She walked to the front of the horse, stroking the mare’s face as she looked up at the sky. There was still no sign of Margery. ‘I need to get word to my family about everything that has happened. I know Hodge appears to adore my mother and brother, but I worry he will use them as pawns against me.’

He glanced in her direction. ‘I think that’s a valid fear. Do they have somewhere safe they can go? At least until the dust settles?’

‘My uncle has a small farm a few hours east of Hampstead Keep. The best part is I do not think His Lordship knows anything of it.’

Blackmane paused what he was doing. ‘Good. You should go there too. Be with your family.’

She stared back at him. ‘Except that I wish to remain here in Carmarthenshire. I want to help free the people in the camp.’

He prepared to mount. ‘There’s going to be fighting. You want to stay for that?’

‘I do not want to, but I will.’

He looked straight at her as he landed in the saddle. ‘You can’t fight.’

‘I do not need to fight to be of use.’

He pinched the bridge of his nose and drew a breath. ‘Have you forgotten what it was like when we were attacked the other day? How helpless you were? You had to hide under a horse because you had no way of defending yourself.’

His words stung. She was beginning to tire of people pointing out how useless she was. ‘I know I must seem pathetic in the eyes of a defender.’

‘Don’t put words in my mouth.’

‘Unless I have the ability to kill five men with one swoosh of my sword, then hide and stay out of everyone’s way, is that it?’

‘One swoosh?’

She took a step towards him, pointing in the direction of the camp. ‘I promised Yvaine I would come back for her, that she would walk free. I intend to keep that promise.’

‘The camp’s the other way.’

She immediately dropped her hand to her side, heat filling her cheeks. Neither of them spoke for a moment.

‘We want the same thing,’ he said, breaking the silence. ‘Everyone wants to see those people free, but not everyone can help. I know you don’t want to hear this—’