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Chapter 16
Even with Morag’s protests, Maira listened to her heart like Imanie had told her to do. She made her way to the forest to meet with Jacob as the sun rose on the horizon. As she approached the camp, she was stopped right before she entered. Villagers appeared on the road all aiming their weapons at her.
“I come in peace,” she said from the top of her horse, raising her hands in the air to show them she was not a threat.
“How do we know that for sure?” growled the man she recognized as Roger.
“Roger, it’s me, Lady Maira,” she told him, lowering her hood so he could see her face as well as her crown. Hopefully, seeing the crown would remind these people that she was the granddaughter of the late queen. “Please tell Jacob I am here to retrieve my sword.”
“He’s not here,” growled the villager named Gerald, holding a battle axe over his shoulder.
“Gerald, for Heaven’s sake, have you forgotten that I am the one who helped train you? And didn’t I tell you to never rest the axe over your shoulder? Hold it up steady with both hands and be ready to defend yourself at all times.”
“You left us, or did you forget?” asked Will, walking through the crowd of men with a sword pointed at her as well.
“Will? You don’t believe me that I mean no harm?” asked Maira.
“How do we know this isn’t a trap?” asked Roger.
“That’s right,” added Will. “When you left here you said you were going to reveal our plan to the High Sheriff.”
“I didn’t mean it. I was just upset,” she explained, feeling bad about her previous behavior. “Besides, I couldn’t have told the High Sheriff because he’s not even back from his trip yet.”
Will whispered to the other men and then nodded. “All right. You are free to pass and retrieve your sword, but then you need to go.”
“Nay, she will stay,” came a voice from behind her as two riders approached.
“Jacob!” she cried, happy to see him again. Then she noticed that the man with him atop the other horse was a priest. “Is that your brother?” she asked curiously.
“Aye,” said Jacob with a slight nod, stopping his horse in front of her. “This is my brother, Father Frank.”
“Hello, nice to meet you,” she said to the priest, wondering what he was doing here.
“Everyone back to camp immediately,” Jacob commanded. “We have no time to waste. The High Sheriff will be returning tomorrow and there is a lot to be done before then.”
“Can I help with more training while I’m here?” asked Maira, hoping Jacob wouldn’t turn her away.
“Nay, not now,” he said with no emotion at all on his face. “Since you are here, it saves me the trouble of having to abduct you.”
“Abduct me?” She shook her head and giggled nervously. “Jacob, what are you saying?”
“Maira, I am going to marry you, like it or not.”
“What?” she asked in confusion, not liking this turn of events. “Jacob, you don’t have to threaten me. I came here of my own accord to tell you I will marry you.”
“You did?” That seemed to surprise him.
“Of course, I did. I am sorry for not accepting your proposal of marriage yesterday, but I was confused and scared.”
“So what’s changed?” he asked as they rode to camp.
“I listened to my heart instead of my head,” she explained, knowing the best way to protect Jacob was to be his wife. “I think if we are married, then the plans to attack Durham can be canceled. If you are married to me, you can live as a nobleman as my husband. In time, I will speak with my cousin, the king, and ask him to talk to the pope. Hopefully, eventually, you can get the excommunication reversed.”
“And what about the High Sheriff?” asked Jacob. “Are you suggesting I just let him get away with all the corrupt things he’s done? Am I supposed to look the other way and let him keep the castle that should be mine?”
“I’ll talk to Richard about it. He’ll listen to me. I will ask Willow and Fia to help me. My cousins can be very persuasive. It’ll work out, you’ll see.”
This was the best plan for all involved, thought Maira. She would be able to help Jacob and not only protect him but keep him and his army from dying needlessly. Aye, she had found a way to protect them all.
