Lord of the High Reaches Page 3

  Lord Windford nodded.

  “Your king does not have outposts further out along your country’s border?”

  "That duty falls to us. The king gives us allowances from our taxes to maintain a militia and patrol the borderlands.”

  I let the subject drop for fear my question might be misconstrued as questioning the king’s leadership. Dinner went smoothly and was mercifully short. Afterward, Michael showed me to my quarters in the guest's wing.

  "I ask that you take no offense, but there will be guards posted at the ends of the hall.”

  "No offense is taken. That’s a wise precaution, and one I would expect.”

  "Thank you for understanding, Cam. Good night.”

  "Good night,” I replied, locking the door behind me.

  My saddlebags and pack were stacked along one wall, along with my weapon’s harness and long gun. Glancing inside, everything seemed to be there, including my wallet.

  Out of curiosity, I took it over to the table and sat down. I counted each banknote and sat it in a growing stack. Looking at the stack of 23 banknotes, each worth 1000 sovereigns, was no small sum. I pondered. I did not have any great experience with money, but I had enough to know that these were what father had described as bearer notes, which meant that the bank would pay the bearer of the notes.

  What was that man doing carrying 23,000 sovereigns out on the frontier border? And a contested border at that…

  I walked around the room, trying to suss out the answer.

  Okay, so he had obviously been an officer or someone of rank or position. Even so, why would anyone, regardless of rank, be carrying that much money?

  I continued to roll the problem around in my mind, trying to put myself in his position.

  If I were an officer with a large sum of money, I would have a specific purpose for being there, watching a crossroad. I'm definitely not a scout or at least not an ordinary one... a spy? Maybe... Okay, I'm a spy watching a crossroad. I'm waiting for someone... I'm giving that someone money for something or to do something. Which means, I am paying for information or paying to have something done. And for 23,000 sovereigns, I'm paying for something big.

  This was way beyond my experience. I would speak with Lord Windford first thing in the morning.

  * * *

  Having had little sleep, I sat in the open window waiting to be summoned for breakfast. I heard Michael coming down the hall and opened the door before he knocked.

  "I need to speak to your father right away.”

  "And good morning to you. You'll be able to speak to him at breakfast.”

  "Good.”

  "What is so important?”

  "I'll tell you both at the same time. It will be easier.”

  "Slow down, he's not going anywhere.”

  Lord Windford was already seated when we arrived.

  "Lord Windford, I have something important to discuss with you.”

  He held up his hand, not looking at us. "Food first, then talk.” He pointed to the sidebar.

  Michael led the way, filling his plate with eggs, bacon, and cheese. I did the same. We sat and began to eat.

  "So what bee is in your bonnet?" Lord Windford asked.

  I swallowed and wiped my mouth. "The men I killed at the crossroads.”

  "The scouts?"

  "I don't think they were scouts.”

  I took out the wallet and handed it to him.

  "I took this off the one with the spyglass. I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd count the money and found that.”

  From the wallet, he removed and carefully studied each note. I waited. He sat back, steepling his fingers, looking at the notes.

  "How much is there?” Michael asked.

  "23,000 sovereigns," I answered.

  "You're rich," he smiled, then stopped and began frowning.

  His father looked at him. "And?"

  "And those weren't scouts. That's not good,” he replied with a creased brow.

  "Why is that?”

  "Because two men watching a crossroad with that kind of money, were probably spies, waiting for someone specific. They were either waiting to pay for information or pay for something to be done. Either way, it's bad.”

  Michael had figured it out in less than a minute; it had taken me the better part of an hour.

  "That's was my thinking as well. But what information or task could be worth 23,000 sovereigns?” I asked.

  "I can think of only one thing,” Lord Windford answered, looking back and forth between us.

  We looked at each other.

  "Assassinate the king," we said in unison.

  "Just so,” Lord Windford agreed. He put the notes back in the wallet and handed it to me. "Hold on to that.”

  I nodded and put it in my inside vest pocket and buttoned it closed.

  "Do not speak of this to anyone,” he ordered, looking at us. “ Fredrick!”

  Fredrick stepped into the room, "Yes, M’lord?”

  "I leave for the capital within the hour. Have my bags packed, and the carriage brought round.”

  "Yes, M’lord.”

  "You're both coming with me. Michael, show Cam what to pack; we are going armed. Put Cam's extra weapons in the armory and make sure he gets the best knives we have; he's already got the best guns. Cam, bring your long gun. I'm sure the king will want to see it. Well, don’t just sit there. Get to it!” he barked. We jumped to carry out our instructions.

  * * *

  I packed my kilt and vest, less my wallet, in a shoulder bag. The wallet went in a money belt, courtesy of Michael. Seeing that I had on the clothes and boots worn the night before, Michael added a light hooded cloak. Not that I needed it, I was hot already.

  I put my extra weapons in the armory, and Michael showed me the knives. They were all good quality. I picked two daggers, one long and one short. When we were ready, we waited by the carriage for Lord Windford.

  Lady Windford saw us off. "Have a care, all of you.”

  I bowed. "Thank You, M'lady.”

  We boarded the carriage and were gone. At the train station, there was a light snow falling. I was trying to look at everything at once.

  "First time on a train?” Michael asked, smiling.

  "It is,” I answered. I tried not to look like a cub seeing spring flowers for the first time, but it was hard. That's when I saw him; he was obviously out of place, trying to blend in with other people. I turned away.

  "Do you have enemies, M’lord?”

  Lord Windford looked at me with furrowed brow. I continued to look at everything as I had been.

  "How many?” he asked.

  "One for sure, but he’s only there in case the prey runs. The others will be waiting on board.”

  "Then we continue as normal. Don't kill unless you have to."

  “Understood.”

  Each train car had four outside doors for boarding. I entered first, putting myself by the inside doors. Lord Windford entered next and took his seat. Michael was last, closing the door and sitting across from his father, unobtrusively keeping watch on the outside door.

  "To answer your question, young Cam, yes, we have enemies. The one you saw probably has nothing to do with our new issue. And so far, our battles have been fought in the marketplace.”

  I nodded, keeping my eyes on the aisle. The train sat still for another 15 minutes, then all doors were shut, and we got underway.

  "How long will it take to get to the capital?” I asked.

  "Two days,” Michael answered.

  Closing my eyes, I let my ears and nose keep watch. Mid-afternoon, we went to the dining car. I spotted our man in the far-right corner. I looked at everyone in the car, so he didn't feel singled out. Once we were seated, my back was to him.

  "Our man is at the back right table.”

  "Uh-huh,” Michael said, never looking up from his paper. We had tea and small meat and cheese sandwiches. For the next two days, we talked of the future, business, investment, and family. I wa
s finally grasping the rudiments of investing money to make money.

  "What of your future, Cam?" Lord Windford asked. "Where do you plan to live and provide for a family?”

  "To be honest, M’lord, I haven't really thought that far ahead.”

  "You should start planning now. You have money to invest. Done properly, you'd be set for life.”

  I frowned. "You mean, they'll let me keep the money?”

  "Of course, it’s yours. Spoils of combat. More than a few estates have started that way over the years.”

  "In that case, I'd be grateful if you would help me get started.”

  He smiled. "I'd be glad to do so.”

  * * *

  After breakfast, we returned to our compartment. I opened the door, glancing inside. Lord Windford started to enter, when I smelled the scent of the man who was watching us and something else.

  I grabbed the lord and pulled him back. "Wait.”

  I pushed past, looking around, smelling. My hand shot up catching a vine viper as he struck at me.

  "Good Lord!” Lord Windford exclaimed. "Thank you, Cam. You just saved my life. Our family is indebted to you again.”

  "Vine viper. They strike from above and are deadly,” I explained.

  "How did you know?” Michael asked.

  "I smelled him. They’re quite common in the south.”

  “I didn't see our friend at breakfast.”

  "Coincidence?" I asked. I knew it was not.

  "In my experience, there are few coincidences," Lord Windford commented.

  "Should I return his gift?”

  He thought a moment. "No, let’s let him think his assassin missed, but his actions are still a secret. We'll deal with him another time.”

  I nodded and tossed the viper out the window of the still moving train, and we returned to our seats.

  "Old troubles or new?” I asked.

  "Hard to say,” Lord Windford replied with a bit of a head shake. "If old, this is an escalation.”

  "Could your two problems be working together?”

  "Anything is possible. They are greedy and underhanded, the lot of them. Now we must be doubly watchful.”

  From the station, we went straight to the palace. Enroute, I changed my fur color to gold, an appropriate color for formal meetings.

  Lord Windford was a known man at court, and asked to see Lord Mitchem, Chief of Internal Security. His assistant seated us outside his door, where we waited. Seated closest to the door, I could hear people talking within. I also caught the faint scent of the man who put the snake in our compartment.

  I moved over next to Lord Windford. "Our follower is in that office right now, giving his report.”

  "Are you sure?” he asked in a low tone.

  "Same scent; I'm sure.”

  He looked at both of us. "Say nothing of the banknotes.”

  The door to the office opened.

  "Windy, how are you?” enthused a rather portly, nicely dressed man.

  I assumed this was Lord Mitchem.

  "Doing well, William. Thank you for seeing us.”

  "Of course, come in, come in. I received your message, and now you show up in person. I assume it must be important."

  "Well, not so important. My son, you know, and this is Master Cam, a trusted friend.”

  "Lord Mitchem,” I said, bowing.

  "Well met, Master Cam. Now Windy, take a seat and tell me what's got your back up.”

  Taking our seats, Lord Windford began, "Well, to be honest, young Cam has never been to the capital, and since he did save Michael's life, I thought I'd bring them. While here, I wanted to check in with you to see if you had learned anything new on this buildup out west."

  "Ah, I regret to say, I have not,” he said in a conciliatory tone. “We are still gathering information and sending out our scouts to gather more intelligence.”

  His tone became more upbeat, “But since you are here, you should stay at the palace tonight and have dinner with the king. He's giving a small party and would enjoy seeing you."

  "What an unexpected pleasure," Lord Windford graciously accepted.

  "Think nothing of it,” Lord Mitchem said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “He may even offer some token to Master Cam for his service in bringing us this information."

  * * *

  We were shown to the guest wing of the palace.

  On the way there, Lord Windford whispered, “The walls have eyes and ears."

  Sufficiently warned, I nodded.

  They put us in a nice suite with a small balcony. Having been at different times either prey or predator, I felt we were being watched.

  We rested until mid-afternoon when tea was brought in. We drank tea and talked about mining, forestry, and what my job would be when we returned to the estate. Lord Windford went into detail about the areas I would be scouting. I'm sure whoever was listening to us was bored to tears, but that was the point. I, for my part, went on and on about the marvels of the capital and man's ingenuity.

  Finally, we were called to go to the dinner, and, of course, the king was the last to arrive. He was younger than I imagined, maybe 30. He had intelligent eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Surprisingly, he addressed me by name, but to be fair, I was the only cat in attendance.

  "Master Cam, well met."

  I bowed. "Sire."

  "I'm told of your adventures on our western border, and we have you and Sir Michael bringing us the news. I thank you."

  "To be honest, Sire, it was Sir Michael who recognized the significance of what we found."

  The king laughed, his eyes sparkling, "Already the politician, giving lords the credit."

  I bowed and moved on.

  The dinner went smoothly, and the food was good. I was getting used to people watching me. Once their curiosity was satisfied, they ignored me. There were conversations all around me, but of little interest.

  One about me, however, caught my ear. "No, they brought the bumpkin to see the lights."

  I didn't look to see who said it. Underestimating me suited my purpose.

  As the meal ended, the king departed first. Everyone else was free to stay and talk or go as they pleased. As we were about to leave, a royal footman gave Lord Windford a note. He read it and then nodded to the footman, who bowed and left.

  As we walked back to our suite, he said, "We have an appointment to meet with the king in the morning."

  "Any idea why?" Michael asked.

  "None."

  I went into our suites first. I could smell that there had been at least two people in here. I waved for Lord Windford and Michael to enter. Nothing seemed amiss. I guess they were searching to see what they would find. I felt we were still being watched so I said nothing.

  "Well, I'm for bed," Lord Windford said. "I suggest you do the same."

  "Good night, Father."

  "Good night, M’lord."

  Chapter 4

  We were up early and ready when the knock on our door came. A royal footman escorted us to the king’s offices. At the entrance, Lord Windford led the way in. Upon entering the king’s presence, we bowed in greeting.

  "You would not know this," the King said. "But I had a cat tutor for a time when I was a boy. He was a genius, but a hard taskmaster. Tell me, Lord Windford, how many Westies has Cam killed?"

  "To be honest, Sire, I'm unsure."

  "Master Cam has never spoken of his prowess in battle? Boasted of his kills?" the King queried.

  I wondered where this was going. The king looked at me.

  "Tell me truly, Master Cam. How many Westies have you personally killed?"

  "Five, Sire."

  "And how many has Sir Michael killed?"

  "One that I know of, but that one was about to strike me from behind, so I was glad he was there."

  He smiled. "I'm sure you were. The point I’m making, Lord Windford, Master Cam, though a warrior, does not brag. He keeps his own council, which is a rare thing."

  He stepped
over to a wall map showing the adjoining kingdoms. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. We were being watched again. I wondered if the king knew, or was he having it done? I couldn't see any reason a king would have anyone spy on himself.

  "Can you read and write, Master Cam?"

  "To a degree, Sire."

  "In what language?"

  "Both of ours, Sire."

  "Show me." He pointed to a pen and paper.

  Mentally, I gave thanks for all the times my father had made me practice writing when I didn't want to.

  I used to say with a sigh, “Father, no other cubs have to practice writing.”

  To which he replied, “There are no cubs like you.” He was right.

  "This is my name, Sire," I said as I wrote using clan script. On a hunch, I wrote: "This room is being spied upon."

  He looked at what I had written. His eyes flashed for a moment, then it passed.

  "How very interesting," he said, turning to the window overlooking the city. He stood for a while, thinking.

  "Times are changing," he acknowledged, while continuing to look out the window. "We have enemies on every front, and not all battles are fought on the fields. Some never see the light of day." He stared out the window a moment longer, then turned back to us.

  "Master Cam, for your service to the crown, I'm gifting you a portion of land."

  Leaning a bit toward me, he smiled. "Don't get too excited; it's more a burden than a gift. Your new lands run from the west mountains east to join Lord Windford's, and then north to River's Fork.

  His voice became slightly lower, pretending to speak as though only to me, even though he clearly intended Lord Windford and Michael to hear. “To be honest, no one wants it; there's nothing there.”

  Abruptly, his speech returned to normal. “My problem is, and this is where you come in, I need someone out there to watch the Westies. They tell me, there is an old keep or fort somewhere against the mountains, but no one is sure of its exact location or age. It may just be ruins.

  “I charge you with occupying that keep or building one. Man it and keep watch on our western border. For doing this for the crown, I shall tax your lands," again, he smiled. "You see, kings give nothing without strings attached.

  "How you make your lands profitable, well, Lord Windford may have some suggestions, but you will be taxed. But I'm not completely heartless. I'm loaning you 1000 sovereign to get you started, at interest of course."