Chapter 8

Kristina pulled her riding cloak tight around her as she slipped out of the castle. Mary , Kenna , Lola and greer were planning a banquet for Michealmas and also for a visit from Kristina's father who was due to arrive in France in two weeks time. While everyone was making plans for the banquet. Kristina though now would be a good time to slip out and try to find Lord Colla on her own. She and Mary both were still receiving letters from him. Francis finally ordered Bash and his to finally escort both DeRivers and Lord Stonewall back to Scotland. Bash also had another reason for wanting to go to Scotland. He was going to question Lrod and Lady Beachum about what had really happen to James Linwood on the day he had suppodley died.

Kristina had begged both Franics and Mary to send someone else to escort the two men back home to Scotland. The King and Queen headed her pleas and commanded their captain of the guard to escort the two men. Only Bash wouldn't hear of it. He wanted to be the one to do it.

"Why must it always be you?!" Kristina had cried.

"Because as the king's deputy it is my duty to do as the king wishes my dear Kris." had been Bash's answer.

Kristina hadn't even so much as wished him a safe journey the day Bash and his men had left to go to Scotland. She had just stood in the gallery and watched him and his men ride off. Bash had looked back towards the castle twice hoping to catch a glance of her in the gallery. Each time Kristina would hide away from the window of the gallery and make sure he wasn't looking. Expect the second time to hide. He gave her a sad smile goodbye as she disappered from the window to hide her tears. Even though Bash had written Mary and Francis both to inform them that he had arrived safely in Scotland and that both DE Rivers and Stonewall had been taken into custody by Mary's guards in Scotland.

He had only to Kristina once to apologize about the fight they'd had before he left. Kristina had written back only she never got a repiled back. Which had been what had lead her to go out searching for Lord Colla alone. She didn't want Mary or anyone else in the castle to know her plans. Which was why she had slipped off while the others were busy. They all would have though she'd gone for her normale morning ride and would be back before the noon hour. As she walked threw the town. Kristina pulled her rideing cloak closer hoping that no one saw her. She'd often been seen in the town riding so the towns people knew her. It was close to noon and mary would be expecting her back by now.

Just as Kristina was about to head back to her horse. When a strange man dressed in a dark cloak came up to her. Fearing her was an outlaw or worse someone who had been sent from England to try and kill Mary. She stood still for fear of what the man might do.

"Are you the Lady Kristina Linwood? Daughter of Duke Edward Lindwood?" Sister of Sir James Linwood?" asked the strange man.

"Who asks for her?" repiled Kristina softly.

"My name is Thomas Brady. I'm a servant to his Lordship Milo Colla of Scotland. His lordship sent me to bring you to him at once."

"I'm the Lady Kristina Linwood. My father is Duke Linwood and my brother is Sir James Linwood of Scotland."

"Come with me my lady I'll take you to his lordship."

Kristina nodded as she followed Lord Colla's servant to a logging house. That was close to the edge of the woods near the road that lead out of the town towards the coast. The man lead her up the hallway. Opening the door Kristina followed the man inside she waited as the servant went to his master that he had found her. A moment later the servant returned to the room he was followed by a tall muscular man with olive tan skin, black curly hair and brown eyes.

"My lady Kristina it has been to long." Milo said as he stepped forward and bowed low.

"Lord Colla."

"Please call me Milo. Kristina after all I have known you most of your life."

Kristina smiled saddly as she removed her riding cloak and sat down in one of the chairs next to the fire place. As Milo told his servant to bring up some tea and something to eat.

"Milo why have you been writing letters to Queen Mary and myself? Why not just come to court?" asked Kristina as she warmed her hand in front of the fire.

"Coming to court while DeRivers and Stonewall were there it would have been to dangerous. Especially since James didn't wish for me to make my presents known until Queen Mary and King Franics knew the truth about the real reason DERivers and Stonewall had come to France."

Kristina was just about to ask about her brother. When the guard returned with a tray of tea and assorted cold meats with bread rolls. Milo thanked him and he was dismissed. When they were once again alone. Kristina asked about her brother. Milo explained that James was indeed alive and that he'd moved his wife and child to the border with him. An that they were living a quit peaceful life in the country.

"How was it that my brother knew I was in France?"

"After James was found safe and sound he sent a messenger to me. Asking that I watch over you and I was to write him at once. If De Rivers got close to you." explained Milo.

"How did you know he would be in France?"

"Spies that I've empolyed to keep an eyes on De Rivers. Reported back to me with news that Lord De Rivers was sending his son to France. At the request of your mother the Duchesses Lindwood."

Kristina sighed before she took a sip of her tea and ate a few slices of the cold meats.

"Lady Linwood is no longer the Duchesse. She has been stripped of the title and no longer my mother. After her affair with Lord Rivers was confirmed by the nuns she was staying with." Kristina explained.

Milo was shocked but not surprised. James had told him that in fact he knew of his mother's had told him that in fact he knew of his mother's affair with Lrod Rivers and that he also knew sooner or later his father would haven known of the affair.

"Does your father know of this affair?" Milo finally asked.

"Yes, the sisters informed both her majesty and my father that my mother was having an affair while under their care." Kristina answered

Milo was about to ask another question when his servant entered the room.

"My Lord please forgive me. There are men from the castle here. They are looking for her ladyship."

"I should return to the castle. Before their majestys begin to worry about me." Kristina said as she stood putting her riding cloak back on.

"I will accompany you. I believe it is time her majesty knows how I'm." Milo said.

Kristina agreed and the two left the logging house at once. When they got into the streets of town. Mary and Francis gurads were waiting for them. The captain informed Kristina that Mary was worried about her. When she hadn't reutned by the noon prayers. Her majesty began to worry. So she had sent the guards to find her. Kristina told the guards she was fine and then introduced Lord Colla. Milo told the guard his name and rank. No one spoke a word as they made their way back to the castle not a sound.

When they reached the castle the guards escorted them inside. Where Mary was packing worriedly about her god sister.

"Kristina! Thank goodness you are safe. I was so worried." Exclaimed Mary.

"I'm sorry to have worried you. Your grace I lost track of the time." Kristina answered softly.

"An who is this?" inqired the Queen noticing the stranger who had returned to the caslet with her god sister.

"Your Grace this is..."

"My name is Lord Milo Colla, your grace. I'm a friend of Kristina's brother James. Also I'm the one who has been sending you and Lady Lindwood the letters." Milo explained after introudceing himself.

Mary stood quitly for a moment. She had heard of this Lrod Colla before. He was the leader of a small army that had lost many in England. Noticing the look of concern on Mary's face.

"Mary..."

Mary held up her hand for Kristina to be silent and then spoke.

"Lord Colla it is our knowledge that you once tried to take the English throne from our cousin. Elizabeth did you not?"

"Yes your grace."

"To whom was it that told you to try and take the throne from our cousin?"

"No one your highenss. I'm sorry to inform your grace. That it was not the English throne my men and I went after it was to try and get your throne back from your mother."

Mary and Kristina both stood silent for a long moment and then Kristina spoke.

"James was in that raid." she said softly praying Mary didn't hear .

"Kris did you say that James was in the raid?" asked Mary having heard what Kristina had said.

Kristina nodded and then glanced over at Lord Colla. Milo was just about to explain about to Mary what happen. When suddenly a messenger appeared along with Francis and the captian of the guard at his side. As the three men apporached Kristina noticed that look of worry on Francis's face. Francis was surprised to see Milo and looked between his wife and Kristina for introduction.

"Francis this is Lord Milo Colla. He is the once who sent the letters about Sir. De Rivers and Lrod Stonewall. He is also the one who wrote to Kris about her brother."

"Your majesty." Milo bowed low to Francis in respect.

"Lord Colla it is a pleasure to meet you." Francis returned the bow with one of his own.

"Mary, Kristina. I come with grave news. This messenger has just brought word that Bash and his men have been ambused by DeRiver's men along with Stonewalls while trying to leave Scotland."

"No! Francis it can't be..." Kristina cried.

"It is my lady." Replied the guard.

"With your majesties permission I can send word to Sir. James Lindwood and the rest of my men to go to your brother's aid at once." Milo requested trying to keep his tone as calm as he could. So as not to scare Kristina anymore then she already was.

Mary as well noticed the look of horror written on Kristina's face. She very quitely asked Francis for the tow of them to leave. Francis gave permsiion and the two retrued to Mary's chambers. Kristina cried with everything in her. The though of Bash being captured by De Rivers and Stonewall's men meant that her mother now had DE Rivers and the plan to kill Bash was going to happen.

"M..M...Mary...what.. shall.. we do?" Kristina cried.

"I do not know Kris. I do not know." cried Mary.

The two womens cries filled the castle as the hours passed Kristina and Mary along with Lola, Greer and Kenna tried to pray for Bash safe return. To them and to Kristina.