The Kingdom

35

Cliff stayed there not knowing exactly what to do but it was snowing and the broth was getting cold. He grabbed the bowl and knocked on James's door.

"Hey!" James greeted him but he quickly recognized a worried semblance on his friend's face. "What is it?"

"Let me in." Cliff said rather serious. James walked away from the door to give him space and Cliff got in. He quickly closed the door and Cliff smiled awkwardly at Keira and put the bowl on their table. "I think it's still warm."

"Aye..." James spoke. "...but why do you look so worried?"

Cliff turned around to face James. "Gryff was eavesdropping near your window."

James frowned and so did Keira. She approached him. "What do you mean?" She asked.

"Exactly what I just said. I was coming here to bring you the broth and saw him under your window eavesdropping. I hid behind a barrel but then I stepped on a cup and it made some noise and he ran away."

"I knew it..." James said clenching his jaw. His eyes narrowed and Keira recognized the anger in his look.

"Oh..." Keira sat down feeling her head spin.

Immediately, James went to her and rested a hand on her shoulder to give her strength. His fingers squeezed her lightly and she put her hand on his.

"Don't worry." James told her. Keira looked up at him.

"How can I not worry? If he really was eavesdropping it's because he is gathering information for someone. There is only one group of people interested in us..." Her eyes flickered with tears and James crouched.

"James and I will protect you." Cliff told her.

"Two against how many?" She said looking at Cliff.

"Let me think..." James got up and began to pace around. For a few seconds there was silence but then Cliff broke it.

"I think we better pretend we know nothing. If someone is here, they are waiting for Keira to deliver the baby so until then no one is going to do anything. Tomorrow we all go to work, except you Keira."

"Are you out of your mind? I am not leaving her here alone." James interrupted him.

"I know it may seem a risk James but they want the baby." Cliff argued.

"Go on..." James said.

"Well... Keira can go to the market if you prefer but we all must act as we know nothing. One of us must follow Gryff everywhere. He will think that we are in the church, he never goes there as he is always around Keira."

"That sounds like a plan..." James agreed.

"If there is someone here waiting for this baby to be born, then you must leave immediately."

"Aye!" James nodded.

"But where will we go? It's winter again and it's snowing so much. I cannot deliver this baby just anywhere..." Her tears fell down her face as she spoke.

"Don't worry about that now, sweetheart..." James crouched in front of her and grabbed her hand, kissing her knuckles. "...but we cannot stay here if your people are waiting for us."

"This is unfair!" She cried louder. She buried her face on her hands resting her elbows on the table. Her shoulders shook lightly and James looked at Cliff.

"I think I'll leave..." Cliff said knowing it was better to leave them alone. James could calm Keira down better if they were alone.

"Thanks." James patted his friend's arm and walked him to the door. Cliff adjusted his cloak against his body firmly and pulled the hood over his head, then he patted James's arm.