Her neck snapped around at Sèidrich’s demand. She spoke before thought. “You can question till hell holds ice same as those mountains north from here and the answer still won’t cross my lips, you Scottish snake.”
“Oh? You seek to play with insulting words?” His expression turned menacing. “I prefer to make my sentiments known through action. The Benefactor deemed you were not to be harmed, otherwise, I would have let some of these warriors’ hands take what they have been eyeing since you appeared. However, your pretty knight is another matter.”
She gave a small cry which was drowned by the stallion’s wail-like knicker after Sèidrich ripped the bit in the steed’s mouth, yanking the beast around toward the wagon where Callum was trapped.
“Tell you!” she yelled before the captor could make good on the threat at Callum. “Halt! I shall tell you!”
Sèidrich pulled the beast up alongside Callum, who was pulling on the ropes as he saw the violent exchange. “If you seek to know the truth, I am certain this ‘Benefactor’ would as well.” She spoke so briskly her words almost slurred. “Do you wish for all those who currently surround us to hear about the strength in my grasp?” Sèidrich paused while glaring at her.He paused.He was considering her reasoning. “A keeper of secrets you and the Benefactor both are. I shall share all but with the proper audience in a select few.”
“I know your purpose is another, my lady.” His lips curved into a cruel grin. “However, your point is a valid one; thus, I shall keep my wait till we reach the Benefactor.”
She looked at Callum. Safe. He was safe – for now.
“Sèidrich!” one of the coin bag bearers from earlier shouted. The warriors parted like water around a boulder in a rushing river at his approach. “The hunt was fruitful.”
The hunt? Her breath caught when the warrior grew closer, pulling the reins on a second horse with a body hanging lifeless over the saddle. Flaxen hair but the build was familiar. Oh my, it was Lord Kolson! “Is… is he dead?” Nella murmured.
Sèidrich didn’t answer but dismounted. “Remain still as you are, my lady, lest that be your knight as well.” She didn’t blink.
The volatile leader strode up toward the Northman’s horse whom the warrior had halted before the wagon. Grabbing a fist full in sweated hair, Sèidrich ripped up Lord Kolson’s face, or what was left of it. Bruises and split lip and one eye swollen shut were his new features.
Sèidrich glanced at the warrior. “Well done.”Well done?“Were there any issues?”
“Nae.”
“Excellent, will rouse him in the trough upon reaching the bailey.”Holger was still alive.“Let this serve as a reminder what awaits any who seek to escape!” Sèidrich bellowed at her and her knights.
“A reminder of the cowardice a band in cutthroats may bestow against one lone brave soul?” Callum stated darkly. “‘Reminder’ chronicled.”
Sèidrich’s steps back toward his charger paused. Her breath halted. “Brave? I believe not. Frightened was more the cause by the Northman to run. Time, Sir Callum, give it time. You too shall break those most honorable white-featheredwings from your back and drop with me into the demon’s chambers below,” Sèidrich threatened, then darted his gaze at the warrior’s. “Move on! The bailey awaits.”
Chapter 25
The only thing that was going to break would be Sèidrich’s neck! Callum narrowed his eyes on the feature. Aye, it was possible. Snap that neck like a fuking twig – once free.
Callum glanced at Lord Kolson, whose horse whinnied in the wind while their wagon dipped into a rut. How was the Northman’s condition? True, he did not like the gestr, but no man deserved punishment for trying to serve his kingdom. This was most likely the root in the Northman’s bold attempt at an escape. It was the one element both of them shared – loyalty to their kingdoms.
Nella’s wide-eyed expression met his before Sèidrich tore his charger back into the lead. Callum looked at the guard on his left, who glared while riding and leading the wagon’s steeds by the bridle.
Was the distance enough to speak with Nella without the guard hearing? Leaning his head over his right shoulder, he made a movement like brushing his lips over his mantle. At the same moment he murmured, “Do not fear, Nella. Once we have discovered whom the Benefactor is we shall find a way from here.” He paused, glancing up; the guard did not hear him. However, Nella looked over her shoulder, meeting his gaze, her eyes narrowed by determination. He inwardly smiled. She had!
“I believe you were heard, my friend,” Brayden muttered under his breath.
“Aye.”
“Silence!” the guard who rode alongside ordered them.
Brayden stared at the guard. “You hold a close resemblance to a Northman I knew from Largs. A most ill-tempered soul as well, never cared much for him. It was fitting when he met the end of a lightning bolt.” The guard’s eyes bulged. “True story, cross my heart and hope to… well,ahem, given the current circumstances I will leave off the last part,” he quipped.
Humph.The guard showed his back toward them again.
“Well done, Sir Brayden,” Callum whispered. “Jested another into lowering his guard, so to speak.”
“Aye.” Brayden’s mirth vanished as he said for Callum and Nella’s ears alone, “The guards who surround us, Gallowglass?”
Callum answered, “For certain.”
“Aye, the double-bladed weapons strapped across saddles and backs as if axes are all in fashion upon this campaign season’s battlefield,” Brayden countered. “Plan yet?”
