When they had gone a short ways, Reggie pinned her with a look. "What was that about, miss? You didn't get in any trouble back there, did you?"

Lianna rested her hand on her chest. "No, we left just in time. I just needed some information from those travelers."

"So that's why I suddenly got the honorary title of 'father.' I could have asked around for you. So, please ask me next time before doing something so risky. I know I only got a glimpse of them, but those men didn't look like the savory type."

Lianna nodded but couldn't make any promises. "I know, but it was necessary."

"Well, did you get it at least?"

"What?" He let the matter of her behavior drop so quickly that she wasn't sure what he meant for a moment.

"The information. Did you manage to get it?" Reggie kept his eyes on the bumpy road as they left the town and headed back towards the manor.

"I think so--one piece at least." She wasn't exactly sure what to do with the information she got, but she had a plan to find out. She was hesitant to go looking for that information, but she didn't truly have a choice.

"Well, I suppose it wasn't all for nothing then." They rode in silence for a ways, and eventually the trees and the manor's patchwork roof came into view.

"Um, Reggie?" Out here by themselves, Lianna thought the slight as well pose a question and see what Reggie might have to say on it.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Yes, miss?"

"Well, say you had an enemy who was very strong, impossibly strong, and you still had to oppose them, what would you do?" Lianna saw Reggie stiffen next to her out of the corner of her eye, but then he relaxed again.

"Hmm, if I had to go up against someone that outmatched me...this isn't in a duel right?"

"No, anything goes and everything is on the line." Lianna had to keep her voice from breaking and betraying her anxiety, cutting off her explanation before that could happen.

"Ah, well, in that case, I'd find someone equally as strong and possibly someone who was already opposed to them. You know the saying, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend'? Well, at least a temporary ally anyway. I don't think friendship comes into it."

Lianna felt her heartbeat pick up speed. The beginnings of an idea was starting to form. She took a slow breath to steady herself. "But what if they won't work with you? What if they don't know you or have any reason to trust you?"

Reggie gave a dry laugh. "Trust is for friends. Remember I said allies. Well, allies have something to gain from one another in lue of trust. I would find out what they needed. Hopefully it would be something I could provide, and then we could strike a deal."

"You sound like you've done something of the sort before." Lianna gave Reggie a side glance.

"Well, I did have my wild days in my youth and my own share of conflict before I became a guard for the count." He sighed as he seemed to be recollecting events from his younger years. "But it seems to me that your questions are a bit pointed, miss. Any reason?"

Sorry, Reggie. I can't tell you those reasons. Even if you believed me, it would only put you in danger. Lianna shook her head. "Not particularly. Just something those men said made me wonder."

Thankfully, that seemed to settle the matter, and it wasn't long before they pulled back up to the manor. Benjamin was there to unload the flour, and Reggie began tending to the horses and the cart, so Lianna left them to it. Once inside, Lianna looked out on the back court yard from her window.

Aaron was there with Harrace, a wooden practice sword in his hands. Under Harrace's instruction, the boy took several swings at a post wrapped with tightly bound straw. As she watched him practice, she thought she saw a desperation to his swings, to the way he pushed himself more than a kid really needed to. Her hand that pressed against the window pane slowly drew into a fist.

I need to try harder. I can't run away from this any more than he can, but at least I'm of an age to try. And how can I protect Aaron when I can't even protect myself? To do that, she'd have to revisit the curse she'd received in addition to her gift all those years ago.