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“Then we need more weapons before we return to Durham. The fighting skills of the villagers have improved over the years, but we need more real swords and battleaxes. Not just the makeshift ones we’ve forged from iron pokers, shovels and old rakes.”
“I know.” Jacob glanced in the direction of Castle Rothbury. There was one way to get what he needed and he hoped it would pay off. “We’ll go back to camp for the night and tomorrow we’ll sneak into Castle Rothbury’s armory and take what we need.”
Jacob had a good dozen able-bodied men back at camp, not far from where they were. They were hidden in the densest part of the forest. They were only farmers and commoners but that might work to his advantage in this case. No one would be leery of them.
“But how are we going to sneak in?” asked Will. “We don’t even know what kind of defenses they have.”
“We’re not sneaking in,” Jacob explained. “We’re going to walk right through the front gate.”
“We are?” Will shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
“When we get back to camp, prepare the wagons. Tomorrow, we’ll enter the castle’s walls under the ploy of being traveling merchants. If we’re lucky, we’ll leave with a cart full of weapons.”
“But how are we going to do that? And why would they let us inside the gates? The earl is sure to know something is amiss.”
“I don’t think so. I saw one of the king’s messengers on the road the other day. I found out that the earl is being called away to campaign for the king. He leaves today. That means the Lady of the Castle will be in charge tomorrow until his return. I have a plan, and the girls are going to help us get inside, whether they know it or not.”
“The girls? There was more than one?” asked Will. “I’m confused.”
“Aye. There were three others that entered the garden and I believe they were Maira’s cousins.”
“More daughters of the bastards,” grumbled Will with a frustrated sigh. “This isn’t a good omen. What makes you think the girls are going to help us get inside the castle walls?”
“Because of this.” Will dug through the burlap bag with the things he’d stolen from inside the cottage of the secret garden. He pulled out an item and held it up for Will to see. “I know a lady inside the castle who is going to want this returned. I think we will pay her a little visit.”
