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Maira’s eyes met with Morag’s and then Branton’s. She couldn’t let her cousin and Branton be punished because of her actions once again. Nay, she would do whatever she had to in order to protect them. And right now, there was only one thing she could do or say that would allow Branton and Morag to leave unharmed and unpunished.
“Of course not, High Sheriff,” she said, forcing a smile. “I was here only to see them off. It seems my cousin has become lonely for her family and so Branton is going to take her home to the Highlands.”
“I am?” asked Branton, earning a dirty look from her, willing him to go along with her plan.
“The Highlands?” asked Morag.
Maira shot Morag a look as well that warned her to be quiet. “Dear cousin, it is a long journey home, and I suggest you get going before you end up riding in the dark. That wouldn’t be safe.”
When the High Sheriff looked the other way, she motioned with her head, and mouthed the words that she would follow later.
“Well, make it a fast goodbye,” said Sir Gregory. “I want you at my side for the morning meal. I’m sure you must be hungry since you had no supper last night.”
“Famished,” said Maira with another smile and a nod. “I’ll be right there as soon as I see my cousin to the gate.”
“And take off that damn sword,” commanded the High Sheriff as he turned and headed to the great hall.
“Maira, get in the wagon, quickly so we can leave,” whispered Morag.
“Aye. I can drive this thing fast enough to get far away before they notice you are gone,” added Branton.
“Nay, I can’t leave now.” Maira looked back toward Sir Gregory and then leaned over and whispered to them. “Go as fast as you can back to Rothbury. Then send a missive to my father right away telling him I am a prisoner here and how awful the High Sheriff really is. If he hears it from you two, he might believe it.”
“We’re not going anywhere without you, Lady Maira,” objected Branton.
“Aye,” agreed Morag. “Besides, we have all yer clothes packed on the wagon.”
“I don’t need them. I won’t be here that long. I’m going to try to escape to the woods the first chance I get. I should follow you by only a day or two.”
“All right,” said Branton, directing the horse from the stable. “If you’re sure you don’t need me to stay and protect you.”
Maira rolled her eyes and drew her sword from her back. “I have all the protection I need right here. Not that you were ever able to protect me, Branton. But I want you to protect Morag now. Promise me that.”
“I’ll protect Lady Morag with my life,” Branton told her almost a little too enthusiastically. It worried her, but she had no choice. She had to send them away before it was too late.
“Good. Now, I’ll walk you to the gate and then ride as fast as you can out of here before the High Sheriff changes his mind and wants you to stay. Whatever you do, don’t stop and don’t turn back.”
Maira sheathed her sword and walked with the wagon, stopping at the front gate as Branton and Morag left her there alone. Morag turned back with tears in her eyes, making Maira want to run and jump in the cart to go with them. But she couldn’t. It would only endanger Morag and Branton and she wouldn’t have that again.
She watched out the gate, looking past the many beggars standing around the entrance who were crying out for food or coin. Then she reached into her pouch and pulled out a coin and handed it to one of the children. All of a sudden, the crowd of beggars all crowded around her, tugging on her gown and holding out their hands.
“Give me a copper, too,” shouted an old woman with rotten teeth.
“We want food,” said a man, digging his nails into her arm.
“Help us,” shouted someone else as they came at her like a swarm of angry bees.
She stepped back and stumbled, falling on the ground. With her sword on her back and with all the daggers attached to her waist belt it became impossible to get up with the crowd hovering over her.
“Get back,” shouted one of the beggars, pushing the others away. The man stood between her and the others with his arms outstretched, keeping them at bay. When the crowd subsided, he turned around and held out his hand to her. “Allow me to help you to your feet, Lady Maira.”
“Thank you,” she said, taking his strong hand, wondering how the man knew her name since she had just arrived in Durham and didn’t even know anyone yet. Then she noticed the leather wrist guards he wore, realizing he was not a beggar at all. She yanked the jeweled dagger from her waist belt and held out the tip to his chest.
“Who are you and what do you want?”
“I’m an old acquaintance of yours, and I want my dagger returned.”
“Jacob?” she said in a half-whisper. Her heart sped up a beat as he raised his chin to show her his face. “What are you doing disguised as a beggar?”
