“M’lady,” Ronan said trying to get out of the room as quickly as possible. “Clearly there’s nay one here.”
“True, but you must help me. That odor is the same one that tainted Hugh’s food at breakfast,” Cleo said as she began searching every nook and cranny. “Don’t you see? If the smell is so strong here, then this is where it was made. We must find it.”
“This is Aidan’s room,” Ronan said. “He’s been with the Laird since he was a boy.”
“Either Aidan is being framed for a crime he didn’t commit, or he is the cause of the crime. Don’t you want to know who was behind the poisonings?”
Cleopatra watched Ronan’s face shift as he dropped the bit of food he had been nibbling on. He was clearly troubled by her accusations, but quickly nodded.
“I’ll help just to prove ye wrong. I’ve fought by Aidan’s side. He is a good man and a decent fighter.”
“Then pray I’m wrong,” Cleo said as she began turning up the trunks hunting for the source of the odor. As she stepped closer to the bed, her foot slipped and she reached out for the post. The bed rocked and instantly she was showered in white and purple flower peddles.
The small purple flowers drifted down from the canopy and Cleo’s eyes widened as she realized the flowers that lingered on the floor came from the deadly nightshade.
“Ronan, you need to quickly get the healer and have him determine what these petals are. If I’m right, he will discover they are of nightshade, but do not touch them. They are highly toxic.”
Ronan’s eyes widened as he glanced around at all the petals resting on the stone floor. Slowly he drew his eyes to Cleo as he dropped the tray in his hands which rattled on the stone floor. “Forgive me.”
“It’s all right,” Cleo said.
“Ye daenae understand,” Ronan said. “The Laird and his son are with Aidan. They were to go fishin’ in the river outside the castle.”
“Get the healer, now,” Cleo order. “I’ll go after Jude and Hugh.”
“Ye cannae go against Aidan, he’s trained.”
“You know this castle better than I do and where to find the healer. Please, Ronan, you’re our only hope in case others are poisoned. Go, quickly.”
Cleo said with such determination in her voice that it rattled Ronan. He nodded once and darted out of the room. Cleo pulled in a deep breath and inched her way to the door, trying not to step on any of the petals. Carefully, she made her way out of the room and bolted down the hallway. She knew there wasn’t much time. All she could do was pray she wasn’t too late.
Cleo pulled open the mighty oak doors and rushed out into the courtyard. Her bow and arrow still lingered where she had left the day before and she quickly snatched up and threw it over her shoulder.
Please let me get there in time. I don’t know what I will face, but I will not see my home destroyed. Not now, not ever.
Hold on Jude, my love. I am coming.
22
Dark gray clouds drifted over the afternoon sky blocking out the sun. There was a harsh chill to the air causing Jude to cling to his cloak a bit tighter than normal. As he glanced at his son, it was clear that Hugh paid no attention to the weather for the boy was just happy to be outside pulling up rocks in searching of grouse eggs.
Jude had nearly forgotten the last time that they had been outside of the castle walls. Jude’s heart sank as he realized that he was denying his son the pleasure of the outdoors. Jude could remember a time when he was younger and played on these very moors. It was a simpler time for him and he only wished he could return to that time when things were easier and less stressful.
“Look, faither,” Hugh said pointing to a patch of grass. “I think I found some.”
“What did ye find?” Jude asked as he rushed to his son’s side and peered over the boy’s shoulder. There, nestled in the tall grass were three speckled eggs. They weren’t much bigger than the end of his dagger, but it was a sign that the birds were mating.
“Well done,” Jude said patting Hugh on the shoulder. “What are ye goin’ to do with them?”
“Leave them,” Hugh said replacing the clump of grass he had pulled up. “They’ll be better as full-grown birds to hunt later, than what they are now,” Hugh explained.
Jude couldn’t be happier with his son’s decision. It was clear that Cleo was teaching the boy more than just reading and writing, but critical thinking as well. A trait Jude wished his father had taught him.
Pausing, Jude glanced around the moors and he noticed the clouds hovering on the hills and drifting down into the valleys. The birds chirped around them as the crickets sang a hunting lullaby that pulled Jude out of his melancholy.
It surprised him to find he felt more alive than ever before and understood completely that Cleo’s words were correct. Life should be an adventure and he shouldn’t have to worry about the little things he had no control over. Yet there was a shadow lingering around his thoughts as he sat down to watch Hugh collect tiny pebbles of various colors.
Heather grew wild around them and filled the air with such a sweetness that for a moment Jude wondered whether or not he should pick a handful of them to bring back to Cleo.
“Look, faither,” Hugh cried out again as he pointed to the river that rushed over the smooth stones.
“What is it that ye see?” Jude asked as he arched an eyebrow and looked to the shimmering water. Before Hugh could answer, two large fish sprang forth from
