Ruth A. Casie (19 page)

“
Wesley?
”

“
Now
,
Darla
,
you know I don’t believe in such nonsense.
We’ll be fine in the carriage.
Where’s Beth?
”

“
Here she comes.
Wesley
,
I
don’t have a good feeling about this journey.
Lisbeth
,
where’ve you been?
”

“
I
needed to speak to Ralf.
”
She turned to her father.
“
Perhaps Mother’s right.
We could leave in the morning.
”

“
Nonsense.
We need to get to London
,
or have you forgotten you’re going to court?
You wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to wear that beautiful new gown.
Now ladies
,
into the carriage.
”

The carriage took them deep in the forest.
She dozed with the coach’s rocking and woke when she heard the horses complain and the sound of rocks hitting the carriage.
Someone was trying to agitate the horses.
They whinnied and took off at a breakneck speed.

“
What’s happened?
”
Wesley attempted to call out the window but tree branches flashed by
,
some poking through the window.

Her mother grabbed her.
“
I
love you.
Hold tight now.
Nothing will happen to you and your father.
You’ll be
...”

Her mother’s words began to falter.

Tears ran down Lisbeth’s face as she remembered.
Concentrate.
Alex’s life may depend on this.
Absentmindedly, she picked up her mother’s brooch and rubbed the glistening gems. She was back in the carriage.

“
You’ll be all right.
I
should have told you.
Forgive me.
He must never know.
Do you hear me?
He must never know.
”

The carriage hit a bump and flew into the air and tumbled down the steep slope.
It landed and slid all the way down the gorge and finally came to a stop.

She didn’t know how long it took for the men to reach them.
Her mother’s eyes were open and cold but she still held on to her.
She could feel her father’s heartbeat through his light shirt.

“
The woman’s gone but the girl’s got a heartbeat.
”

Was someone speaking to her?

“
He’s still alive.
What do you want done with him?
”

Her face throbbed and felt swollen.
She didn’t have the strength to open her eyes but she pried them open as best she could.
She could barely see.
Some black figure stood close to her father.
He pulled up her father’s head and yanked it.
She felt more than heard his groan.
No
,
he whispered
“
traitor
”
with his last breath.
The man in the dark cloak reached out and closed her eyes.
Somewhere someone screamed.
She knew it was her.

“
Bring the girl.
”

“
I
don’t know if there’s anything to bring.
”

“
You were supposed to stop the carriage
,
not send it down the gorge.
”

Once again she struggled to open eyes so swollen that she looked through tiny slits.

The other figure turned.
“
You better hope there is.
I
didn’t pay you to kill the girl
,
only her parents.
”
His cloak flew open and revealed a knife tucked into his belt.
The handle encrusted with gems.
“
She’s my way to the Scottish throne.
Wait.
”

She felt the ground rumble.
Horses approached.

“
Someone’s coming.
Leave her.
”

Hands shook her. “M’lady, m’lady?”

Lisbeth eyes shot open. Alice stood over her.

“You cried out. I didn’t know what to think.”

“I’m sorry, Alice—I had a bad dream.”

Alice picked up her mother’s things that littered the bed. “Maybe you shouldn’t take these out, m’lady.” The maid started to gather them up.

“Leave them, Alice. I’ll put them away.”

Alice hesitated. She laid the items back on the bed, quietly crossed the room, and closed the door behind her.

Lisbeth sat up.
He.
All this time she thought her mother words were
the king
. Who did her mother caution her against? The shock of her new knowledge strengthened her resolve. The jeweled dagger flashed across her mind. It was the same one she’d seen in the vision of Laura’s wedding day. She squeezed her eyes shut. “Thank you, Mother.” She was close. The murderer’s voice rang clear in her head. She had a good idea of who he was, but why he killed her parents and how she was tied to the Scottish throne was a mystery to her. She would think on that later. Another sensation startled her. She didn’t know how she knew, but the dagger was close. Somehow this was tied to Alex.

Chapter Eighteen

“Jamie,” called Tom. “We captured six English. They were tracking Alex.”

Jamie and Alex sat in the main room of the hunting lodge. They looked up from a large parchment map on the table.

“Your brothers?” Jamie waved his hand at the six men accompanied by highland guards.

“Yes, I thought they would follow.” Alex left the table to welcome them.

“Alex.” Cameron came forward. “With the carnage we passed on the trail, we arrived at the conclusion you’ve made at least one friend here. We thought about going back but we knew we would upset Mother if we arrived without you.” He slapped Alex on the back and put his arm around him. At close look, there were heavy lines on his brother’s face and the laughter was gone from his voice. “What goes here? You gave us a fright. When we left, Mother and Father were in deep conversation with Edward.”

All his brothers now gathered around him. They stood behind him like an impenetrable wall. Just being with them gave him strength. “Jamie, these are my brothers Geoffrey, Bennett, Damian, Edwin, Fayne and Cameron.”

Alex waited while the Scotsman evaluated his brothers. He knew together the seven of them could be a bit intimidating. But nothing intimidated Jamie.

“You didn’t tell me you traveled with a private army.”

Alex gave Jamie a wide smile. “I hope they get to know you and your men as I do, but right now, Jamie, tell them what your man found.”

The brothers relaxed and found places to sit. Alex noted how easily they seemed to fit in with Jamie’s men. He also noted they didn’t let their guard down.

“Mitchell has detained the king’s protectors and their men in a dungeon in Ravencroft. He holds them prisoner and has them believing they’re being held and ransomed by us,” said Jamie. “He plans to liberate the men and organize them and their followers in a march on Scotland.”

“Does he think he can simply walk into Edinburgh and the Scots will hand over their throne?” asked one of the Stelton men.

“Without a king on our throne and the Scots in disarray, he does,” said Jamie.

“Does he know about the king’s involvement with Scotland?” Bennett spoke up.

“You mean about Edward arbitrating the selection of the next rightful king? I don’t think Mitchell cares. He has been planning this intrigue for some time.” Jamie rubbed his chin.

“He’s accused you of treason,” Cameron said to Alex, “while all along he’s the criminal.”

“How so?” asked Jamie.

“Mitchell’s interfering and undermining the king’s strategy in Scotland. That is treason,” stated Cameron.

“If we free his prisoners and bring them back to Glen Kirk, the king will attest he hasn’t been negotiating a ransom. We can expose Mitchell and his plan,” offered Alex.

“Alex, if Mitchell marches on Scotland with anything that resembles an army he will surely start a war. He may think he can saunter in and take our throne. No matter his secret weapon. That will never happen.” said Jamie.

“Secret weapon? Does he have a secret weapon?” asked Cameron.

“No. He thinks he needs Glen Kirk and Lisbeth to take the throne,” said Jamie.

“Jamie, tell me about Lisbeth, her sister, her parents. There must be something to give us some clue why Mitchell thinks he needs the castle and Lisbeth,” said Alex.

An early winter breeze blew outside but the men didn’t notice, until the glint of something in the tree caught Alex’s attention. He straightened up. “Jamie, tell me about the charms she puts about.”

“Lisbeth uses them to encourage peace and tranquility.”

“What about her visions?” asked Alex.

“Laura told me she’s had them ever since she can remember.”

“What does she do to bring them on?”

“Nothing. Laura told me they just happen. Lisbeth was born with a thin sheath of skin covering her face. She’s grown to be an exceptional healer, and she is plagued with visions.”

Alex felt like the wind was knocked out of him. “A caul. And she’ll bear kings.”

Everyone turned to him.

“Caul? I don’t understand,” said Cameron.

“According to the legend, caul bearers, people born with a shimmering veil over their face, are great healers and are gifted with foresight, a way of knowing the outcome of things before they happen.” He turned to Jamie. “Her visions.” He looked at the men. “And they bear kings. That’s why he needs her. He doesn’t want to be king. He wants to sire kings and manipulate the throne that way. He doesn’t need her. He needs her child.”

“She’s safe as long as she stays at Glen Kirk. He wouldn’t dare do anything with the king there,” said Edwin.

“I wouldn’t think he would do anything to the king’s protectors, but that didn’t stop him,” Alex stated. “We must free those men and get back to Glen Kirk. Only they can testify to Mitchell’s plot.”

“All we have to do is storm Ravencroft, a well-fortified holding, free the protectors, and bring them back to Glen Kirk. Any idea how we do that?” asked Damian.

“My man was there. He’ll take us.” Jamie pointed to Tom. “We can make our plan on the way.”

“Lead on,” said Alex as they headed for their horses.

* * *

Lisbeth’s silk skirt swished as she rushed down the empty hall. No one would miss her. The king kept everyone enthralled in the Great Hall. In Bryce’s room, she let her eyes adjust to the darkness and methodically searched, letting her intuition direct her. She approached the desk but knew there was nothing of interest there. Her hand trailed over the well-worn chest. She sensed it too was empty. She glided over to the bed. A single moonbeam illuminated the pillow. She turned away, but the glint of a jewel peeked out and caught her attention. She lifted the pillow and found a jewel-handled knife partially covered by the sheet, its blade etched in an intricate swirl pattern.

The doorknob turned. She froze. She dared not take time to uncover the knife. She dropped the pillow and raced behind the heavy curtain in front of the terrace door. She slipped out into the cold blustery night and closed the door behind her. She raced two doors down, pried the door open, and swept inside. She didn’t stop there. She picked up Lady Celeste’s shawl and escaped into the hallway.

“Well, well, Lisbeth. What are you doing here?”

Startled, she turned to see a shadowy figure in front of her, a glint of a jeweled dagger tucked in his belt. Fingers of fear crept up her spine.

He rubbed the fine wool shawl between his thumb and forefinger. “On a mission I see. I miss our little meetings in the garden. I hope you do too.” He let the shawl slip from his fingers and grabbed her. He pulled her close and assaulted her mouth in a brutal attack. She attempted to fight him off but he held her immobile.

He progressed from her mouth to her neck, laying kisses and tiny bites down its side. “You can fight all you like. No one will hear you here. Besides, I’ll win in the end. I’ll have you and your castle.”

She implored him with a whispered plea.

He chuckled and took her earlobe between his teeth, nipped it, then let go. “Ah, your warm breath encourages me. Come, my sweet—tell me more.”

She fought him with her whispers. With each breath she piled whispers in his ear, one on top of another, until it sounded like hundreds of angry bees.

Shock registered on his face. He pushed her away and shook his head while he swatted at the imagined insects.

Free, she took advantage of the distraction and hurried away. Her blood ran cold when his quiet epithet reached her ears.

“Witch. You know what they do to witches, don’t you?”

She didn’t hesitate; she kept on going.

* * *

Jamie’s man hunkered down. Alex waited for the man to make his way back to them.

“The entrance to Ravencroft is up ahead,” the man reported.

“The tunnel entrance is well hidden by undergrowth,” said Alex.

“What will we find when we enter the tunnel?” asked Jamie.

“The main tunnel goes on for about a mile, then branches into four smaller tunnels,” said Tom as he picked up a stick and drew the tunnel pattern in the soft dirt. “Three lead into the old area of Ravencroft, the library, Great Hall, and cellar. The cellar tunnel is the way to the old dungeons. That’s where the protectors are being kept. The last tunnel goes on toward the newer part of Ravencroft. We haven’t had time to explore that.”

“How do we know which tunnel is to the cellar?”

“It’s the only one with a guard. The problem will be getting close to him without being seen.”

“How are the guards positioned?”

“Two man guard the tunnel entrance and another two guard the tunnel to the cellar.” Tom drew Xs on the makeshift map, indicating where each guard stood. “There are two guards in the cellar who patrol the hall that leads to the dungeons.”

Jamie pounded Tom on the back. “Thank you, Tom.” He looked back at the map.

“Jamie, you and I can take care of the sentry at the main tunnel entrance. We’ll signal when it’s all clear,” said Alex.

“Cameron and I can remove the guards at the cellar tunnel,” said Fayne.

“I’ll post men at the entrance to each of the other tunnels. We don’t want any surprises,” said Jamie. He pointed to the men he wanted to for the job.

“We’ll go with Jamie’s men,” said Edwin. Bennett, Damian, and Geoffrey nodded their agreement.

“I’ll lead the way when we get into the cellar,” said Tom. “With some of my Scots brothers we should be able to take care of the two men guarding the dungeon. No one will suspect anything if they see me.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea. When you pass the tunnel entrance, Jamie and I will melt into your group,” said Alex rubbing his hands together.

Jamie got to his feet. “Once we enter the tunnel, no talking. Our voices will carry. And walk carefully. Make as little sound as possible. That too will be heard. Surprise is our best strategy here. Any questions?” He smeared the dirt map with his foot.

There was silence.

“Good.”

Alex and Jamie checked their gear.

“Alex, if only you could see that wide grin on your face. I don’t envy these men when you get finished with them.”

“I’ve waited a long time to solve this mystery. I’ve been chasing shadows for a year. I’m glad to finally bring this to a conclusion.

“Cameron, what are you doing?” asked Fayne.

Cameron hefted a large stone in his hand, dropped it, and picked up another. “These will do.”

“We need the element of surprise. I suspect they will see us if we openly attack them. I will be like David to their Goliath.” He tossed the large stone in the air. “It’s how Alex and I got coin while in the king’s army. He would bet on my ability to hit an object with a toss of a stone. I never missed.”

“We didn’t make our fortune but Cameron’s throwing arm did come in handy from time to time,” agreed Alex. “Good hunting,” he said to the men.

Alex and Jamie faded into the forest without a sound.

Two guards stood leaning against large boulders in front of bushes that masked the tunnel entrance. Jamie and Alex split up and worked their way behind the guards. When they were in position, Jamie crept up behind the guard in front of him, put his hand over the unsuspecting man’s mouth, and pulled him through the bushes.

“I hope this ends soon. I don’t want to spend another winter out here,” said the other guard and pushed off the boulder.

Alex made his move. He stepped out, grabbed the guard’s head and wrenched it. The man fell to the ground without making a sound.

Cameron and Fayne stood like silent sentinels waiting for the signal. The night was soon disturbed by three owl hoots. The signal given, they quietly advanced.

Cameron and Fayne led the team through the entrance. The way was lit with torches hung at intervals. They picked their way through the rock debris with care until they came to a bend. Tom tapped Cameron on the shoulder and indicated that cellar guard post was just beyond.

Alex watched from behind. He and Cameron had been on many campaigns together. Cameron knew what he was doing. Alex was eager to get to the protectors but for now all he could do was watch it all unfold from his vantage point.

Cameron and Fayne crouched and moved behind a large rock. They started to move again but Cameron, his head moving from side to side, quickly pulled Fayne back.

What is he looking at?
Alex was perplexed.

Cameron set four stones on the rock next to him. He peered at the guards for some minutes, then motioned something to Fayne.

Fayne moved back toward the men and crouched under the nearest torch. Cameron, rock in hand, took aim and let the rock fly. Before the rock hit its mark, Fayne dowsed the torch. Everyone heard the second rock hit, along with a loud groan.

When the torch was relit, Cameron and Fayne stood over the two guards who were now gagged and bound.

The Stelton brothers and some of Jamie’s men moved on toward their assigned positions. The rest went on toward the cellar. Tom and his handpicked men pounded on the door.

“Who’s there?” yelled a man on the other side.

“Tom. Let me in. I have news from Lord Ramon.”

The old lock scrapped and scratched but finally they heard the wooden bar move and the door was thrown wide open. Tom and the men walked through.

“I’ve brought some new recruits from Lord Ramon.”

“Well, it’s about time. We’ve been down in this hole for weeks.” The men turned, got their gear, and handed the keys to Tom. When they walked out the tunnel door Jamie’s men captured them.

Tom, Alex and Jamie walked across the cellar into the dungeon.

The protectors and their men peered out from their cell. “Alex! Alex Stelton. Has the ransom been paid? Has the king sent you?”

The prisoners got to their feet in the locked cell.

Tom handed the key to Jamie.

“What’s he doing here?” They pointed to Jamie. “He’s the reason we’re here.”

“No, not Jamie, nor any other Scots.” Alex stood to the side while Jamie undid the lock.

“Who then?” asked Hubert.

The door open, the men filed out. There was a buzz among them. “I told you Mitchell appeared daft.”

“Daft? That was not something anyone would associate with Bryce.” said Alex.