A Pre-Release Peek Inside of Spellbound Souvenir (part 2)

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Chapter 2 continued...

Entering his bed chamber, he walked over to the chest on which his sword was laid. Picking up its scabbard, he stretched the belt around his waist. As his fingers worked, his eyes fixed on Barwick, “So you were both taking care of the ship, leaving the princess unguarded during an attack.”

Guilt washed through Barwick’s heart at Concobhar’s statement. The duke was right. Ellie’s abduction was his fault. Though he had believed she was safe in the captain’s quarters, his focus during any kind of attack should have been on her protection – even an attack from fish.

The tall man’s gaze dropped to the floor and his shoulders slumped just a little. “Yes, sir,” he acknowledged.

Satisfied, Concobhar asked, “Do you know who took her?”

“Yes, sir.” Barwick straightened his broad shoulders to report, “An ex-sailor awaiting trial for misconduct was stowed away on our ship. He stole Princess Elysant on a lifeboat while everyone else was aft.”

Concobhar frowned. Years of military training boiled his blood. Irritation in his voice betrayed his disapproval, “I will not ask how a sailor who should have been imprisoned found his way aboard your ship, and I will not ask how he went undiscovered during your ship’s pre-voyage inspection – which is, of course, assuming the Scilleian navy does pre-voyage inspections.”

His reaction did not make the difficult situation any easier for either captain. Both already felt horrible. Tethion stood as straight and tall during the chastisement as the stocky man could. He fixed his eyes on an invisible point directly before him, waiting for the duke to finish. Barwick swallowed hard. Also standing with a straight back and squared shoulders, he gauged Concobhar’s anger by watching his eyes.

His reproach would be even harsher if he knew the princess has escaped with her lover, he thought.

Slipping a dagger into his belt, the duke continued, “Has there been a ransom demand? Do you know what he wants for her safe return?”

The line of questioning frustrated Barwick. Elysant was getting farther away with each passing moment. He just needed horses so that he could take some of his sailors after her. Then he could bring her back to her duty and all would be well. It was not a difficult concept. He did not understand why the duke was taking so long with it.

“No, sir,” he perpetuated his series of half-truths, “no demands have been received.”

“Very well. We shall leave forthwith.” Concobhar glanced around the room one last time and walked out the door. Barwick and Tethion looked at each other. Neither had anticipated that the duke might accompany them. How could they hide that the princess had purposely run away if he was there when they found her?

“My lord, don’t you still have meetings to attend?” posed Tethion.

Concobhar stopped walking to pierce him with steel grey eyes. “The other lords can come to a resolution without me, Captain,” he chastised. “My future bride is endangered. A criminal has stolen her for some unknown, nefarious purpose. I will find her, I will kill him and I will bring her home.”

It was now Tethion’s turn to stare at the floor. “Yes, sire,” he swallowed. “Of course, you are right.”

Copyright 2014 © Elizabeth W. Durkee

All Rights Reserved.

Thank you for participating in the book launch activities for Spellbound Souvenir, book two in The Legend of Lord Randall Castle e-series. Find it available November 23, 2014 on Amazon.com.