"But I've not even seen this money.Or heard any of this news.I need to see the king immediately and make sure Bryce does not get away with this!"Boyd jumped up ready to ride immediately when Cormac pulled him back down.
"Dinnae fash, Monk.There's no need."
"Are ye daft?He's threatening to take my wife away from me and her inheritance away from her.The king needs to stop this.Bella is mine.That inheritance is rightfully hers.'Tis not right that all these years she's lived like a pauper," Boyd replied.
Boyd was beginning to panic.He needed to make things right for his wife and save his marriage.
"Calm down, ye fool.Here," Cormac said, as he fished out some parchment from his pouch and handed it to Boyd.
"What is this?"
"'Tis Bryce's petition for your annulment and the details of Bella's inheritance.Apparently, a steward should appear at yer Keep with her funds by the end of the month."
Boyd looked over the parchments and noticed the petition had not been approved or denied by the king and there was correspondence between Bryce and the steward managing Bella's inheritance.The steward had notified Bryce that funds would be delivered to MacKinnon Keep and Bryce had no claim to it, and Bryce was trying to rally support to stop it.
Boyd frowned in confusion."Shadow, when did ye get these?"
"About a sennight ago."
"Aye, but how did ye get these?"
"Och, well, I just happened to be raiding and came across them," he replied.
Boyd's face split into a wide grin.He knew then that Shadow had intercepted the documents, foiling Bryce's plans."Thank ye, Shadow.I owe ye."
"Aye, ye do, and when I come to collect, ye best be ready to pay because my services are not cheap!"Shadow grinned.
Boyd chuckled and nodded.Now, he really needed to get home to his bonnie wife and save his marriage.
"When do ye leave?"Cormac asked with understanding in his eyes.
"Right now," Boyd replied, tossing the flask back to his friend and moving towards his horse."I've wasted enough time."
"Good," Cormac replied before his expression softened."Go make peace with yer wife.Ye deserve to be happy, Monk.We all do."
Boyd nodded, then turned to Thamas and gave orders for them to leave immediately.
"We ride home," he announced."And we dinnae stop until we get there."
His men nodded, clearly relieved to finally be heading home and not riding around the countryside in circles.
***
