Page 27 of Scottish Rose: Coira

“It still doesn’t make it right,” said Zara.

“Nay, it doesna. But I deceived him, too, and that wasna right either. I feel bad that Lance left in a storm to find Sweetcakes. But that tells me that he does care about me after all. I have to go to him, Zara.” Coira turned and ran down the corridor, heading out to the courtyard. She had worried for Lance’s safety and was happy that he’d returned.

She ran out the door of the keep, calling out his name. “Lance? Lance, ye’ve returned.”

“Well, look at what we have here.” The voice of Sir Philip stopped her dead in her tracks. She looked up to see his angry face staring down at her from his steed. The wagon with the cages on the back was right behind him. All her fears came crashing down on her at once. She backed away slowly. “You told your husband a lie, wench.” He dismounted and reached out and grabbed her by the hair.

“Ow! Leave me be.” She struggled against his hold.

“No one is going to lie to me and get away with it.”

“I dinna ken what ye mean.”

“You told your husband the Stone of Destiny was where the River Annan and the Evan Waters meet. However, on my way there I met up with one of my brother’s men who knew the truth. That was the last hiding place of the stone, but it’s been moved. Now, tell me, where is it?” He gripped her hair tighter, causing her to bend over in pain.

“I dinna ken,” she shouted. “Only the MadMen MacKeefe ken where they hid the stone.”

“I don’t believe you. Now tell me where it is or I will get it out of you, however I have to.”

“Lance willna let ye get away with this,” shouted Coira.

Philip chuckled. “He’s not going to come to your rescue because I heard he’s out looking for a mutt.”

Coira felt sick to her stomach and now regretted ever making such a big fuss about the missing dog. If she hadn’t, Lance would be there now to protect her and to defend his castle.

“What’s going on down there?” shouted a sentry from the battlements.

“Men, take care of the guards before they alert everyone we’re here,” commanded Philip.

“Aye, my lord,” said his men, taking off at a run.

“Tell me the truth, wench, or you’re going back in there where you belong.” Philip dragged her over to the wagon and shoved her face in front of the bars of the cage that had, at one time, been her prison.

“Nay, please. I dinna ken where the stone is hidden.”

“Leave her alone,” shouted Zara, running across the courtyard to try to help her. Coira heard fighting from the battlements, with shouting and the sound of clashing swords.

“Get the old crone,” commanded Philip. “And put them both in these hanging cages until the wench tells us the truth.”

“Aye, milord,” said several of Philip’s soldiers, hauling the cages from the back of the cart.

“Nay!” cried Coira, being dragged by Sir Philip over to the cages. “Please, I dinna want to go in the cage.” Thunder crashed overhead and the sky opened up again, with rain pouring down.

“Get the ropes and hang the baskets. One night out in this storm and I’m sure the girl will start spilling her secrets come morning.”

Coira fought them but still ended up in the cage. As they used the ropes and pulleys to hang the cages in the courtyard, Coira felt her knees wobble and give way beneath her.

“Be strong, Child,” Zara shouted from the other cage. Coira felt sick as the wind blew the cage back and forth and the rain pelted down so hard she was sure it was daggers sticking into her body. All hope vanished as her past came to life once again. She closed her eyes and trembled, being transported back to six years earlier when her life hung in the balance.

“Effie, I’m scared,” Coira told her sister, swinging back and forth in the wind, holding on to the bars of her cage. A crow settled itself atop her cage, reaching its beak through the bars, just waiting to be able to peck her eyes from her body as soon as she was dead and shriveled from the sun. Coira screamed and hid her face in her hands.

“Be strong,” she heard Effie tell her. But Coira had always been sickly and weak. Effie was the strong one, not her.

“Be strong,” Zara told her again. “Lance will be back soon, and he will protect you.”

Coira uncovered her eyes and looked down at the ground. Philip and the guards were heading to the keep. Some of Lance’s soldiers ran out and they all started fighting.

“It’s over, Zara. I’m goin’ to die in this cage after all.”