Chapter Forty-Four - Xander

“Any more illuminating insights for me?”

Jocasta fetched him a clout which stung, as well as being embarrassing. He had assumed his reflexes were up there with the best.

“Keep your eyes on the road ahead,” she said. “Miscreants abound this time of night.”

“Will’s ugly mug’s enough to frighten anyone.”

“I heard that.”

He was riding in the back of the cart, weapons to hand, though everything was still and largely silent beneath a gibbous moon. The hay was making him sneeze every bit as Xander had hoped. So what, he was spiteful. Drago was sometimes in need of a comeuppance.

“Has anyone bothered Princess Eithne?”

“Will it ease your mind if I say it?”

Xander stared at his boots. Why was she being so difficult? If he didn’t know better he would think they were an unlikely trio who were each out to torment the other. A rare circle of mischief-making that would be, if his fellow mercenary would only play ball and taunt Jocasta.

Of course, then he would have to kill him, before Iain did. That