Chapter 18
Deryn had never liked castles. They were big, cold, drafty places and no matter how many rushes were strewn on the floor or how many bunches of herbs were burned, the smell of so many people living in close proximity could never fully be eradicated. Torryn Keep had done nothing to change his view.
In fact, he reflected, as he climbed behind Cian up the narrow chute that acted as one of the castle’s drains, Torryn Keep was probably the worst of them.
Tonight had not been a pleasant experience. They had waited until the assigned time—around an hour before midnight according to the position of the moon—before they had made their move. They’d left their hiding place and crossed the open ground to the walls of Torryn Keep quickly and silently.
Once there, they had made their way into the deep, muddy ditch that surrounded the keep. It wasn’t a moat, thankfully, but that didn’t make it any more pleasant. Following Madeleine’s directions, they had found the entrance to the drain easily enough and had set to work prising off the metal grille that covered it as quickly and quietly as possible. After that they climbed into the grime of the disused garderobe, with only one small torch to light their way.
“We’re almost there,” Cian whispered from up ahead. “I can see the end.”
Thank the Lord. Deryn doubted he’d ever been so pleased to hear those words. He would soon see Madeleine again. She would be waiting at the end of the tunnel to let them in and they would be reunited. It had only been a few hours since he’d last seen her but her absence was like an ache in his soul. The boy too. He missed Rory with a depth he had not expected.
Cian doused the torch and they inched forward in total darkness. Craig, bringing up the rear, cursed under his breath and Deryn heard a scraping noise as he forced his way through the narrow confines. Craig was almost too big for the tunnel but he had refused to be left behind.
Up ahead, light began to filter through and Deryn made out a rectangle of lighter shadow that marked the end of the shaft. As expected, it was blocked by a heavy iron gate.
Cian set his hands to it and pushed. It didn’t move. Unlike the outer grate, this was fixed into the wall inside the kitchen and they could not detach it from this side. That’s why they needed Madeleine.
“Lass?” Deryn called softly. “Madeleine? Are ye there?”
The grille rattled as though someone was shaking it from the other side and then it swung away, revealing a view of a small, darkened room.
They scrambled quickly out and Deryn straightened, his cramped muscles screaming in protest.
“Well done, love,” he said, turning. “I was beginning to think—”
He cut off abruptly as a sword point was pressed against the base of his throat.
Deryn’s hand flew to the hilt of his sword but the blade pricked deeper.
“Dinna be stupid,” said a voice. “Take yer hands from yer weapons.”
Deryn glanced at his companions. Cian and Craig also had blades against their throats. Cian looked at him and gave the slightest shake of his head.
With a hiss of fury, Deryn raised his hands. “All right!”
Light flared as a torch was lit and Deryn got his first proper look at his surroundings. Just as Madeleine had said, the shaft came out into a cell-like room that looked like a disused garderobe. Five heavy-set warriors filled the small space, all wearing the MacKay colors. There was no sign of Madeleine.
“Where is she?” Deryn snarled. “What have ye done with her?”
“Ah-ah,” said a man, wagging his finger. “Ye are in no position to demand answers. Did ye really think ye could sneak in here undetected? My laird has people watching every entrance and exit—even the disused ones. Ye shouldnae have underestimated him. Now this can go one of two ways. Either ye can submit yerselves to being led to the cells to be hanged later. Or ye can put up a futile fight and we’ll kill yer now. What will it be?” He grinned at them, revealing a row of rotten teeth.
Deryn itched to fight. He was sure he could reach his weapon before their captors could—he was Deryn the Destroyer after all wasn’t he? What good was such a reputation if he couldn’t use it when needed? But the space was tight, with no room to swing a weapon without risking hurt to his companions.
Cian caught his eye and Deryn understood the unspoken command in his commander’s expression.Live to fight another day.
Deryn held up his hands, wrists together.
“Wise choice,” the guard said. He clapped a set of iron manacles around Deryn’s wrists, then disarmed him. He did the same to Cian and Craig.
Rough arms grabbed him and spun him around. “Move!”
A sword point jabbed into his back, prodding him forward. Clenching his jaw, Deryn followed as two of the guards led them away. Cian and Craig followed, with the final three warriors bringing up the rear.
