Castle Keld was on a rise overlooking a small village of the same name, and the area around the village was lush with growth and trees. That growth only disappeared at the base of the hill Castle Keld was perched upon, and Cole and Addax hadcome in from the northeast, losing themselves in that growth as they made their way towards the castle.
But there were phantoms on the hill surrounding The Keld, phantoms that trickled down the road, seemingly clustering around the western edge of the village. It didn’t take a great intellect to realize that the Scots had beat them to Castle Keld, so they carefully made their way through the dark trees, finally emerging on the northeast side of the castle and making their way up the hill via the postern path.
Now, they stood at the gate.
Addax was trying desperately to catch the attention of someone while Cole held on to the horses and watched their backs. Drago, the happy glutton, ripped at the fat, juicy grass on the hillside as Addax did everything but shout as he tried to get someone’s attention. The postern gate was in two parts, with an outer gate that led to a small, enclosed yard before another gate was opened into the kitchen yard. Therefore, Addax had to work hard to make his presence known.
But finally, it worked.
The cook happened to be in the yard gathering eggs when she saw Addax at the outer gate. She had a torch with her and she went to the inner gate, curious as she peered towards the outer gate. Recognizing the prince from Kitara, she threw the bolt on the inner gate and quickly went to open the outer one, swiftly admitting Addax and Cole and their horses.
Cole slammed the gate behind him and locked it securely.
“Did the Scots see you?” the cook, a round woman with a knot of hair on top of her head, asked eagerly. “They’re at the gatehouse, you know.”
Cole nodded wearily. “We know,” he said. “Where is Lord Alastor?”
The cook shook her head as they passed through the second gate and bolted that one securely behind them. “I’ve not seenhim,” she said. “But Anteaus told us to secure the keep. I’m gathering my chickens and moving them into the kitchens.”
They were moving quickly through the kitchen yard. “Where is Anteaus?” Cole asked.
“The last I saw, he was in the keep.”
Cole thanked her, leaving her with her chickens as he and Addax headed into the main bailey. They could see men on the battlements, battlements that ran all the way around the castle walls but, unfortunately, they all seemed to be bunched up towards the gatehouse, undoubtedly watching the Scots.
He shook his head.
“Idiots,” he muttered. “Thank God we were able to come in through the postern gate, but no wonder we were able to come that way. No one is watching it.”
Addax shook his head in disapproval. “If the Scots want to breach this place, they’ll find any opening or any area that is not well protected,” he said. Then, he reached out and took Cole’s horse. “Go– find Lord Alastor and tell him his postern gate is poorly guarded.”
Cole handed over Drago, who still had big pieces of green grass sticking out of his bridle. “Find me when you are finished,” he said. “If the Scots are here, that can only mean that we are going to find ourselves in a battle when the sun rises and that is not far off.”
Addax took the horses quickly as Cole continued towards the gatehouse where there seemed to be an inordinate amount of activity. He was just passing the keep, albeit at a distance, when he heard someone call his name. Coming to a halt, he could see Corisande and Anteaus standing at the bottom of the forebuilding that led into the keep.
Cole headed in their direction.
“I came to warn you that the Scots were traveling down Kielder Pass,” he said as he came near. “It looks as if I am too late.”
Anteaus was in full battle protection. “They arrived less than an hour ago,” he said. “They want to speak with my father.”
“Where is your father?”
“At the gatehouse.”
Cole turned in the direction of the gatehouse, seeing the dozens of torches and men milling about. There was a sense of urgency in the air and a current of uncertainty, but no one seemed to be panicking. At least, not yet.
He returned his attention to Anteaus.
“This cannot be good,” he said. “An army of Scots does not simply travel into England to socialize.”
Anteaus’ gaze was also fixed on the gatehouse. “My father thought they may have come looking for Canmore,” he said. “But there is no way anyone would know Canmore is here. It is more than likely they are here to discover if my father is going to side with them or not.”
Cole couldn’t disagree. “More than likely,” he said. Then he returned his attention to Anteaus. “Addax and I came in through the postern gate. It is without a guard, so I would strongly suggest moving men to protect it. If the Scots figure it out, you will have an onslaught trying to come in through the rear.”
Anteaus stepped away from the forebuilding, looking at the wall walk, which was lit with men and torches as well.
He grunted unhappily.
