Yuragwyn: Yours

---Chapter 24

₰Traugott₰

They throw her towards me, and I catch her with one arm and hold her close. Her breathing is ragged, as though she is trying to hold back tears. No matter what happens, I cannot let Lord Cadfael and Lady Carys, Master Hulderic and Madame Rhiannon down. If I have to die in the Daughter's stead, so be it.

And then Calanthe is flung towards me as well. She falls onto me, heaving with thick tears. I bury my face in her hair and squeeze back my own tears. What would Enion do in this situation? How would Hiltraud protect them? I am unfit for this mission. I am too young, too unexperienced, too alone.

"So you are the greatly feared Traugott, right hand to Lord Cadfael himself? I am pleased to make an acquaintance with one so influential as yourself," Cyneric says, mockingly. "Tell me, Traugott. Which girl do you fancy most?"

My cheeks burn with anger at his low, suggestive query. He understands nothing of our situation. Kaitra pushes away from me and falls to the floor in a puddle of misery. Calanthe only quiets suddenly and holds very, very still.

Cyneric straightens and rubs his hands together. I watch his every move with heightened interest now that the girls are present. They shall be not harmed on my life. "Now, Traugott, which young lady is this 'Daughter of Yuragwyn'?"

∞Kaitra∞

It takes me a moment to remind myself to breathe. I dare not look at Traugott. He has every right to turn me in. It would be easier for him to rid himself of me and go free than to protect me. I'm really not worth it; I am the wrong person anyway. There is no way, no way, I could ever save Yuragwyn. Dying here, at least, I could appear to have given it a valiant attempt.

"I lied not when I told you I know nothing of this 'Daughter of Yuragwyn'." Traugott says evenly.

"Oh, truly?" the guard asks. "You'll be intrigued to know that we have taken over much of your dear little island. You got out just in time. Word is that you are traveling with this prophesied one."

"I know better than to tell commoners the truth. Their hopes must be raised in war, even falsely, if one wants to have an army with which to fight," Traugott answers. His voice is casual, full of importance.

The guard waves his answer away as false and turns to another subject, "Why was your stablewoman companion feeding our pegasuses hemlock?"

Traugott shrugs, "What reason would seem most logical to you? Why else would I be here except to try and sabotage behind your very walls?"

"Who is she? Who are they?" He points to Calanthe and me.

"Commoners I commissioned on the way. I knew they would be disposable if I lost them."

My face steels. He may be saying this for show, true, but could there be any truth in his intentions behind it? All this time, he and I have been business partners, trip mates. Does he care as little for my life as I feared? Was Briallen right all along?

The guard gestures to others behind us, and we are picked up and roughly taken out of the room. I cry out in pain as a guard wrenches my arm. My burns moan with the strain and stinging tears fill my eyes.

"Please, sir, she will not run. Don't pull her so roughly. She is injured," Calanthe begs.

The guard only laughs and pulls me down the tight stone staircase and into the basement. The walls are lined with what appear to be closets, and fear racks me. I hate tiny, dark places and being alone. There is no way they will put all of us or even two of us in one. I would rather huddle in a dank room with Traugott than be by myself. My mountain is always open, free. Fresh breeze flies in with the rising mist. It is beautiful there.