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Chapter 21
Maira rushed to the kitchen with Ricker in her arms, happy to find Cleo and all of the servants waiting for her. Most of them had items in their hands that could be used as weapons, whether it be a broom, a poker from the fire, or even just pots and pans.
“I’ve rounded up the servants and we’re all here to help Jacob,” Cleo announced.
“Good, because he dismissed his army and he’ll have no other help,” said Maira feeling horrible now. “Cleo, it’s my fault he has no army and that he is probably going to die trying to protect me.”
“He’s not going to die,” said Cleo in a firm and scolding voice. “Maira, you need to stay strong.”
“But I can’t fight as good as a man. I don’t have the physical strength. I know that now.”
“Then look inside yourself and find strength there instead. You are a Follower of the Secret Heart, Maira. Do I have to remind you of that?”
“Nay, I know. But I don’t know what to do.”
“The queen had faith that one day you would do wondrous things. She had faith in you and now you need to have faith in yourself. Don’t let her down. Don’t let any of us down. We are all counting on you. Especially Jacob, whether he admits it or not.”
“You’re right,” said Maira with a determined nod. “Now, the first thing I need to do is to save Morag and Branton.”
“There you go,” said Cleo just as the secret door opened and out ran Alf and Tommy, along with the Bishop of Durham.
“What’s going on?” asked the very confused bishop.
“Bishop,” said Maira. “The High Sheriff wants you dead and he is planning on framing Jacob just like he did three years ago with the death of the Bishop of Somerset.”
“Oh, I see,” said the bishop. “What can I do to help?”
“Cleo,” said Maira. “Go with Tommy, Alf and the bishop. Take Ricker as well and get to the stable. Get in a wagon and ride out of here as fast as you can.”
“But what about you?” asked Cleo.
“I’m staying to help my friends as well as to help Jacob.”
“I’ll do what you say but I don’t like the idea of leaving you behind.”
“It’s more important that you protect the bishop and the children,” said Maira. “Take the tunnels and you should be able to sneak out to the stable. I will go out to the courtyard and try to make a distraction.”
“Be careful, Maira,” warned Cleo. “We would hate to lose you. You’re the best thing this castle has ever had and I’d like to see that continue.”
“With any luck, you’ll see not only me but also Jacob bringing Durham Castle back to what it used to be.”
Maira first made her way up the battlements, knowing she could use the help of Branton since he was good with a blade. She hid in the shadows and waited until there was only one guard standing with Branton, getting ready for the High Sheriff’s word to throw the boy off the battlements. Then when the guard walked over to take a piss over the side wall, she snuck up behind Branton.
He saw her and turned his head. She put a finger to her lips to warn him to be quiet. Then she used her blade to cut the ropes that bound his hands and feet. Branton quickly took the noose off from over his head.
The guard looked over his shoulder, and Branton rushed him, knocking him over the wall into the moat and taking his sword that was resting against the wall.
“Good work,” said Maira.
Branton’s eyes opened wide. “Look out behind you.”
Maira turned to see another guard with his sword raised, about to plunge it into her back. Branton knocked her down and jumped over her and thrust his sword into the man’s chest. The guard fell over the battlements into the courtyard.
“You killed a man to save me,” said Maira in shock, not expecting this at all.
“I know. It’s the first man I’ve actually killed and I’d do it again if I had to in order to save someone who means so much to me,” Branton told her.
“Then you might get your chance. There is a guard holding Morag in the courtyard. We need to save her next.”
