The English warden owed him a favour but Sir William was jubilant when Herries agreed. William guessed he must be eager to rid himself of some troublesome rogues. It didn’t occur to him that he might be inviting trouble into his own domain. Many strangers gathered on truce days, merchants selling their wares, entertainers eager to earn a little payment, women who followed them, earning food and shelter any way they could. There were skilled craftsmen with saddles and boots, and armour but there were always thieves with an eye open for an opportunity.
When Neb Truddle heard of the forthcoming truce day he was jubilant.
‘It is fate,’ he declared. ‘I shall travel to Moyenstane for truce day and mingle with the crowd.’
‘To Moyenstane?’ his father echoed. ‘’tis Douglas country! Are ye mad?’
‘They hold the woman who should be mine. I shall find her and when I’m finished with her she will be glad to return here with me, wife or no.’
‘Neb, ye canna do this thing. Isabella Ellwood went of her own free will. She belongs to Henry Douglas now. She is his wife. They will protect what is theirs.’
‘Wife!’ Neb sneered. ‘I’ve heard he is still a milksop of a youth. He may never be a real man. I’ve heard he has neither strength nor will to master a woman.’
‘Whatever ye heard, Isabella belongs to the Douglas Clan now. They are powerful and ruthless, always have been.’
‘They may have her now but ye brought me up to believe “they may take who have the power, and they may keep who can.” Well I’m telling ye I mean to take her, aye, and when I have her I shall keep her. She will be my woman. She should always have been mine. She’s an Ellwood. Braidlands will be mine one day.’
‘Are ye forgetting she still has a brother? He’s grown into a fine man and he’s as well respected as his father was.’
‘Respect!’ Neb spat the word. ‘Respect didna stop ye killing his father.’
‘I wish to God your grandmother hadna filled your head with tales o’ the Ellwoods. She never wanted to marry my father. He raped her and carried her off. Anyway she was only second or third cousin to the Braidland Ellwoods.’
‘Faither, ye had ambition to get Braidlands once. Ye’re getting old…’
‘I beg ye no’ to go, Neb. I have a feeling…’ he pressed a hand to his chest, ‘I shall never see ye again if ye gang near the Douglas Clan.’
‘Have you been looking for signs again? They’ll hang ye for witchcraft if the rest o’ the Truddles hear ye.’
‘It isna witchcraft!’ his father denied. ‘But I know, if ye go ye’ll not come back. I’ve had dreams…A sign I tell ye…’
‘Ye’ve had too much o’ yon brandy we brought back frae the last raid o’er the border,’ Neb scoffed and went off to prepare for his journey. He would go alone and in secret so he could slip in and out of places unnoticed during the bustle of a truce day. He would not tell his father when he was ready to leave. He would creep from the house before dawn and be well on his way before he was missed. He frowned. The old man had changed lately. He kept imagining he had seen signs and omens and they were always about the devil and going to hell.
Neb was right. His father did not miss him until time for the evening meal when he did not come home. Joshua Truddle slept badly that night and rose early the following morning. He supped his gruel and called for one of the servants to saddle his horse.
Jamie Ellwood and his sisters were finishing their own breakfast when he arrived at Braidlands. The young man was immediately wary. His mother banished her daughters to the upper chamber, bidding them stay there until she called to them.
‘I come in peace Mistress Ellwood,’ Truddle protested. He sighed. He understood why she did not trust any member of his family but he felt a weight on his heart and he needed to unburden himself.
‘Where is Neb?’ Jamie demanded knowing the two Truddles were rarely seen apart. ‘Do you have men with you?’ He knew Sam had gone to his own cottage to break his fast after tending the animals but he wondered why one of the other men had not come to warn him of Truddle’s approach.
‘I came alone. Have you heard the Truce Day is to be held at Moyenstane?’
‘So far from the English border? Can this be true?’ Jamie frowned, wondering if this was another trick. Joshua Truddle seemed to have aged considerably since they last met.
‘Neb says ’tis so. He’s on his way there.’
‘He enjoys truce days I’ve heard.’ Jamie Ellwood nodded grimly, ‘especially when several hangings are expected. Why are you not with him?’ he asked, wondering what sort of trick Truddle was planning.
‘I warned him not to go. I didna know he had set out until yestreen. I came because I am feart for him, and for your sister. He still believes she should belong to him. He plans to mingle with the throng. When he discovers where she bides he plans to truss her like a fowl and hide her eyes and ride off with her when the crowds are watching the hangings.’
‘He’ll never get away with it!’ Jamie said, but his mother gasped in horror.
‘He wouldna listen. He thinks I’m getting old and soft but ’tis he who has a worm in his brain. Jealousy ’tis called. I’m feart I’ll never see him again. He wadna listen. I’m telling you for the sake o’ your sister. Ye must stop him.’
When he left Jamie was in a quandary. Were the Truddles playing a trick to get him and his finest men away from Braidlands? Had Neb Truddle set his heart on Marjorie when he could not have Isabella? She was still an innocent wee maid but she had all the signs of becoming a lovely woman. As had become his habit he called Sam into the house and discussed this development with his mother and the older man. He respected their wisdom and advice.
‘So ’tis true the truce day is to be held away frae the Border and to the north this month,’ Sam mused. ‘Neb Truddle is a foolish man if he thinks Douglas will not have his women guarded.’
‘Neb Truddle is a ruthless fiend,’ Mary Ellwood said with unusual vehemence. ‘If he got Isabella away from Moyenstane he would lose no time in defiling her, even though she is another man’s wife.’
Jamie frowned, torn between guarding his home and family, or riding after Neb Truddle. How could he be sure it was not a trick to entice him away again? He could scarcely believe any man could be so crazy as to try capturing Isabella from under the noses of the Douglas men, but truce days were notoriously filled with excitement and noise, strangers, entertainers, and Neb was sly as a fox.
‘’tis possible even the Douglas men may be distracted on truce day,’ Sam said slowly. ‘If we could warn them I’m sure Master Henry would guard Miss Isabella.’
‘I agree,’ Jamie said, ‘but I can’t be in two places…’
‘You stay here and guard what is yours, Master Jamie, in case it is a trick. Let me go across the marshlands and carry a warning. A letter maybe? If I leave at once I could be there before Neb Truddle, even though he will be riding faster when he is alone. He must cross the Debateable Land and that will be a danger to a lone man.’
‘The marshes are a greater danger,’ Mary said. ‘You cannot go alone, Sam.’
‘I could take Peter, my grandson. It is time he learned the secrets of the marshes and the signs to follow. He is a good rider since Master Jamie gave him a pony of his own.’
‘Peter is a fine boy but I don’t like the risks you will be taking,’ Jamie said.
‘I guided Miss Isabella safely across the marshes,’ Sam reminded them.
‘And brought me home the same way, fearsome though it was,’ Jamie agreed. ‘Very well, Sam, but I would not like to lose either you or young Peter. I will give you the token which Zander gave to me. It will grant you safe passage if the men on watch are strangers.’
‘Aye, I would welcome that, and we’ll carry a white flag to show we come in peace if they see us from a distance.’
‘Thank you, Sam,’ Mary Ellwood said quietly, and Jamie saw the relief in her eyes. He knew she did not want him to leave his home and his sisters in ca
se the Truddles were up to their sly tricks, but they all wanted to protect Isabella.
Eight
Thomas and another member of Zander’s trusted men were on watch high on the western hills which guarded the fertile land of the Long Glen. It was Thomas who first caught sight of the two men riding out of the mist as the evening shadows lengthened on the evening before truce day.
‘Whoever they are they’re brave men to come by way of the marshlands,’ his young companion muttered. ‘Do you think they come in peace, or expecting to catch us off guard to steel the sheep grazing the higher ground?’
‘I do not know, Mac, my friend,’ Thomas said grimly. ‘I will fire my pistol and they will know we keep watch and are not to be trifled with.’ He clambered onto a higher rock so that the travelers would see him silhouetted against the evening sky. He drew their attention with a single shot. He began to reload immediately so it was Mac who saw the white flag.
‘They have a white pennant,’ he said doubtfully.
‘A white…? From the direction of the marshes! That is the way the old man came when he brought Mistress Isabella to offer herself as ransom in place of her brother. I was here that day, with Zander and Walter. He put a hand to his brow and stared into the distance. ‘I think it is the same man. His name was Sam, but the second rider is no more than a laddie, as far as I can see from this distance. I don’t think they bring trouble. Perhaps they bring a message from the Ellwoods.’ He turned to look at his younger companion who was not yet sixteen summers. ‘Can you ride fast and tell Zander? Do not let Mistress Isabella hear. They may bring bad news and in her condition….’
Zander rode at once to the western boundary. He was pleased to see Sam again and he brought provisions, knowing they would be hungry. Sam had told him it was impossible to stop to eat while crossing the marshlands. His brow darkened as he listened to their news and the description of Neb Truddle.
‘He’s ruthless and cruel,’ Sam added in troubled tones. ‘He’s wanted Miss Isabella since she was little more than a bairn. Master Jamie would have come but we couldna be sure it is not another trick to get him away frae home and leave his sisters and mother without protection.’
‘I understand,’ Zander nodded. He frowned. ‘He would know tomorrow is an awkward time. Many of us are involved in the trials. The rogue has planned well. Henry is away and I am needed at Sir William’s side when the courts assemble - six men of our own and six belonging to the English warden. The trials will go on most of the day and only end when those men who are found guilty have been hanged.’ He gnawed his lower lip as he considered. ‘But do not worry. I shall protect Isabella with my life. Now do you wish me to guide you through the mountain so that you can attend the truce day too?’
‘No,’ Sam said at once. Peter was disappointed. The young man had never been to a truce day. ‘If Neb Truddle sees us he will guess we have come to warn you, Sam explained. But I thank ye kindly for the food. We shall rest here, with your permission, and set out at dawn after the truce day is over.’
‘I understand. Isabella will be sorry not to see you. If we have any news of Neb Truddle I will send young Mac before you leave, but be assured I shall do everything I can to keep Mistress Isabella safe.’
***
According to his plan Neb Truddle reached his destination as dawn began to break on the Truce Day. It was early November and bitterly cold, though like to be fine and dry when the sun rose. Truce days lasted from the dawn of one day to dawn of the next. A man risked being taken prisoner and held to ransom if he was found there without good reason after that, so Neb had no time to lose if he was to capture Isabella and ride away with her when darkness fell. He was ravenously hungry and in need of heat, food and news. The local blacksmith’s was the place to get heat and news. If he was lucky, and the man was generous, he might be given food too. Already pedlars were setting up their stalls and entertainers cleaning and tuning flutes and trumpets and various drums and whistles. Neb needed to become familiar with the layout of the various narrow vennels between the cottages. He stared up at the stone building that was Moyenstane Tower. So this was probably Isabella’s home now she belonged to the Douglas fellow, but he was confused when he saw a second, smaller watch tower on top of the hill above the settlement. He took the track towards the noise and bustle and what seemed to be the centre of the community. Clusters of cottages spread out in four directions from a large well. There were small barns and pig sties, a mill, a carpenter’s and further up the hill was the smiddy. Neb reckoned both the blacksmith and the miller would probably be able to supply the information he needed.
Jud Snodd was already wearing his leather apron and urging a young lad to work harder at pumping the bellows at the forge. He expected a good trade and plenty of money from the English warden and his followers. He eyed Neb Truddle approaching with a purposeful air but the man had no horse needing shod so he turned away. Before he entered the village Neb had tethered his horse beside a stream with a good patch of grazing. He wanted to be ready for a quick getaway with his prisoner.
‘I’m looking for the home of an old friend,’ Neb began. ‘Isabella Ellwood. She came here to offer herself as ransom in place of her cowardly brother. I heard your chief was lenient and claimed her as wife for his son?’
‘Ye heard right. What’s it to you?’ The two men eyed each other warily, each recognising the same spiteful gleam in the other’s eyes at the mention of Isabella. Jud Snodd realised he might earn some easy money for his information as well as reaping revenge . The woman had taken young Nell from him, and that milksop of a husband had tricked and humiliated him with his witchcraft.
‘Maybe ye’d like tae share a bowl o’ gruel and a tankard o’ ale while we talk? I can supply most information a man might want hereabouts. For a price,’ he added slyly. He exhorted the lad at the bellows to pump harder and to call him if a customer came, then he led Neb into the filthy hovel he called home. It was divided from the smiddy only by a wall made of ill-fitting wooden boards. The food and warmth and a generous tankard of home brew soon loosened the tongues of both men.
‘She should have been my woman.’ Neb whined in his nasal tones. ‘I’ve come to take her back. She’ll be glad to bide in my house when I’m finished with her.’ Snodd nodded and his piggy eyes gleamed malevolently.
‘Ye’re in luck, her husband is away frae home. I heard he’s visiting the monastery but I reckon he’s practising his witchcraft.’
‘Witchcraft?’ Neb gave a scornful guffaw. ‘Surely you canna believe in such things!’
‘Ye havena seen him work his spells,’ Snodd claimed defensively. ‘He’s no more than a stripling but he can overcome men twice his size, even me.’ Resentment filled him as he recalled Henry’s treatment of him and how he had been forced to pant up the hill like a dog on a leash. ‘He looks no more than a youth but his wife is carrying his bairn. It must be the spawn o’ the devil.’
‘Isabella is carrying a wean?’
‘Aye, ye’re a better man than me if ye can succour a bairn like that.’
‘I’ll make sure she’s rid o’ it before I get her home.’ Neb declared roughly. ‘Tell me again. How am I to find the room where she sleeps. I shall hide there until she comes to bed at nightfall. I shall silence her and let her see who is master. Then I’ll bind her and carry her away. Ye think she bides at the top o’ the tower?’
‘Aye, so I’m told. I’ve never been further than the ground floor. The wall around the tower yard is too high to climb and it’s as thick as the height o’ a man. Ye’d need tae get in and out by the gate.’
‘Is the gate locked at night?’
‘Since the King’s peace ’tis only locked if the watchmen warn o’ reivers coming. They round up the cattle and horses and get them inside for safe keeping.’
‘They’ll not be expecting thieves on truce night.’
‘No, but I hear Nell, her maid, sleeps in a wee room at the top o’ the tower tae. I wad have taken her already i
f I could. I’ll pay if ye bring her to me. Ye’d need to gag her and bind her legs for she can kick.’
‘I hear Warden Herries wants three men to swing. The men will be agog at the hangings. No doot the maids will be dancing or fingering the pedlars’ wares.’
‘Aye, that will be the best time to get up the stairs. Nell follows her mistress like a shadow,’ Snodd grumbled, remembering his frustrated efforts to get Nell alone.
***
Zander had been riding around the outskirts of the settlement since day light, searching for a man of Sam’s description. There were strangers everywhere but none with an exceptionally large nose. He was beginning to think the man had been lying, hoping to trick Jamie Ellwood into leaving his home unprotected. Suddenly a figure dashed from the bushes. Zander was almost thrown from his horse. He strove to calm the frightened animal.
‘Please sir, sorry sir. I have news!’ the lad panted breathlessly.
‘Why it’s Donald’s young brother, Duncan, isn’t it?’ Zander guessed he did not want to be seen so he slipped from his horse and drew the shivering boy between him and his mount. Since Henry’s and Isabella’s confrontation with Snodd, Zander had asked the boy to keep his eyes and ears open when he was working at the smiddy, but he had held little hope that Duncan would dare to tell him even if he did hear anything of interest for Snodd had a cruel temper and Duncan’s mother was a widow and needed the pittance the blacksmith paid him. Duncan repeated the conversation he had overheard between the stranger and Snodd.
‘You heard this through the cracks in the wall?’ Zander asked as Duncan related Neb’s plan to hide in Isabella’s bedchamber. He tensed and an angry pulse beat in his lean jaw as he listened to the man’s intentions for dealing with her.
‘Snodd told him the young mistress is expecting Master Henry’s baby but he said he would get rid of it before he reached home with her,’ Duncan whispered hoarsely, his eyes round with horror.
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