Free Lady Ilena by Patricia Malone Page B

Belert is tightening Rol's saddle straps, and a good roan mare with a large pack is tied to the outside of the stall beside Rol's.
    “The law is clear,” Gillis says. “She will not redeem herself any other way.”
    “She'll be in danger every moment she's gone,” Spusscio responds. “When Faolan and Andrina get wind of her exile—and they will somehow—they'll be after her at once.”
    Gillis sighs. “I know. But she must earn the respect of her people and of our allies. You heard Perr and Doldalf.”
    “I'll be fine,” I say.
    “I could go with you and no one would even know it. I come and go constantly on Belert's business.” As he speaks, Spusscio takes my pack and secures it behind Rol's saddle.
    How welcome his company would be!
    “Gillis is right,” Belert says. He puts his hand on my shoulder. “I would keep Ilena safe at Dun Alyn or go with her myself if it were possible. But she has chosen exile, and all we can do is wish her well.”
    “Thank you, Spusscio,” I say. “I would like nothing better than your company, but I must go alone. I will return to you.” I pray that this is true.
    “Well, then,” he says, “your horses are ready.” He picks up three small loaves of bread and some meat strips from a clean pile of hay nearby and tucks them into the top of thepack on Rol's back. My sword and shield are in their places in the harness, and spears bristle from a case on Rol's side.
    “There are more loaves and plenty of dried meat in the roan's pack,” he adds. “And oats for the horses and some sleeping skins are there. And two containers of ale.”
    “Thank you,” I say, touched by his work. I had expected to slip away without seeing anyone.
    When we lead the horses out of the barn, the morning sun has cleared the walltop, and the entrance is open for the day. Gillis has gone ahead and waits for us at the gate.
    I can hear Machonna howling from the kennels. I'd like to hug him good-bye one more time, but it would only make him more unhappy to have me leave him again. When I step back to mount Rol, Spusscio is watching.
    I don't trust myself to speak, so I nod and swing onto Rol's back. Belert fastens the packhorse's lead rein onto my saddle, then stands with his hand on Rol's withers.
    “I must go,” I say.
    “Yes.” Belert blinks and pats Rol's neck. “Go with God and do not forget the path back to us.” He reaches his hand up to me, and I grasp it and hold it against my face for a moment.
    When I let go of his hand, I reach down to clasp Spusscio's. Then I straighten up and turn Rol toward the gate. I nod a greeting to the sentries and stop Rol beside Gillis.
    “Thank you,” I say. “I know that you have done what the law requires, but you have also given me hope.”
    He sighs. “I pray that you will be strong enough for whatever awaits you.”
    I do not look back until I am clear of all the entrances and well down the path onto level ground. That's when I hear a familiar sound behind me. Machonna, howling madly, is racing toward me. He wears his wide hunting collar with a new leash wrapped securely around it.
    Spusscio is standing in the open inner gate of the fortress; Belert is up on the ramparts with Gillis beside him. I wave to them, then dismount to unwrap the leash and stow it in my pack.
    I go on with Rol and the packhorse trotting smartly and Machonna running alongside.
    There are no trails leading south of Dun Alyn because impassable marshes stretch from the shoreline to the mountains; the ocean is on our east, and Dun Struan and River Dee lie directly to the north. My only option is west over the mountains. There, past Dun Dreug and not far from the Vale of Enfert, lies the north-south trail.
    Dun Lachan, Andrina's fortress, is somewhere along that path into the far North.
    By the time I've crossed the first mountain range, my mind is made up. There may be no brave deeds there, but I must know why Durant was with Andrina. I will go to Dun Lachan.
    The lengthening