Tatum returned to his mare. ‘Because I’m his commander, and the respect runs deep.’

‘Or maybe I’m just waiting for you to get on your horse,’ Blackmane said.

The others laughed, then fell silent when Hodge approached on horseback.

‘Good morning,’ the earl called to the group. ‘Are we all ready for day one?’

Blackmane busied himself with the saddlebag once more, leaving the others to respond. His gaze drifted to Isabel, who was at the far end of the mounting yard with her mother and brother. Her hair was half up, her face scrubbed clean. She wore a simple green dress beneath a heavy cloak and riding boots. At least she was dressed sensibly for the journey. He watched as she hugged them farewell before walking over to her waiting horse.

‘Trahern has been my trusted guard for many years,’ Hodge was saying to Tatum. ‘He will protect Lady Isabel with his life.’

That got Blackmane’s attention. His eyes went to the seasoned guard Hodge was referring to, a greying man whose reaction time would likely leave a lot to be desired.

‘What about you?’ Tatum asked the earl. ‘Who will be riding at your side?’

Abrupt laughter erupted from Hodge. ‘I am quite capable with a weapon, defender. You do not need to fret about me. We also have a unit of twenty men.’

Numbers like that meant nothing without the necessary skills.

‘I’ll ride at your side, just to be safe,’ Tatum said.

‘As you wish. You can entertain me with heroic tales of your time in Carmarthenshire—before the return of the marcher lords.’

Blackmane really wanted to smack the fool off his horse.

‘Ready, my beloved?’ Hodge called to Isabel.

She looked in his direction. ‘Ready.’ But instead of joining him, she rode straight over to Trahern.

‘Come ride beside me,’ Hodge called to her, waiting.

She released a rather heavy breath before doing as she was told. ‘Good morning, defenders,’ she said as she passed them.

‘My lady,’ said Hadewaye, Alveye, and Tatum. Blackmane simply nodded.

Tatum signalled for everyone to move out, and they made their way to the outer wall.

The gate lowered before them, forming a bridge across the moat. Thick fog and frosted grass awaited them on the other side.

‘Want me to ride up front?’ Blackmane asked Tatum.

One corner of the commander’s mouth lifted. ‘Knock yourself out.’

Blackmane trotted off until he was at the front of the unit, needing to be as far away from Hodge and Isabel as possible so his mind was entirely on the job.

That tactic worked for the entirety of the morning. It was around noon when they reached a fork in the road and Blackmane heard arguing behind him. He turned his horse around and backtracked past the soldiers to see what was going on.

‘That is why I wanted to come. You know this,’ Isabel was saying, her horse stirring beneath her.

Hodge took hold of the horse’s bridle, attempting to still it. ‘Is it? Is that really the reason?’