how did you get back to the keep so quickly?" murie peered at him with confusion. "what are you talking about? i have been here at the keep all day... working in the gardens."

when the two soldiers exchanged a glance, murie felt alarm clutch at her. something was wrong.

"where is my husband?" she asked again, demanding this time.

"he is in the village below, outside the gates. osgoode said he saw lord balan's wife in one of the cottages. there was smoke coming from the chimney. lord gaynor ordered us to continue on to the castle with the wagons, and the two rode for the village to find you."

murie's gaze shot to anselm's in alarm, which she saw mirrored on his weathered face. "i shall fetch some men and look into it," he assured her, and he rushed off toward the stables.

murie watched the man-at-arms go, her mind in an uproar. she was positive this was somehow another attempt on her husband's life and had no time to wait for horses or anselm to round up men to check. her gaze swung back to the armed guards who were now dismounting. moving quickly forward, murie snatched the reins from the nearest man's unsuspecting hands and clambered atop his mount's back.

"hey! that's my horse!" the man cried, moving to stop her, but murie was not willing to be stopped. pulling hard on the reins, she turned the animal toward the gates and dug in her heels. the horse was very responsive and charged forward at once.

murie heard the shouts and commotion behind her but did not slow. her husband needed her.