“Nor did I upon my arrival home,” Lathir said, hurt that her father had arranged her betrothal without so much as a by your leave. Nor was this the time to discuss it. “There will be time to talk later. We must leave before a guard comes on rounds.”
Pain contorted her father’s face as he braced his hands on the floor and tried to stand. On a hiss, he slumped to the floor. “Blast it,I canna stand.”
Rónán accepted a length of wood from another knight, lay it flush against Lord Sionn’s injury. “Once we bind your leg so it remains still, we can carry you out.” In quick, efficient movements born of tending many an injured man, he wrapped strips of cloth around the makeshift splint. After he secured the last tie, he glanced at Craigshyre, kneeling near Lord Sionn’s other shoulder. “Ready?”
“Aye.”
Together they lifted her father. Rónán searched the dungeon’s entry, thankful it remained closed, then scanned the men locked within. If any of the others noticed them, they said naught,or didn’t care.
How many within were wrongfully imprisoned? Too familiar with Sir Feradach O’Dowd’s love of violence, Rónán would guess most. However much he wished to help them, they could not linger. After he’d delivered the arms to King Robert, he could seek Lord Sionn’s aid in freeing the innocent.
Rónán motioned the knights they’d brought toward the tunnel. “Go ahead; keep watch for any sign of trouble.”
A broad-shouldered man nodded, then departed. The other warriors fellin behind him.
“Lathir, stay near the knights. Lord Craigshyre and I and your father will be right behind you.”
She slipped into thesecret tunnel.
Shimmers of candlelight wavered on the walls as they made their way along the dank confines. In the distance, the pounding of waveupon rock grew.
Worry lining her brow, Lathir glanced back. “We are nearing the exit.”
“Aye.” Nor did he relax. Somehow, in the black of night, they had to carry the earl to where the rest of their contingent was camped.
The scrape of stone grated down the passageway as the guards opened the entry, and the tangy rush of salt-laden air swirled within the musty stench.
Once they reached the opening, all extinguishedtheir tapers.
Smothered in blackness, after a few moments, Rónán’s eyes adjusted to the night. Against the roar of the sea and batter of wind, he scanned the night.
A full moon was rising in the east. The silvery light illuminated the white caps tipping the swells as theycrashed ashore.
Blast it, he’d hoped by the time they started their climb the wind would have died down. Nor was he pleased by the clearing skies. However dangerous, the falling snow would have shielded their movements as they scaled the break in the cliff.
“Lathir,” Rónán said. “When the guards begin the climb, staybetween them.”
She hesitated.
“If there is trouble and we need to move quickly,” Rónán said, “’tis best if you are ahead, where you could help offer protection.”
“A solid plan,” Craigshyre said.
“How do youfare, Father?”
“I am well enough,” Lord Sionn forced out.“Dinna worry.”
Well enough? Rónán remained silent. Several times during their journey to the exit, the earl had stumbled and nearly fallen. That however slow he was able to walk with their aid was imperative. With the steep climb ahead of them, one littered with danger, God help themif he fainted.
“Let us go.” Lowering his head against the blast of icy wind, Rónán and Craigshyre helped Lord Sionn out of the tunnel. While he leaned upon Lathir’s betrothed, Rónán sealed the secret passage, then they started after the knights making their way to the steep trail.
Against the slap of the cold, Rónán kept his movements precise as they climbed, each step achieved against the noble’s injuries and weakened state a victory.
Paces from the top, theman collapsed.
Rónán caught him. “Lord Sionn.”
Gasping for air, his body began to shudder. “Blast it.” He struggled andfinally stood.
