The Black Rose

Chapter eight

Meanwhile, Thomas had arrived at the Johnson Estate. He knocked on the door, and it was answered by a young man.

“Sir Joshua?” Thomas asked

“Yes,” Joshua replied “May I ask who you are and what you are doing here?”

“My apologies,” Thomas replied, “I seem to have forgotten my manners, my name is Thomas. I have come to deliver a message, from Anna.”

“You look quite familiar.” Joshua said

“Yes,” Thomas agreed, “I was at that meeting last night.”

“Ah yes, I remember now.” Joshua replied, “You mentioned that you had a message?”

“Yes,” Thomas replied

“Then out with it, please.” Joshua said, rather impatiently

“Well,” Thomas started, “First, Anna wanted me to tell you that she has safely left for Spain. However, there is more. Shall we go in? There is no telling who may be listening to this conversation.”

“Of course, follow me.” Joshua replied

Thomas followed Joshua into the manor, and continued when he thought it was safe.

“She is in great danger,” Thomas began again

“Wait” Joshua said, “How can she be in danger, you just told me she left safely.”

“I did,” Thomas replied, “But you did not let me finish. I was going to tell you that the danger awaits her in Spain.”

“How do you know this?” Joshua asked him

“Because, I was down at the pier last night, spying” Thomas replied “That is only part of how I know that she is in danger, the other part that I know is that one of us has betrayed her. The traitor is named William Andrews. He was part of the Spanish military until he was discharged and moved to England, he is very good friends with a man who was also in the military, until he was discharged for disorderly conduct. That man’s name is Carlos Perez. Before he was let go from the military, he had been working on a plot to capture The Black Rose. He and William have remained close throughout the years, and now the time has come for Carlos to follow through on his plan, which is to capture and kill The Black Rose, or as we all know her, Anna.”

Thomas had stopped and looked over at Joshua in time to see him turn three shades of pale.

“Then we must go at once, maybe we can help her, or at least warn her.” Joshua said

“We cannot leave tonight.” Thomas replied

“Why not?” Joshua demanded

“Because there is a storm moving in, and by the look of the clouds, it is going to be a bad one.” Thomas said, trying to soothe Joshua’s fears

“And she is sailing in it?” Joshua said as he sank to his knees in despair, his resolve broken

“Yes she is. And by the looks of it, she planned it that way.” Thomas replied, fighting to keep the fear out of his voice as well.

“There is nothing we can do tonight, but we will leave at first light.” He said, placing a hand on Joshua’s shoulder.

The sobs ripped through Joshua’s body, but Thomas stayed there with him all night. And at the break of dawn, they went to one of Joshua’s ships and set sail for Spain.