As Kieran made his way back to the Keep, he wondered, not for the first time, what it would be like to settle down and have a family of his own. Then he remembered how daft all the married men around him were becoming, and he shook off that thought at once.
***
Saddell Abbey, Scotland
“ABBESS MURDINA, TISrelieved I am that you have returned. What news of Normandy?” Sister Bissett asked in a whisper.
Abbess Murdina slowly removed her hooded cloak and entered the room to warm herself by the fire. She had travelled for days to return to the abbey. “All is well, and everyone is where they should be.”
“What of the Duke of Normandy?”
“William is inAnglia, no doubt trying to beat their nobles into submission.”
“And his wife, Matilda?”
“She is acting as regent in his absence. For now, her concern is doting on her children, so at least we have respite from her political scheming.”
Sister Bisset nodded her head in contemplation then asked, “And the lad? You have seen him?”
Murdina knew she was referring to Edmund. William the Duke of Normandy’s legitimate half-brother, whom theOrderprotected. “He is hale and safe; Yesenda and Edmund’s foster parents have done well to protect him, and he shall thrive.”
“How fares Yesenda?”
“She has recovered from her injuries and is married to a Highlander named Iain Henderson. What of dealings here? Any trouble from theBrotherhood?”
“They have been silent of late. But I still dinnae trust the peace. There have been rumors that FitzOsbern is the real power behind them now.”
Murdina nodded and replied, “We had best remain on our guard then. Any other matters?”
“Aye, I received a missive from a laird searching for his long-lost granddaughter. A part-Italian child he believes took refuge here years ago. There is also a Norman baron, Guy of Brionne, who has been making enquiries.”
Murdina read the contents of the missives, then frowned. “It would seem Naomi’s past is finally catching up with her and one need not be a genius to guess why a Norman baron suddenly shows an interest.”
“What do you intend to do?” Sister Bisset asked.
“I think tis time our protégé took a brief sojourn in the Highlands.”
“Then you must prepare her, Abbess. She has no notion what awaits her.”
“Aye, I will make the arrangements. Speaking of, where exactly is Naomi? She is usually the first person at the gate eager for news.”
Sister Bisset winced before Murdina asked, “Please tell me she has not been causing strife amongst the villagers again?”
“Well, I wouldn’t call it strife exactly.”
Murdina looked to the heavens and sighed.
***
Village of Saddell
NAOMI CREPT QUIETLYalong the wooden beam high in the rafters. Her target lay asleep in the room below. She remained quiet, keeping her balance as if she walked on air. Naomi was grateful for the training she had received these past years. She could scale and enter any building, no matter how difficult the climb. With her quarterstaff strapped to her back and the dagger sheathed to her side, her hands gripped the stone walls for purchase. She wore a special hood that concealed her head and face except for her eyes, braies, and a tunic. Naomi could see the reliquary box below, where her target slept with his arm wrapped around it.
He was a local ealdorman who had been stealing from the orphanage funds. Naomi could just see the guardsmen standing outside, but they did not look up as she made her way along the well-concealed rafters.
Once above the bed and out of view of the guards, she gripped the beam and dropped quietly beside the ealdorman’s bed. She watched as he slept, wondering how a vile man who hurt so many people for his own gain could sleep so peacefully. Then she remembered Brother Mateo’s words.“They sleep easily at night because their morals are flexible. They care not about right or wrong, only how much they can gain.”
Naomi sighed quietly; this was the part she hated. She just hoped the ealdorman did not scream too much when she surprised him. Naomi crouched low, removed the dagger from its sheath, and whispered, “Wake up.”
