Chapter 5
“Let’s pick up the pace,” Maira called out to the others, seeing the threatening black clouds overhead as soon as they exited the forest. “It’s going to storm and I don’t fancy arriving at Castle Durham dripping wet.”
Morag rode to her side. “Maira, I thought ye didna care how ye looked when ye met the High Sheriff.”
“I don’t,” answered Maira, glancing over her shoulder. “I didn’t want to say anything, but I get the feeling we are being followed. I am glad we made it through the woods without being attacked by bandits. However, I will feel safer once we are inside the safety of the castle walls.”
“I never thought I’d see ye run from danger, Maira.”
“I’m not running from danger,” she snapped. “After all, I’m riding right into the lion’s den, or did you forget? If I can’t figure out a way to make the High Sheriff change his mind about marrying me, even with my right to choose my husband, I think this is going to be a nasty situation that I would rather avoid.”
“I felt a drop of rain.” Morag raised her hood over her head, not liking to be cold or wet. Maira, on the other hand, liked the outdoors and welcomed nature and any kind of weather.
“I see the castle up ahead,” Maira told her. “If we pick up the pace we can make it inside before the storm.”
“I bet I could beat ye there,” said Morag, being her mischievous self.
“Nay, you could never outride me,” answered Maira. “Not while riding sidesaddle.”
“I’ll race ye,” said Morag, taking off before she even waited for Maira’s reply. Maira glanced over her shoulder once more, swearing she heard thundering hoofbeats in the distance. Then, as Branton rode by, she urged her horse into a full run.
“Out of the way, Branton. I’ve got a challenge to win and no one is going to stop me once I make up my mind to accomplish something.”
* * *
“Jacob, wait for us,”called out Will, driving the cart with the weapons much too fast over the rocky road through the forest.
Jacob kept getting glimpses of Maira and her traveling party, but every time he had to slow down and wait for Will and his men, he lost her again. He finally managed to get close enough behind them to see Maira, Morag, Branton, and the rest of the party just up ahead. If he moved quickly, he could hopefully manage to catch up with them and somehow get Lady Maira separated from the group. Then he would be able to get his dagger returned.
Lightning flashed across the sky followed by a loud crash of thunder that scared the horse pulling the wagon.
“Whoa, girl, whoa,” shouted Will, trying to hold back the horse as it reared up on two legs. “Jacob, help!” called out the squire, losing control.
Jacob brought his horse to an abrupt stop as the sky opened up and the rain pelted down all around them. He looked back to see that the wagon lost a wheel and the horse was pulling Will and the damaged cart through the forest aimlessly. Will was unable to stop the skittish horse.
“Dammit, not now.” Jacob glanced back the other way to see Maira and the others pick up their pace. They rode at full speed toward the castle. There was nothing he could do about it now. He turned and headed his horse back toward Will. Reaching out, he grabbed the reins, stopping the skittish mare. The rest of his men rode up from behind to help.
“We’re nearing camp,” said Roger. “After the rain lets up, we can get the others to come back with tools and spokes to help change the broken wheel.”
“Nay, we’ll do it now,” said Jacob. “We can’t risk that someone will see our wagon on the road and find our camp. Men, take the weapons back to camp on horseback and fetch some tools and supplies. The wagon is in a ditch and it will take several of us to pull it out. Will and I will calm the horse and find whatever pieces we left in our path. I don’t want a trail leading right to our hidden camp.”
“What about the girl?” asked Will, nodding toward Durham Castle in the distance. “Are you just going to let her keep your dagger?”
“For now,” he said, peering down the road, knowing he would have to enter the castle to retrieve his blade now. “I am going to collect everything that belongs to me as well as everything I want.”
“Want?” Will raised an eyebrow. “Please don’t tell me you want Lady Maira, my lord. That would make for a very uncomfortable situation.”
“Then prepare to be uncomfortable, Squire.” Jacob clenched his jaw glancing in the direction of Durham Castle. “I have decided I want Lady Maira, and I won’t let the High Sheriff marry her. Nay, I will have her if it’s the last thing I ever do.”
* * *
Ridinginto the courtyard of Durham Castle, Maira felt like she was riding to her doom. Rain fell fast and heavy, making her shiver as she entered through the front gates. The wall walks were lined with guards. Servants bustled about, hurrying to get out of the torrential downpour. A stableboy led several horses to the barn while the kennelgroom rounded up the hounds. The storm came upon them fast and caught everyone unprepared.
Durham Castle sat high upon a hill overlooking a valley that led into the forest. Even in the rain it was a majestic sight to see. The huge stone structure seemed to have a chapel connected as she could see the ornate windows that even had colored glass. That was a very expensive addition that usually was reserved for men with much wealth, the clergy, or the king himself.
The many turrets and the fortress of thick walls surrounded her, making her feel trapped from the moment she rode under the large iron gate. The High Sheriff must be a very wealthy man, indeed. Inside the courtyard were many out buildings and off to the side was a very large stable to house the horses. She was interested to see more but, right now, all she wanted to do was to get in out of the rain. It had been a long and tiresome journey and she was hungry and cold.
“Might I take your horse, my lady?” A young boy dressed in a thin wet tunic with bare feet ran up and held out his hands for the reins. She figured he couldn’t be a page dressed like this, and must be the son of a servant. What she didn’t understand was why the High Sheriff didn’t even give the boy a pair of shoes to wear. The man must be an ogre to treat his servants this way.