Chapter 34

A few hours earlier...

They were several miles away from the Castle, as Kenna suddenly had doubts, whether her decision to travel to Scotland, was the right thing to do. She imagined how Mary would react. She probably would send her back. And Bash would surely not be thrilled that she was spying on him. Perhaps it was best, just to turn and drive back home. She pushed back the curtain and craned her head to the carriage driver.

"Please stop and return to the Castle!" she gave order to him.

He immediately stopped the horses and looked bewildered at his mistress. "I shall turn back?" he asked confused. "Are you sure?"

Kenna nodded. "I am sure."

"All right." The driver clucked his tongue and urged the horses to turn.

Kenna sat down and pulled the curtain back. She felt relieved. It was done. Maybe they would be back before nightfall. However, she couldn't enjoy her journey longer, as the carriage abruptly came to a halt. She wasn't prepared for it and was hurled forward. Outraged, she tore the curtain back to reprimand the driver about his driving abilities, but the words died on her lips, when she saw that they were not alone.

A group of men, with torches in their hands, stood around the carriage. Kenna had a queasy feeling, all of a sudden. The men didn't look very friendly. She wanted to pull the curtain back, but one of the men stepped forward and got hold of her wrist. Kenna winced.

"Get out!" He wrenched her out of the carriage and let his gaze wandering along her body. "What do you think?" he asked his men with a broadly grin. „Have we ever had such a beautiful prey?"

Kenna was rigid with fear.

"Look up, if she has any valuables!" another of the men said. His eyes fell on the emblem on the side of the carriage. "If I am not mistaken, this is a Royal carriage." He whistled through his teeth.

"In fact, what a booty." The leader of the group grabbed Kenna's chin. "Are you from the Castle, or what? Where are your jewels and gold hidden?"

Kenna had trouble to bring her raging heart under control. She had to think clearly, otherwise her life was not more worth than a gold coin.

"I... I am on my way to Scotland. I didn't take much with me." She pointed to her luggage. "Feel free to search my luggage and convince yourself that I have nothing of value." she said with a trembling voice.

"And what is that?" The man touched her neck. "The necklace is worth a fortune."

Kenna suppressed a scream, when he yanked the collar from her neck.

"And what about the bracelet. Come on, take it off!"

Kenna fumbled on the clasp of her bracelet, until it was open. "Here!" She dropped it in his hand. "But I don't have more jewellery. I swear it!"

The man grabbed her wrist once again and let his fingers run over her ring. "And what is that?"

All color drained from her face. "My wedding ring..." she muttered and snatched her hand away. „Please leave me my ring! It was a present from my husband."

"We're not negotiating, good woman. We take what we want." He grinned sardonically. "And if it means so much to you, it must be valuable." He stretched out his hand with the palm upwards. „Give it to me!"

Kenna took a step back. "No." she said stubbornly. "You can have everything I own. But not my ring!"

"I like courageous women." The man walked slowly around her and looked at her with a sly grin. "I just don't like when they contradict me." Suddenly, he pulled out a knife and held it against Kenna's throat. "Maybe you like it better when I cut off your finger. Or will you give it to me willingly?"

Kenna felt close to faint. But she knew, that now wasn't the time to break down.

"Give him the ring, Milady!" the carriage driver begged. "Otherwise, he'll kill us both!"

Kenna saw the fear and despair in his eyes and made a decision. If she could save both their lives, she would make the sacrifice. With tears in her eyes, she slipped the ring off her finger and dropped it in the hand of the man. "Are you happy now?"

The leader shook his head. "Not quite." He lowered the knife and gave his men a sign. "Search the carriage for valuables! When you have finished, set it on fire! But don't forget to unhitch the horses before. We will need them."

Kenna was too shocked to say something. Horror-stricken, she watched how the carriage went up in flames. She turned to the driver, but he was gone.

"Damn it! He is trying to escape!" one of the men called.

"Go after him and bring him down!" the leader ordered.

"No!" Instinctively, Kenna threw herself in front of him. "Please! I'm begging you! Let him live. He didn't do anything bad!"

"My patience is exhausted. Hold your tongue!"

And before Kenna could realize what was happening, she felt a dull pain on her cheek. The slap, the man had given her, was so severe that she lost balance and fell to the ground. Whimpering, she held her aching cheek.

She could no longer prevent that one of the men went after the driver. When he returned, a short time later, she knew that he had done his job. Fear and despair came over her. Was she the next who was going to die?

"I think we are done here." One of the men pointed to Kenna. "What are we doing with her? Leave her in the forest? Kill her?"

The leader looked at her thoughtfully. "Perhaps we'll get a ransom for her. She seems to be acquainted with the Queen." He nodded. "We are taking her with us. She can be useful." He turned to Kenna, who was still lying on the ground. "Get up, woman!"

Kenna arose reluctantly.

"Can you ride?"

She nodded.

"Take one of the carriage horses. I'll help you up."

Kenna stopped breathing involuntarily, as the man helped her to mount the horse. What would happen with her? she thought. She was kidnapped by gang members who held her for ransom. Would they kill her if they wouldn't get what they wanted?

She had not much time to think about her fate, as the leader gave the command to leave. A trace! Kenna thought. She had to leave a trace that they could find her. Lola would surely send someone, when she learned that she had never arrived in Scotland.

She touched her hair and pulled out her hair band. And while the men were occupied with finding the way out of the forest, she let it drop to the ground.