Page 46 of The Iron Highlander
“…which is why I have come here today. As a great warrior, I have come to offer my services, and I will help ye kill the Laird who has kept ye from having what ye desire.”
Max sat up in his seat, “Bingwen, the tales of yer bravery and skills have nae passed by my ears. I ken everything, and I want yer service, as I believe ye will be able to do the job…”
Reuben felt a hand on his shoulder, and his heart stopped. He had not expected anyone to see him there, and his hands were against the wall, and so he could not reach his sword. If the man who had touched him was a guard, and a skilled one, he would have drawn his blade and taken Reuben down before the laird would react.
But he had to take the chance, and Reuben reached for his blade.
Kate ran into the castle, and for the first time in a while, everything came rushing back to her. The time she had spent there as a child, all of the punishments that she and her sisters had endured at the hands of Max. It had all happened there, and she had come back to it willingly.
For a moment, she wondered if it was the right move, if she should have come at all. But she smacked the thought out of her head.
A while ago, Willow had disrespected Max, and he had thrown her in the dungeons as punishment. Kate had to sneak down dinner for her, and this was the only way she could do it.
Taking her chance, she rushed across the foyer and got deeper into the castle, making her way down the stairs. She heard a loud thud above her, and froze, wondering what it was. If she was right, Reuben would be somewhere above her, checking to see that Lily was in the room above. But on the chance that she was not, Kate had to check the dungeons.
The dungeons were guarded by the same people who patrolled the foyer upstairs, and they would occasionally come down to check on whoever was locked in. She had no way of knowing when they would pop in however.
She walked to a small alcove on the side of the wall, staying flat against it, just as the guards walked by. If they were heading in the opposite direction, they would spot her with ease. But it was a game which she had played enough times, to know what the right moves were.
Kate dashed across the corridor, and slowly opened the other gate of the dungeons, moving it slowly so it would not squeak loudly. Once she was through, she made her way in and looked in through the bars.
In the back of the cell, Lily’s eyes lit up as she saw her sister, and she rushed forwards and reached for her sister, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her face was covered in grime, and her dress already filthy from the mud and dirt of her cell.
“Lily, are ye okay?” Kate asked, reaching up to wipe her cheeks through the bars.
“Aye, I am. What are ye doing? If Max catches ye here, it is over!” Lily replied, trying to slow her sobs as they spoke in gentle whispers.
“I couldnae leave ye here with him,” Kate replied, looking down at the locked cell door. She reached for it and tugged as hard as she could, kicking it but it would not budge. “Wait for me, Reuben is out there. I’ll call him to come help, and we will get ye out of here.”
Lily nodded and Kate turned around and rushed out of the dungeons. If Reuben had made it to the top of the castle, hewould be headed down by now, and there was only one route he would take that would bring him in her direction, so Kate walked quickly, picking up a pot of water which she found lying around, and carrying it up to cover her face as a guard walked by, believing her to be one of the servants.
She took the pot and walked by the armory where she found a bow and a quiver full of arrows. Kate hung them across her back and continued her journey, looking for Reuben. Just as she turned, she took a look down the hall and saw a guard reaching out to Reuben.
The guard had a hand on his sword already, and was looking to strike. Reuben would not see it coming. Kate dropped the pot, drawing the attention of the guard for a split second. It was just enough time for Reuben to shove the guard backwards. Just as he did, Kate quickly knocked an arrow into her bow and fired. The arrow struck the guard on the right side of his chest, and just before he could cry out, Reuben slammed the hilt of his sword into the side of the man’s head, knocking him out.
“Ye just saved my life,” said Reuben. “Again.”
“Well, ye can pay me back later. I found Lily, come on!”
They rushed down to the dungeon, making their way to the cell. Reuben swung his sword and struck the lock of the cell with all of his might, and on the second blow, it bounced back, creaking open. Kate flung the door free and hugged her sister, holding her tightly.
“I’m so sorry, Lily, are ye okay?” Kate cried, looking at her body.
“There will be time for that later, but for now, we need to leave,” said Reuben, looking back in the way they had come. “Can ye walk?”
“Aye,” said Lily.
“Then ye can run.”
They turned and left the dungeons, heading back up the stairs. Escaping was going to be the tricky bit, but they had their plan all set out beforehand. Reuben had to cause a distraction, long enough for Kate and Lily to get to the tree and climb over it. Once they were gone, he and Reuben would find their way out.
“What now?” Lily asked, looking to Kate.
“We make a dash across the courtyard, and head straight for the tree. Remember the one we used before?” Kate asked.
“Aye,” Lily replied.
“We do that again, but quicker, and then we get on the horses and ride off.”
