Page 32 of Flanders' Folly
At dawn, Flanders realized he needn’t have locked Brigid in his chambers after all. Obviously, she wouldn’t have willingly stayed behind, but that no longer mattered—she wouldn’t be leaving Todlaw anytime soon…and neither would anyone else.
Long before the sun reached the eastern horizon, Laird Stephan and every man at arms that was compelled to answer his call surrounded the substantial curtain wall built by James Duncan. Thankfully, all the bonnet farmers from the area were safely inside, and the young Laird Duncan appeared quite prescient for having his castle siege-ready.
Except for Bella Muir’s, not another life had been lost—as yet.
Alas, that wouldn’t be the case when it all came to an end. Flanders would see to that.
Robert took his time, making his way toward the gate, waving and wishing his people good morrow as he pulled on his gloves to greet his new visitors. And since the young buck seemed to have a plan, Flanders remained on the ground, dressed and ready for whatever was required of him.
A loud screech escaped from the keep at Robert’s back, but he kept coming. His eyes widened briefly before he gave Flanders a wink. “Prepare yerself,” he said. “They’ve let her out.”
No need to explain whoshewas.
The laird took the steps two at a time as if he would much rather speak with Stephan than deal with the woman who had, only temporarily, been locked in his home.
“Laird Stephan,” he shouted cheerfully. “Look how well ye sit a horse this morn. I had wondered if ye might ever do so again, after the state we found ye in yesterday!”
The men on the wall laughed, insinuating that the tale had well and truly spread. Unable to control his curiosity, Flanders climbed to the wall walk just west of the gatehouse, to see how their neighbor was handling the barb. The red of Stephan’s face was all the answer he needed.
“I’ve come for two things, Young Duncan,” Stephan announced. “First, I’ve come to retrieve my people—the ones ye kidnapped in the night. I’ve already sent a list of yer sins to Stirling, but if ye release them to me immediately, perhaps our regent will be lenient in yer punishment.”
“No.” That was all. Robert didn’t bother to elaborate or explain himself. There was no need.
“Then we shall await the verdict together.”
Stephan seemed surprisingly alert considering his condition of the day before. The question was, would it last? Would he suddenly wonder how he’d arrived at Todlaw’s gates?
The Rat Laird signaled to a pair of men who quickly dismounted and moved close to the gate, one of them leading a horse with a wrapped body lying across its back. The men reached for the ties that secured the burden, then paused.
“Second order of business is to return yer spy.” Stephan waved a hand and the ties were pulled. The body was yanked roughly from the back of the beast and it landed on the ground with a lifeless thud.
Flanders immediately turned to scan the courtyard for Mael, the brave man who had proven crucial in the triumphs of the previous day. He couldn’t imagine when their talented spy might have been captured between Gallabrae and Todlaw, without any of them noticing.
A gasp drew his attention back to the wall. The covering had been removed from the corpse, but it wasn’t Mael. It was Heslington who stared, sightless, at the morning sky.
This explained the Rat Laird’s morning clarity. The two people who might have kept him fettled and out of sorts were his wife, who was now safely inside the curtain wall, and the man who lay dead at his feet.
One down, one more to go.
Flanders could see Robert resisting the urge to turn and look at him. Likewise, he would like nothing better than to consult with his friend on how they should handle the accusation. But in the end Robert hadn’t needed his advice.
“I’m afraid ye’re wrong about Heslington. We simply sent the spy back to his true master.”
Stephan smirked. “Well, then, I suppose the Regent must decide who has been spying upon whom. That is, if ye still refuse to return my people to me.”
“Aye. I do. Feel free to enjoy our dirt whilst ye wait.” Robert gestured to the expanse of land that surrounded Todlaw on all sides. To prevent an enemy from catching them unawares, all trees and tall growth had been cleared away so the horizon was visible in all directions. And anyone laying siege to the place would remain in plain view. So there was little to shelter Stephan and his troops unless they brought them along.
Robert turned away from his visitor as if suddenly bored and moved to the stair. Once he was out of Stephan’s view, however, he hurried down the steps, sober as a priest. Flanders caught up with him halfway to the keep, where the war counsel would be gathering.
He stated the obvious.
“The Regent is too busy to come.”
Robert nodded. “Aye. The quandary is whom he will send in his stead?”
“And why does Stephan seem so confident?”
“You suppose he only pretends to know something we do not?”
