Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,92

such an end, but I am glad that I was chosen to help him on his way!"

Aaron began to move swiftly back the way they had come. The other three followed, wondering what had caused his sudden interest in the conversation going on above them.

They turned the corner again, and were back at the place they had started from, before Aaron stopped to explain.

"Sir Roger de Tourney is with the King," he said. "Jervis FitzHugh had long suspected him of treason, and we found his suspicions were correct, when we were at Merton. That was why we had to escape. It looks as if Sir Roger sent one of his men to Monchesny to warn him that Jervis is for the King, and not for Earl Simon. If Jervis’s true allegiance is known here, they will try and kill him!"

"Well," said Benjamin. "We can do nothing about it now. At least we have found it out.

First, let us find Master Gregory, and get him to safety. You must try not to think of anything else for now, my son."

"You are right, Father," said Aaron. "But we must warn Jervis as soon as we can."

"Your friend Jervis is fifty miles away," said Hubert. "My master may be just fifty feet from us, and in equally urgent need of our help. Come we must go round the other way, and hope that there are no more guards."

He led off, and the other three followed behind him. Again, they went through the nerve-racking experience of walking along in the moonlight, outlined against the white stone of the building. It was impossible to hide, for there was no cover. Still, their luck held, and they had gone down two side of the Tower once more, when they saw the curved wall of Maud’s Tower looming ahead of them.

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Belaset’s Daughter

Hubert edged forward around the curve and stopped. There was a guard at the entrance to the tower, watching by a small door. He was sure he was right Master Gregory was being held in this place. He backed off again to where the others stood waiting.

"There is a single guard at the entrance to the tower," he murmured. "We have to dispose of him. I am willing to use my knife for the task. The rest of you must be ready to go past me and into the tower as quickly as you can, in case the disturbance brings anyone else."

"Very well," said Benjamin. "Although I rue the loss of life."

"Father," said Aaron. "What else can we do? This may be one of those who was engaged in killing our people but a short while since."

It was true, and Benjamin said no more. The three others watched as Hubert edged round the wall and waited for his chance. It came he sprang, the guard half-turned at the noise, and Hubert had his hand across the man’s mouth to stifle him. The knife did its work quickly: with a faint gurgle as his throat was slashed across, the man jerked once and was dead. Hubert lowered him to the ground and stood over him. Aaron, running past with the others, shook him by the shoulder, and Hubert came out of his trance and ran with them.

The door gave easily under Benjamin’s hand, and all four were inside the tower in seconds. Aaron could hear Hubert giving great, shuddering sighs, as he fought against the reaction to what he had done.

"You did well, Hubert!" he said, encouragingly. "It was for your master remember that."

"I will remember," came Hubert’s voice, shakily. "I will remember everything that is happening tonight, for the rest of my life."

"Hush!" said Benjamin. "There may be other guards, waiting above us. They will hear us speaking."

"No," said Hubert, in a firmer voice. "There is no other way into or out of this tower, but by the door. There is nothing here but the room right up at the top of the tower, and my master will be there, if we have chosen aright."

Aaron spoke up.

"If that is so, we need one of us to stay here and make sure that no-one else tries to come in, while we are climbing. We need must avoid surprises as much as possible.

Father..."

"I agree," said Benjamin. "I have no objection to staying here as a guard. I was not looking forward to the climb let your younger limbs and wind undertake the task. It is unlikely that anyone will open the door while we are here unless