Page 64 of A Bridge Through Time
“Guards?” Robert snapped.
“It’s still early, so not all Sir Richard’s men are awake yet. Half a dozen watching the perimeter, and nae very well, ye ken. I was able to get verra close without them noticing I was there.”
“Did you see Lady Irene and Lady Ashley?” Robert asked.
Donall shook his head. “Nae, Laird Robert, nae sign of them.”
Armed with this information, Robert had his men encircle the camp and slowly, stealthily they crept as close as they possibly could, without being discovered.
Cailin, Robert, Cormac and Dougall huddled together in the cover created by the low bushes surrounding the camp and Cailin took stock of their surroundings. Sir Richard’s men were preparing for the day and stumbled around, still half-asleep and apparently completely oblivious to their surroundings. Cailin thought this inefficiency would definitely work in their favor.
A commotion outside of the largest shelter caught Cailin’s attention and much to his dismay, Ashley was at the center of it. Robert and Cormac had to hold Cailin down, to keep him from breaking their cover in his desperation to reach her. Cailin reluctantly remained hidden and watched as a great fat man grabbed Ashley by the arm, attempting to drag her to another shelter directly across from their hiding spot.
“Don’t touch me,” Ashley shrieked at the big man, but he merely laughed and continued to drag her across the ground.
“I said,don’t touch me!” This time, Ashley swung around with her free arm and hit the big man solidly in the nose. This attracted the attention of the other men who were milling around the camp, and they laughed and cheered at the chaotic scene unfolding before them.
The big brute did nae take kindly to being made the fool by Ashley, and Cailin watched furiously when he lifted her off the ground, holding her easily as she kicked and screamed and called him some choice names.
Cailin struggled to escape from Robert and Cormac’s grip, but Robert stopped him with a few quiet words.
“Patience, Cailin. Ashley is a fine brave lass. Look! She’s creating the perfect distraction for us. Our men are creepingcloser and no one in Sir Richard’s camp is any the wiser. The lass is giving him a good fight and in turn, providing us a better chance.”
Cailin grunted acknowledgement of Robert’s words and continued to watch as Ashley was carried into the second shelter by the big man. The commotion continued, and he could hear Ashley shrieking and cursing, using some words Cailin had nae heard before. All eyes were focused on the shelter when Ashley shrieked. “Get out of here, you ass!” The overweight guard came bolting out of the tent, holding his head and with blood pouring from his nose.
“Cailin, I wouldnae make Ashley angry, if I were ye. I’d hate to see ye come to any lasting harm, and I believe Ashley may be capable of it,” Cormac chuckled. Cailin merely glared at him.
“Cormac, you come with me,” Robert ordered quietly. The big shelter must belong to Richard. Irene will be in there. We will signal our men to attack when we have rescued her and Cailin, you get Ashley.”
“Dougall; ye’ll come with me,” Cailin ordered.
As Robert and Cormac wound their way through the trees towards Richard’s shelter, Cailin was unhappy to see Thomas approach and enter the shelter Ashley had been taken into. He signaled Dougall, who acknowledged he was aware of the situation, and they swiftly began to move closer.
***
“Ah, horse thief! I have taken your suggestion to heart and decided to bathe,” Thomas announced as he entered his shelter.
“Thank goodness. Your stench precedes your arrival.” Ashley wrinkled her nose in disgust, stepping away from him warily.
“You will be joining me.”
“No. I don’t think so. Not happening,” Ashley was adamant, shaking her head.
“You have no choice. Come.Now.” He withdrew his sword from the sheath and motioned it towards her.
“Where are we going?” Ashley asked nervously.
“There’s a stream behind the encampment. A little chilly perhaps, but as you are so insistent I be clean before I have you, you’ll be bathing me to ensure you are satisfied.”
He grabbed Ashley by the arm and pulled her from the tent, forcing her through the woods.
How can I possibly get myself out of this one?Ashley thought worriedly, as she stumbled across the rough ground and felt the point of Thomas’s sword against her arm.
They continued to walk through the trees in silence for a few minutes before the sounds of the water in the stream became audible. Thomas seemed confident there was no escape for Ashley, because he resheathed his sword and released Ashley’s arm.
Ashley saw this as her only opportunity to escape and had to take the chance. She pretended to stumble over another root and as Thomas leaned forward to catch her she turned, kicked him in the shin and ran.
Unfortunately, Thomas caught her within seconds and threw her over his shoulder, smacking her bottom soundly as Ashley kicked and shrieked.
