"Hell." 'Twas time to take his leave.
As he dragged the large flat stone back from the opening, the popping and crackling of the burning thatch reached his ears. "Anna, they've set the roof afire." Without waiting for her response, he tossed their remaining supplies down beside her, along with his bow and arrows, her sack, clothing, and anything they might use. He crawled down into the cellar and pulled the stone back into place. Dunn nosed at him and whined.
Neacal turned in the pitch darkness and almost bumped into Anna.
"We cannot hide in here! The smoke will kill us," she said. Her fingers dug into his arm.
"Nay. Calm yourself." He clasped her shoulders between his palms. "This is not just a cellar. An underground tunnel leads out."
"In truth?" Her voice shook.
"Aye. Three of the crofter's sons helped me dig it last year, before I stayed here." He refused to remain anywhere without an alternate escape route. "Do you have your things?"
"Aye. 'Tis so dark in here, I can see naught. Where is the tunnel?" Anna asked, her voice anxious.
He looped the quiver full of arrows over his neck and shoulder and took the bow in hand. His sword and dirk remained in their scabbards. "Over here. Hold onto my plaid." He felt his way along the stone wall.
"Where does it emerge?" Right on his heels, she bumped into him.
"Near a different trail down the mountain."
"I'll be glad to get out of here."
"I'll go in front," he said.
They crawled along the tunnel. Seeing naught but pure darkness, he used his hands to feel his way along the muddy, damp passage. The air was dank and loam-scented, but when it turned fresher, he knew they were approaching the exit.
He emerged into the night. The moon shone through scattered clouds. He took Anna's hand and helped her stand. "Are you well?"
"Aye." She breathed deeply. "A little mud and dirt won't hurt me." She tossed the sack of clothing over her shoulder. "Where will we go now?"
"I'll show you. Come, Dunn." After checking all his weapons and making sure they were in place, Neacal tucked her hand around his elbow. "A few hundred yards up the mountain, there's a hidden outcropping of rock with several bushes and boulders surrounding it." In the dimness, he helped her maneuver through the rocks and heather until they reached their destination between two hills.
He found a well-concealed spot behind the ragged outcropping. "You and Dunn will wait here."
"Where are you going?" Anna asked, her hand tightening around his elbow. "We should all remain hidden until they leave."
"Nay. Once the shieling burns and they don't find our bodies inside, they'll be searching for us. They may even find the tunnel. Right now, I have the advantage because they don't know we've escaped. Remain here, seated behind these rocks until I come back for you. Take this." He handed her the dirk. "Stab any man who tries to grab you."
"What are you going to do?"
Should he tell her he intended to fight a one-man battle with them? Nay, she would worry too much. "I'm going to remain hidden and see how many of them there are." That was true, at least. He didn't need to tell her the rest of his intentions.
"Please, have a care." Her fingers gripped his hand.
"I will." Neacal bent and kissed her quickly on the forehead. He wanted to kiss her lips but there was no time to enjoy it. "Sit down there." Taking her hands, he helped her sit on a flat rock, then petted the dog. "Stay, Dunn. Quiet," he commanded. "Stay with Anna. Guard." The dog was well-trained and should obey his orders even while he was gone. Dunn whined but lay down beside Anna.
"Good lad. Anna, I'll return as soon as I can, mayhap in an hour." He hoped.
"Aye, please do hurry."
Carrying his sword, bow and arrows and a couple of smaller knives, he hastened around the side of the moonlit hill. Finally, the burning roof of the cottage came into view. He silently picked his way among the boulders, gorse bushes and small trees behind the structure then to the east of it, in the direction opposite Anna. He'd draw them away from her hiding place.
The bastards surrounded the cottage, moving this way and that, some laughing, others shouting. As they stood back from the heat and flame, their silhouettes made them easy targets.
He nocked an arrow, aimed and let it fly toward one of them. The whoreson yelled and dropped to the ground. Ducking out of sight, Neacal quickly nocked arrow after arrow, taking down an enemy each time and counting, for he'd had two dozen arrows exactly and he'd reclaimed the ones he'd used on the rabbits. Once he ran out, he'd have to use his sword on the rest of them.
Six… seven men down.
