Free Secrets at the Keep (Kingdom of Denall Book 2) by Eric Buffington Page B

had come to Lexingar to watch the tournaments or the knights practicing in the large stadium. He knew this area very well and knew exactly where he intended to put the chest. Mylot went to the side of the stadium where the king had been sitting and found a small crawlspace. He got down flat on his belly and squeezed himself under the stage. Once under the stage, he moved to a support beam and marked it with his hunting knife, then began digging. He dug down to the depth of his elbows, then placed the chest in the ground.
    Looking down on the small chest he sighed, wondering again whether he should take it with him, but then he shook his head. Delivering the chest was his own private mission and he didn’t want anyone questioning him about it, especially Captain Conrad. He quickly buried the chest and went back to prepare for the journey west.
    The next morning at first light, Mylot and the captain rode out of Lexingar on the main road east wearing nondescript chainmail hidden beneath sturdy riding clothing. It was not as comfortable or as safe as his custom plate armor, but Captain Conrad insisted, that was how they would dress on this mission. “Lake Norwell is south, why are we riding east?”
    Captain Conrad looked sidelong at him, “Do you not remember the map I told you to memorize before our trip? I’m going to show you some trails that wind through the country. They are not always the most direct route, but on horseback they can be quick.” She kicked her horse into a canter and left Mylot to catch up.
    When he was riding next to her, Mylot broke the silence. “Wouldn’t it be quicker to just ride down the main road, Captain?”
    Captain Conrad slowed her horse back down to a walk and turned an irritated, flat look at Mylot. “For our mission today it might be, but you need to learn the trails, in case it is unsafe on the main roads. Remember, this is part of your training.”
    “Unsafe on the main roads, that is ridiculous!” Mylot retorted. “I’ve traveled all across Denall on the main roads and never had any problems.”
    Bethany snorted in derision, then addressed Mylot in a condescending tone. “Let me ask you this, Mylot of Tran. Have you ever traveled alone?”
    “No Ma’am,” he admitted.
    “All right, then please take my word for it. It is sometimes better to not be seen when you travel. That’s why we don’t dress wearing the royal crest, and why you need to start addressing me as Bethany.” She pulled on her reins and moved into the middle of the small road, forcing Mylot to fall in behind her.
    Before she could get too far ahead, he asked another question. Although he was curious to learn, he also enjoyed how frustrated it made Bethany when he asked questions. “So, where does this road lead, Bethany?”
    “Really? Another question already?” she asked, throwing her hands up in the air and spinning in the saddle to look at him. “Don’t you ever just ride in silence, even for a short moment?”
    Mylot gave Bethany a smug smile. “Well, trainer, how else am I going to learn all the trails and seldom traveled paths of Denall?”
    In a dry tone, she responded, “By memorizing the map I gave you earlier.” Then she cracked a small smile and shook her head from side to side. It seemed that she did have a sense of humor. “This road goes east, then turns north toward Omer’s keep and Hillside.”
    “North?” he asked, knowing they were planning to go south.
    “Yes,” Bethany explained. “The road turns north, but we will get off the road and head south.” She pointed with her hands to show how the road would veer and the direction they would travel.
    After riding in silence for a few more minutes, Mylot plucked up his courage for a particularly irritating question. “So, Bethany,” he started, although it felt awkward to say her name, “What did you say in those reports you gave to Sir Theodore?”
    She pressed her lips together deliberately before responding. “I didn’t