The Usurper King (The Plantagenet Legacy Book 3) by Mercedes Rochelle

Author:Mercedes Rochelle [Rochelle, Mercedes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sergeant Press
Published: 2021-04-05T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

They were far from Scotland; it was 130 miles to Carlisle, just south of the border. Blythe explained that the best way to avoid pursuit was to stay to the less populated western side of Yorkshire. They could travel along river valleys where there would be plenty of water. Richard agreed to whatever they wanted. He had only traveled to Scotland one time, fifteen years ago, and that was at the head of an army. They had hugged the east coast where they would be easily provisioned. He knew nothing about this part of the country.

Travel was slow. They stayed in villages whenever possible and the occasional farmhouse along the way. Richard had very little to say though he spent a lot of time thinking. When he was imprisoned in Pontefract, his thoughts were mainly of the remorseful kind: what he did wrong, where he miscalculated, how he let his fears overcome his better judgment. But now... He was free. No more parliament, no more tolerating people he hated, no more treason. His biggest concern was being captured again. Still, the farther they traveled the safer they felt. Like his companions, his clothes were worn, his hands were dirty and his horse was a common palfrey. He no longer attracted attention. He could do whatever he wanted. This wasn't such a bad life.

It took three weeks to reach Carlisle. Even so, they skirted the city and continued north. When they reached a port at the end of the Solway Firth, Richard was in for a surprise. His companions kept talking amongst themselves until finally, they turned to him.

"Dickon," said John Bennett, "we've made it safely to Scotland. We think it would be best to take a ship into the Highlands. You will be safer there."

The Highlands. He had heard the Highlanders didn't even respect the king of Scotland, let alone the king of England. "I thought—"

"We can't vouch for your safety, otherwise," Bennett said. "You don't know who your enemies are right now. Or your friends."

Richard couldn't disagree with that. "What about the horses?"

"We'll sell them. We could always use the money."

What else was there to say? His guides soon arranged for them to travel on a merchant ship going north. Passengers were an inconvenience, but they paid well and stayed out of the way. Richard lost track of the days, and when the captain finally told them it was time to disembark, he asked where they were.

"This is the Isle of Islay," the captain said. ”If you look there—" he pointed to a castle they were just passing, "that is the fortress belonging to the Lord of the Isles."

Bennett put a hand on Richard's arm. "That is good. He is an influential man, I am told."

Chewing his lip, Richard glanced at his companion. "We may want to avail ourselves of his hospitality." He lowered his voice. "I don't want him to know who I am."

The other nodded. "I understand. I am a poor friar and you two are my companions.

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