Page 46 of Taken By her Highland Enemy

“Aye. I am ready. We must make our plans this evening before the first light. I have an idea, but I am nae sure how to put it taegether.”

Dirk and Errol said in unison, “Tell us, lad. What have we tae lose now?”

Eamon grinned. “Well, I thought we might try a trick of Cutler’s. It could get us killed and executed in the same way as the three prisoners, but if we succeed, the revenge will be very sweet indeed.

“What is it?” The young Scots asked, their eyes eager.

“I think we should find a way tae get into the Fort without being seen, and then, just when the time is right, we set it on fire and burn the place down.”

* * *

Isabelle was roused by a slight sliver of light that had made it through a tiny crack in the dungeon wall. She was squinting her eyes at it, for it had seemed an age since her eyes had last seen a room full of light. It is dawn. The time has come.

The words in her mind were ominous, but they no longer scared her. The battle would finally be over. The waiting would be ended. She would finally find peace in death, for she had done what she thought was right, and that was the end of it. The loss of Eamon was still painful, and she wished for freedom if only to see him one more time, but it did her no good to think wistfully.

Sean and Donovan roused next to her, squinting as well as they spied the light coming through. “So, taeday is the day, then?” Donovan said with no malice or fear.

“Aye. It will finally be over. Ye ken, I think waiting in this cell is about as bad as we will have tae experience. Once death comes, surely we will feel more comfortable.” Sean’s attempt at humor lightened Isabelle’s heart. She smiled.

“How very Scottish to keep humor when all hope is gone. I find it refreshing, truly. If I was stuck with a few Englishmen in here, then we would all soon descend into despair.”

The men laughed, their throats hoarse from lack of water. “Well, we aim tae be the best prison mates one can have.”

Isabelle kept smiling, but then her thoughts turned to the morning ahead. “Do you know what they will do to us?”

Donovan was grim. “Well, I can hazard a guess. Yer father has done a fair few things tae me, but none of them would kill. Burning, chopping, and the like, but I cannae for the life of me think of an execution method that he would be pleased tae enact.”

Isabelle nodded. She knew what it would be. She had never seen her father do it before, for he had never forced her to watch the proceedings in the past, but she knew now. “I think I know what will happen. Shall I tell you, or do you wish to keep it as a sort of surprise?”

Sean chuckled. “Hmm…what a thought. Would we like tae ken our method of execution or prefer tae have one last bit of excitement in our lives before the end?”

There was a silence, but then Donovan nodded. “Aye, I would like tae ken.”

Isabelle began slowly. “Of course, this is only a guess, but it is based upon what I have heard my father do in the past for other prisoners. I do believe we will have our heads removed from our bodies.”

The words were sent out into the dank air, and she watched the faces of the men as they digested this news. The sliver of light was showing on both of them, and Isabelle could see slight movements in their mouths. “That should be quick then, should it nae? I confess I am almost looking forward tae it.” Isabelle wanted to hug Sean for his attempt at lightening all their spirits before it was all over.

No one could respond because they heard the thud of footsteps and the clanking of metal keys as someone descended the stairs and entered into the dungeon. It was Martin, looking a little less pleased than when he’d spoken to Isabelle the night before. “Hello, Martin,” she greeted him cheerfully, and that only seemed to fuel his ire. Good. “You do not seem well today. Has something happened to upset you?”

Martin grumbled, and Isabelle was satisfied. If nothing else, she could at least unseat Martin before her death. It would be her last good deed. Perhaps her father would decide to add him to the execution list. She chuckled morbidly at such a thought.

“What causes you to laugh, Isabelle? For you have nothing to be happy for.”

“Not true, not true.” Sean and Donovan stood up behind her as Martin fidgeted with the keys in the lock. “I have the chance to breathe a lungful of fresh air outside of this dungeon before I take my very last breath. Now that is something to look forward to. It will give me great pleasure. You have no idea what it is like to breathe such horrid, dank air for longer than a few moments.”

Martin said nothing and swung open the door so that the three of them could exit. He pointed to the stairwell. “Walk up. There is someone at the top who shall take you to your execution.” Isabelle led the way, feeling a little lighter, and it felt good to move her legs on the stairs as she ascended. She had predicted rightly. The air was growing less heavy and fresher with each step as they rose upward, walking the path of death.

Once they found their way to the top, Isabelle looked up to see her father’s smiling face. It shocked her a little, and she almost fell back onto Donovan behind her as she saw it. It was like the face of a demon, happy that it had done its work in tempting a soul to evil and demise. She felt the fragile hope and joy in her heart falter for a moment. He will actually take pleasure in this, she thought with sadness.

“Ah, my prisoners,” he said, his voice cheery. “It is a beautiful day for our business. Follow me.” The three of them followed behind his moving figure as soldiers walked on either side of them, their hands holding tightly to the prisoners’ arms.

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