He was ready. As they approached, he held up his sword and then lay it on the ground in front of him, taking a step backward. “I mean no harm,” he shouted over the sound of their thundering hooves.
“Make way for the King’s men,” the nearest soldier shouted. “You can be hanged for less than this.”
“I must speak with your leader at once.”
“You must do nothing.”
The other soldier waved the first into silence. “Who are you?” he asked, raising his visor and looking down at Eddard.
“I am Eddard of the Clan MacGregor and I have news of a plot most foul.”
The man looked at Eddard and then back at the rest of the train which had caught up with him. He held up a hand and the horses came to a halt. “You have honest eyes,” the soldier said. “What is this plot of which you speak?”
“Ronald, steward of the MacGregors, awaits you in the mountain pass ahead. He wears MacDonald colours and plans to slaughter you all and take those chests back to the castle with him.”
“Does he indeed?”
“Why should we believe you?” someone shouted from further back. “You could be part of the plot.”
The nearest soldier yelled, “Silence,” before turning his attention back to Eddard. “Why are you telling us this?”
“Because I cannot stand by and let that man destroy the clan’s reputation.”
“The King will burn more than your reputation if he were to find out you’re lying. Come, you will walk with us. If you speak the truth one more sword will be useful. If you are lying, yours will be the first head to roll.”
Eddard stepped forward and retrieved his sword. He caught a glimpse of Jessica out the corner of his eye and motioned for her to stay hidden. One way or another, it was better she was not involved in the upcoming battle.
The train began to move and he went with them, his long strides helping him keep pace with the horses. As the path grew steeper the progress slowed.
“It is a good place for an ambush,” the man nearest him said. “My name is Forbes MacCallister by the way.”
“The King’s personal guard?”
“The same. Rumor was that we would encounter some trouble this time.”
Eddard nodded. For the King’s personal guard to be away from him was rare. “You heard of the plan?”
“No, but we heard whispers that your steward is up to something. News travels fast even this far north. Why would he do something as foolish as take on the King’s men? He must ken he will be found out.”
“He planned to blame the Laird and take over the clan himself.”
“Assault and then take credit for finding the culprits. A smart move. Shame it will be his last. Where will he be?”
“Around that bend there is a series of boulders either side of the pass. He will have positioned his men behind them, I have no doubt. They are tall enough to hide them and you must pass through the gap one at a time as it narrows. He can shut off your retreat and your advance.”
“Like fish in a barrel,” Forbes replied. “But we shall fool him yet. Jock, Art, leave your horses and see if our friend here speaks the truth.”
The train paused again as two men scrambled up the sheer mountain side like strolling through rolling pasture. They soon vanished from sight.
“If what you say is right, you will be rewarded most handsomely,” Forbes said while they waited. “What would you have? Land? Money? Women?
“I want only that which you cannot give,” he replied.
“Tis a woman then.” Forbes laughed. “Dinnae look so surprised. It is always a woman.”
The two men reappeared, giving a nod to Forbes who turned to Eddard. “Get your sword out lad, you’ll need it.” He turned to the others. “Four men each side of the pass. Use your horses to run them down as they approach. Eddard here will draw them to us. Think you can do it?”
Eddard nodded as the other men prepared. He walked past them, feeling the coldness pass over him that he knew so well from his training. It had never left him.
