Bonesmith (House of the Dead, #1)(30)
“If you are not assigned to our escort,” Commander Duncan continued, “your regular patrols will go on as scheduled.”
There was a collective groan and screech of benches against stone as the others got to their feet to report for their usual duties, while Wren waited, hoping…
Commander Duncan’s searching gaze found her in the tumult, and he waved her over. Her heart leapt.
She joined the group of people milling in front of the high table while the rest of the guards and tributes cleared out. She caught Leo’s eye and grinned, hoping her presence might ease his worries somewhat. He smiled tightly and waved for another cup of coffee.
Commander Duncan announced that the patrol party would be made up of a team of Prince Leo’s own guards, his cousin and retainer, Galen, the commander himself, and a handful of the Breachfort garrison, in addition to Wren.
When it was time to depart later that afternoon, Wren and the others filed into the courtyard, where horses milled, saddled and ready to be mounted, and the prince’s carriage sat, awaiting its royal passenger.
She checked her armor and weapons, knowing they would not be used but wanting to make sure she represented her order proudly. She also ran through everything she knew of the fort’s undead defenses. Surely Odile knew more, but she doubted the prince would require a full treatise on the subject. Just a few highlights would do. Besides, she wasn’t going to dazzle him with her knowledge—her winning personality was her best chance at securing favor. Where it would lead, Wren didn’t know, but she allowed herself to envision a letter arriving at Marrow Hall, stamped with the prince’s seal, raving about Vance Graven’s exiled daughter and her skills at the Breachfort. Maybe he’d even request to take her on himself, have her join his traveling party full-time. It wasn’t unheard of and was almost a requirement when traveling to some regions of the Dominions where bonesmiths were less common.
Wren was heading toward one of the horses when Leo hooked her arm. “You’ll be riding with me, Graven.”
Grinning, Wren turned back around—and walked straight into Commander Duncan. “Mount your horse, tribute. We’re preparing to depart.”
“You know, Commander Duncan, I’d feel much safer with the bonesmith by my side for the duration of the inspection. We are heading east of the Wall.”
“Your Highness, we’ve not had an attack from the undead in seven years! I assure you, it is perfectly safe.”
“If it’s perfectly safe, I wonder why the crown spends so much gold on the Wall’s upkeep?” Leo mused, glancing around. “Perhaps our resources would be better spent elsewhere, if the Breach is no longer a threat….”
“The Breach is still extremely dangerous,” Commander Duncan said, changing tack at top speed. “To say nothing of the Breachsiders who linger beyond our borders. I only meant that the specific section of the Wall that you will inspect has not seen action—has been thoroughly tested—rigorous standards—”
“All the same,” the prince cut in, “I’d feel safer with someone who is properly armed and trained to deal with such a threat, should it occur. I might be the Twice-Spare-Heir, but I am still a prince of the Dominions.”
“Of course, Your Highness, of course—anything to put your mind at ease. Your safety is our top priority, I assure you. Lady-Smith,” he barked, flapping his hand at Wren to indicate she should climb up. “You will ride alongside the prince.”
Wren climbed up somewhat smugly. It was a strange feeling to be wanted—to be seen as a valued friend rather than a last option or nagging burden.
Better not get too attached to the feeling.
She thought of Odile as they prepared to set out. She hadn’t had a chance to check in with her all day, but perhaps it was best, as the woman was feigning an illness. Still, Wren wished she could see the look on her face when she saw how well her plan was turning out.
The carriage was quite snug, with Wren and Leo on one bench and Galen and Commander Duncan opposite, but it was an open-air conveyance, which allowed them to better take in the landscape. While Galen’s attention was fixed on the prince, Commander Duncan’s beady gaze was trained on Wren.
She smiled. “Ready to have some more fun?” she whispered into Leo’s ear. Commander Duncan glared.
“Always.”
* * *
They passed through the main gate, taking a hard left to ride on the road, allowing the prince to see the breadth and scope of the Border Wall, its full height and impressive length, disappearing over the horizon.
Prince Leo’s reaction to the gleaming bonedust bricks was similar to most who laid eyes on such a sight; he tugged at his collar and muttered, “Is that… what I think it is?”
Wren smiled and recited some of the information Odile had given her, detailing the keystones and the palisade.
As they continued toward the nearest tower, Commander Duncan pointed out other pertinent details, like how many guards garrisoned each of the forts and towers and how the remnants of the Old Roads provided easier passage across the wild landscape, which was riddled with jagged cliffs, volcanic rock, and steaming geysers. There were deep caves and crevasses gouging the landscape and making travel beyond the roads dangerous and unpredictable. Even the forest that ran alongside the Wall to the north was twisted and dense and impossible to traverse, no matter how much they tried to cut it back. There was some decent farming land to the south, in the Cartesian Valley, but mostly, the wealth of this region had always been in mining.