AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The jailer did not even have a chance to cry out as he was hurled against the wall and cracked his head on the hard granite behind him before crumpling in a heap on the floor. Finn dragged him back into the cell and locked the door. He had contemplated kicking him but decided not to waste his time. He stripped the limp body of anything he might need, such as his dagger, coin purse, and warm woolen tunic. It would be too small for him, he knew, but he could cover some part of his body with it.
He crept down the corridor and reached the gate at the end of the dungeon, next to which the keys were hanging on hooks, then he selected the one he wanted. It was the biggest on the bunch, and he had noticed the guards using it on their weekly trips out to the burn.
Luckily the other guard was asleep, with an empty flagon of ale on the floor at his feet. Finn grabbed his dagger and coin purse, then unlocked the gate and stepped outside, tucking the key in his pocket.
It was becoming dark, and the household was beginning to prepare for sleep. Finn waited in the shadows at the bottom of the stairs until he saw the light of a candle above him.
“Finn!” It was Greta’s voice calling in a loud whisper.
He stepped out and smiled at the angel who had just appeared from heaven to save him.
She put a finger to her lips, then stretched out a hand to him, and they crept upstairs and waited in a shadowy alcove until a sleepy hush descended on the castle.
“Are ye ready?” Greta whispered.
“Aye. I have been ready for weeks,” he answered.
Greta blew out the candle, and they moved carefully, by the light of a few stray moonbeams, across to the stairway that led to the kitchen.
“Where are we goin’?” Finn asked, frowning as they reached the door to the kitchen.
“Ireland,” she told him. “Now, no more questions.”
“Ireland?” he squeaked. He opened his mouth to speak again but found that a pair of soft lips had sealed it shut. He moaned in pleasure as the kiss became more intense, and he pulled Greta closer and closer to him. He thrust his tongue into her mouth to tangle with hers, but she pushed him away and placed her fingertips over his mouth.
Greta led them into the kitchen garden and thereafter to a small but heavily fortified stone gate, which fitted seamlessly into the stone of the thick wall. Finn was astonished. From the outside, it would have been invisible.
Greta disposed of the lock in seconds, and they crept outside into the moonlight, where a big chestnut mare was patiently cropping the grass. Greta had hobbled her legs so that she could not run away and untied the ropes as Finn loaded the saddlebags.
“Where did ye get this horse?” he asked, amazed.
Greta gave him a mischievous grin. “Ye will be surprised what a bit o’ flirtin’ will dae,” she answered.
Finn felt a stab of jealousy, then he realized how stupid he was being. It had been a means to an end and nothing more. “I forgive ye,” he said reluctantly, as he climbed into the saddle. “How are we goin’ tae Ireland?”
“By boat, ye numpty!” Greta answered, laughing. “How else? I have booked passage for us from Oban.”
“Ten miles away,” Finn mused. “They have a good chance of catchin’ up wi’ us.” His voice was fearful as he urged the big horse into a trot.
“Only if we hang about here yappin’,” Greta said grimly. “We have to be there tae catch the tide, so we need to make good time.”
Finn smiled as he heard the determination in her voice. They were still in danger, but he was breathing the clean night air, he was free, and most wonderful of all, he was with the woman he loved.
20
Although the boat trip to Ireland was something that Greta never wished to repeat, she was glad of the experience because she would have done anything to get away from Scotland. Now she could fall asleep at night without fear, and Finn was with her to protect her and to love her.
“How long will it take?” Finn asked the captain as they embarked. They had pitifully few possessions, but both he and Greta knew how to live off the land, so at least they would not starve.
“Two days if the weather is good,” the skipper replied. “Have ye been on a ship before?”
They both shook their heads.
“I have heard it can make ye a bit sick,” Greta said, a little fearfully.
“It is different for everybody,” the captain replied. “Some people have no seasickness at all, an’ others get it very bad.”
Greta took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Then we will just have tae hope we are the kind who are no’ sick.” Her voice was firm as she descended to their cabin.
