‘The Shepherdess: La Tectume’ by JM Landels

The path lifted its way along the rocky, scrub-covered hill, and the sun did the same, till we crossed from grey dawn to the full light of an orange sunrise. I paused, shielding my eyes as I turned to look back. The inferno that had been the inn had subsided, and now a thick column of black smoke tumbled upward across the clear sky. Shadow still blanketed the low ground, making it impossible to see what was happening below. Would Sauvegarde follow me and seek vengeance for Étier? Or were he and his men too busy recapturing their horses and saving the carriage? I remembered the sparks showering onto it and hoped the wretched conveyance burned to its wheels.

I turned back to the path and followed Henri as he led the captured horse around a clump of umbrella pines.

“Henri!” I exclaimed in outrage. “Monstre!”

I left Babette where she was and rushed to Jacques, who was sitting forlornly, leashed to a tree, his muzzle tied closed. I unmuzzled the dog, who licked my face and jumped on me in appreciation. Which prevented me from freeing Luc, who was also bound and gagged.

“How could you?” I rounded on Henri. “You brute.”

The big man shrugged. “For their own safety, mademoiselle. You wouldn’t want them embroiled in that.” He pointed at the column of smoke.