“There you are.” Andrea let out a breath. “The coachman was about to leave without you.”
He hurried into the coach.
“Mistress Shield, this is Lord Donald Eden,” she said.
“Good day.” The woman gave Donald a pleasant smile. “Were you going to Bamburgh for the tournament? I noticed the bow and quiver up top. The tournament ended yesterday.”
“Yes, we were, but a storm interrupted our crossing from France,” Donald said. “We decided to push on anyway. Andrea wanted to see the relics at St. Aidan’s Church.”
“There is a great deal to see. St. Aidan’s. The church has withstood many a storm built as it is on solid rock. As for relics, the beam on which St. Aidan leaned before he died is in the church.”
Donald smiled and nodded. While the women chatted he tried to think what to do once they arrived at the church. A half hour later, the coach stopped at the Bamburgh Castle gate on the seaside of the building.
“Mistress Shield, which direction is St. Aidan’s?” Andrea asked.
“You can walk down this path and circle the castle then it’s a quick walk through the woods. The Pilgrim Inn is across from the castle. The vicar, Reverend Joseph knows much of the history and legend of the area. God bless you on your pilgrimage.”
Donald looked up at the castle and along the beach as the coachman handed down their things. North of the castle great cliffs ran along the beach. Sun streamed through a break in the clouds only to be hidden once again.
He slipped on his quiver and bow as the coach headed up to the promontory to continue on to Berwick-upon-Tweed twenty-three miles north.
He led the way around the castle. They secured rooms at the inn. Then started into the woods. While there was a breeze from the ocean, the sun beat down on them. The cover of the woods was a welcome relief.
The fragrance of the briny air mixed with the fresh aroma of the forest. They came over a small rise and in the distance the church tower came into view.
Andrea pushed ahead of him. He let out a chuckle. Her eagerness was contagious. The snap of a dead branch made Andrea hesitate. Donald removed the bow from over his shoulder, set the string, then grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
“This is not the place to stop. Whatever happens, keep going until you get inside the church.”
His grip tightened. She didn’t complain. He kept the church tower in sight while he concentrated on the sounds around him.
Something was in the woods. The rustling got closer. A fox darted across their path and ran off in the other direction.
“We both have overactive imaginations,” she said.
“Or see a likeness to the Avre River.” He shook his head. “Let’s move on.”
They walked out of the woods and crossed the twenty feet to the church. Once inside, Donald closed the door hoping to discourage any interruption and stood guard at the window.
Andrea wasted no time. She began by examining the walls.
“What are you searching for?”
“The small crosses. That was the sign on the map. I was sure that we would find something here on the wall or the floor.”
“More pilgrims are gathering. I don’t think we will be alone much longer.”
The sun came out from behind the clouds. He strained to see into the woods but saw nothing.
She moved from one wall to the next and searched. “There is nothing here. If we don’t find anything here, where else can we look?” she asked as she moved down the next side of the sanctuary.
He didn’t answer.
“Donald?” She turned and found him staring at the floor.
Chapter Seventeen
The sun light shining through the stained glass window splashed color on the chapel floor leaving the shadow of a cross in the center of an engraved stone. Andrea rushed for a closer look.
Her lips stretched into a wide grin as she stared at the floor. Donald turned his focus to the window.
“A cave. The cross is in a cave.” Excited, she glanced at Donald and went to his side.
He didn’t move. He stood enthralled staring at the window. On the bottom border, clearly under the outline of a building with a tower was a sword, a chalice, and a raven holding a spray of heather in its beak.
“A sword and a chalice.” Her voice was soft and filled with awe. “I’m not sure what the raven means.”
“The raven is holding bell heather. Both are the symbols of Clan MacDougall.” He turned to her. “My mother’s clan.”
She put her hand on his arm. “You were meant to be here with me.”
He focused his attention on the floor as she stared at the symbols on the window. “This is all well and good. We still don’t know what to do next.”
“Under the church,” she said urgently as she stared at the image of the sword under the building.
They both glanced at the floor.
“In a cave under the church? The structure is built on solid rock. There is nothing under it,” he said.
He stood staring at the etched rock on the floor.
“Unless…” Could he be right? Was it possible? He glanced out the window. “By god’s toes. Come with me.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door to the edge of the cliff not far from the church door. The land came around creating a small cove. From where they stood, the chapel appeared to stand on top of the cliff.
“Do you see it?” Donald pointed to the rock face. “Halfway up, a cave.”
“I see it,” she said. “It’s in the center of the cliff.
