Page 43 of Ladybird

“Then what did you do before you were a thief-taker?” asked William. “Mayhap that is what you should focus on.”

“Nay. Never.”

“What do you mean?”

“As a boy, the same age as Luke, I traveled with my father. As mercenaries.”

“Oh.” William made a face. “I see what you mean. But at least you are a fighting man. That is a skill well admired.”

“Mayhap if you’re a knight, which I’ll never be. Otherwise, I’m just considered a killer. I have been born lowly and some things are just out of my reach, I’m afraid.”

“Find the thief,” said William. “You do that and you will make a lot of nobles happy, and shine in Regina’s eyes as well. Do what you’re good at, and let the rest fall in place as it will.”

“Oh, I will find the thief, I promise you that. It is only a matter of time.” Hunter had faith in his abilities and this didn’t worry him at all. “However, I must admit that I am not really in a big hurry to do so.”

“You’re not?” William seemed confused. “I don’t understand. Why not?”

“Because, William, as soon as I find and deliver the thief, I will have to leave Shrewsbury Castle and go back to my old life. My life, that is, without Lady Regina.”

Regina sat atop her horse with Hera on her arm, waiting for Hunter outside the stable. The hunting party which consisted of Robin, his squire, and two huntsmen were all packed and ready to leave. Abe, the kennelgroom was also there with two of the hunting dogs on leads.

“Are we ready to go?” Robin asked her, giving his wife Sage a hug and kiss goodbye.

“We are still waiting for Hunter and Luke,” she told him. “Oh, here comes Hunter now.”

Hunter arrived and the stable groom, Al brought his horse as well as Luke’s to him.

“Lord Hunter,” said Regina from atop her horse. “I’d like you to meet Lord Robin’s squire, Baldwin. Also the kennelgroom, Abe, and two of our huntsmen, Gregory and Paul.”

“Hello, happy to meet you,” said Hunter with a quick nod. “I am sorry I am late but I’ve been looking for my nephew, Luke. Have any of you seen him?”

Regina looked up to see Luke hobbling toward him from the keep. “There he is,” she said with a nod.

“Luke, hurry up,” growled Hunter. “You are making everyone wait.”

“I can’t go on the hunt today,” said the boy. “I fell down the stairs to the battlements and hurt my leg.” Luke bent down and rubbed his leg.

“Oh, you poor thing,” said Sage, hurrying over to him. “Let me see it. I am a healer.”

When Luke showed her his leg, Regina noticed that the boy was wearing boots that were several sizes too big for him. “Mayhap he tripped because his boots are too big,” she pointed out.

Hunter looked down at the boy’s feet. “Luke? Where did you get those boots? And what the hell were you doing up on the battlements? You don’t belong up there.” Hunter’s tone was filled with anger making Regina sure that he was about to reprimand the boy.

“Hunter, Hera is getting restless and it is time to go,” she called out, not wanting a confrontation right before they left. Especially not in front of everyone.

“Get on your horse, Luke. Now,” commanded Hunter, mounting his steed.

“Oh, nay, he can’t mount a horse let alone go anywhere,” said Sage, inspecting his leg. “His knee is scraped and bleeding and also bruised. His ankle is also starting to swell. Leave him here with me and I will apply a healing salve to it. He should be fine by the time you return.”

“Yes, I need to stay here, Hunter,” said the boy, getting a look that could kill from Hunter.

“We’ll discuss this when I return,” Hunter told him. “Now, stay out of trouble, and I mean it.”

“I’ll watch over him,” offered Sage, being the kind woman and excellent mother that she was. Sage was used to being around children since her parents had died when she was young and it had been up to her to raise her siblings.

Fred appeared from the stables with Inky in his arms. He put the cat down on the ground and she ran over to Luke, rubbing against his leg. Luke sat right down on the ground and put the cat on his lap.

Hunter rode over to Regina. “Where is Roger?” he asked. “I thought he was going to bring Cloud along on the hunt too.”