Page 45 of Highland Spy

“It sure looks that way,” said Caleb. “I think we need to tell the king.”

“I agree,” said Storm, limping off toward the wooden dais where the king watched the competition.

“Storm, what a pity,” said the king, clucking his tongue as Storm came forward. “I really thought ye’d win again this year, but it isna lookin’ guid so far. Mayhap ye’ll do better in the next event.”

“My toe is broken and I am afraid it will be impossible for me to compete in the broad jump. I’m sorry,” said Storm.

The king shook his head. “If ye dinna get points in two events or more, ye have no chance to win, Storm.”

“I ken that,” said Storm. “I guess I’ll have to withdraw from the competition.”

“What a shame. Ye are our reignin’ champion.”

“Yer Majesty, I have reason to believe someone has been sabotagin’ the competitors for the last two days.”

“Sabotage? Nay. That canna be true,” scoffed King Robert. “I trust all my chieftains and lairds and I dinna think anyone would do that just to win.”

“Show him the gloves,” said Caleb.

Storm held out the gloves to the king. “Fish oil was put on them, causin’ me to lose my grip and the caber to slide. Because of someone’s pranks, my toe is now broken. No’ to mention, there are a guid dozen lairds who competed yesterday who had accidents and are also injured in some way.”

“This isna guid,” said the king, his face turning ashen. “This could also mean there’ll be an attempt on my life while I’m here. Mayhap the contest should be cancelled.”

“Sire, I do believe this is someone who will do anythin’ to win the title, and no’ an attempt to harm ye, but rather to be admired by ye instead. If we cancel the contest, we’ll never find the culprit.”

“Ye could be right,” said the king with a nod. “Mayhap it would be better to draw the guilty party out instead.”

“How can we do that?” asked Caleb. “There are so many people here that we’ll never be able to see or catch the guilty one or even get close to him for that matter.”

“We’ll need to stay silent about our suspicions, and have someone on the inside who can watch for the saboteur,” said the king.

“Like a spy?” asked Logan.

“Exactly.” The king smiled and nodded. “Storm, one of yer men will replace ye in the competition, and spy for me to find out who this man is who will hurt others in order to succeed. Of course, yer replacement will have to be someone who is strong and swift and somewhat stealthy. And they’ll have to be guid enough in the competitions to stay in without bein’ hurt so they can watch for the guilty party.”

“My son, Hawke, can do it,” said Storm.

“Storm, Hawke isn’t here,” Wren reminded him. “He’s at our camp in the Highlands. Even if we send a pigeon with the missive, it’ll take him two days to get here.”

“Och, that’s right,” said Storm.

“We canna stop the competition,” said the king. “Ye’ll have to be replaced with another of yer men who is already here at Hermitage Castle.”

“I’ll do it,” Logan offered, tapping his hand on the hilt of his sword. “I have the Sword of Destiny and canna lose.”

“Aye, Logan is one of my best warriors,” said Storm excitedly. “He’ll take my place.”

“Nay,” said the king. “It willna be him.”

“No?” asked Storm. “Why no’?”

“Because there is another man who I want to take yer place. A man I’ve read about in the Highland Chronicles that is strong, brave, stealthy, smart, and sure to be able to no’ only win the competition but also find the saboteur for me. I have no doubt in my mind about him.”

“Who is that?” asked Storm.

“Caleb MacKeefe.” The king extended his arm, motioning to Caleb. Caleb was petting his pine marten and when he heard his name coming from the king’s mouth, he almost dropped poor Slink.

“Caleb?” both Logan and Storm said together.