Page 71 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

“What were they doing out there?” asked Rook, sounding concerned. “My daughter is very pregnant and I don’t want her atop a horse. I’ll have her head!”

“Was Morag with them?” asked Bedivere, concerned for her safety.

“I didn’t see her,” said Percival.

“It’s odd that the other girls would leave without her,” said Rowen.

“Oh, no,” said Bedivere, having a terrifying thought. “She wouldn’t have!” He ran from the stable with the rest of the men right behind him. “Where is Morag?” he shouted to the girls, who were dismounted and handing the reins of their horses to Branton.

The girls looked at each other but didn’t say a word.

“Fia, where is yer sister?” growled Reed. “And dinna lie to me. I need to ken.”

“She was with us,” said Fia. “But she wanted some time alone.”

“She’s in the secret garden,” said Branton. “I was just about to go back to get her.”

“God’s eyes,” spat Bedivere. “Whitmore just left for the woods and Morag is out there all alone. I’ve got to protect her.” He took the reins from one of the horses from Branton, getting atop the animal in one jump.

“I’ll show you the way,” offered Branton.

“I know the way,” said Bedivere.

“Then I’ll help you protect her, since this is my fault for leaving her there all alone.”

“I’m coming with you.” Rowen jumped atop another horse.

“I’m in as well,” said Rook doing the same.

“Morag is my daughter and no one is goin’ to save her but me. Where’s another horse? I need a horse,” shouted Reed.

Branton and Bedivere took off for the drawbridge and both Rowen and Rook looked down at their brother and then over to each other.

“Last one out the gate gets him,” said Rowen, kicking his heels into his horse and hurrying away, leaving Rook there.

“Move over, Rook,” said Reed, pulling himself atop the horse behind his brother.

“Why is it always me?” grumbled Rook, taking off after the rest of the men.

As soon as they approached the secret garden and found the gate open, Bedivere knew Whitmore was inside.

“Hold up.” Bedivere held up his hand to stop the others. Dismounting quickly, he pulled a blade from his waist belt and snuck up to the gate, peering inside. Sure enough, there were two horses inside. Whitmore was mounting one with Morag already atop, her hands tied and a gag in her mouth.

“Good God, he’s got Morag.”

“Let us through. I am goin’ to kill him.” Reed, sitting behind Rook on the horse, urged him to move closer.

“Wait!” Bedivere held up a halting hand again.

“Dinna tell me to wait when my daughter’s life is in peril because of ye,” Reed answered. “Rook, go on in the garden and hurry.”

“If we all storm in there, he is sure to kill her,” said Bedivere. “Let me go in first and try to talk to him. We need to keep him calm and make him feel like he’s got the upper hand. Let’s not even tell him the rest of you are here.”

“He’s right,” said Rowen. “If Whitmore feels threatened, he might harm Morag.”

“Well, I am no’ goin’ to sit here like a fool while Morag’s life is in danger!” Reed dismounted and pulled his sword from the sheath. Rook jumped off the horse and grabbed his brother’s hand.

“Don’t be a fool, Reed,” Rook warned him. “Bedivere is our best bet to deal with Whitmore. If he sees us, then it’s all over. Let him try.”

---