"Elspeth," Cyrus murmured into her ear. He flipped her onto his shoulder and ran for the exit.
Two guards wielding daggers stood in his path. Moving quickly, he kicked one in the groin and sent him tumbling, while he stabbed the other in the throat before he could see the blade headed his way. Hearing pounding footsteps behind him in pursuit, he leapt over the mortally wounded man and shoved through the door.
Outside in the dimness, two guards were nearing the top of the steps in front of him. Cyrus kicked the first one in the chest. He went flying back against the second one. Shouting, both rolled to the ground in a heap. Cyrus leapt over them and sprinted around the side of the castle to the postern gate, Elspeth still on his shoulder. He kicked the gate open, then shoved it back into place. Remembering the hidden bow and quiver just in time, he sheathed his sword and grabbed the extra weapons. Maneuvering by memory through the darkness, he skirted the curtain wall and headed toward the wood where he'd left the horse.
Once in the trees, he lowered Elspeth to her feet. She had been so quiet, he was concerned. "'Tis me. Cyrus."
"I ken it. I thank you for coming."
"Are you injured?"
"Nay, I'm well. Where are your guards?" She was shaking. From cold or fear, he wasn't certain.
How could he answer her question without alarming her? "You're freezing." He removed the black woolen cloak he wore and wrapped it around her. He drew her tightly into his arms, warming her and cherishing her at the same time. He could not believe how relieved he was that she was all right.
He kissed the top of her head. "Can you walk?"
"Aye. How is your head? Henry hit you so hard."
"'Tis all right." It ached still, but Cyrus didn't want her to worry. He took her hand and led her through the midnight wood, trying to be quiet and avoid fallen branches.
"Where are your guards?" Her voice was a whisper.
"I sent Norval to Castle Rebbinglen for reinforcements. Reid will take Fraser to Greymont Castle with Vance and everyone else. He said 'twas fortified."
"The curtain walls were in decent repair last time I visited. Though they haven't needed to hold off an army in at least a score years. I'm glad everyone is traveling there. 'Twill be far safer than Darby."
"Aye. Fraser's sword arm is broken, so he cannot fight. Cecil, Sean, and James are severely injured. Hubert was killed in the skirmish."
"Oh, saints. I'm so sorry." She squeezed his hand. "You should not have taken such a risk in coming here alone."
"I wasn't going to abandon you to those brutes." He lifted her onto the borrowed horse and leapt on behind. "Did Henry figure out the deeds are false?"
"Not yet. He sent two men south for his solicitor."
"Good, that gives us more time. I need to get you to Greymont. 'Tis likely the safest place for you. Since I've never been there, you'll have to give me directions."
"After we pass through town, I'll show you which road to take."
He glanced up at the dark sky. "We'll need to hurry. Storm clouds are moving in."
∞∞∞
Shouts and yells reached Henry in the garderobe. "What the hell?" He quickly adjusted his clothing and emerged from behind the curtain into the great hall. Women servants screamed and ran away, while half the men lay on the floor and the other half had their swords drawn. Lady Grey had disappeared. He glanced around to see if she was elsewhere. MacGirk lay on the floor behind her chair, rubbing his head.
"What's going on here?" Henry demanded. "Where is my captive?"
"'Twas that bastard MacKenzie, or mayhap the devil himself, that stole her away," one of his bodyguards named Campbell reported.
"Don't let them escape, you idiots! After them!" Henry drew his sword and dashed for the door.
"Us?" Campbell followed closely on his heels. "Who will protect you?"
"I have plenty of men to hunt those two down!" He trotted down the steps into the dark courtyard with a few of his men. How had MacKenzie escaped the guards at Darby and slipped inside these walls? "Light the torches! Which way did MacKenzie go?"
"He knocked us down and disappeared into the dark." One of his novice guards limped forward.
"Fools! Tell Waldrop and Balcot to get out here!"
