“They must have wanted what was in those crates.” She leaned forward slightly. “Thetreasure.”
Landyn locked gazes with her.
She really had no clue whether there had been treasure in those crates or whether Boucher had gotten it or not. She tried to gage Landyn, but his face remained void of reaction. She tightened her jaw, realizing he saw through her bluff. “What was in those crates?”
Landyn rubbed his head and shook it. “Nothing.”
“I know. I saw the empty crates. I’m speaking about before Boucher took whatever was in them. Was it treasure?”
Landyn sighed softly and lay back. “We should get some rest. We haven’t slept in almost a day.”
“The key my father spoke of. The key that belongs to me and my sisters. What does it open?”
“I honestly don’t know. But it was important to John that you have it.”
Why?Raven chewed her lip. This was a mystery that Sage would love. It just annoyed Raven. Everything about this entire situation was irritating. She stood, angered that he wouldn’t tell her what was in the crates. Angry that she had to find a key she knew nothing about. Angry that her father was gone.
And worried.
She forced herself not to think of her missing sisters. Not now. First, she would seek revenge on the man that killed her father. Then she would meet them back at Sybil’s farm. They would be there. They had to be there.
She whirled and stalked across the small clearing to another tree to sit.
“Thank you.”
She almost didn’t hear the words. She spun on him. “What?” she snapped.
“Thank you,” Landyn repeated. “For saving my life.”
She stood, stunned. Then she nodded in acceptance of his gratitude. “You’re welcome.”
“You were right. The men didn’t come through the town. But some of them had remained behind. There was a boy who said his father needed help. They ambushed me.”
“Why?” It made no sense. Why would they ambush him?
“Boucher’s army consists of mercenaries. They must have thought to gain more coin by robbing merchants and getting free meals. They used the boy to lure travelers to the inn where they could rob them.”
Raven shook her head in disgust. Those poor villagers had no chance of standing against the mercenaries. A sword in the wrong hands was dangerous. “At least they won’t bother anyone again.”
Landyn settled back against the tree.
Raven crossed her legs and sat down. The only thing that mattered was Boucher. And how his life would end because of what he did to her father.
“You must be careful of this man. Boucher is dangerous. He has no code. No loyalty.”
“The king would not deal with a man like that.”
“If it fit his purpose, he would. Boucher has worked for the king for a long time. He has always done distasteful jobs for him.”
“How do you know so much about him?” Raven wondered suspiciously. When Landyn remained silent, she asked, “Have you met him?”
“He was the reason I am joining the Templar Knights.”
Surprise shot through Raven. “So, you know him. What happened?”
He glanced at her with haunted eyes and then closed them. “Get some rest.”
She wondered what Boucher could have done to Landyn that was extreme enough to make him join the Templar Knights. “He won’t be alive to harm anyone anymore.”
