Daughter Of The Wind --Western Wind
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They returned to the inn where Trace collected all the belongings he had brought with him. All of it belonged to the regular army. They went downstairs and left a message with the innkeeper that if Johann returned, he was to meet them at the Guard HQ. They got their horses from the inn stable and returned the small bay gelding to the army stables, Bella left the hackamore there as well. She did not put a lead on Angel but allowed him to trail beside her as they made their way to supply.
They stood forever, waiting for somebody to help them. After being ignored quite long enough Trace spoke sharply to a soldier sitting behind the desk. “We need some help here, Corporal.”
“Sorry Sergeant,” came the smug reply. “Supply Sergeant has to issue gear, he just stepped out.”
“Perhaps you’d care to explain to Captain Torel why it wasn’t possible for his two new Guards to report on time because the only man who can issue anything seems to be permanently out of the office.”
Like magic, not only one, but two sergeants appeared from behind stacks of gear. The corporal sprang to his feet and brought them all the necessary forms, accepted Trace’s old gear without even inspecting it and in no time they had their uniforms, mail, and weapons, and were out the door.
“I could get used to this,” Trace told her with a smile. They headed for the Guard stables. All the Guard buildings were within the palisade, inside the second gate.
On their way from supply, they paused at the inn long enough to check if Johann had come in. The innkeeper informed them he had, so they hurried to the stables. Stefan issued Trace a handsome buckskin gelding. Bella carefully wrote down instructions regarding Angel and posted them on his stall.
Then they were off to the Headquarters of the King’s Guard.
Captain Torel was waiting for them, talking with Johann in the back room. His soldiers seemed much more at ease with him than the Regular Army personnel. The respect was still there, but the fear was lacking.
When Trace and Bella walked through the door, the desk sergeant stood at attention and announced them, “Sir, Sergeant and Corporal Gunter at the desk, sir.”
“Send them back, Sergeant,” came the crisp reply.
They walked back through a dark hallway and entered a windowless room. “What kind of trouble have you two been getting into?” Johann asked. “Torel has been quizzing me about your weapons’ instructor since I got here.” With a smile he added, “The good Captain doesn’t seem to believe I’ve never met the person in question. Shame on you Bella, how can you call him a dog when you know he’s so much more.”
“So, you’re trying to tell me he really is a dog?” Torel asked.
Bella laughed.
“Canine anyway,” Johann replied.
That stumped Torel, “I can’t quite decide if you’re all pulling one big joke on me, or if you're feeding me scraps of truth, hidden in a joke. I know your hints and innuendoes are making me crazy. As your Commanding Officer I could order you to tell me, but at this point I wouldn’t know the truth if you beat me over the head with it.”
He considered all of them carefully before continuing. He reached a conclusion in his own mind and Bella saw the lines of concern ease as he accepted the fact he may never know the whole story.
“Anyway, the reason I wanted Johann here, was because I had rather hoped that he knew your instructor well enough to shield a room against eavesdropping, while including whatever link you have to him. It is important we have privacy to discuss your mission.”
“Is that all?” Johann asked. “That I can do.” He looked at Bella and told her, “When I nod at you, concentrate on contacting Conall. Imagine the link as a solid line, a rope if you will.” He closed his eyes in concentration, when he nodded his head, she did as he instructed. Her connection to Conall became intense; he seemed as startled as she was. She tried to communicate what was going on. The flood of sensation from him was too vivid to communicate with words, but she knew he understood as well as she did. In her mind a dark haired man appeared, she had the vague impression of familiarity, just before she collapsed on the floor.
Chapter 29