Page 46 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
Callum’s knuckles blanched on the bow. “Seems a grand number of warriors for one lone wagon.”Exactly.
Her palms turned damp on the crusted boulder as they observed a warrior horde emerge beyond where Brayden and Tomas had halted the wagon dead center in the meadow’s tall grasses. Look at Sir Brayden, his spine turned stiff as the wood bench he sat upon. He also knew it was an oddly large gathering for a mere wagon.
“A show of strength?” Nella whispered.
“Perhaps,” Callum murmured. “Does anyone speak among them?”
Her brows furrowed. “Nae, not even a sigh, ’tis strangely silent.”
“Nella, look at the leader.”
Her eyes narrowed when a sun’s ray escaped the gray blanket overhead. The stranger’s frame was lean, tall, thick dark cloak with hood pulled high. “Hiss?”
The leader’s voice demanded in a hiss at Sir Brayden, “State your name and purpose.”
The hairs on her neck stood. “Callum, ’tis him.” She relayed Hiss’s demand. “Brayden just replied, on behalf of Captain Castellón, before Brayden pressed Hiss on whose behalf has he appeared for.”
An odd high-pitched laugh ripped through the trees, causing a pheasant flock to fly out from the heathers like they had just encountered an adder. Raising his arm wide, Hiss shouted, “I am appearing for the one who is goin’ to make you and the entire crew of Captain Castellón wealthy!” She remained silent as Callum tightened hearing the reply.
“Nella, he is boastful in a dangerous manner,” Callum said under his breath. “Something is amiss, Brayden knows it as well.”
“Let us commence!” Hiss ordered then glanced at his warriors. “Check all is as it should be!”
Six approached, lifting the canvas on the wagon’s rear. Nella blinked twice by the flash from the finest steel catching the sun’s glint. So many swords! More than a hundred smiths could forge!Maybe this was the cause for so many enemy warriors to protect such a bounty?
Hiss motioned toward the pair behind him. The two approached bearing leather pouches. At the last moment he raised his palm, halting them. “I have heard about Captain Castellón’s crew, yet I do not remember hearing about one such as yourself.” Oh no,he was looking at Brayden!
“No.” Tomas took lead. “He just joined the crew in Inverness when another crewman took leave for his wife. He is a solid seaman, worthy of Captain Castellón.”
“Hmph,” was Hiss’s response as he locked eyes with Tomas a long moment. Why did it seem like a silent message had just passed between the pair?
In a blink Hiss charged the wagon, drawing his blade. Brayden went for his steel, but the same moment Tomas’s dagger rose right at Brayden’s throat, halting the royal knight’s action.
Traitor! Tomas was betraying them! Callum swore under his breath.
“I am certain you are near, Lady Fawnella, as certain as you hear me. I am Sèidrich and have been waiting for you,” Hiss whispered, his eyes darting about the upper ridges. Sèidrich;that was Gaelic for ‘hissing’.How fitting.How did he know about her instinct in senses?
“Show yourself, Lady Fawnella, and do bring Sir Callum. I am certain he is with you unless you wish Sir Brayden’s throat to have a fresh opening.”
“Callum.” Nella set her hand on his upon the bow lowering the weapon. “The leader is called Sèidrich, I know not how, but he garners the knowledge regarding my instinct in senses. He is threatening us in a murmur. If we do not appear he is goin’ to slit Sir Brayden’s throat.”
“Nella.” Callum looked… panicked. He never looked panicked. She blinked twice. “I cannot protect you if we step down into that meadow.”
Her fingers tightened on his. “It is as you declared regarding Lord Kolson.” Callum raised a brow. “The Northman was taken, not harmed, for a purpose. This is the same. I sense Sèidrich has a higher want in capturing us. Thus, we are needed—"
Sir Brayden must have heard Sèidrich’s earlier words to her and sensed the conflict on the ridge as he yelled, “Sir Callum, do not bend! Keep the lady far from here!”
Callum swore under his breath as Sèidrich aimed his fist, hitting Brayden square on the jaw with such force the knight fellsideways on the bench. “The fist is first!” Sèidrich threatened, “then the blade, Sir Callum!” He raised a dagger.
Her grip tightened on her knight. “Together, Callum,” Nella pleaded. “Together we shall find a way.”
Callum swung his gaze back at the scene below as Sèidrich raised the dagger. “HALT!” Callum bellowed, then stood atop the boulder for all to see where they were. Sèidrich grinned at the find.
“Set your feet down here at once, Sir Callum!”
Callum offered Nella his hand again. “Together, my lady.” She nodded then took his hand.
Together into the unknown.Would they survive the purpose planned by the Benefactor?
