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“I know you not,” the captain said. “I am Sir Jasper. Who are you?”

John reached down inside his shirt and pulled forth the chain about his neck. He donned the ring slowly, letting the emerald catch fire in the sun. “I am John, Baron Russell, and by contract with your late liege lord, I am betrothed to Lady Elizabeth.”

The captain’s eyes widened. “My lord, why did you not show yourself to us?”

“Doubts about my abilities and my claims have been spoken here among Alderley’s soldiers.” John turned slowly in a circle, meeting as many eyes as he could. “I wanted it understood that I am capable of standing at your side, defending Alderley, defending your lady. We cannot allow Bannaster, who banished you from your own home, to succeed. When I need you, will you be at my call?”

One by one, the soldiers and knights rose to their feet, their expressions ranging from determination to exultation.

Sir Jasper nodded to him. “We gladly offer you our support, my lord. We will march with you now, if you need us.”

John finally smiled, looking at all the exhausted men who puffed out their chests and reached for their swords. “Now is not the time, Sir Jasper, but you have my gratitude.”

A low murmur of voices began behind John, and he could see the wary expressions of the soldiers in front of him. He turned around to see four strangers emerging from the trees.

Philip came to his side, his expression intent. “More guests?”

John recognized the stranger who had not denied his connection to the League of the Blade. Though the three other men with him were not dressed alike in livery, they all moved with a unison and professionalism that marked them as trained by the same master.

Sir Jasper said, “Lord Russell, shall we disarm them?”

John shook his head. “I recognize one man. Wait until you have my orders.”

Together, John and Philip walked across the meadow to meet the four strangers. The man they’d met before they arrived at Alderley now bowed courteously to John. In his face glowed the wisdom and experience that made his age so hard to determine. The other three men with him wore expressions of interest, but it was plain who led them.

“Lord Russell, it is good that we meet,” the stranger said.

John nodded. “I think you and I have been in close proximity recently.”

Philip grinned. “You do enjoy making an entrance. You’ll have to tell me how you snuck into the castle, released us from the dungeon, and removed that pesky soldier all in a night.”

The man merely smiled and shrugged.

“You did release us from the dungeon,” Philip said.

“Since you deserved to be released, I am glad that it was done,” the stranger said.

“Not exactly an answer,” John said. “But since I ‘deserved’ to be released, have I earned your approval?”

“You have been a source of strength for Lady Elizabeth Hutton. So far you have been able to aid her without allowing her people to be harmed.” He glanced at Alderley’s soldiers behind John. “Your next move is of interest to me.”

“Then perhaps you would help train Lady Elizabeth’s soldiers? Philip tells me that the legends claim your knowledge of stealth is impressive. They will need everything you can teach them, if we are to invade the castle with little death and destruction.”

The stranger glanced at his three men. Though no one spoke, it was as if they could read each other’s expressions.

“Very well,” the stranger said at last. “Our aid will be a tool to use as you deem fit. It will be up to you to choose your course wisely. You may have the use of my men for a sennight, no more.”

“Then that will have to be enough,” John said. “I think matters will come to a head before that. You have my gratitude. Allow me to introduce you to Sir Jasper, the captain of the guard. You will be working with him, for I am needed urgently elsewhere.”

* * *

The day passed with excruciating slowness as Elizabeth tried to pretend that everything would work out. She avoided the great hall, because Bannaster was too happy with himself, as if the king’s decision was a foregone conclusion.

And she was avoiding her own people, who looked on her with pity. Maybe they were disappointed to think that her betrothed had been there, but had proven unable to overcome Bannaster.

She found herself hoping for a clandestine message from John, but received none.

That night, she retired alone to his bedchamber. It had been stripped bare of his few belongings by soldiers searching on Bannaster’s orders. Yet it gave her comfort to be in John’s bed, to imagine his scent lingering on the cushions.