“That’s because we are kitchen boys in guard uniform. Now can we get moving?”
The door cracked open an inch on its hinge. Eddard went to grab the handle but it widened no further. Through the gap he could see the two of them out there.
One was tall and barely fit into the armor, the chainmail stretched across his chest so far it looked like it might burst into a thousand pieces at any moment. The shorter skinny one was holding a leather flask. He had no helmet on and his face was marked by the pox.
“I’m going nowhere until I finish this drink.”
“Good grief, this is why you’re not a guard. They wouldnae be seen dead drinking on duty. Serious offense, that is.”
“Aye, and that’s why I thought we best guard this corridor of the keep where none can see us who might tell Ronald. Now do you want some or not?”
“And if he asks what we were doing when he gets back?” asked the taller one, taking the flask and swigging from it. He belched loudly a second later.
“We say we went to check on the prisoners. He was laughing about them while he was being dressed ready for riding.”
“Who do you think they were that he dragged down there?”
“No idea and I dinnae care. What I care about is where he’s gone with half the castle, most of the armory and all the stables.”
“There is one horse left.”
Eddard gave Jessica a look before peering out again. The two men were moving away, their voices fading. “He’s gone to take the tax train on.” The voice getting fainter. “So I hear tell anyway.”
“But that passes by no more than an hour from here. They’ll ken it’s MacGregors that did it. We’re all doomed.”
“He’s dressed them up in MacDonald colors, had the seamstresses making the baldrics for a month now. That’s how I found out. Moira told me.”
“You and her still a thing then?”
The men were gone, their voices too far away to be heard any longer.
Eddard pushed the door open and stepped out.
“That’s what I was going to tell you,” Jessica said. “What is a tax train anyway?”
“The king’s accountants bring the taxes with them when they travel. As they move across the Highlands they gather his revenue and once all is collected they return to him for the funds to be added to the Royal coffers.”
“So the taxes for all the clans is…?”
“On the back of their horses in wooden chests.”
“And Ronald is going to steal it?”
“To be so brazen he must be desperate. If he doesn’t succeed, the King will wipe Clan MacGregor from the face of the earth. If he succeeds, he’ll have enough money to take over the Highlands in one fell swoop. He could hire an army bigger than the King’s for the amount he’ll bring back.”
Jessica ran a hand through her hair. “What do we do?”
Eddard ran over to the nearest window and looked out. The sun was high in the sky. “It’s noon. The tax train follows a schedule. It will pass through our territory not long after. The only place he could mount an assault is the deep pass between Mount Black and Mount Dalma. He will be there. If…” He lapsed into silence.
“If what?”
“I could get around the west side and warn the King in time. There is a ledge that few ken about and even fewer could traverse without falling.”
“Then we must go at once.”
He shook his head. “You should stay here where it’s safe.”
“You mean the place that put me in a dungeon and will do so again if I am caught?”
