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He had stayed hidden and heard what was going on, now regretting that he had dismissed his army. He didn’t expect to walk into a mess like this. Having Will’s help as well as the villagers he’d trained would come in handy about now. He never should have had a change of heart because someone was going to pay for it with their life.
Jacob knew Maira enough to realize she would never lay with the High Sheriff of her own accord, even if her friends’ lives were in danger. Nay, she was a fighter and would never give up. He hadn’t expected to find her still at the castle, but he shouldn’t be surprised. Maira was not one to run from danger. But now, she had put him in a very bad position. He would have to think fast to do something to save her and her friends and still be able to kill off the High Sheriff and convince the knights and soldiers to follow him instead.
He stuck Maira’s sword under his belt and grabbed on to the bucket connected to a rope, meaning to climb up. But someone started turning the handle and the bucket moved with him holding on to it. Looking up, he saw Tommy’s face staring down at him.
“Hold on tightly,” the boy whispered. “Alf and I will get you out of there in no time.”
When he got to the top, the boys stood in front of him to block the view from the guards as he climbed out of the well.
“Lady Maira is in trouble,” said Alf.
“Good thing you brought the army,” added Tommy. “You’ll need them.”
“It’s just me,” mumbled Jacob, hunkering down behind the well. “Block me from the guards. I am going to the High Sheriff’s chamber to help Maira.”
“Are you going to kill him?” whispered Tommy.
“I’ll do whatever I have to do to save my wife.”
“So you really are married,” said Alf. “Congratulations.”
“Don’t congratulate me because I’m not even sure Maira wants to be married to me.”
Jacob snuck into the great hall and headed to the kitchen to access the secret tunnel. His clothes were dripping wet and he left puddles wherever he stepped.
“Sir Jacob!” Cleo saw him enter the kitchen and ran over to join him. “Are you here with the army? We are all ready to help you attack the High Sheriff and his men.”
“Nay, it’s just me, Cleo.”
“Oh,” she said making a face. “How are you going to save your son and wife and her friends all by yourself?”
“Well, I’m . . . did you say . . . son? I don’t have a son.”
“Aye, you do,” said Cleo. “Maira told me that she heard the Bishop of Durham telling the High Sheriff that Ricker is your son. Lady Catherine confessed to him on her deathbed.”
“Ricker is . . . mine?” Jacob swallowed deeply, trying to digest what he’d just heard. He liked the lad and also the idea of being a father. “Where is he?”
“Lady Maira said the High Sheriff put him in a cage in his solar.”
Jacob heard that and anger and vengeance burned in his veins. “No one is going to cage my son and defile my wife. I’ll kill that bastard, I swear I will.” Jacob headed over to the secret tunnel.
“There’s more, my lord.” Cleo ran after him. “The High Sheriff is going to have his henchman kill the bishop to keep the secret of the boy not being his son. He is going to pin the murder on you again.”
“Nay! I won’t let that happen a second time.” Jacob hurried through the tunnel, on a mission to kill the High Sheriff.
