‘It is a matter of the utmost secrecy, your Majesty,’ said Sir Hugo.
Perplexed, the king followed Sir Hugo and Prospero to the infirmary of the abbey of Ermengard.
Sir Hugo’s niece, Lady Lucy of the princess’s royal guard, was in the infirmary with the injured patient, Sir Liam.
‘I am charged with bearing a message to your Majesty from your daughter, Princess Beatrice. Her Highness the princess sends her apologies for her delayed return to the capital,’ said Lady Lucy.
King Theobald sank heavily into a nearby chair.
‘Explain, please,’ said the king.
When Princess Beatrice and her knights had arrived at the wood, she sent the knights on to warn Sir Gustav at the fort and to seek reinforcements, assuring them that she and Lady Lucy would remain to hold their ground so that the winged b
