AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Lady Catherine?” asked Maira curiously. “I wonder what he has to say.”
“You can listen at the peephole and find out,” said the boy.
“Maira, I’m scared,” said Morag. “I dinna want the High Sheriff to find us in the tunnels. If so, he will hit us.”
“Don’t be frightened,” said Maira, putting her hand to her bruised cheek. “But perhaps it is better if I go to spy by myself. Morag, go back to the room and wait for me there. If you stay inside the room, there is no reason for the High Sheriff to get angry with you.”
“I canna make it back to the room by myself. I’ll get lost. Come with me, Maira.”
“Nay. I need to find out what is going on, and I need to get a message to Jacob to warn him.”
“I can sneak out of the castle and go to the woods to warn him,” offered Tommy.
Maira thought of the last time the boy had tried to follow her. He was put in the pillory. Plus, he didn’t even own a pair of shoes so he couldn’t run if he had to.
“Nay, it’s too dangerous. Tommy, take Morag back to the bedchamber. Then go to the kitchen and tell your mother that the High Sheriff knows about Jacob’s plan.”
“He does? That’s not good,” said the boy.
“Also, tell her that Sir Gregory took Ricker but I am going to get him back.”
“Aye, my lady.”
“Maira, where will ye be?” asked Morag. “Dinna forget me here. I’m frightened.”
“Don’t worry, Morag. Just stay in the room and you’ll be safe. I’ve got work to do and will come back to get you later.”
Maira sent Tommy with the candle to guide Morag back to the bedchamber. Things were getting complicated and she felt it was her job to keep everyone safe. But how could she do this and at the same time manage to warn Jacob not to attack? There were so many lives at stake, and only she could stop the massacre from happening.
She remembered the way to the High Sheriff’s solar and stopped in front of the peephole in the wall. Hearing muffled voices from inside, she quietly popped out the cork that let her see into the room. She gasped when she saw Ricker in the room as well as the High Sheriff and the Bishop of Durham. The little boy was silent but there was a raised purple bruise over one eye.
“That bastard! If Jacob doesn’t kill him, I will,” she said to herself, wanting the High Sheriff to get what he deserved. Any man who purposely hurt a child – especially his own son – had to be addled.
“What is it you want?” snapped the High Sheriff, putting Ricker in a cage at the far side of the room and locking him inside. Ricker threw himself down, hiding his face and sobbing into his arms.
Maira couldn’t believe what she was witnessing. Sir Gregory was a horrible man.
“My lord, is it necessary to lock the boy in a cage?” asked the bishop.
“He’s my son and I’ll do what I please. He will stay there until he learns not to cry.” Sir Gregory walked over and poured himself a goblet of wine, chugging it down. He never offered any to the bishop.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” said the bishop, keeping his eye on the boy.
“Spit it out. What do you have to say?” asked the High Sheriff, pouring himself another goblet of wine.
“It’s about the day Lady Catherine passed away.
“Lady Catherine?” Sir Gregory put down the goblet and picked up from the table the jeweled dagger that he’d taken from Maira. He caressed it and stroked it as he spoke. “I want her back,” he said. “What do you have to tell me about her?”
“It’s about her last confession, right before she died.”
“Really?” The High Sheriff’s eyebrows rose. “I thought confessions were supposed to be kept a secret.”
“Usually they are. And I have kept this secret since her death, but I just can’t keep it anymore.” The bishop’s eyes darted over to Ricker again.
“Go ahead.” The High Sheriff gently put the dagger on the table and picked up the goblet and took a drink.
“On her deathbed, she confessed something to me that I feel the need to tell you. It just wouldn’t be right if you never knew.”
