Chapter 80: Blades Care Not Who They Cut

Baron FitzHalten glared at the men who stood on his hall floor. They'd dressed as peasants, but their bearing and the way their eyes assessed the hall betrayed them as military. Probably mercenaries. Who would be hiring mercenaries up here? FitzHalten knew he hadn't, couldn't afford to with the peasants not paying taxes. That snippet of a girl wouldn't, too weak. The villagers had neither the money nor the connections. 

"I have a man ready to take a message south." FitzHalten paced around the three men. "The King would be most interested in knowing a mercenary company is gathering in the north." The tightening of the mouth gave one away. "However, I may be able to come to some arrangement with your Captain." He pointed at the one who had given them away. "You will go inform your Captain that I am inviting him here to discuss business. These other two will remain as my guests." His guard pulled their bows when the three stiffened, but one chopped his hand.