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Chapter Thirty-One
Fin
“I seen ‘em with me own bleedin’ eyes,” Hollis said. “Castor Welton’s puttin’ his army together. They’re marchin’ on York and assumin’ he doesnae force ‘em tae march in the dark, he could be on the move as early as the morrow.”
Henry ran a hand through his hair. He looked skeptical, and yet, at the same time, Fin could see a note of alarm in his eyes.
“You say that Elix is marching on York?” Henry asked.
Fin and Hollis nodded. “Tis what we’ve been sayin’.”
“That would be madness.”
“Tis also what we’ve been sayin’,” Hollis said.
“I think that tis madness, aye,” Fin added. “But I also think Castor’s got a plan. There’s more goin’ on than meets the eye and York needs tae be ready.”
“And you are basing this one what?” Henry asked.
“On me instincts,” Fin admitted. “Castor Welton’s nay fool. He’s nae goin’ tae march into yer army kennin’ he’s goin’ tae be cut tae ribbons.”
“And what is it you believe he has planned?”
Fin shook his head. “I daenae. But I’m sure tis somethin’,” he said.
Henry pursed his lips and looked around the bailey, taking in all of the men around him and, no doubt, pondering the idea of what it would take to assemble the army and put York on a war footing. The massive effort alone, when combined with the idea of relying on nothing more than Fin’s instincts seemed to be swaying Henry’s opinion toward mounting a casual defense, rather than a full call up of all of York’s resources.
“Why would Castor Welton march on York, to begin with?” Henry asked. “He is in good standing with the Duke-”
“He tried tae murder yer bleedin’ Duke,” Hollis nearly shouted.
“The Irishman in thae dark cells is his man,” Fin said more evenly. “Tis been confirmed by the Lady Welton. The plot tae assassinate Duke Hamilton and Col - Castor’s the one behind it all.”
Despite his words, Fin could see that Henry remained largely unmoved. Perhaps afraid to do the wrong thing. And based on second-hand information that was mostly uncorroborated, some part of him understood. But he was still frustrated by having to try and convince the head of the Duke’s guard that the threat was real, and it was imminent. Fin caught Henry’s gaze and held it firmly, showing the man just how serious he was.
“Would ye rather tell the Duke you planned for an attack and it didnae come,” Fin said. “Or that ye didnae take the threat seriously and did nothin’ as York is overrun?”
“I have a difficult time believing Elix could ever overrun York,” he replied. “I know the number of soldiers he can call on, and it is barely worth calling more than our household guard.”
“Aye. But if I’m right and Castor’s got a nasty surprise for ye…”
“I take your point,” he said, holding up his hand to stop him. “And you are correct. I would rather be overprepared and have it turn out to be for nothing than be caught with my breeches down. The Duke would not be… forgiving.”
Fin did not bother correcting him by saying if he did nothing and let Castor run wild through York, he would not have to worry about the Duke’s temperament because he would likely be dead. Instead, he clapped Henry on the shoulder and nodded.
“Good lad,” he said. “Hollis and I will go and look at the field around us. See if we can plan a few surprises of our own. We may need tae use some of yer builders.”
“Everything will be at your disposal.”
“Thank ye,” he said. “For now, what I need is a scout. I want tae ken where Castor is and when he’ll be here.”
“Done.”
“Good,” Fin said with a nod.
Fin and Hollis turned away, but Henry’s voice stopped them. They turned back, and Henry gave them both a formal bow. He rose and straightened his back.
“I know this is not your fight,” he said. “So, I appreciate what you are doing here. Doing for us.”
