The Good Knight (A Gareth and Gwen Medieval Mystery)

twinkled and a smile hovered around his lips. “So that’s it. Cadwaladr has mortgaged all of Ceredigion on this venture. We’ll have to make it so he can’t pay.”
    Gareth took in a deep breath, glad that Hywel saw the presence of the Danes as positive news. He couldn’t agree. “If we show Cadwaladr our numbers, which he may have already guessed, he’ll know that King Owain hasn’t sent an army just yet. Nor had the time to put one together on the off chance Cadwaladr came to Aberffraw.”
    “Let him know we want to see Gwen and we just want her back,” Rhun said.
    “She’s a bargaining chip,” Hywel said. “He’ll use her as a hostage to gain safe passage to the boats on the beach.”
    “Are you going to allow that?” Gareth said.
    “I want Gwen back too,” Hywel said. “If we let Cadwaladr go now, we can deal with him later on our terms. Or my father can. Ceredigion is not so far from Gwynedd that we can’t pen him in there. And if Cadell learns of his treachery, that he was behind Anarawd’s murder, Cadwaladr will have nowhere to turn.”
    “Unless Cadell conspired with Cadwaladr,” Gareth said.
    Rhun’s eyes widened at the idea, but Hywel laughed. “With the plot discovered, do you think Cadell would admit to it? No, he’ll stand with my father in that event.”
    While Gareth and Rhun watched from the trees, the remaining five men mounted their horses and urged them to a spot fifty paces from the front gate. That they were on horseback would give them an opportunity to flee if Cadwaladr ordered his men to shoot. For all Cadwaladr’s perfidy so far, Hywel assumed it wouldn’t come to that.
    After some shouting and a short wait, Cadwaladr appeared above the gatehouse, resting an arm along the top of the wall. “Hello, nephew. You asked to speak to me on some matter?”
    Gareth had no trouble hearing the exchange, even from a distance.
    “I would like you to return Gwen ferch Meilyr to me,” Hywel said.
    “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Cadwaladr said.
    “And why is that?”
    “I took her from Aber to keep her safe from the man who murdered Anarawd.” Cadwaladr said. “When Gareth hangs, I will release her.”
    Gareth’s mouth twisted at Cadwaladr’s confidence and the smile that accompanied his words sent chills down Gareth’s spine. “Did I hear that right?” Gareth asked Rhun. “He actually said that he took Gwen to protect her?”
    “It’s a reason that could be believed, if we didn’t know more than he thinks we do,” Rhun said.
    Hywel was unmoved. “I can’t leave—I will not—until I have Gwen beside me.”
    “I’m afraid I can’t give her up to you,” Cadwaladr said. “It’s too dangerous for her.”
    “Let me be the judge of that,” Hywel said.
    Cadwaladr gave an exaggerated sigh. “The perils of youth. So tragic… .”
    “Uncle—” Hywel said, his tone a warning.
    Cadwaladr straightened. “Are these all of your men?” He gestured casually with one hand. “You brought so few.”
    “Not all,” Hywel said. “What of the Aberffraw garrison?”
    At Hywel’s words, Gareth’s eyes snapped to the top of the wall. Hywel had noticed what he had not—that everyone along the top of the wall belonged to Cadwaladr in some fashion, rather than men who’d sworn allegiance to King Owain.
    Cadwaladr shrugged. “No harm has come to them. Has my brother hanged the traitor yet?”
    “Not yet.” Hywel canted his head to one side, as if curious, and tried again. “Give Gwen back to me, Uncle. She doesn’t need to stay here to be safe. I can protect her.”
    “I don’t agree,” Cadwaladr said.
    “Why do you care for her so?”
    “Ah.” Cadwaladr smiled. “It is not I who cares for her, but you.”
    “So you didn’t take her to protect her from Gareth, but to hurt me?” Hywel said. “How can that be?”
    Silence . Gareth nodded, recognizing that Cadwaladr had said something he shouldn’t have and was now uncertain as to how to continue. Hywel studied his uncle, letting him think for another few heartbeats, but it was Rhun who spoke next. He walked his horse forward, out from under the trees. Cadwaladr’s eyes widened at the sight of him. He had to know that Rhun’s presence was not a good sign for him.
    “My father knows now that you ordered the death of King Anarawd,” Rhun said, showing an aptitude for bluffing for which Gareth wouldn’t have given him credit. “That you refuse to give up Gwen only deepens your predicament,