Chapter Thirty-Nine - Rescue Mission

“She plans to do what?”

“You heard me the first time, Alexander of the Franks.”

They were riding a couple of nags along an overgrown path and, if the nettles had been any higher … No, he mustn’t exaggerate.

“Why do you always turn up at just the right time, and never with good news?”

Jocasta gave him the stare he remembered from years ago, maybe three of them now.

“I wouldn’t have sought you out to tell you Princess Eithne was getting married.”

Xander decided not to rise to it.

“Seriously, my thanks for coming all this way and on foot, too.”

“A cart was going my way, if you must know. But the last few leagues put a strain on my poor calves.”

“Take them to market, did you?” he quipped.

The look she sent him was decidedly sour.

“Don’t think being in the tower will save her from the barracks. Word is Clara didn’t even know. That was down to Ephron.”

“So, the wanderer returns?”

“Apparently,” she said. “Though there are some as have their doubts.”

“Jocasta, Jocasta. If I appea