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Chapter 8
By the time Maira got back to the castle, she was feeling very shaken. She had met Jacob in the woods like he’d asked, but she’d never expected to find out he was training an army to kill the High Sheriff and take the castle as his own. No matter how rotten Sir Gregory was, did he deserve to die? She didn’t think so. Or at least not until she rode through the castle gate and realized the bell wasn’t tolling to warn that she had escaped. Nay, the bell tolled for someone else altogether.
“Bring that escaped servant here,” she heard Sir Gregory call out.
Not even being noticed because of all the commotion, Maira dismounted and gave the reins of her horse to a stableboy. “What is happening?” she asked.
“The High Sheriff caught one of the servants sneaking out the castle gate after sunset,” the boy relayed the information. “No servant is allowed to leave, and anyone caught doing so is punished severely.”
“Oh, that’s unfortunate,” she said, already feeling bad for the servant. “What will the High Sheriff do to him?”
“Normally, he’d whip the servant and throw them into the dungeon for a fortnight with little food or water. But because the boy is so young, he might put him in the pillory and have everyone throw rotten food at him instead.”
“Young? How young? Who is the servant boy who tried to escape?”
“His name is Tommy and he is nine years old. He is a good friend of mine and I’m frightened for his safety.”
“Tommy?” Her heart lodged in her throat. “The son of Cleo, the cook?”
“Aye, that’s him. I tried to stop him from leaving but he saw you ride out, my lady. He was very upset and didn’t want you to go.”
“He was going after me?”
“Aye, he was.”
“What is your name?” she asked the boy.
“I’m Alfred, my lady. But all my friends call me Alf.”
“Tell me, Alf, does anyone else know I left?”
“I don’t believe so. Tommy is loyal and I’m sure he won’t tell the High Sheriff why he was leaving the castle walls. He won’t divulge your secret.”
“If he won’t, then I will,” she answered, determined to set the record straight. She started to leave the stable when the boy stopped her.
“My lady, I know I am out of line to speak so boldly. But I see your sword strapped to your back and all your daggers at your waist.”
“Aye, those are my weapons. I don’t go anywhere without them.”
“But . . . didn’t the High Sheriff warn you not to wear them?”
“Aye, he did. But that doesn’t mean anything to me.”
“I’m afraid he might take them away from you, or punish you again, my lady.”
“Oh. I suppose you’re right.” Maira weighed the consequences in her mind. If she were going to have any chance of helping poor Tommy, it wouldn’t be wise to anger the man any more than she already had. “Do me a favor, Alf.” She hurriedly removed her sword and daggers.
“Anything for you.”
“I need you to keep my weapons here for now.” She looked up to the loft that held hay. “Hide them in the hayloft so I’ll know where they are if I need them. But tell no one about it. Do you understand?”
“I do, my lady. It’ll be our secret.” He collected up her weapons and she handed him a coin for his trouble.
“Nay, I can’t take your money,” said the boy.
“But I want to do something to show you my gratitude.”
“Then help Tommy,” he said. “And stay at Durham Castle and help the rest of the servants as well.”
