Page 7 of Ladybird

“Where?” asked Regina curiously, not having heard of any.

“For the past few weeks they have been happening on the road outside of Shrewsbury,” Robin explained. “However, in the last few days things…important things…have gone missing from right here inside the castle walls.”

“There is a thief in the castle?” asked Dot.

“Shhhh.” Robin held a finger to his lips and his eyes scanned the surrounding area. “I have a feeling it might be someone who lives here. Keep this quiet for now.”

“I’m sorry to hear this,” said Regina. “What does any of this have to do with me or Dot?”

“None of this has to do with Dot,” stated Madoc. “Actually, I think it would be nice if Dot accompanied me on my journey home, after all,” he told them. “Martine is already there. So if two of my children attend the funeral, it will be sufficient.”

“Wait! What about me?” asked Regina. “I don’t understand why I am being forbidden to go back with you. Is it just because I live here now?”

“Nay. I’ve summoned someone who might be able to help us,” said Madoc. “The man is a thief-taker and lives right here in Shrewsbury most of the time.”

“Who is he?” asked Regina.

“His name is Hunter Chase,” her father answered. “He is the son of an old friend of mine from years ago. Do you remember I told you about Robert?”

“He was a dungeon guard here at Shrewsbury before we were born, right?” asked Robin.

“Yes, that’s right,” answered Madoc. “Plus, he knew me when I once helped out in the mews.”

“Father, wasn’t he also the man whose fault it was that you were imprisoned here when you were a thief?” Regina didn’t understand how this man named Robert could have remained her father’s friend after having turned him in and almost costing her father his life.

“I’ve forgiven Robert, may he rest in peace,” said Madoc. The man had been dead now for some time, so Regina wasn’t sure why any of this even mattered. “Regina, you are forgetting that Robert also helped to save your Uncle Garret from being executed, as well as rescued me the second time I was imprisoned.” There was a lot of past history right here at Shrewsbury Castle and most of it wasn’t pleasing. That was the whole reason why Regina’s parents hadn’t taken ownership of the castle when offered it by the king. Instead, they’d stayed in Blackmore with her mother’s parents and let Robin be lord and inherit the castle instead.

“What are you trying to tell me?” asked Regina, knowing this wasn’t just a conversation about memories anymore.

“Yes. About that.” Madoc cleared his throat. “I would stay here and help track down the thief myself, but now I am needed back home now as you can see. However, Hunter will find the thief for us. I have complete confidence in him. He is damned good at his job.”

“But?” asked Regina raising a brow. “I know there is more. Tell me how this man has anything to do with me.”

“Hunter will need an alias,” explained Robin. “We don’t want anyone to know what he does for a living. If so, and the thief is inside the castle walls and finds out, we’ll never be able to catch him. The nobles and knights are becoming quite concerned and I cannot let them down.”

“What, pray tell, is this man’s false identity going to be?” she asked, getting a bad feeling that she wasn’t going to like their answer.

“Father thought of it, actually,” said Robin, shifting his weight back and forth. “Go ahead and tell her, Father.”

Madoc scowled at Robin. “Coward,” mumbled Madoc from the side of his mouth.

“Someone, please tell me before I am forced to shake it out of the two of you,” snapped Regina.

“Regina. Daughter.” Madoc stepped forward and took her free hand in his. “You have followed in my footsteps with your love for birds, and that pleases me to no end. You not only train our hunting birds, but I’ve taught you to care for the flock in the coop as well.”

“Robin knows how to take care of the pigeons, too,” said Regina. “And Roger is here to tend to the birds in the mews in my absence. So what is this really about?”

“Father thinks it is best if this thief-taker pretends to be working here at the castle,” explained Robin. “I mean, doing something besides catching a thief.”

“Good idea. Give him a job,” said Regina swishing her hand through the air. “I am sure there is something you can find for a commoner to do. Perhaps he can rake out muck in the stables or wash dishes in the scullery, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“That’s not exactly the job we had in mind,” mumbled Robin.

“Then what?” she asked, not really caring what this man would do.

“Hunter is going to be your new apprentice,” said Madoc with a quick flash of a smile.

“What?” Regina’s eyes opened wide. “Nay.” She shook her head in frustration, ripping off the falconer glove and sticking it under her arm. “Falconry takes years to learn and his presence will be temporary. I cannot and will not teach the craft to someone who doesn’t even care about birds at all. It is only for those with a true passion for the art. Besides, I already have an assistant. Roger and even Cassian still helps me out. I don’t need more people in the mews or the birds will become frightened.” She continued her rant, not giving either of the men a chance to talk. “Besides, this Hunter man isn’t a noble. Only nobles can be falconers. Everyone knows that!” Her ire was spiked and her heart raced. What kind of game was her brother and father playing? She didn’t like this idea one bit.