Arrow To The Heart (De Bron Saga) by Katherine Vickery

the matter over carefully, no doubt juggling his loyalties.  “ You swear that no harm will come to his person?"
    "Would I harm my own flesh and blood? ” 
    Yes , Rowena thought, if it would suit your purposes.
    "I will have no part in murder." On this the burly man seemed steadfast.
    “ Verily, I say to you that killing my brother is not part of my plan. I have no need for bloodshed. All I need is time, and the Austrians can give me that and they will if the price is right. Money is powerful, my friend.  It can often turn a son against his very own father."
    "Or a man against his brother," came the grim reply.
    Rowena  was heedless of all else now except to find out what was being plotted.  All caution fled from her mind as anger egged her on. The traitor! The cowardly, dastardly traitor! Angrily she moved ever so slowly, hiding behind a stack of boxes nearby from time to time as she moved closer to where the men stood scheming. Their voices were hushed now.  She could barely make out what they were saying, thus she had no choice but to move even nearer.
    "And Lady Maria n presents a problem to me," she heard Prince John declare.  This time his voice was louder in irritation. “You heard the young chit speak out against me tonight. If I allow her to speak thus, if she is allowed to question what I do and go on her merry way, not only will I loose control on those faithful to me, but my ambitions as well could be hampered.  She needs to be silenced."
    No! Rowena gasped silently.
    Her thoughts were echoed by the knight's words.  "Surely you can not even dare to think of harming one hair on the head of the fair Lady Marian.  I tell you, John, you go too far!  She is but a young lass!"
    Rowena  could see the knight throw his hands up in the air and start to walk away, but the hand of the Prince stayed him.
    "Of course, I would not harm such a lovely lady.  I merely think that she would perhaps be better off staying as my guest in the castle, if you understand my meaning. 
    Rowena d id. John was going to hold Marian captive. Certainly he had done it before when someone posed a threat.
    “ That way I will insure that she does not agitate those who do not favor me and thus bring danger to my person.” The prince laughed softly.  “I assure you she will be most comfortable here."  Rowena  felt a shiver of fear run up her spine.
    I must see that Maria n gets safely away from here, she thought in alarm. Marian was her friend, a woman she admired.  She would not sit by and let her be taken prisoner.  Again she strained her ears to what the Prince and his cohort were saying.
    "Maria n and her servant will leave at the crack of dawn to travel back to the lady’s estates.  I will give you a signal. You will merely escort her to my castle north of here. I have a guest chamber waiting.  You will bring her to me there. One of my men will attend you to help you carry out the deed.  I will send him to your room long before the cock crows."
    "And just how will I know this man?"  The knight's voice was filed with loathing, but it was clear he would do as his master bid.
    Rowena  was filled with urgency as she listened to a description of the scoundrel, taking. Mental note of all the details.  Then realizing  she couldn’t tarry, that  there was much to be done if she were going to save Maid Marian, she retraced her steps quietly, stealthily.  She was nearly to safety behind the wall when her foot became entangled in a mesh of ropes holding some boxes together. The boxes came down, crashing to the ground, giving her away.
    "What the....?"
    "Who goes there?  Roderick, find out!"  The scuffle of footsteps alerted Rowena that they intended to  give chase. The hunt was on.

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Darting out of the shadows, Rowena  ran for her life. If only she could escape, she would be safe from Prince John’s revenge. Fleeing up the stairway she could only hope that with her agility she could leave the