Chapter Thirteen
Mordrington Manor
“We dinna see them, but someone was definitely there,” a burly Scot spoke to Shand and Win. “There was movement in the trees but they were gone before we could catch up tae them. Their horses were swift.”
Shand was listening with concern. The men had gone on a routine patrol, prowling around the lands surrounding Mordrington just after dawn, and noticed recent signs of men moving in the trees south of the manse.
Footprints in the mud, disturbed bushes, and there were also signs of at least one horse, probably two.
Mordrington was being watched.
“Which direction did they go?” Shand asked.
“South,” the Scotsman said. “Straight down the road towards Cocklaw and Kirkbank and Trastamara.”
Shand turned to Win. “Spies from Trastamara,” he said with certainty.
“I told you that boy wanted to clean out Mordrington. He must have sent men to do it and when they saw the Scots, they turned around. Now the de Wolfe knights are going to know that there are Scots here. This takes away any element of surprise we had.”
Win wasn’t entirely upset like Shand was, mostly because he was a man who could never admit someone might have the upper hand on him. That was his nature. Take no responsibility, admit no failings.
Like now.
As he saw it, this was to their advantage.
Since Shand had come to Mordrington yesterday with his proposal for laying siege to Trastamara, a great deal had been discussed through the night.
Win knew of Shand Bexwell, or at least he’d heard the name, but he was coming to see an intelligent man who believed he was very much due Trastamara in spite of the fact that Roget’s heir had taken control.
It wasn’t that the man coveted the property or was greedy about it.
He simply believed it should belong to him, pure and simple.
But Win liked his message – remove all traces of the House of de Sauque and the properties would belong to them – Trastamara to Bexwell and Mordrington to the Scots.
As a man who happily took what did not belong to him, Win couldn’t have agreed more.
Mordrington would make a hell of a base for his band of reivers and Bexwell would let him operate as he saw fit.
He wasn’t going to lose this opportunity.
“Ye worry too much,” he said after a moment. “I’ve spent a day and a night listening tae ye tell me everything I wanted tae know about Trastamara Castle and her weaknesses, so we simply move forward earlier than we’d planned.”
Shand frowned. “Move earlier?” he said. “Don’t you understand? Trastamara is probably mustering the army as we speak.”
Win looked at him, smiling. He had a handsome smile, but there was so much evil in his blood that it negated any semblance of attractiveness or honor. A smile on his face was simply a wicked gesture, his black eyes reflected his black soul.
“I hope they are,” he said. “I hope they plan on marching right up tae the door of Mordrington. But we willna be here, lad.”
“What do you mean?”
Win was quite pleased with himself, for he saw a great advantage in Trastamara taking the army to Mordrington.
“Just what I said,” he said. “We’ll be gone.
As they’re marching tae Mordrington, we’ll be using the trees tae shield us as we move tae Trastamara.
While they’re here tae attack us, we’ll be climbing over their walls and killing the men they left behind.
When they return tae Trastamara, it’ll be ours. Now do ye understand?”
Shand looked at him in shock. “Are you serious?”
“Of course. Just show us the weak places on the wall and we’ll make short work of them.”
Shand was somewhat embarrassed that this reiver had thought of this plan of attack and he hadn’t. But, then again, reivers were sly and underhanded, so it wasn’t surprising. In truth, it was rather brilliant. While Trastamara’s army was removed from the castle, the reivers would strike.
After a moment, Shand nodded.
“Then we go,” he said. “Muster your men and I will show you where to place your ladders. But be prepared for a fight because if de Wolfe left his men behind, the de Wolfe soldiers will not give up without trying to kill you first.”
Win waved him off. “I’ve fought my share of de Wolfe men over the years,” he said. “Berwick, Questing, Wark, and as far west as Wolfe’s Lair. I know them and they know me. It may take some time, but we’ll triumph in the end. With yer help, we will.”
Shand wasn’t as confident as Win, but he didn’t argue with the man.
He simply nodded, thinking on what lay ahead.
Finally, his chance to regain Trastamara, as it should have been his when Roget was killed.
It was never meant for that little whelp of a son.
He wasn’t man enough to handle such an outpost.
Shand also knew that this would lead to trouble with de Wolfe and de Norville, and the other allies along the border. With the House of de Sauque, and Abril, no longer in control of their hereditary home, the allies would have questions. His possession of Trastamara wasn’t legitimate.
But he couldn’t worry about that now.
First, he had a castle to gain.
“I’ll help,” he said. “But I suggest you get your men moving. If I know de Wolfe, they will muster the army as soon as they receive the word that Mordrington is overrun with Scots.”
“We can be ready in an hour or two,” Win said. “My men travel fast and light. We can move quickly.”
Shand nodded, but his thoughts were lingering on something else, something he’d been thinking of since he’d left Trastamara the first time.
Lady de Sauque.
“One more thing,” Shand said. “Roget’s wife… you will spare her and your men will not touch her. She belongs to me.”
Win gave him a knowing smirk. “Is that so? Have yer eye on her, do ye?”
“She was the heiress of Trastamara when Roget married her. I need her to hold the castle.”
Win didn’t give up his teasing so easily. “Are ye sure it’s not more?” he said. “When Roget was bedding my sister, ye were bedding his wife?”
Shand shook his head. “Nay,” he said. “But, God willing, that will change.”
Win snorted, but he was already moving. The time for jesting was over.
They had preparations to make and little time to do them.
In short time, the reivers of Mordrington Manse were preparing for what could possibly be their biggest prize yet, that great and glorious castle that protected The Orchard crossing bridge.
Trastamara.