Perhaps the kidnappers had passed by Fairview in the dark of night, so as not to be caught with their captives.

But why had they taken the children captive at all? If for ransom, would they not have stopped here? The governor could send a fast horse to his warlord or straight to the court.

Ashyn slid absently from her tunic and breeches. Still in her silk shift, she checked the water. It was a little hot. The women had left a bucket of cool water, too, and she was pouring it in when a hand slapped over her mouth, another grabbing the bucket. She fought, but her attacker dropped the bucket silently into the water-filled tub, and his other hand went around her waist to hold her still.

Why wasn’t Tova attacking—?

“It’s me,” a voice whispered. “Ronan.”

As she relaxed, he released her slowly, as if still expecting her to struggle. She turned and, without thinking, she threw her arms around his neck and whispered, “I was worried about you.”

“No need to be.” She moved back and his gaze dropped. “But with a welcome like that, perhaps I ought to disappear more often.”

She blushed, snatched up her tunic, and tugged it on. He motioned for her to stay quiet.

“I’m sorry I startled you,” he whispered. “I was waiting until you were making noise pouring the water, so you wouldn’t cry out and alert the guards.”

“Guards?”

“There are two at every door. One at every window. I had to come through the roof.”

“Because of the bandits?”

“Those men aren’t bandits, Ashyn. They’re mercenaries. They didn’t just happen upon you in the Wastes. It was their mission to bring you here.”

“What—?”

He covered her mouth again. “Shhh. I don’t know exactly what’s going on. I only overheard enough to know that whoever they work for has this whole town terrified—the governor, the guards, and the villagers.”

She remembered the governor’s lowered gaze, the villagers fleeing before her, the closed shutters.

“An entire town?” she whispered. “How?”

“Again, I don’t know. But the children of Edgewood are here, too.”

This time he seemed to anticipate her exclamation, and covered her mouth.

“I don’t know how or why. Moria isn’t with them. That’s all I could tell. They’re being held captive. The whole town seems to be held captive. But I’m going to get you and Tova out.”

The door opened. Wenda walked in. She saw Ronan. Ashyn flew across the room before she could cry out.

“Yes, it’s Ronan,” she said. “He had to sneak in. Something’s wrong. The children are being held here.”

“How?” Wenda asked.

“I don’t know, but Moria isn’t with them.”

“Then he lies,” Wenda said, turning on Ronan. “The boy lies.”