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Chapter 12
Maira rushed back to her chamber right after Sir Gregory left with his small entourage the next morning. Now that he was gone, she had every intention of collecting her weapons and heading to the woods to meet with Jacob. He would be glad to know she had decided to join him in his battle after all.
The High Sheriff was a horrible man. The way he treated people was even worse. He overtaxed the villagers and demanded them to give him even their share of food. He didn’t see to the needs of his servants and only thought about himself. And the way he treated his own son was not acceptable at all.
If Maira’s father didn’t arrive in time, she was going to have to do something to stop the High Sheriff from trying to marry her. She had told him she had the right to choose her husband, but his comment made her worried. If he was able to convince a pope to excommunicate Jacob, then who knew what else he was capable of doing.
She strapped on her weapons and was about to sneak out the secret door using the tunnels when there came a knock at her door.
“Who is it?” she called out, not knowing who would be coming to her door this early in the morning.
“My lady, it is Teresa,” came a woman’s muffled voice from the other side of the door.
“Who?” she shouted back, securing her daggers in her waist belt. Before the woman could answer, she heard the crying of a child.
“Ricker,” she said in a half-whisper, almost forgetting that the High Sheriff said she was supposed to watch his son in his absence. She rushed over and opened the door. She would have to talk the nursemaid into watching the child, at least until she had time to get to the woods and back.
“Here is the boy and his things.” Teresa handed the toddler to Maira. Her hands automatically went out in an act of defense. Instead of keeping the child away, the little boy reached out and clung to her, wrapping his arms around her neck. Then the woman proceeded to hand Maira a travel bag filled with the boy’s things.
“Teresa, I’m sorry but I can’t watch Ricker right now.” She tried to hand the boy back, but he clung to her even tighter.
“Why not?” asked Teresa, sounding very upset.
“I have things to do. Mayhap later.”
“But, my lady, the High Sheriff gave me permission to take a trip home to see my family.”
“Your family?”
“Aye. My husband and my four children.”
“Where are they?” she asked.
“My home is just outside of Scarborough.”
“Scarborough?” asked Maira. “But that will take you days just to get there and back.”
“I have a wagon waiting for me. The peddler from my hometown was passing through and said he will give me a ride so I won’t have to walk. But I have to leave at once.”
“Nay. I can’t watch the boy. You’ll have to do it.”
Ricker started wailing in her ear.
“But my lady! My five-month-old daughter is very sick and my husband sent a missive saying he doesn’t know if she will even live.”
“Sick? Five months old?” This information shocked Maira and her heart went out to the woman. Ricker continued to bawl very loudly.
“Please, let me see my child one last time.” The woman looked so forlorn that there was no way Maira could deny her what she needed.
“Teresa, you will go to your family and stay there until your daughter is healed. I will command one of the guards to take you on the back of his horse so it will be faster. He will also protect you on your trip. I want to do anything I can to help you and your family.”
“Would you really do that for me, my lady?”
“Not only that, but I’ll send our healer on one of the castle’s fastest horses to ride with you. If your child is sick then she’ll need someone skilled to help her. And take this to feed your family.” She untied the coin pouch from her belt and handed it to the woman.
“Thank you, my lady,” cried the woman, falling to her knees and putting her head down on Maira’s feet.
“Teresa, get up. There is no need for that. Now, go pack your things and I will summon the guard. Now off you go.”
