out of the pen, heading toward the trees. Reid kept waiting for someone to scream or stop them; however, no one did. When they were far enough away for anyone to see them, they mounted.
“We’ll need to travel fast,” Ackley said. “Ready?”
Instead of answering, she leaned forward, squeezing her legs into the horse’s flanks as she commanded it to run. The animal took off. Reid smiled as the wind whipped through her hair, the land rushing below the horse’s hooves.
Chapter Fifteen
After securing the horses to trees, Ackley and Reid crept toward the mines, trying to get a better look. When they neared the large hole in the ground, they got on their hands and knees, crawling to the edge.
“It’s still light out,” Reid mumbled, silently cursing Ackley for bringing her along. “Someone is going to see us.”
“No one is expecting us to be here.”
At the edge, they stretched out on their stomachs, observing the hundred-foot-wide circular hole before them. Like the last time Reid was there, over a hundred miners were excavating precious stones along the sides. Also like before, the men had short hair and wide shoulders, indicating they were from Melenia.
“If Duchess Bridger is so upset over Melenia taking her resources, why isn’t she trying to stop them?” Ackley mused.
“Since her daughter is married to Eldon, she probably doesn’t want to cause any problems.” Besides, most of Bridger’s soldiers were currently at the City of Buckley with the duchess.
“Where do you think they take the stones?” he mused.
That was a good question. Once a miner dislodged a stone with his hammer or spike, he put it in a basket around his waist. The men stood on ledges built into the sides of the hole. At the end of the day, they probably came out of the hole and emptied their baskets somewhere. Reid scanned the area, not seeing any place where they’d do so. “Where do the men go at night?” she asked, not spotting any tents or homes nearby. The men had to sleep somewhere. And they needed food. “Why is any of this important?”
“I’m curious. I think there is more to it than we know.” He started scooting backward, away from the hole.
Reid did the same.
When they were safely back under the cover of the forest, Ackley started pacing. “I want to find out where they’re keeping the stones until they ship them to Melenia.”
“Why?” Reid asked, leaning against a tree.
“Once Owen learns of his kingdom’s fate, what do you think he’s going to do?”
“Rush home.” Hopefully with his soldiers in tow.
“And what of the stones?”
“He’ll leave them?” Reid suggested.
“Most likely. The problem with that is he could come back for them. Especially if he’s financially strapped for cash.” Ackley stopped pacing. “We need to find the stones and gain control of them. They are too valuable to leave in Bridger. If the duke gets his hands on them, it’ll throw off the balance of power.”
Who was Ackley more concerned about? King Owen or Duke Bridger? “Doesn’t the duke own the mines?” Which would make the stones his in the first place? And hadn’t Dexter promised the duchess full control of the mines would return to Bridger?
“Part of Eldon’s marriage negotiations to Harlow included these stones. I know for a fact he hasn’t received full payment yet.”
Reid rubbed her temple. “Ackley, why are we really here?” She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like his answer.
He gestured over her shoulder. “Perfect timing.”
Reid glanced back, seeing Ackley’s Knights approaching. “What are they doing here?”
The Knights moved like shadows cast by the setting sun.
“They’re here to help us.”
The group formed a loose circle around Reid and Ackley.
“Our mission is two-fold,” Ackley said, wasting no time. “Half will stay here to find out what the Melenian miners do at the end of the day. Where do they take the stones? Are they stored somewhere? If so, where? My guess is they’re somehow using the Modig Mountains.”
“Once we have the information, what do you want us to do?” one of the Knights asked.
“Two will report back to me while four stay to monitor the situation.”
“We’ll take that task,” the Knight said, pointing at half the circle.
“The second group will be with Reid and me,” Ackley said.
Reid didn’t want to know what he had planned—she was certain she wouldn’t like it.
“Let’s get the horses. We don’t have a lot of time.”
The group headed twenty or so feet away, deeper into the cover of the trees, where the horses were. Reid