“I’ve pushed it aside for now.”

“I wouldn’t leave it sitting there for long,” Devin said.

“Now’s not the time for me to worry about it. We’ve got a mission to accomplish.”

Devin nodded. “Let’s get this done.”

They got as close to the edge of the woods as they could without being heard to look over Lord Sterling’s campsite. It was quiet, snores coming from the sleeping warriors.

Slatter continued to glance around the area. Not a soul stirred and not a sound came from the pen that was cloaked in a heavy darkness.

Devin tapped Slatter’s arm and shook his head.

Slatter nodded, and they both retreated back into the woods.

“Something’s not right,” Devin said.

“I felt the same unease,” Slatter agreed.

“A trap,” both men whispered.

Slatter felt along the ground with his foot for a small rock. He picked it up and gave it a toss toward the pen, but not to land in it. Several warriors bolted forward, their swords raised, ready to do more than simply capture him.

Devin pointed to a spot in the camp to silently let Slatter know he was going to explore the area.

Slatter nodded and pointed to another area, then pointed to the spot where they stood for them to meet back here. He shook his finger, a sign that meant that neither were to take too long.

With silent steps Slatter made his way along the periphery of the camp. Nothing stirred, not a sound but the crackle of the two campfires. A camp was never that silent at night. There were always warriors who couldn’t sleep, or nightmares that had men moaning. Sentinels could be heard walking the perimeter of the camp and exchanging words with other guards. Never, ever was a camp this still.

Sterling expected him. He knew Slatter would try and rescue at least Maddie and Kevin. It was why he had beat them both, to anger Slatter enough to make the effort and get caught in this trap. But why would he think Slatter would care about Maddie and Kevin.

Because while people couldn’t see any difference between Slatter and Sterling, there was a difference. Slatter cared about those who suffered, Sterling didn’t.

Slatter knew it was time to get out of there and he hurried back to find Devin waiting for him and when he saw how anxious he appeared, he grew concerned.

They retreated further into the woods before speaking and kept their voices to a whisper.

“Did you see anything of Sterling?” Devin asked.

Slatter shook his head and his eyes shot wide. “Willow.”

Willow rushed on her garments, debating what to do. Did she follow her husband? She shook her head. That would be foolish. She didn’t know how long he’d been gone, where he was, or if he had already completed the task. Her only choice was to wait for his return.

She looked to the fire and saw that it had died down considerably which meant her husband had been gone for some time and she had slept for several hours. As she added more logs to the fire to chase the chill that consumed her, more so from worry than anything else, she assumed he should be home soon. He’d want to make it back before sunrise so no one would know he’d been gone. How he intended to explain it to her, she had no idea. Though knowing her husband, he would plead that it was for her safety that he had lied or perhaps he had changed his mind.