Page 87 of Highland Flame

“No’ if we dinna get caught. If Red and Violet do their jobs, we willna have to worry about it. Now find a candle and light it so we can see what the hell we’re lookin’ at.”

“Where am I supposed to find a candle?” asked North, feeling around in the dark.

“We’re in a candle shop, ye fool. It shouldna be that hard.”

“Ah, here’s one,” said North, lighting a candle, giving them enough light to see things in the room. “There’s no’ a lot in here.”

“Well, remember, Yvaine took a good amount of her things to the priory, and it is all still in the back of the wagon at the castle.”

“What are we lookin’ for?” asked North, shuffling things around.

“I’m no’ exactly sure. Just look for anythin’ that might seem out of place.”

After looking around for a while, Cam was starting to think this was a dead end. He was about to suggest they leave when he saw the shadow of someone outside the door.

“Damn, someone’s comin’. Blow out the candle and hide. Quick!” Cam hid behind the front door. North blew out the candle and hid behind a trunk.

Cam heard the bells above the door jangle as someone entered. He figured it might be Bart. He picked up a board used in candle making, ready to bring it down over his head. He stepped out to do so, but stopped when he smelled the scent of roses, just like the rose soap Yvaine made and used.

“Yvaine?” he asked, hearing her scream. “North, hurry, light the candle.”

Yvaine screamed again and hit him with her fists. He dropped the board and grabbed her, holding her tightly against him. “It’s me, love. Cam. Dinna be afraid.”

“Cam?” she asked, as North lit a candle and they could see each other’s faces at last. “What are ye doin’ here?”

“Me?” he growled. “I thought I told ye to stay at the castle and watch Avianca.”

“Davita is watchin’ her. Besides, did ye really think I would stay there and do nothin’ as my brathair is about to be condemned to death for somethin’ I did?”

“All right,” said Cam, letting out a sigh. “Since ye’re here, mayhap ye can help us.”

“How?” she asked.

“Show me where Dun fell. When he died.”

“That’s why I came back,” she told him. “I wanted to see it again, too. It was right over here. I didna take anythin’ with me from this area, so nothin’ has been disturbed. I hit him with this candle holder, and he fell against that table.” She bent down and picked up the iron candle holder, handing it to Cam.

“Are ye sure ye hit him with this? I dinna see any blood on it,” said Cam, turning it over in his hand to inspect it.

“Aye, that’s the one,” she said, looking over his shoulder.

“Perhaps there’s another one and ye’re mistaken,” said North as he looked over the table. “Although, I see the wood splintered from where he hit the table when he fell.”

“Nay, I’m positive, that is the one I used,” she told him. “It is an odd one that doesna have a pair.”

“Hmm,” said Cam, handing it back to her. “And ye said his head was bleedin’?”

“Aye, there was a lot of blood. I mean, I think it was his head. I’m no’ sure. I was very upset. All I remember was that he was lyin’ in a big puddle of blood.”

“Did the undertaker bury him?” asked Cam. “I’d like to talk to him.”

“Aye,” said Yvaine. “He was buried right away the next mornin’.”

“What’s this?” asked North, bending down and prying something from under the leg of the table. The table had drawers in it, and went all the way to the ground. He picked up a knife and held it up in the firelight. It was covered in dried blood.

“That’s Dun’s personal knife!” Yvaine blinked and cocked her head to see it better. “He was very particular about it, and never let me or anyone touch it.”

“What did he use it for?” asked Cam.