Chapter Three
Landyn led the way through the hallway. He had spoken to numerous monks and while many were searching for the other Hawke sisters, the women remained missing. He had doubts whether they were still in the chateau. But he had no time to figure out this puzzle. He should be at John’s side, leading the caravan.
He glanced at the woman beside him. She wore a concerned frown on her brow. And what was he to do with Raven?
“Their horses!” Raven exclaimed.
Landyn stopped and looked at her, scowling in confusion.
“They should be in the stables,” she explained.
Of course! The sisters needed their horses to travel. If the animals were not in the stables, the women would have left the chateau. He shifted his path toward the door to the inner ward. It was a good idea. He was impressed she had thought of it.
They emerged into a sunny ward. Tall stone walls rose high overhead. Beyond them, a thick band of dark clouds churned on the horizon. Guards strolled the walkways of the chateau gate. A bell rang out. A monk hurried through the ward toward the chapel, otherwise, the yard was empty.
Landyn stepped down the two stairs into the ward and led the way toward the back of the chateau and the stables. Tings could be heard coming from the blacksmith shop as they passed. The scent of fresh bread wafted through the air from the bakery. Soft prayers sounded from the chapel.
When they neared the wooden stables, a young boy of about eight summers rushed out to meet them. He brushed his scraggly brown hair from his eyes. “Ya need yer horse, Sir Landyn?” He hurried to match steps with Landyn.
“Not yet,” Landyn answered. He cast a quick glance at the tumultuous clouds and hoped he would be on his way before the rain. He pushed the door of the stables open and entered.
The boy hesitated beside him, confused. “Is there something I can get ya?”
“You remember my sisters, don’t you, Will?” Raven asked.
Landyn was surprised she knew the boy’s name. He didn’t even know it.
The boy nodded enthusiastically. “’Course. The ladies with swords.”
Raven nodded. “Are their horses still here?”
Will frowned and swiped his hair from his eyes again. “’Course. And I’m takin’ good care of ’em.”
“The ladies didn’t ride out of the castle?” Landyn queried.
“No. Their horses are there.” He pointed down the row of stalls.
Raven walked down the aisle.
“I’m feeding ’em. Brushing ’em,” Will explained with pride.
Raven paused at one stall, staring in bewilderment at the horse. She slightly shook her head.
“You haven’t seen the ladies?” Landyn asked the boy.
Will shook his head. “I’ve been here all morn. They haven’t come in.”
Landyn glanced at Raven. She stood before the stall, tapping her finger against her thigh. Frustration welled inside him. While he sympathized about Raven’s concern for her sisters, he was anxious to be back with John. Yet John had tasked him with finding the women. Where could her sisters be? “We’ll check back with the monks,” Landyn called to her.
Raven nodded slowly and returned to his side. “They couldn’t have just disappeared.”
No. They couldn’t.
Raven glanced at the boy. “If you see them, tell them to wait for me.”
Will nodded. “Aye.”
Raven bowed her head and departed the stables.
