Page 28 of Ladybird

“I assure you that I know darned well the man whom I received this horse from did not steal her. If I remember correctly, he might have gotten her from Lord Bohun, actually. Now, excuse me, but I have things I need to do. Please take good care of my nephew’s horse for him.”

“Aye, my lord,” said the man to Hunter’s back. Hunter couldn’t wait to leave the stables because if he stayed here any longer, the man was going to start a rumor that Hunter was the thief.

“Cassian, to where did Roger disappear? I am guessing he took Cloud out to fly since the bird is gone too,” said Regina, tending to her birds in the mews. Cassian’s back was to her as he scrubbed the crusty empty perch. He didn’t answer.

Regina finished putting the hood on Hera and walked over to the man, resting her hand on his shoulder. He jumped and turned around.

“I’m sorry to have frightened you,” she told the old, nearly-deaf man. “Did Roger take Cloud out to the flying field? I didn’t ask him to do that.”

“Oh, I’m not sure,” said Cassian. “I was in my room.” The old man slept in the attached room to the mews. Roger stayed here sometimes and other times went to be with his family in the village.

“Did you hear him come in?” she asked. “Actually, I thought he was going to get here late today since he stayed with his family in the village last night.”

“I didn’t hear nothin,’” said the man.

“Of course not,” she answered with a sigh, realizing the man couldn’t hear anyone unless they were basically yelling. “Did you tend to the birds this morning since Roger wasn’t here?”

“Of course, my lady.”

“Was Cloud here at the time?”

“Nay, he wasn’t. I thought you took him.”

“What do you mean? I was in the ladies solar all morning. Where is my falcon?” she demanded to know. Her heart started to race. If anything happened to any of her birds, she would just die. Panic started to consume her.

“Good morning, Lady Regina,” she heard from behind her. She spun around to find Roger walking into the mews with Cloud perched atop his falconer’s glove.

“Oh, thank goodness!” she cried, hurrying over to him. “I was so afraid something had happened to Cloud.”

“I returned early from the village and decided to let him fly this morning since it was such a beautiful sky. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind as long as you tell someone you’re taking the bird.”

“I did,” said Roger. “I told Cassian.”

“Really.” She turned to look back at Cassian. The man’s back was toward them and he was banging the brush against a bucket, startling the perched, hooded birds. “Cassian, stop making that noise. You are frightening the birds.”

“I’m afraid he doesn’t hear the noise so doesn’t know that.” Roger put Cloud back on his perch. “His hearing seems to be getting worse lately.”

“Aye,” she answered, speaking aloud since the man couldn’t hear them anyway. “I’m not sure a man with little to no hearing belongs working in the mews. I need someone more like you who will be sure to protect the birds.”

“Protect? What do you mean?” asked Roger.

“Don’t say anything to anyone, Roger, but there have been burglaries right here at the castle lately.”

“Really? I can’t believe that,” said Roger. “Why doesn’t Lord Robin do something about it?”

“He is.”

“What?”

She could have kicked herself for telling the boy anything at all. Regina realized she was being no different than Lady Penelope or Lady Jean, spreading gossip. “Never mind,” she said. “Just please stay close to the birds from now on.”

“Of course, my lady. Do you think this thief might try to steal one of the hunting birds?”

“Anything is possible, but let’s hope not.”

“Lady Regina, Lady Sage sent us to find you.” Luke walked into the mews with Fred. He carried the stray cat.