Dead Upon a Time by Elizabeth Paulson

Author:Elizabeth Paulson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2015-09-15T04:00:00+00:00

Jack let out a low whistle and stood quickly.

“Let’s go, Kate,” he said. He reached out for the scroll and she handed it over, dumbly. “We can’t really speak freely on King Wilhelm’s land,” Jack murmured as he put Ella’s tapestry into the sack with the others. “Let’s just concentrate on getting on the road first.”

Kate felt grateful for Jack’s decisiveness. Otherwise, she might have sunk down right there in the fresh and fragrant hay. She had tried to convince herself that Ella had simply run away. The tapestry—its haunting image and its menacing message—carried with it a reminder of the large evil their little group faced. That she herself faced—Kate knew that, when the time came, she would not allow herself to hide behind Jack and Sterling.

The coachman and his grooms had lined up the horses. Lucius looked as powerful as promised. Jack helped her up into the saddle and loaded up their packs. Constable Sterling looked over with concern as he mounted his horse. “Something I should know?”

“No.” Jack’s denial was firm and immediate.

“Yes,” Kate overrode him. “But let’s get some miles under our belts first.” She gazed down at the coachman and his crew. “We thank you for everything.”

“We all want to help bring the princess home.”

“Does she spend a great deal of time here? In the stables?”

The coachman nodded. “Aye. She does. She and Weston have a bond. Her Highness has a way with animals.” He hesitated, then added, “Sometimes, animals are kinder than people.” His quiet comment gave Kate the distinct impression that Ella had confided in someone. Perhaps him. Or perhaps the coachman had merely been listening as the princess confided in Weston.

Kate nodded. “True. Again, thank you for your help.”

“Yes. Thank you,” Jack echoed. Constable Sterling tipped his hat.

As their trio galloped off, Kate couldn’t help but listen for hoofbeats thundering behind them. It was difficult to imagine King Wilhelm sending Kate and Jack off unaccompanied. But of course he hadn’t. Constable Sterling rode alongside them.

Kate, Jack, and Sterling rode for two hours straight before slowing to stop. When Jack slowed down and edged his horse toward a clearing beside the trail, Kate exhaled with relief. She wasn’t used to riding and her whole body ached from the constant jostling. At the same, she wondered if they should just keep going. They’d already wasted enough time.

“Good a place as any?” Jack asked. He hopped off and led his horse a few feet to a nearby stream. Then he helped Kate down and led Lucius toward the water. Sterling followed suit. Jack said, “Circumstances aside, it’s a bit freeing to ride out in the open. For the first time in almost two years no one’s pursuing me.”

Sterling looked up sharply. “I wouldn’t count on that.”

“Something you’d like to share, Constable?” Jack challenged. Kate hoped she wouldn’t need to constantly broker a peace between them. We already have an enemy, she wished to remind them.

“Nothing definite.” Sterling glared at Jack. “And don’t mistake my prudence. I stand loyal to King Wilhelm.

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