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Day Four
Gwen
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“My lady! Your son is here!”
Gwen swept her cloak over her shoulders and came to the edge of the railing that overlooked the main floor of Godfrid’s house. Cait was already heading down the stairs. Her long night braid hung over one shoulder, but she was fully dressed. She’d slept in her clothes as Gwen had, having stayed the night, heedless of questions of propriety. But of course, Godfrid hadn’t come home.
Gwen looked down to the fire to see Llelo looking up at her. “Mam.”
She was down the stairs by the time Cait reached Llelo. She would have flung her arms around her son, but the warning look in Llelo’s eyes told her to wait. “What has happened? Just tell me.”
In a few sentences Llelo explained what he’d seen, ending with, “Dai was well, last I saw.”
Gwen put her hand to her heart and looked to Cait. The plan, upon which everyone had agreed before Godfrid and his men had ridden north, was not to engage with the fighters, but simply to watch and learn. Nobody had thought the gathering would be this extensive, or that Dai and Conall would be roped into fighting. And because of the secrecy involved, they hadn’t let the watchmen on duty in the city or palace know what was happening until it happened.
Fortunately, Godfrid’s house wasn’t far from the palace and, with Llelo in tow and Cait’s remaining bodyguard, Bern, jogging beside them, they arrived in the courtyard to find a dozen men and horses already preparing to ride. Hywel himself was tightening his horse’s girth.
Gwen ran up to him. “How did you know to be ready?”
“I didn’t. I woke early and couldn’t go back to sleep. I had what I thought was an unwise idea to ride out with Evan and Gruffydd, perhaps to greet Gareth and the other Dragons returning. I met Brodar crossing the hall.”
“As it turns out, you’re needed.” And she explained why and where, as Cait was doing with Brodar.
“I can lead the way,” Llelo said in Welsh, “but I left my horse at Godfrid’s house.”
“We don’t have time to fetch it.” Gruffydd put out a hand to Llelo, who took it and swung onto the horse behind him.
Brodar actually grinned down at Cait and Gwen. “My brother is capable of getting into the most amazing kinds of trouble. Have no fear. I will rescue him once again.” He tipped his head towards the hall behind him. “We’ve made quite a commotion. Perhaps the two of you could do me the favor of convincing O’Connor and your uncle that nothing is amiss.”
And, before either woman could either protest or agree, he urged his horse after Gruffydd and Llelo, through the gate and into the street.
Within a dozen heartbeats, the rest of the company followed, leaving Cait and Gwen alone again.
Cait huffed. “I am not overly fond of being left behind. And I really don’t like this task he set us.”
“You are about to be a princess of Dublin,” Gwen said. “This won’t be the last time it is you who are sent to appease your uncle.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Cait looked towards the hall. “In defense of my family, I would do anything.”
