Chapter Twenty-Five 

"Bloody hell. I'll go find her." The irksome wench had no sense of direction. Small babes could find their way home easier than Melinda. James never got lost.

He tracked her through the forest to the stream. The print of her boot told him she'd crossed it. He followed the tracks through the wood. A broken branch showed him her path. There were tracks of a hare. Why would she follow the animal? She couldn't bear to watch them kill the food the men caught.

Something in the brush glittered in the light. One of Melinda's earrings. As James bent down to pick up the jewelry, cold steel met his neck. The blade lifted, forcing him to his feet if he didn't want to lose his head. His leg trembled but didn't fail.

"What have we here? The Red Knight caught off his guard."

A group of outlaws surrounded him. James met the gaze of the man who held the blade to his neck. He knew who they were. They lived in a dark wood, preyed on travelers and held nobles and knights for ransom. 'Twas rumored they were led by a man who was once a rich and powerful knight. No one knew who he was.

James whirled away from the blade, pulling the man toward him. He struck the dolt, gratified to hear the breath whoosh out. The masked outlaw kicked his leg out and James went down hard, taking his opponent with him. He rolled to his feet, striking the whoreson. As the man raised his knife, James leaned in, feeling the cut of steel on his arm as he removed the bandit's mask.

He was so taken aback by the man's face that James missed the fist coming straight for his nose. A loud crunch followed by pain, gushing blood, and the taste of warm metal filling his mouth all told James his nose was broken. Again.

The man leaned down, picked up the mask, dusted it off on his hose, and shrugged.

James gaped at him. "Your brothers think you dead."

"Everyone thinks I'm dead. I intend to keep it that way."

The man before him was renowned. One of five brothers, John Thornton was the second son. According to rumor, he had been caught in bed with the king's mistress. John escaped death but lost all. His title, lands, and money. The rest of his family suffered heavy fines. Some lost lands and title. But over the years, serving as mercenaries and fighting in tourneys, they regained their wealth and status.

The man offered his hand. "Mayhap you would care to wear a mask as well?"

James grunted, slapped John's hand away, and got to his feet. He wobbled but a moment before standing steady. He would not show weakness in front of this man. No matter how his body pained him.

"Why not tell your brothers you live?"

"My death keeps them safe. The price on my head is too high. And I will never be welcome at court again. I ask you to keep my secret."

"You ask a great deal."

"I live in these woods. Ransoming knights and nobles. Killing many. I could kill you as well."

James scoffed. "Ransom would be more profitable than killing me. You know I am wealthy."

"Some say more so than the king. You will keep my secret."

"Pray tell."

All the Thornton brothers were arrogant whoresons. James had fought against all of them during battles and tourneys. A fearsome bunch of warriors, and while he would never admit such to the man before him, James respected them, even though they were cousin to his most hated enemy.

"I know why you hate William Brandon. But your hatred is in vain. I will tell the truth in return for my secret."

James knew the story of his family's massacre. What could this man know James did not? Curiosity filling him, he extended a hand.

"We have an accord."

John shook his hand. "Not so pretty anymore, are you?" He pointed at James' face. "Who did that to you?"

James' leg was trembling, and he knew it would not be long before he found himself on the ground writhing in pain. "'Tis best a tale heard over a drink."

John Thornton chuckled. "Where are my manners? And James?"

A raven cawed above them. As it flew from the tree, a single black feather floated down, landing next to James' foot.

John nodded to his men.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?

Pain exploded in James' head.

James woke to find himself blindfolded and trussed up like a wild boar, his hands and feet tied to branches as John's men carried him through the woods. The scent of cooking fires and sounds of people told him they were close to the outlaw's home. The men dropped him on the ground. One of the men removed the ropes binding his hands and feet.

James rubbed his hands and feet while he sat on the ground looking around him, noting any weakness. From the looks of the place, John had been living here for many years. 'Twas a small village built deep within the wood. Small wooden homes with children playing, women coming and going, and many men.

Many stared at him curiously, but not a single person shrieked or ran away in fear. Mayhap they were used to beasts. 'Twas said the wood was haunted by evil spirits.

One of the men led him to a wooden home larger than the others. The inside was well appointed. Rugs on the floors, fine furniture, and tapestries on the wall. No doubt stolen goods.

John handed him a mug of ale.

"My apologies for dealing you a blow. Our location must be kept secret. 'Tis safer for all that way."

They sat drinking as a woman entered bearing a platter of food. James' stomach growled. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten. No doubt his men would be searching for him. He hoped they'd found Melinda unharmed. The vexing woman found herself in more trouble than a small, curious boy.

"The last time I saw you as a lad, you had a pretty face and all the maids swooned at your feet."

James grimaced, touching the scar at his eye.

"'Twas the Boltons from the south. Sir Bolton was offended I would not marry his daughter. The man tried to deceive me. The blacksmith got her with child."

James discreetly picked a small rock out of his bread.

"Before he would have paid me to make his daughter Lady Falconburg. Now he would not have me to wed for all my gold and lands. Said I would produce deformed offspring. No man could have survived such wounds. Therefore I must be demon."

"I always knew you were a demon." John chuckled and raised a glass.