Crooked Bow Inn and Tavern-Kethington. Wifield-Dusk
Brennanâs blue eyes watched the group, trying desperately to read each of the individuals Elsbeth had none of Braithâs abilities when it came to measuring people, knowing how to talk to them or win them over. Inside the heavy coat she was sweating and muscles were tense.
Eyes were focused on the dark skinned man for a moment. He seemed keen to listen though Elsbeth still couldnât fathom how this couldnât be the man she thought he was. Braith knew something she didnât. Doppelganger The word caught her attention. Could there really be two of them? Two men who are so similar in appearance yet one helped cause this upheaval and another is just an innocent?
Elsbeth felt her cheeks blush as Braith smiled at her. She felt foolish for having been so close to losing her cool but this law was going to change everything. She was grateful that the man knew her so well and was so good at reading people. Braith had given her the chance to calm down.
Brennanâs eyes followed Braith to the bounty hunter. Lip curled in distaste for a man who made his living hunting down highwaymen. Braith had a point however, this law meant a death to bounty hunters. When the Queenâs men could simply shoot people down in the road there was no need to pay large sums to these men. Money not paid out for criminals meant more in the coffers of the court.
A familiar form moved through the crowd and took a seat at the table. Fox had ridden with Brennan on a job with the Hunt brothers though they were not close. Brennan never let anyone get too close as too much familiarity made it hard to hide secrets.
Eyes flashed back to the bounty hunter as Braith made introductions. Elsbeth knew of Black XII, knew he had it out for Brennan as he had managed to elude the hunter on a few occassions. It was something that Brennan did well. Appear from nowhere and disappear just the same. A mixture of anger and fear stirred in Elsbeth stomach. Will Black honour a truce here and now in an effort to focus on the greater trouble at hand?
Something about the stance of the man beside her made Elsbeth turn away from her scrutiny of the bounty hunter. To those watching Brennan simply turned his head and his attention away but inside Elsbeth was on edge. Hands clenched on the tableâs surface as Braith talked of the new law and how it was certain to pass.
Even she knew that rebellion in the Queenâs court, the loss of favour of the Lords and her backers would do more harm to the people than anyone. They needed the Queen even if at times she seemed simply a puppet.
Brennan leaned forward as Braith talked of the murder and how it might not have been a random encounter. A set up to bring in the law or is there more? It angered her more to think that people had been killed purely for someone elseâs gain.
Her eyes fell on Braith. He was taking a much needed breath. Elsbeth wasnât sure if she had ever seen him so worked up but it seemed that perhaps there was more going on than some lords wanting a law passed. Law, rival gone, control over those serving the Queenâs justice. It was almost too perfect and all it would take was a few of the lords in the court to band together and then they would control it all.
Elsbethâs stomach churned. She was both sickened by her fellow man and angry by them. She looked around at the table This group...do we really think we can do anything to stop this? What can we do against a bunch of rich lords who control everything?
Blue eyes blinked slowly at Braith as he posed to the group how he thought they could best address the issue. Expose the corruption? Justice? The robber turned officer?
A gloved hand tapped the table and the body sat back in the chair. Elsbeth was very close to laughing. Me, expose corruption? Me? A woman dressed as a man and playing robber in the dark? Is he mad?
One look at Braith and she could tell that not only was he very serious but he honestly believed this...group could do it. Elsbeth took in the others. Is it possible? Brows furrowed above the cold blue orbs as she tried to work out if this was a sound method or insanity sure to get them killed.
Foxâs voice addressed Braith first. The rest at the table seemed as quiet as Brennan though for entirely different reasons.
A sound question though Elsbeth figured Braith had numerous connections. The man knew things and if he was saying there was corruption than he had an in already. Elsbeth was more trying to figure out exactly âhowâ Brennan or Fox or any of them might be of use to Braith. If he knew so much than what use were they to him?
Braith smiled wider as Gwen sat and nodded. He expected this initial mistrust and bristling with new people around. Yet, in order to accomplish their lofty goal they had to find out who they could trust and quickly. With a friendly tone Braith addressed Gwen, âMy dear Fox, I would not be able to provide such useful information if I did not have connections. I make it a point to surround myself with capable people. My talents are in finding those people.â
He then look over at the drumming fingers of Brennan. Raising his gaze to âhisâ face he saw the consternation and doubt. He looked around the table and saw a similar expression. The unspoken question of, âWhy us? What can we possibly do?â
Braith looked down at his hands and drew in a breath, âWhat we are up against isnât a common mark. This is not some spoiled, rich noble who will give up on first sight of our pistols or swords. This is an opponent that has made a habit of using others to maintain power. We would be but bugs under their heel if we tried to oppose them individually. However, what they will not expect is a group of resourceful individuals gathering their talents. Organizing them and using them to the best of their abilities in a concerted attempt, not to rob them, but to expose them for what they are. They call us criminals. Who better than a criminal to expose a snake?â
Brennanâs head tilted as Braith answered the unasked question. Once again Braithâs ability to read a person amazed Brennan. There was still some doubt. Expose them without exposing my true identity. A gloved hand came up towards a cheek but Elsbeth stopped, hand mid air. The gesture was one women made when concerned or thinking, not a hardened highwayman. With a deep inhale Elsbeth steadied herself.
The hand gestured to Braith to continue. Brennan nodded, conceding that there might be something there. Eyes locked with Braithâs. And start where? What do we do first? The gaze questioned him.
Braith noticed Brennanâs gesture, a twitch of an amused grin as she corrected her movements. He caught her gaze and paused, reading the thoughts in those expressive eyes of hers, âThen, what is it we should put our efforts toward? I suggest we put our efforts toward finding and questioning one of the party of murderers. I happen to know of someone who can point us to the last known location of a member of said party. As you can see, I am a source of information, but not one of physical intimidation. I donât expect to be able to charm a murderer into confession. However, you all have abilities that will help us track, chase and convince this person to tell us what they know. Interested?â
Brennan looked at the table, eyes hard. Elsbeth didnât care about the rest right at this moment. Under the scarf she licked her dry lips. Intimidating was something that Brennan was known for, reputation speaking when he himself never did.
Is this the only way? Elsbeth thought it over but the decision didnât take long. Anger was not the answer, hunting them down and turning them in would get nowhere. Expose them. It is all we can do.
She met Braithâs eyes again and nodded curtly. The eyes flickered quickly to the rest. Set the time and place.
Braith saw the acceptance in Brennanâs eyes, âIf you are interested, let us meet in the morning. It is late. Get rest. We take on the world. Sleep will help.â He chuckled and sat back in his chair, more relaxed than he felt but he needed to inspire confidence in this group of outcasts.
With that the meeting broke up. Brennan stood, a nod to both Fox and Braith and made his way upstairs. The door to the room was unlocked. Brennan entered and closed the door behind him.
Securing the lock, Elsbeth leaned against the door. âCan this actually work?â The question was posed to the dark. Feet moved quickly to the window. Elsbeth looked out. Seeing no one, she opened it and made the short drop to the ground. She couldnât risk actually staying in the inn. Braith had talked to one bounty hunter but that didnât mean there might not have been others to see Brennan there. It did not mean that others might not try one last attempt to collect the bounty on Brennanâs head before the new law made them extinct.
Taking to the shadows Elsbeth ran into the woods. She had a pack hidden away a short distance from the inn. Once she changed some of her clothes no one would assume she was Brennan. No one would assume a young woman was a wanted highwayman.
Her eyes adjusted to the dark and it wasnât long before she found her hidden pack and got a small fire going. Her coat was laid out on the ground, hat tucked away and finally Elsbeth sat in an oversized shirt and tight fitting leggings by the fire. Her hair was loose as she ran her fingers through it. The disguise had been hot in the inn and she took great deep breathes of the chill night air.
She stared into the fire and thought about what Braith had said, the others at the table and what the future might bring.
Morning came and Brennan sat the table in the inn again. For any who noticed there were slight circles under the highwaymanâs eyes. Elsbeth had been up most of the night thinking. Now she sat and waited to see who else would join.
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Green Lanes-Dunfen, Wifeld-Dusk
The air was crisp this night. The men were waiting just inside the tree line. OâGrady assured them that a small group would be coming down this road tonight. He had overheard the itinerary of some travellers in a tavern. By their look and heavy purses he figured there should be a decent cut for all involved.
So they waited. As the moon rose the sound of horse hooves could be heard.
OâGrady adjusted his hat, choked up on his reins and nodded. âKeep an eye boys, they are coming.â
As the three riders, well dressed men on well groomed horses, passed them by the band jumped out. The travellers stopped, startled by the ambush.
âAlright then, weâll be taking your coin now.â
Pistols were raised, fingers on the triggers. Voices were raised.
Not far down the road the group of six Queenâs men were riding. One, a young man, turned his horse and rode back towards his captain and the justice.
âSir, we have noises on the road ahead of us. Sounds of fighting. Orders?â