Page 60 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
Tap. Tap. Tap.Woodpecker seeking a final morsel in tree bark before nightfall; all good.
“Shite, how much ale do we have left for the eve?” Drunkards grousing near the bailey’s well. No threat.
Slither.Snake through the grass outside the gate.Beware; that could be an adder.
Click.
Wait…click? What was that!
“Callum,” she whispered, frantic, “someone hidden in the trees just knocked a crossbow.”
He tightened beside her. “Nella,” he murmured, “how many do you believe are present?”
Click. Click. Click.
A. Total. Frigging. Ambush!
Click.
“Five at least, my knight.”
Luss pawed at the ground, sensing the tension growing while the gate began grinding upward.
“My lady.” Keithen’s quiet tone matched hers. “Henceforth, are you able to call out where they are by their sound signatures?” Why was he asking? And why should she trust his traitorous arse?
Something about the sound signature in his voice said he spoke in earnest, and oddly she found herself replying, “Aye.”
“Sir Callum.” Keithen continued the lowered tone. “You have your bow. Must I take your charger’s reins to direct him as you take aim at those present?” Why was the enemy suddenly an ally?
Callum’s head snapped toward Keithen. “Nae, he will follow my calves and seat demands.” The gate was open. “Have you been betrayed?”
Sir Brayden and Holger, not hearing the intimate exchange, began taking lead under the gatekeeper. Nella looked at the forest; only trees or boulders or bramble. The hunters were well hidden.
“Answer me, Lord MacMardan.” Callum snared the words then asked again, “Have you been betrayed?”
Keithen ignored the question, declaring for their ears alone, “A bottle of poisoned wine is set to meet your brother’s lips directly before he leaves the keep with the king to sign the treaty.” Keithen turned his features toward Callum as they rode beneath the gate. Only half the foe’s face showed but she saw a sadness lining Keithen’s expression which matched his words. “He is worth saving, your brother Alec. He would never betray his own blood as mine has.” Sir Sean was behind the bowmen in the forest?
They fully cleared the archway with the spikes from the portcullis bottom having threatened like the fangs of a wolf when a voice bellowed from behind.
“HALT!”
Nella glanced back, finding the final smith’s charger just stepped beyond the gate, but atop on the catwalk stood the owner of the hiss voice ordering their pause. Sèidrich. A fresh sweat bead appeared under her ear lobe.
“Lord MacMardan, turn your charger about and face me,” Sèidrich ordered.
Before she could demand otherwise, Keithen spun his charger about, so they were the only ones of the cluster facing the castle and keep and Sèidrich on the catwalk near the guard tower. Sèidrich had a nocked bow pointed at Keithen’s torso!
Keithen was now the one who hissed, “Sèidrich, I shall double what he offered.”
Sèidrich glared a moment. “I believe not, Lord MacMardan.” He leaned forward a notch between the granite parapets, “How many times have I cast a warning about you needing to wear chainmail and not that embroidered doublet same as a peacock?”
“Sir Callum,” Keithen murmured, “be weary of—”
Nella screamed when the arrow flew and Keithen grunted after the iron tip landed. His weight jerked toward the side as her arms fell away, unable to hold the mass when he fell from the charger.Thud.Onto the gravel he went. The arrow had landed his heart.
“Only the lady lives!” Sèidrich shouted at the trees. “Slay them all!”
She dropped the dagger while grappling with gathering the loose leathers flapping the horse’s neck. Tightening the reigns in her palms, she darted her gaze toward Callum. “Callum,” she ordered, “we take lead. I may call out the bowmen’s positions!”Hopefully.
