Page 95 of Fortress of Snow

“Come and join us!” she called to him.

When he caught up with them, she said, “You don’t have to keep it a secret anymore that you are my guard, that Sir Berenger is paying you to protect me.”

Giles looked uncomfortable as he glanced at Sir Berenger, as if wondering if he had done something wrong.

“It’s all right. I told her.”

“Good,” Giles said, his shoulders relaxing. “I don’t like keeping secrets.”

After they arrived at the market, Sir Berenger gave her a brief kiss before going back to the knights’ barracks, leaving Mazy with Giles and the women who worked in her booths.

“I’ll try to see if I can find out any news of my situation.”

“Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I promise.”

Her heart rose at the look of love in his eyes. She watched him leave, leading his horse down the London street, and she felt as if her heart was going with him.

But now she had to tell Giles another secret.

“I did not tell Sir Berenger, since I didn’t want him to try to stop me, but I am also going to the palace to try to see the king.”

“Sir Berenger will not like that.” Giles, ever calm and serious, did not blink as he stared back at her.

“I know, but I must try to help him. He deserves to have someone on his side.”

She had to do something.

She left the two women in charge of the market booths and she and Giles made their way to the Palace of Westminster. Mazy was wearing her best dress. Though she was sure it was not as fine as the king was accustomed to seeing, at least she did not look terribly poor.

Giles was able to get her past the gatehouse, and then past the second set of guards, as he was well-known to them.

When they came to the entrance of the king’s private chambers, Giles whispered something to the two guards at the door.

“He’s in there,” one of the guards said, nodding to a door across the hallway.

Giles turned to Mazy. “You’ll have to make your appeal to the king’s chancellor first.”

Mazy’s heart leapt. “Will you go with me?”

Giles nodded. They started toward the door, which flew open before they could reach it.

A well-dressed man glanced at Mazy and Giles before striding toward the king’s apartments.

Mazy glanced at Giles, who nodded, indicating that the man was the chancellor.

“Sir, please forgive me,” Mazy said, hurrying after him, “but I need to speak to the king.”

The chancellor finally stopped and looked down his thin nose at her. He was quite tall and wore a shiny silk tunic of deep red.

“Who are you and what is your business with the king?” His voice was quiet and polite, but his eyes were sharp and intent on Mazy’s face.

“I am Mazelina, daughter of the Baron Wexcombe. I need to speak to the king, to tell him what I know of Sir Berenger of Dericott and Lady Bristow.”

“What do you know of them?”

“That is what I need to tell the king.”