Page 91 of The Splendor of Fire
Creeping along the wall, he scoped the distance to the man. He would need to run toward him and expose himself to the man’s peripheral vision. He took a deep breath. Praying, he sprang forward.
The guard’s eyes widened and he swung out. Lion ducked, grabbing the man around the chest and swinging him around the uneven rock trying to unsteady his feet. The man pushed back, and Lion brought his knee into the man’s groin. Rocking forward, the manthrew his elbow back trying to connect with Lion’s jaw. Catching his arm, Lion twisted it, then grabbed the guard’s other hand. From the shadows, Birdy sprang forward, helping him push the man to the rock floor and standing in-between the guard’s shoulder blades while he roped the guard’s arms and feet. When he’d been gagged, Birdy put her fingers in her mouth and whistled down the length of the echoing cave.
At the mouth of the cave three lanterns appeared and slowly bobbed toward them. Léo picked the second guard up and dumped him beside his comrade.
Lightning rowed in first. “This tide is wicked, we’re going to need to move fast.”
Rock grunted from the boat behind him. “This is why I’m no’ an Islander. Your lot is mad storin’ treasure in a sea cave… liable tae get sucked oot tae sea.”
Birdy’s eyes widened as if she’d just heard her fate prophesied, and Lion put a comforting hand to her goosebumped shoulder.
Thunder rowed in last. “Throw those two in my boat, I’ll take them back to the bìrlinn.”
Léo hefted the unconscious man and rolled him into the bottom of the small boat, his weight pitching it up. The boat bounced against the narrow sides of the sea path that cut through the cave.
Thunder held his arms against the rock. “Careful, I don’t want to scuttle.”
The second guard squirmed and wrestled and Léo struggled to hold him steady. “Do you want to drown, you fool?” The man’s bloodshot eyes blinked hard, and he stilled. “That’s more like it.”
With the guards settled, Thunder wasted no time, rowing out of the cave against the rising tide.
Beithir walked the platform of rock, arms shooting out as his feet connected with green sea moss, sending his huge frame sliding. He tried to catch himself against the slick wall and shot to his rear end, skittering down the uneven stone and coming to a stop just before the opening to the sea.
Sprawled on the floor, Beithir looked at Birdy andLion. “I don’t like this.”
Lion couldn’t dwell on that now. He turned back to Birdy. “Are you ready?”
She nodded. Angling his back close to the wall and planting his feet on two uneven stones, he bent his leg and she climbed up his thigh, across his palm, and onto his shoulders. He walked her close to the mouth of the treasury, navigating the slick, uneven rock with his bare feet. Finding a steady footing, he put his hands close to his shoulders and she stepped onto his palms.
“Now?”
She curled her toes.
Pushing against the weight of her body, he lifted her, arms shaking but keeping her steady. His eyes scanned the sharp rocks descending from the ceiling, assessing the danger and guiding her around it.
Beithir’s voice sounded behind him. “Careful. There’s a low-hanging rock.”
“I see it.”
Facing the cave wall, she reached for the opening and she tried to lift herself into the mouth, but couldn’t quite make it. Arms slipping against the slimy moss, she wobbled and nearly fell. Behind him, Beithir gasped and skated forward to spot her.
Lion steadied her. “Do we need to throw?”
She curled her toes. He stepped away from the rock and bobbed his knees, giving her bounce. Hands at her hips, he caught her and guided her back down.
Beithir wiped a hand over his face.“Och, that makes me nervous.”
Birdy shook her arms out and warmed her limbs by the dying fire.I feel safer up there than down here.
Beithir chuckled. “Aye, you have Lion to break your fall.”She blushed.
Undeniable pride swelled in his chest. He made her feel safe.
It’s just a bit out of my reach. I’m certain if we throw I can make it.
Thunder rowed back down into the cave. “Sea’s spotted patrols to the east and the swell is rising. We need to make this short.”
Léo wiped his hands on his trews and motioned her over. “I’ve got you.”
