"Do you think the rumor's true? That the emperor has already condemned him?"
Ashyn considered carefully. "I do not know the emperor well enough to say with certainty, but I believe that the court of opinion may have condemned Tyrus, though his father has not. That is equally dangerous. It is, however, a matter easily resolved."
"Is it?" Guin asked.
Ashyn's reply was firm. "It is."
She glanced down at Tova. He walked at her side, making no effort to hide. Hounds of various types were common enough in the empire that, while his size garnered a few curious glances, he was dismissed as a rare or exotic breed. Daigo was the one who stood out, which meant that he did not walk beside Tyrus, but slunk along the buildings and long grass and any other obstacles he could find at the road's edge. With Moria gone, the wildcat acted in her stead, watching over Tyrus.
"I don't think we're the only ones following the prince," Ronan said after a moment.
At first, she thought he meant Daigo, but then she saw his tight face.
"Where?" she whispered.
"Guin? Fall back."
"Please," Ashyn added.
The girl did. She'd been pensive since the scene at the inn, as if finally realizing this was not some grand adventure. She wasn't stupid. Nor as unfeeling as she seemed. Simply unaccustomed to worrying about danger--or worrying about others. She'd been a spirit for so long. How long? If girls had wed by their fourteenth summer in her time, it could be several ages ago.
"They're on your side," Ronan said. "Near the edge of the road. Three warriors."
She counted to five under her breath and then swept her gaze over the other travelers. It was not difficult to spot the men. The dual swords hanging from their waists meant even on a crowded thoroughfare, no one got too close. While jostling a warrior's sword no longer carried a penalty of death, few cared to risk the insult.
Warriors served in many roles. This trio was clearly not in the army. While uniforms were worn only for tournaments, processions, a
nd imperial events, there was a standard of dress required at all times. Simple, well-made, but generally somber garb. The outfits on these three were ornate, colorful, and not particularly well-made. Their clothing reminded her of the bandits, yet those men had clearly not been warrior caste--their bearing, their grooming, and their overall demeanor had given them away. These three were clean-shaven, with gleaming hair, white teeth, and no jewels. Men who understood the warrior way. Men who followed it, though?
She moved her horse closer to Ronan. "I don't think they're regular warriors. Their manner of dress is ostentatious."
He frowned at her, puzzled. He was literate and intelligent, but not quite as book-learned as she was. No one is as book-learned as you, Ash, Moria would say. Which wasn't true--Simeon had been her superior in that area.
Moria. Simeon.
Moria was fine. She didn't know about Simeon. She prayed for his safety. But her sister was fine. Daigo would know otherwise.
"It's not proper warrior attire," she said. "Wealthy warriors may show it in their garb, but they would buy proper fabrics and hire proper tailors. These three look like . . ."
"Whores trying to dress as court ladies?" He caught her blush. "Sorry."
"Not the analogy I'd use, but yes. Perhaps they're mercenaries?"
"I'm more concerned with what they're doing."
What they were doing was watching Tyrus--not with the simple curiosity of men who think they've seen a face before, but with the hawkish stare of predators.
Ronan's hand went to his blade hilt. "You ride back here with Guin and Tova. I'm going to speak to them."
Ashyn reached to lay her hand on his. "I'll speak to them and distract their attention while you ride ahead and warn Tyrus."
"I'd rather--"
"Yes, I'm sure you would. But I have this."
Ashyn reined her horse toward the three men. She came up behind them, but they didn't notice her even when she said, "Excuse me." Or perhaps they were simply ignoring anyone impertinent enough to hail warriors.
"Excuse me," she said louder. "I'm very sorry to bother you but--"