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Rheged started across the floor. “In that case, your cause is lost. Aisley already loves my horse.”

Brecc watched them walk out of the cottage and took a moment to collect himself. Rheged was intelligent enough to guide Aisley away from the royal party, even if he did not know why it needed to be done. He was giving Brecc the time he needed. But how was Brecc to inform the king of Wulfhere’s treachery without it leading to the entire family’s being condemned? Kendryek was the key. He had to be. The king would not disregard traitors, but neither did he forget those who were ardently loyal.

Voices approached. Brecc watched the door. It opened, and the king walked in. Instantly, those in the room stopped what they were about and bowed.

“Welcome back, Sire.” Using his crutch, Brecc hobbled toward him.

“Brecc.” The king eyed him critically. “You look terrible.”

He was correct, but that was not very comforting. “I have had better days.”

“So, I imagine.” King Alfred pointed to his leg. “What happened?”

“A Viking blade.”

The king grimaced. “Has it been properly attended to?”

It was the opening Brecc had hoped for. “It has. Fortunately for me, Ealdorman Kendryek’s daughter arrived at Athelney yesterday. She is a skilled healer, and she cared for the wound last evening.”

“Did she come with her brother?”

“No, Sire. She was alone.”

King Alfred appeared dumbfounded. “How is that even possible?”

“Through a series of miracles. And she was driven by a desperate need to relay vital information to you.”

“Well, where is she?”

“She is outside, waiting to be granted an audience with you.”

The king heaved a weary sigh. “I am excessively tired, Brecc. Indeed, my exhaustion has gone so far as to rob me of all curiosity. Sleep is to be my first order of business. I shall speak with her this evening.”

“Under normal circumstances, I would agree wholeheartedly,” Brecc said, knowing full well that by openly disagreeing with the monarch, he was treading on dangerous ground. “But I believe the news she brings is of such import, you will not wish to delay hearing it.”

King Alfred offered him a warning look. “Does this report directly impact my life and the lives of those I love?”

Given that King Alfred genuinely cared about his people, Brecc was able to answer without hesitation. “It does. And if you wish to be the judge of whether Aisley’s news can wait until after you rest, I can offer you an abbreviated version.”

“By all that is holy,” King Alfred grumbled. “You would think a king might have full control over his agenda.”

“Forgive me, Sire.”

“You are not walking away, I see.”

“No, Sire.”

“So you seek forgiveness but are not truly repentant for imposing your will upon mine.”

Brecc inclined his head. “So it would seem. Although I do fully understand your need for rest and shall make my delivery as brief as possible.”

King Alfred grunted and started toward the small chamber. The few people remaining in the cottage scattered.

“You have only until I reach my pallet,” he said.

Taking up his crutch, Brecc hobbled alongside him. “Aisley is cut of the same cloth as her father, Kendryek. She is fully loyal to the crown—to the extent that she was willing to risk her own life to save the king’s.”

“Her father was a good man.”