William placed Raven on her feet and sprang forward, sword drawn.
“Stop!” he commanded, striding in between the Umbrian captain and Stefan.
William swiftly surveyed the situation, noting that the captain was accompanied by ten soldiers, seven male and three female. He noted with satisfaction that one of his own soldiers held Cara some distance away, while two others flanked them for protection.
“Your highness.” The captain inclined his head respectfully.
The Prince returned his nod. “Your name, soldier.”
“Julius, highness. We’ve met before. I’m captain of the princess’s guard.”
“Yes, we’ve met before.” The Prince forced a small smile. “I see you’ve come across my detachment. I can verify that they’re on official Florentine business, tasked to deliver two human females to the Curia in Rome.”
The captain’s expression grew troubled. “We have no desire for conflict with the Curia. But with respect, your highness, we cannot allow you to pass.”
“Your princess is a friend to me and I to her.” The Prince’s tone was firm.
The Umbrian shifted his feet. “Yes, highness. For that reason, I would prefer not to engage you. But we cannot allow you to pass through our territory without the princess’s approval.”
William scowled. “I sent couriers a day ago.”
“As I said to one of your citizens, I know of no such couriers.” The captain’s eyes moved to the soldiers who were closing ranks behind their Prince. If they felt surprise at the sight of him, they chose to hide it.
“There are hunters about. We just battled twenty not far from here.”
“And ferals,” Borek added.
“We shouldn’t tarry, then.” The Umbrian captain lifted his sword.
The Prince measured him. Then his eyes met Raven’s.
The Prince sheathed his sword. “Very well. Take us to your princess. She and I will discuss the matter. We will come peaceably, provided there is no provocation.”
“No provocation from me or my guards, highness.” The captain whistled to his soldiers, and they moved to surround the Florentines.
The Prince locked eyes with Stefan, who’d been cowering behind another soldier. “Hand me the missive.”
The physician fumbled in his pocket and held out the letter with trembling hands.
The soldier in front of him passed it to the Prince.
“You shall be dealt with, traitor,” the Prince hissed.
William turned his back on the physician and crossed over to Raven, while the Umbrians stood aside to let him pass. He picked her up and nodded to the captain.#p#分页标题#e#
“Proceed.”
With another whistle, the Umbrians marched down the hill, heading north toward Perugia.
Chapter Eleven
“WHY DIDN’T YOU FIGHT?” Raven whispered in William’s ear.
“The princess is an important ally. And the night has too many eyes.” He gave her a significant look.
Raven bristled at his description of the princess, for it reminded her of William’s description of Aoibhe.
“What about Cara?”
“She sleeps. When we arrive in Perugia, I will attend to her.”
“What’s in Perugia?”
“The princess.” William kissed her lightly, never slackening his pace. “Rest. You have a bruised face and an injured arm. Simonetta will be curious about you, which means we need to be alert. It will be best if we feign indifference to one another.”
“You may as well ask the sun not to shine.”
William smiled and took her lips once again.
She closed her eyes, a feeling of disquiet growing within her.
“We have arrived.” William’s low voice broke through Raven’s slumber.
The underworld of Umbria was, in appearance, very similar to the underworld of Florence. It consisted of a network of hidden passages lit by torches and large, cavernous rooms hewn out of stone.
The Florentines were escorted into what looked like a council chamber, dominated as it was by a gold throne that sat elevated at the far end of the room.
Without explanation, William placed Raven on her feet near the door and stepped forward until he stood squarely in front of the throne.
He adjusted the sleeves of his black dress shirt, the gold of his cufflinks shining in the torchlight.
As if on cue, the captain of the guard withdrew through a side door.
Suddenly, and without warning, a woman’s scream filled the space.
Raven turned and saw her sister scratching and pummeling the soldier who held her.
The soldier cursed, but he would not strike her. Instead, he dropped her.
Cara fell roughly to the floor and kicked at his feet, cursing loudly in English. “You bastard! Don’t touch me!”