Who to Trust?

Silver clapped his friend on the shoulder and gave a pale smile. "Nobody deserves her."

Ethyn exhaled the breath he had been holding. "I really thought you might kill me for a second."

"Don't get me wrong, I want to. But there is no point. She will eventually find someone and I can't go on a murder spree…probably." Silver's eyes flashed, sending a chill down Ethyn's spine.

The Guardian continued, "I know I was harsh, but it was the only way to be sure of your feelings. If you had backed off under pressure, I would have doubted your sincerity. While I hate the fact with every fiber of my being that your lips touched my sister, I could see the writing on the wall the first time I saw you two together."

"Really?" The knight was shocked.

Ethyn began to review all of the interactions that Silver had seen between himself and Rose. Many of them were of the two of them arguing. If the Guardian could see love in those moments, he must have very keen insight indeed.

"You both fought it tooth and nail. Picking fights instead of actually communicating. Of course I'm probably to blame for that. I had my hand in raising you both and I'm not the most open book." Silver rubbed the back of his head.

"So…you aren't mad?" Ethyn looked suddenly hopeful.

"Oh I am mad alright. My precious Haven should remain young and innocent forever. But since that is unrealistic, I am glad it is you she has chosen." Silver's eyes flashed. "But if you hurt her, they will never find your body…"

Ethyn unconsciously gulped. "I understand. Thankfully that will never be an issue."

"Well, ain't that sweet. If you ever get out of here, you can be legitimate brothers. The fairies say they will officiate the wedding if you like," the man next door offered, "but only if you name your children after them."

The knight's ears burned. He had barely gotten over the fact that the princess liked him. Marriage was a whole other level about which he did not dare to dream.

And children? Forget about it!

From his scowl, Silver seemed to be having the opposite reaction. Whereas Ethyn was on the border of elation at the thought, the Guardian wanted to stuff the words right back down the crazy man's throat.

He opened his mouth to give a scathing retort when his ears picked up a sudden sound.

He brought his finger to his lips as someone's footsteps rang off the stone floor of the dungeon.

Although they had had an audience of prisoners for their private chat, Silver saw no need to further broadcast their discussion to an unknown being. Especially if that being might report it back to Borit.

A sandy-haired man appeared in the unsteady light of the hall. He held a key in his hand, but Silver suspected it was not for his cell.

Sure enough, he moved to the bars across from them and pressed the key silently into the lock.

"Cole?" Ethyn called out to the soldier. The young man did not respond or turn around, but he did nod his head slightly in acknowledgement. "The last time I saw you, you were still resting up while your injuries healed. I didn't know you were back on duty already!"

The blond man did not answer the claim.

"I was sent to fetch you," Cole said gently to the sleeping prisoner.

The man in rags rose, rubbing at his eyes. Silver watched the exchange carefully. This soldier did not act like one of Borit's cronies.

"Why was he in the infirmary?" the Guardian asked Ethyn.

The knight pursed his lips. "Cole helped save the princess at the inn, she thought he was dead, but it turns out he was just badly injured." Ethyn looked at Cole's limp. His uniform looked extra rumpled from his awkward walk. "Looks like he could use longer in the infirmary."

"Do you trust him?" Silver spoke quickly. There was an urgency in his voice that startled Ethyn.

"Rose trusts him," Ethyn deferred. The fact that the man and he loved the same woman still irked him a little, but he wouldn't outright insult Cole when he had done nothing wrong.

The answer was enough for Silver. He pushed Ethyn aside and called out. "Cole, is it?"

"Can't talk to prisoners," the soldier sounded strained as he spoke. Clearly he felt torn by the development.

"Then don't talk, just listen, Cole, please!" Silver watched the prisoner in rags trip. The delay was long enough for the soldier to spare him a curious glance.

Silver continued, "You cannot tell the Commander any of this, but please tell the king—or if you cannot—even Captain Rabert that the force outside the castle is from Lakyle! Borit threatened the princess or I would have told the king myself."

Cole's brow furrowed as he helped up the prisoner. He pressed his lips together.

When he was not told to be silent, he continued, "Perhaps he or the Captain will believe you. Take this and show it to them. It is the translation of the document I gave His Majesty. He can check the code against the original." Silver thrust a collection of papers through the bars.

"Where did those come from?" Ethyn had not seen anything in the Guardian's hands at all since they arrived. They must have been hidden below his shirt, or …somewhere else. The appearance was so sudden, the knight couldn't help but voice his question.

"I got them when Borit asked for my cloak. I wasn't about to let him get a hold of all my hard work." Silver allowed a ghost of a smile. "Once in a while my old thieving days come in handy. I was sure you had seen me do the sleight of hand. I guess I still have it."

Cole still hadn't moved, racked with indecision. He looked between the silver-eyed man and the knight.

Silver waved the papers lightly. "Please, soldier, there isn't much time."

"Do it for the princess, Cole. We want to help her and the king." Ethyn played the only card that he thought might sway the young man.

Cole could get in deep trouble for aiding the prisoners in this manner—or killed if Borit found out—so the knight could not blame him for weighing the options.

The last words seemed to do the trick. Cole snapped up the papers in his hand, wincing at his own sudden motion. He really should still have been recovering.

"I will do my best," the sandy-haired soldier gave a short nod to the two prisoners before continuing on his way with the man in rags.

"Thank you, and hurry!" Silver could not stress the last part enough.

The Guardian watched him go. His last bit of hope of reaching the king went with the man he barely knew.

Would it be enough?

Silver doubted it. Even if the Rhodri believed him, the Commander had quite a bit of influence. He was able to manipulate even the Mighty Silver. It was likely--no-- it was a certainty that Borit was using his power to keep others quiet as well.

Rhodri would have no idea who he could trust. And that was a big problem.

With a sigh, Silver gripped the bars and pulled back and forth at them, testing their heft and strength.

"What are you doing?" Ethyn ducked as his friend's elbow nearly hit him in the face.

"What does it look like?" Silver clicked his tongue. "I'm planning our escape."