Vixen Hunted

by Christopher Kincaid

  Timothy's heart pounded. He was certainly awake now.

  Kit glanced away. She squared her shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "I decided I do need your help. I will risk telling you." She took a deep breath. "Everything. Just not here. We need someplace private."

  "I can't afford an inn room. You can't trick me into that."

  Kit frowned. "I am being serious, and you make a bad joke."

  "Just tell me here. People are not paying us any attention." Timothy returned a wave from…Steven. No, John. John the barber.

  "I can't. Not here." Kit snagged his sleeve. "We need to get away from here before I am seen. You see, I—"

  "She has obligations."

  Timothy's heart lurched. Two large men wearing blue tabards darkened the street, their hands resting on short swords. Two more men appeared to each side, hemming the trio against the inn. Passing people gave the men a wide berth. No one wanted a part of obvious trouble.

  Kit groaned. "This is your fault, shepherd. You just had to leave that nice inn before I could really talk to you."

  She lunged at nearest pair. One of the blue-dressed men grasped Kit's cloak and pulled her around, clamping his scarred hands around her upper arms. The lamb charged, her hoof clapping against the cobblestones. She lowered her head and thumped into the man's shin. He grunted but did not release his grip.

  Tahd strode from the shaded doorway of the nearby building. His dark clothing contrasted with the cobblestones. The man's crucifix glinted in the harsh morning sunlight.

  "A leper, you said. She is more dangerous than a leper, shepherd. When I saw you heading this way on the road, I thought to give my prey a little hope of escape." Tahd's scarred face smiled. "Hope for escape makes prey easier to catch."

  The mustached man smoothed his tabard. "You Inquisitors are an odd bunch. You are lucky she did not get away."

  "She would not have escaped me, Matthew." Tahd fingered his belt knife.

  "Perhaps not." Matthew turned to Timothy. "You have done Lord Treblin a great service, my friend. Our lady is a little…troublesome. Always avoiding her family obligations."

  The lamb pulled at the man's trousers. He looked down at the white, fluffy protector with a mix of amusement and surprise.

  Kit clenched her fists. "I will not go back."

  Cold sweat ran down Timothy's back.

  Matthew shrugged. "Lord Treblin treats you well enough. Better than he should, considering what you are."

  Matthew tossed a heavy bag. It clinked at Timothy's feet. "It is a service to forget these events. It is also best for your sake."

  Kit's eyes pleaded. Matthew kicked the lamb away as the men closed around Kit.

  The heavy bag pressed against Timothy's foot. His body refused to move.

  "Let's go. Lord Treblin is waiting," Matthew said.

  Tahd shook his head and fell in behind the blue-uniformed men.

  Kit cursed and struggled as the soldiers dragged her down the street. Timothy could do nothing but watch.

  He slumped and looked down at the lamb. "What could I do?"

  "Baa! Baa!"

  "It isn't any of my business."

  "Baa!" The lamb nudged him.

  People avoided looking at him or the tight knot of men encircling the small girl further down the street.

  He opened the drawstrings of the bag with shaking hands. Inside, silver gleamed. "She is a runaway noble," he told the lamb. What else could she be for this kind of money to be tossed at him? A nervous chuckle escaped him. "It is like one of those stories Aunt Mae had me copy."

  He took a steadying breath and tucked the money in his pocket. "I could start my own shop with this kind of money." A small scribery would be nice. His voice sounded hollow in his ears. He had kept his promise and helped her. Could she be Lord Treblin's daughter? She was pretty enough to be a noble. He shook his head to jar his colliding thoughts. It did not matter. He had kept his promise to protect her during the short walk to Fairhaven. Her problems did not involve him.

  Green eyes stared at him from the back of his mind.

  Timothy barely noticed the heat or the lengthening shadows. He walked, the lamb following at his side, and let his thoughts collide. It had all happened so fast. He had lost his flock, had met a strange girl, and now had more money than he had ever owned. Timothy felt overwhelmed. He should have tried harder to protect his sheep. He should have tried harder to protect the girl. He grimaced, and his shoulders slumped. Maybe not. Maybe it was all meant to happen as it did. Kit knew the men, and they didn't try to hurt her. Not really. In fact, they seemed to go out of their way not to hurt her. They could have killed Timothy and knocked Kit over the head.

  Who was she?

  Timothy slumped against the whitewashed wall. The lamb settled at his feet as he watched people pass. What would Aunt Mae say? He did nothing wrong. Kit would be fine. That off feeling he had about her now made sense. She was a noble. She had to be. Nothing else made sense.

  "Oh, there you are! Did something happen? Where's your wife?" Kyle sauntered over.

  Wan orange light stretched into the street. Where did the day go? He could not have spent that long thinking and wandering, could he?

  "I don't know what to do, Kyle."

  "I said you could stay with me until you are on your feet. As long as you and your wife are quiet." Kyle chuckled.

  "Kit's gone. Some men took her. They said they were working for Lord Treblin," Timothy said.

  "Well, what are you doing here? Go get her, man! If some men took Henrietta, I would…" Kyle clenched his fists.

  "It's not that. I think she's his daughter or something," Timothy said. Why should it matter? He had kept his promise.

  "You don't know?" Kyle shook his head. "Women like their secrets. Newlyweds?"

  "You could say that."

  "I don't know how you can be so calm. But then, you always were." Kyle stroked his beard.

  Timothy felt anything but calm.

  Kyle leaned in. "You want to save her. I can see it. That means it doesn't matter if she is a daughter, wife, or even the mistress to the Pope! She isn't, is she?" His eyes sparkled. "I always wanted to be a hero and rescue some cute girl! Henrietta is too tough for that. I'd have to save the kidnappers from her." Kyle slammed his fist into his hand."I know! Billy told me about a big hunt planned for the nobles. This Treblin will be there. We will save her then. I know, I know. I am a genius. We just need to find out where she is. I only ask that you name your first kid after me. Well, if it is boy. A girl named Kyle. Well…" Kyle laughed so loud that a passerby barked a laugh too.

  Timothy knew nothing about Kit, other than she had those eerie eyes. Eyes that pulled at him.

  "I am an idiot," Timothy said.

  "About time you noticed, Timmy," Kyle said.

  A voice from across the street rang out."So you are Timmy."

  Kyle tensed as Tahd crossed the street. Dark hair ran up the bare muscled arms, and white scars crossed his tanned skin. A large knife, almost a short sword, hung from a heavy belt. Tahd wore a sour expression. Timothy felt the lamb shift on his feet.

  "It's Timothy. What did you do with Kit?"

  Kyle kept his eyes on Tahd. "Timothy, this man is an Inquisitor. What is your lady love doing mixed up with them? And why is an Inquisitor playing messenger?"

  "I have my own reasons," Tahd said. "The…Lady…Kitsune wants to see you. Come." His mouth twisted around the words. He stalked away without waiting.

  The lamb stood and stretched. Her hooves clip-clopped against the cobblestones.

  Kyle whistled. "Lady Kitsune. Well, here's your chance to steal her away. And I had such a good plan." He shoved Timothy. "Go on now. Keep your eyes on this man. You know what they are like. She must be some lady to be a noble and have an Inquisitor be her messenger. Your lady awaits. Stop moping and go!"

  "All right! I will. Stop pushing!" Timothy jogged to keep up with Tahd and the lamb.

  Tahd eyed Timothy. "Lord Treblin is a fo
ol. He doesn't know the real value of that girl. Do you know, shepherd?"

  Timothy swallowed.

  "I didn't think so," Tahd said.

  Tahd led Timothy past the town's market. A few stalls remained open despite the late hour. Timothy's forced his legs to work. Exhaustion dragged at him.

  They passed through the inner wall that separated the rich districts from the rest of the city. The rough cobblestones gave way to smooth cut stones, and a large manor loomed. A blue-uniformed man stood at attention outside an iron-barred doorway cut into the manor wall. A musket rested on the man's shoulder.

  The man saluted and unlocked the heavy iron lock. The door slid open on oiled hinges.

  Kit sat on the edge of an ornate fountain placed in the center of a garden that still bloomed despite the heat. Carved fish mouthed a constant stream of water into the small pool.

  The iron door squealed shut behind Timothy, and the lock clicked back into place.

  Kit wore a flowing white dress. Her crimson cloak caught the fading light. The cloak's hood blended with her hair, giving the impression that her hair flowed down her back. For all Timothy knew, perhaps her hair did. He still could not understand how she could wear a hooded cloak in the heat.

  A short distance away stood more blue-uniformed men, a golden bee accenting their chests. A few of the men held chains with mastiffs sitting at the ready. The mastiffs eyed Timothy, and weighted nets dangled from the men's hands. Several soldiers held wooden mauls.

  Tahd sat on a bench off to the side and crossed his arms over his chest. His amulet reflected orange sunlight. What could draw an Inquisitor to work with a noble?

  The lamb bounded up to Kit with a joyful bleat. Kit laughed and scratched under the lamb's chin.

  "Did you not eat dinner, Timmy? You look like a frog waiting for flies," Kit said.

  Timothy clicked his mouth shut.

  "My hero finally decided to come to my rescue!" She placed her free hand against her forehead. "After I bid him come."

  "I…uh…"

  "Sit beside me. I won't bite you…hard." Kit patted the fountain. "As you can see, Timmy, your wife has secrets, as all good wives do." Her gaze scythed the men over her shoulder. She snatched Timothy's arm and leaned in. Her voice fell to a whisper. "A hunt is coming in a few days. I…need your help. Treblin knows my tricks; I barely escaped the last time."

  "Isn't he your father? Why are you—"

  "He is not my father! I am…I guess you can say I am his slave, or prey." She stroked the lamb's head.

  Slave? Could she be…with a lord? "You are his…" Timothy could not say it.

  "You think I am the fat man's…" Kit grimaced. "The fat man only cares about hunting. Even after running away, he doesn't care that I am meeting with you. Well, as long as you and I don't try to escape again. I am just a bargaining chip he has purchased for some grand deal of his."

  "So why did you want to go to Fairhaven if you knew the men after you were here?"

  "Can you see your own mouth?" Kit asked. "Where better to hide than here?"

  "But it didn't work."

  "It would have, if you…never mind," Kit said. "My plan was perfect. You owe me, Timmy, for getting me into this."

  "Me?"

  "Yes. Time to pay." She grinned teeth. "You do know that coming here means you are known to be associated with me, right?" She gestured to all the soldiers. "There is no escaping me now, husband. If I escape, they will come looking for you."

  Timothy groaned. "Is everything edged with you?"

  "Not everything. You could have chosen not to come, after all. I really do appreciate that." Kit leaned close enough that her nose touched Timothy's. "But I knew you would come. I am a good judge of character, am I not?"

  Timothy rubbed his forehead. "All right. You got me."

  Kit leaned back and laughed. "You are between my paws, shepherd. I like it when my prey squirms."

  She pulled in and planted a kiss on his cheek. Timothy felt something slip into his pocket. "Really though. Thank you for coming for me. Just remember I am no sheep." She stood and offered a hand to Timothy. "I am ready to leave. I will see you again, my husband." She ruffled the lamb's head. "And you too, Cat."

  "Cat?"

  The men and mastiffs shifted. Hands tightened on clubs, nets, and leashes. Kit didn't seem to notice.

  "Why not? She acts like one. Most sheep are afraid of me. Looks like I have two foolish sheep."

  She strolled around the fountain. Timothy turned to see his escort's broad chest and crucifix.

  "Treblin is too generous with his prey," Tahd said. "They are best when they are against the wall and see only one route to escape. The man is a terrible hunter." Tahd leveled his gaze onto Timothy. "Time for you to leave." The man herded Timothy out of the manor.

  The iron gate banged closed behind Timothy. The soldier guarding the manor's entrance watched him with a puzzled brow. Timothy offered a wan smile and hurried away, Cat staggering beside him. The lamb yawned.

  "Why did they let her meet with us?" Timothy asked Cat. She bleated her own question. "Yeah, Cat is an odd name, don't you think?"

  "Baa!" The lamb protested.

  Timothy ran his fingers through his hair. "Okay, Cat it is then. I guess it fits since you are such a strange lamb anyway." He pulled a small slip of paper from his pocket. "I can't just take the money and walk away at this point, can I?" He sighed and unfolded the paper. Childish writing was scrawled across the milky page.

  "'The fat man plans the hunt tomorrow afternoon,'" Timothy read. "'I will need you at the forest south of the town…Kit.'"

  Timothy frowned. He turned the paper over. That was all it said. "Tomorrow?"

  "Baa."

  "Yeah, I don't like this either." Timothy itched between his shoulder blades. He looked up at the sky. "It isn't too late for me to walk away, right?"

  The green eyes flashed in his mind. Timothy shook his head. "It was too late from the moment I fell down that hill."

  "Baa!"

  Chapter 3

  "My plan is good. Genius even." Kyle gulped a mouthful of ale.

  The tavern bustled with excited conversation. People looked away when Timothy returned their bold stares, but that did not stop them from tittering behind hands. He rubbed his forehead. Stories about the gallant shepherd who stole the Lord's woman away ran faster than sheep chasing a salt wagon. Timothy sipped a mug of warmed mint tea, his stomach roiling. Kyle's plan was outlandish, but he had enough experience getting in and out of trouble, after all. Knowing that did little to quell Timothy's nerves.

  "You a genius, Kyle?" a woman across the tavern said.

  "Oh, be quiet, Erin. I have brains in me." Kyle tapped his head.

  "Yeah, sure." Erin adjusted her hat. "So is your friend the one we are hearing about?"

  The man next to Erin stroked his ruffled white shirt. "He doesn't look like much to me, Erin. I heard they found him in the Lord's bed. Somehow he escaped. Sounds like a nice romp to me."

  Erin rolled her eyes. "You are such a romantic, Cliff."

  "Nothing of the sort," Kyle said. "Timothy is a proper gentleman. You know, Erin, after we save his lady love, I am going to ask Henrietta." Kyle thrust his mug into the air. "To love!"

  Erin giggled behind her hand.

  "Kyle!" Timothy spluttered on his tea. "You shouldn't—"

  Cliff laughed. "Yeah, sure. Just don't make me take your shift at the wall. Maybe Henrietta will finally tame you. Gray hair certainly hasn't."

  "My gray makes me look distinguished." Kyle stroked his beard. "Henrietta is not woman enough to tame me." He took a long pull of his mug.

  "I will be sure to tell her that." Erin tapped her lower lip and smirked.

  Kyle spewed ale. "No. Did I say not woman enough? I meant she…Timothy? Help me out here."

  "We should get going, Kyle." Timothy pushed away from the table. Did he make the right decision? It didn't matter. He could not back out now.

  "Oh, right. Yeah
. We don't have much time left." Kyle finished his mug and tossed a few coins on the table. Timothy laid a coin in the pile and stood up to leave. He hoisted his pack."I'll see you at the wall tomorrow, Cliff. Take care, Erin."

  Kyle waved and shifted an overstuffed travel pack slung over his shoulder. Timothy fidgeted at the door.

  "Do tell me how it goes!" Erin adjusted her straw hat. "It should make for a good story."

  Cat waited outside, munching on a wilted potted flower. A cool breeze tunneled through the streets outside the inn. Autumn promised to appear soon. After the summer's heat, the air felt icy. The streets brimmed with people going about their business.

  "So, let's go over the plan again," Kyle said. "The south wood has changed since we used to hunt there. These nobles don't know how to hunt. They have men go in and clear out all the underbrush so they can ride their horses around. Never mind the fun of skulking through the thorns."

  Cat scampered next to Timothy. Her gaze flitted from person to person. Her tail fluttered against his leg.

  "So what we need to do—" Kyle stumbled into Timothy. "What is it, Timothy?"

  At the far end of the street, two dozen riders surrounded Kit. She walked beside an enormous man in rich fur-lined clothing. The man's bulk hung over his saddle. She wore her simple clothing and a green-hooded cloak. On the other side of Kit rode a wispy man. Both he and the fat man ignored her.

  Blue-uniformed men marched in a tight knot, muskets and crossbows resting against their shoulders. Tahd's brown uniform stood out among the soldiers' blue tabards. He wore a grimace and kept glancing at Kit. A dozen hounds followed behind, baying and straining at their leashes. The entourage moved toward the south gate as people pressed against stalls and buildings to let them pass.

  "That's your wife!" Kyle said. "Why isn't she riding with them?"

  Kit looked over her shoulder. Her gaze locked on Timothy, and she nodded once. How did she know where to find him?

  The gates groaned open, and the entourage and Kit passed through.

  Kyle's hand clamped on Timothy's shoulder. "Why are you just standing there? We can beat them to the forest if we take our old shortcut. She is your wife, isn't she? Let's go!"