Page 57 of May Queen: May Day

“Your uncle spent time with Druids?”

“He didn’t want anyone to know. It’s been kept a secret all these years, but I threatened to tell everyone if he didn’t go along with my plan.”

“This is absurd!” shouted Ricard.

“What’s absurd?” came a voice from the door.

Ricard groaned inwardly when he saw Nash standing there. He didn’t want his squire or anyone to know about this. Not yet. He had to figure out what to do first.

“Nash, Mug was in here trying to steal from Lady Flora,” said Ricard. “He ran off. Tell the guards to find him and throw him in the dungeon.”

“We’re here, my lord,” said one of his guards from the corridor.

“We heard you shouting for us and got here as soon as we could,” said the second one.

“Find that traveler, Mug, and throw him in the dungeon,” said Ricard. “He’ll be executed as soon as we catch him.”

“Executed? Just for stealing?” asked Nash. “That sounds like a harsh punishment. Was there something else he did to anger you?”

“He’s a bloody Druid!” Ricard ground out. Just saying the word aloud made him feel like he wanted to kill someone. He headed to the door. “I want one guard to stay outside Lady Flora’s door all night,” he commanded.

“You mean, until it’s time for the wedding celebration, right?” asked Nash.

“Nay,” said Ricard. “There will be no celebration, and Lady Flora is not to leave her chamber until I return.”

“My lord?” asked one of the guards in question. “Are you going somewhere?”

“I am,” he told them. “I’m heading out to look for Mug as well as the rest of the Druids. And when I find them, they will all be executed on the spot.”