Page 127 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
Chapter Three
“Do you needit all?” Jamie ran his hand through his hair.
She crossed her arms in front of her and stood next to two satchels, a basket of food provided by Ann, and a bedroll. The sound of her tapping shoe on the cobblestone erupted from beneath her skirt.
“Wait,” her mother called from the doorway. John followed her to the bailey carrying a large satchel. “I have a package for the family.”
“I’ll get another horse.” Jamie marched to the stable mumbling under his breath. Laura let out a heavy sigh.
“Here’s a letter for Herbert from your father. Make sure it gets it as soon as you arrive.” Her mother hugged her. “Have a safe journey.”
“Take these with you.” Lisbeth clipped a strand of deep purple agate beads around her neck.
“But—” Lisbeth swore her charms were magic.
Jamie marched out of the barn with a pack horse. After his men fastened the baggage to the animal he tested the ropes and made sure they were secure.
“Take them. They’ll help get to the truth of the matter. There are eight beads on the string. Don’t lose any. There are consequences.”
“Consequences?” Laura asked as she touched the smooth stones.
“Lose a bead, lose something precious to you. Don’t give me that sour look. The clasp is tight.” Lisbeth stood back and admired the necklace. “The agates sparkle on your neck. That’s a good sign you are well-matched with them.”
Laura touched the beads with reverence. The age-old agate and gold necklace had been handed down in the family.
“Thank you. I’ll take good care of them.” she whispered.
“And smile. I don’t know why you hate to ride. You’re such a good horse woman.” Lisbeth kissed her sister.
Gareth helped her mount up. Their good-byes said, Jamie led the small column out of the gatehouse.
Three miles into their journey, Laura stopped at the crest of the hill where the Glen Kirk road crossed the trail to Ravencroft.
“It’s a beautiful sight.” The morning sun bathed the castle tower in its light.
“Yes, it is, but we best continue on. We’ve a lot of ground to cover before we rest.” Jamie prodded their horses ahead and veered off the trail.
“This isn’t the way. Where are we going?”
“To Caerlaverock by a different route.” His exasperated voice didn’t amuse her.
“Why not the usual route?” She halted her horse and brought the small column to a standstill. “This route is more difficult.”
Jamie turned in his saddle, his hand on his battle horse’s rump. “If we don’t stop to admire the flora, this route will take a day off our trip.” He looked at his men, turned and moved forward. The riders closed in around her. Her palfrey, shorter than the soldiers’ warhorses, made it difficult for her to see. She stopped trying.
After a silent hour’s ride, they arrived at a small clearing. The Bells Burn a few hundred yards ahead. Six riders emerged out of a thicket and blocked their way. Jamie’s men closed rank in front of Laura and kept her hidden from view. Laura looked past her protectors and caught glimpses of the riders. They were from Ravencroft, the Mitchell crest clear on their cloaks.
“You’re on Mitchell land,” the leader of Bryce’s guards said. Looking between her protectors, she recognized the man. He often accompanied Bryce to Glen Kirk. This was going to get bad quickly unless she did something. Laura brought her horse around the others and caught Jamie’s men by surprise.
“We are not,” she insisted.
“Lady Laura,” the man sputtered. “I didn’t see you with these men.”
“Lord Bryce has you on patrol? You can’t see a woman among five men?” Jamie’s soft cough, which she knew well, concealed his laugh.
“And you have no idea of the Ravencroft boundary? Actually, you’re deep in Reynolds’ territory. What, sir, are you and your bullies doing on Glen Kirk land?” Her temper veered sharply to anger. Now she understood. Jamie’s route while difficult, kept them on her father’s land until the border. Bryce. She had no illusions about his interests. They weren’t for her, but for Glen Kirk. He strutted around as if the heir apparent. Well, he wasn’t and, if she had anything to do with it, he never would.
The beads around her neck warmed. A soft gasp of surprise escaped her lips. Encouraged knowing she was right Laura walked her horse closer to the Mitchell patrol.
