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the castle.
    We moved off the road, going to a tree and sitting in its shade. The spring day weren’t overwarm, but the sun made me feel weaker.
    â€œThis is because of the tax, isn’t it?” I said.
    Allan nodded. “Winchester has the reputation as the very best of overlords, my lady. He won’t let his people suffer for this tax. I’m certain many people want to be counted amongst his vassals right now.”
    â€œOurselves included, it would seem,” David said. “How are you feeling, my lady? You should be able to rest for a few days here.”
    â€œI’m fine,” I said quick, but Allan looked at me.
    â€œYou’re ill?” he asked.
    I scowled. “No.”
    â€œShe was imprisoned,” David grunted. “For three months. That takes something out of the body, sir.”
    â€œWeren’t you her jailer?” Allan asked.
    David met his stare. “Yes. And I took the best care of her that I could.”
    I patted his arm. “I’m very well, David.”
    â€œSo what does that entail?” Allan pressed on. “He let you eat occasionally? Didn’t beat you quite as badly as he was meant to? You must tell me more so I have new fodder for a grand song about your brave and valiant acts, Sir Knight.”
    David stood.
    â€œHe killed another man to save my life,” I said, looking at Allan. “And I won’t let you mock him for that.”
    Allan sighed, lying down in the grass. “Fine. I’m toopretty for all this serious business.”
    â€œI can make you a little uglier, if you wish,” David said.
    Allan lifted his head. “So you agree—I’m pretty,” he said, smiling.
    â€œChrist,” David muttered, putting his head in his hands.

    It took a while for the guard to return with a letter in his hand. I opened it.
    My lady M—
    This guard will take you to my private hunting lodge outside the city. You will not be safe within the walls. I will join you as soon as I’m able.
    â€”W
    I handed it to David as the guard tapped two others and came back over to us. He bowed. “We are fetching horses, my lady. My lord instructed us to take you to his lodge. Forgive our earlier mistake.”
    â€œHasten your efforts so the lady might forget the slight,” David snapped. I frowned at him, and David gave me a tiny hint of a smile.
    The horses appeared in short order, and we mountedours as the guards readied themselves. They led us down the road and into the forest near the walled city, to a guarded but modest manor house.
    We’d bare set foot within the manor wall when the doors opened again and Winchester appeared, the same tall, handsome young lord I remembered. He saw me and stopped, drawing a deep breath.
    Shaking his head, he came to me and bowed. “My lady Princess,” he said quiet. He kissed my good hand. “I never thought to see you alive again.”
    I squeezed his hand on mine. “It’s good to see you, Winchester. My lord, this is Sir David, and you may remember Allan a Dale.”
    Winchester nodded to both of them. “Welcome. Forgive the location, but we are currently entertaining Prince John’s knights in the castle, and I assumed by your subterfuge regarding your name that you did not wish to be known. You must come inside, rest, and tell me how it is you came to be here.”
    â€œYes,” I told him. “But first, I want you to know that I asked Eleanor to meet me here. There is important information she needs to hear—not the least of which is that I’m still alive.”
    His eyebrows lifted. “Eleanor? And her ladies?”
    I frowned. “Yes.”
    He near smiled. “Oh. That’s excellent. Fine. Of course, I would love to receive the queen. I’ll make sure she isdiverted here so the city is not aware of her presence.” He dropped his head in a bow. “Come. Let’s go inside. I’m sure you and