Page 71 of The Guardian's Witch

Chapter Eighteen

“Jamie,” called Tom. “We captured six English. They were tracking Alex.”

Jamie and Alex sat in the main room of the hunting lodge. They looked up from a large parchment map on the table.

“Your brothers?” Jamie waved his hand at the six men accompanied by highland guards.

“Yes, I thought they would follow.” Alex left the table to welcome them.

“Alex.” Cameron came forward. “With the carnage we passed on the trail, we arrived at the conclusion you’ve made at least one friend here. We thought about going back but we knew we would upset Mother if we arrived without you.” He slapped Alex on the back and put his arm around him. At close look, there were heavy lines on his brother’s face and the laughter was gone from his voice. “What goes here? You gave us a fright. When we left, Mother and Father were in deep conversation with Edward.”

All his brothers now gathered around him. They stood behind him like an impenetrable wall. Just being with them gave him strength. “Jamie, these are my brothers Geoffrey, Bennett, Damian, Edwin, Fayne and Cameron.”

Alex waited while the Scotsman evaluated his brothers. He knew together the seven of them could be a bit intimidating. But nothing intimidated Jamie.

“You didn’t tell me you traveled with a private army.”

Alex gave Jamie a wide smile. “I hope they get to know you and your men as I do, but right now, Jamie, tell them what your man found.”

The brothers relaxed and found places to sit. Alex noted how easily they seemed to fit in with Jamie’s men. He also noted they didn’t let their guard down.

“Mitchell has detained the king’s protectors and their men in a dungeon in Ravencroft. He holds them prisoner and has them believing they’re being held and ransomed by us,” said Jamie. “He plans to liberate the men and organize them and their followers in a march on Scotland.”

“Does he think he can simply walk into Edinburgh and the Scots will hand over their throne?” asked one of the Stelton men.

“Without a king on our throne and the Scots in disarray, he does,” said Jamie.

“Does he know about the king’s involvement with Scotland?” Bennett spoke up.

“You mean about Edward arbitrating the selection of the next rightful king? I don’t think Mitchell cares. He has been planning this intrigue for some time.” Jamie rubbed his chin.

“He’s accused you of treason,” Cameron said to Alex, “while all along he’s the criminal.”

“How so?” asked Jamie.

“Mitchell’s interfering and undermining the king’s strategy in Scotland. That is treason,” stated Cameron.

“If we free his prisoners and bring them back to Glen Kirk, the king will attest he hasn’t been negotiating a ransom. We can expose Mitchell and his plan,” offered Alex.

“Alex, if Mitchell marches on Scotland with anything that resembles an army he will surely start a war. He may think he can saunter in and take our throne. No matter his secret weapon. That will never happen.” said Jamie.

“Secret weapon? Does he have a secret weapon?” asked Cameron.

“No. He thinks he needs Glen Kirk and Lisbeth to take the throne,” said Jamie.

“Jamie, tell me about Lisbeth, her sister, her parents. There must be something to give us some clue why Mitchell thinks he needs the castle and Lisbeth,” said Alex.

An early winter breeze blew outside but the men didn’t notice, until the glint of something in the tree caught Alex’s attention. He straightened up. “Jamie, tell me about the charms she puts about.”

“Lisbeth uses them to encourage peace and tranquility.”

“What about her visions?” asked Alex.

“Laura told me she’s had them ever since she can remember.”

“What does she do to bring them on?”

“Nothing. Laura told me they just happen. Lisbeth was born with a thin sheath of skin covering her face. She’s grown to be an exceptional healer, and she is plagued with visions.”

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