of sedition. That’s why I’ve come to talk to you.”
Alaric dropped the horses’ ropes, allowing them to graze while we talked. “What have I to do with noblemen’s matters, my lord?” Alaric didn’t quite pull off the guise of an obedient groomsman. His gaze on Ronan was too solid, his stance too straight.
Ronan pulled his wand slowly from his pocket. “I’m casting a muffling spell so we can speak privately, nothing more.” His words were low, his flick of the wand almost imperceptible.
He slid his wand back into his pocket. “I’m assuming the renegades have sympathizers in castles throughout the land, and you have methods of contacting them. King Leofric needs eyes and ears in those places. Some of his barons may band together and revolt. If King Leofric is forewarned a rebellion is brewing, he’ll be able to arrest the leaders and commandeer their lands—a potent deterrent for any other barons who may consider the same course of action.”
Alaric didn’t respond. He was perhaps debating whether Ronan’s words were a trap.
“Do you really think it will come to that?” I asked Ronan. “Certainly, raising and outfitting an army is more expensive for the barons than paying their servants for their service.”
Both men stared at me as though I’d asked if the sky was, in fact, green.
“Some men,” Ronan explained, “look for any excuse to seize power.”
“Some men,” Alaric added, “would rather fight a war than be forced to loosen their purse strings and do a kind turn for their servants.”
Ronan returned his attention to Alaric. “Marcella assured King Leofric that if he abolished indentureship, he’d have the servant class’ support. Did she misspeak in that regard?”
“No,” Alaric said. “It’s safe to say the lowborn will support him.”
“Then the renegades will help us?”
“I’ve no knowledge of them,” Alaric said, “and can speak only for myself, my lord.”
Ronan sighed. “Yes, yes, you’re only a simple groomsman and have no way to reach a single renegade. I understand. On the morrow, I’ll send you to Paxworth to fetch any belongings Lady Marcella requires. Speak to whomever you must during the errand and get back to me with your leaders’ answer. We’ll need to set up ways to relay information.”
Alaric gave a curt nod. “I’ll leave then, my lord.” He jerked his thumb in the horses’ direction. “Will Lady Marcella be keeping one of these horses at court?”
“Heavens, no,” I said. “Lady Edith would skin me alive if I took any of her horses.”
“That she would.” Alaric gathered the horses’ reins and took leave of us. I was heartened to see there wasn’t quite as much dislike in his eyes for Ronan as there had been at the beginning of the conversation.
How strange it was that two people could start the week enemies and end it as wary allies. They would end up being allies, I was sure, even if the two never liked each other.
After that,Ronan and I wandered into the maze in the garden to speak privately. “Are you certain you wouldn’t rather go inside to sleep for a bit?” I asked. I was trying to be unselfish and think of his comfort.
He took my hand and smiled. “I’m quite certain I would rather be with you.”
His smile was reassuring, as was the feel of his hand around mine. He hadn’t changed his mind about the two of us.