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Brigid gave a yell and barely managed to clear the closing door. She turned to help Reena, and both women realized there was not sufficient space for her to squeeze through.
“I will get help,” Brigid said as the door closed completely shut, and she shivered as she raced from the room, hearing Reena’s final word as her candle flickered out.
“Hurry!”
Magnus entered the great hall after a day of riding his borders and making certain his land was well guarded. He had traveled over hills and meadows, though the weather was anything but cooperative. A cold wind and snow flurries certainly did not announce that spring was but a week or so away.
His warriors did well in guarding his holdings. They were alert to their surroundings and aware of any intruders, except, of course, the Dark One. But then no one seemed to be able to prevent his entrance anywhere, and he was a friend who was welcome anytime at the keep.
His men were aware of every stranger that traveled his land, some proving harmless, others proving suspicious, but all were watched and their actions reported to Magnus. He knew Kilkern kept a watchful eye on Dunhurnal land, and he could almost predict Kilkern’s next move. Right now the man gathered force behind him, hoping to sway the king to his cause, as well as those lords whose lands surrounded Kilkern land. But Magnus was patient and his plan was to take no action, at least not yet.
Magnus sat on a bench before the hearth, stretching his legs out to warm his chilled bones. A pitcher of ale was quickly brought to the table. He was filling a tankard when Thomas entered the great hall.
Thomas joined Magnus at the table and appreciated the warmth of the hearth and the taste of the ale.
“We are well protected,” Thomas said, reaching for the full tankard.
“From what we see, but it is what we do not see that needs our attention.”
“Kilkern works on the king.”
“Of that I have no doubt,” Magnus said.
“You sound as if you worry not about it.”
“Kilkern’s complaints will benefit us.”
“How so?” Thomas asked.
“It never helps when too many know too much, and Kilkern has a loose tongue and thinks it benefits him.”
Thomas scratched his bald head. “You sound as though you wait for the truth to reveal itself.”
Magnus grinned and raised his tankard. “Kilkern is bound to slip up somewhere, and we will be waiting.”
Thomas stood suddenly, causing Magnus to do the same, and they both cast a suspicious glance around the hall.
“Do you hear that?” Thomas asked and tilted his head as if straining to hear.
“What—”
“Help! Thomas, help!” Brigid flew down the stone steps screaming. She burst into the great hall to see Thomas and Magnus rushing toward her and servants scurrying in to see what was amiss.
Brigid flung herself at Thomas; his large arms wrapped around her and held her firm.
“What is wrong?” Magnus asked, a sinking feeling in his gut warning him that Reena was in trouble.
Brigid remained in the safety of Thomas’s strong arms. “Reena is—” She needed to pause and gasp for breath. “—stuck.” Her breath left her again.
“Where?” Magnus urged.
“Tower room,” she rushed out before her breath failed her again.
Magnus dashed out of the room, Thomas close behind, along with Brigid.
He rushed into the tower room to see Horace scratching and growling by the stone wall. He found the lever to open the door and watched as the door creaked slowly open, wishing he could force it open more quickly.
Thomas hurried into the room, torch in hand, Brigid slipping out from behind him to race to the door, which was barely ajar.
