Page 60 of Only a Breath Away

I skirted through the shadows tae the door, escaping the Great Hall tae the closest stair as men began tae follow. I raced down the steps intae a storeroom and ducked behind a large cask and waited, but nae men came looking. The commotion remained on the grounds above. Men’s voices yelling, but then slowly, a silence spread across the castle.

I crept through the storerooms, until I came upon the weapons room. I crept along until I found a dungeon with a wooden bar bolted across its heavy door. I whispered, “Sophie Campbell, Sophie Cook?”

She said, her voice a whimper, “Aye, who is there?”

“Tis me, yer great-grandmother, Lady Mairead, ye must be ready tae run as soon as I hae the door open.” I dislodged the bar tae the side. Then I pulled the heavy door scraping along the floor until it was ajar, turned, and rushed up the stairs with Sophie just behind, clutching my skirts. We emerged in the courtyard where most everyone had fallen tae the ground or was too dazed tae stop us as we fled.

I glanced over my shoulder. She was wide-eyed at the horror of it all. “Did ye…?”

I dinna answer, keeping a straight path tae the front gate, the guards there, leaned sleeping against the wall, their half-eaten meals dumped tae the ground. At the gates ahead of me stood a young man, tall and strong, waiting with a sword slung on his hip. “M’Lady Mairead, Auld Arthuretta sent me tae—”

I said, “We hae nae time for this, ye are the boy? Ye are much too big for a boy!”

“I am Lochinvar.“

“Och, ye look a great deal of trouble, but if your sword inna decorative ye ought tae draw it tae protect me as we escape.” He faltered. “Draw yer sword!”

“Och aye, Lady Mairead.” He drew his sword.

“Follow, if ye are coming!”

I led Lochinvar and Sophie through the castle gates, where we left the path tae race up the hill.

Magnus and Master Cook rushed down, Master Cook yelling, “Sophie!” They fell intae each other’s arms.

I said, “We daena hae time for your affections, ye must run!”

Magnus called, “Lady Mairead, who is this man?”

I called over m’shoulder, “He is part of the deal tae get Sophie.”

Master Cook and Sophie fell in behind me, Lochinvar behind us, with Magnus at the rear, though twas unnecessary. There was nae following army, only a silent castle, everyone asleep.

We made it tae the woods and fled along the river’s edge.

CHAPTER 49 - MAGNUS

Finally, we came tae a place where I felt we could rest. Lady Mairead leaned against a tree, breathin’ heavy. James and Sophie embraced.

I said tae the young man, “Ye are verra ginger, what is yer name?”

“Lochinvar the… um… Fearsome.”

I narrowed my eyes. “As pink as ye are, that is what they call ye?”

“Aye, um…” He scowled. “Nae… but they ought tae.”

“And who are ye, why are ye in m’presence?”

He said, “Auld Arthuretta bargained for m’safe passage from Dunscaith.”

Lady Mairead, still breathless, said, “Och, he is nae in your presence, he is inmycare. Tis a long story.” She tugged at her bodice. “Auld Arthuretta asked me tae look after him, in return she allowed me tae poison the castle with sleeping potion.”

“Poison or putting them tae sleep?”

“Could be both, I daena ken.” She dabbed at her face with a cloth. “Imeanttae put them tae sleep, but if there was too much, then it is likely a poison. Tis nae easy tae get the proper dosage, but I canna be blamed if it goes wrong, my intentions were for them tae sleep and awake later.”

“I daena think that is how a crime is looked upon, yer intentions are nae matter.”

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