Gwen’s legs cramped and her back ached as she huddled in the corner of the dimly lit cell. The pelt the guard gave her to throw on the floor had been a godsend, but it was a far cry from making her stay in this hell-hole tolerable. He hadn’t lied when he told her she’d eventually get used to the horrible stench, but she’d spent the first few hours of her incarceration trying not vomit. She was exhausted, but the thought of the spiders and rats that inhabited the dungeon running up her legs made closing her eyes impossible.
She ran the events that led to her being here through her mind, but couldn’t think of anything she might have done differently. Beatha said her destiny was predetermined, but she found it hard to believe this was her fate. She also recalled Beatha telling her there was blood on the moon the night she traveled back in time. Was this what she meant by the impending danger, or was the worst yet to come? She shuddered at the thought.
When she heard the sound of footfalls in the passageway, her pulse kicked up a notch and dread twisted her gut. Someone was coming and she wondered who it might be. It could be the guard coming to check on her, but she feared it was her betrothed come to torment her further. When the petite form of a woman appeared at the door to her cell and she heard the soft lilt of Enid’s voice, she rose and moved toward her maid.
“Och, Lady Gweneth, what have they done to you? I couldna believe my ears when I heard you’d been thrown in here.” Enid was covering her mouth and nose with a scented linen rag. “How do you bear the horrible smell?”
Gwen shrugged. “I don’t, but have no choice.”
“I wish there was something I could do to help you. I’d speak to the laird on your behalf if I thought it would help, but he never listens to those he sees as beneath him,” Enid said. “He’ll be furious if he finds out I’m here, but I had to check on you and bring you this.” She handed Gwen a small sack that contained a wedge of cheese and piece of bannock, and a flask filled with water. “I couldn’t imagine you eating the pig slop they serve the prisoners or drinking the filthy water they provide.”
“Thank you so much. I haven’t eaten since breakfast and truly appreciate this, Enid, but hate to think you risked the laird’s wrath by coming here. How did you get the guard to let you in?”
“The guard likes his spirits and often drinks until he passes out. I’m sure he sees you as no threat, so I waited until he fell asleep and was able to walk right by him.” Enid glanced over her shoulder and down the corridor. “He’s still sleeping now, but you should eat. I dare not tarry long. I still have things to pack for you before we set sail.”
While she hated to waste a drop, Gwen poured some of the water on her hands to rinse off the grime, then ate every crumb of the food and downed the remaining contents of the flask. While simple fare, she couldn’t believe how good it tasted. She handed the flask through the bars to Enid and thanked her again.
“At least you will only have to stay here until the ship is ready to sail,” Enid said.
“Laird Gower was very angry and may decide to chain me in the hull of the ship,” Gwen replied. “I wouldn’t put it past him. I’m also afraid that he won’t wait to consummate the marriage, and for me, that would be a fate worse than death.”
“But did he not say he would honor the agreement he made with your brother and wait until you are wed?”
“That excuse is only going to last me for so long. Once we are at sea, Damen will never know what happens.” The more she got to know Duncan Gower, the more distasteful the idea of bedding him became. “He doesn’t believe that I won’t try to run away, so I fear he will always have me under lock and key.”
Enid clucked her tongue. “I know it seems grim, but you must have faith. Pray that things will change.” She patted Gwen’s hand and offered a sympathetic smile. “I must go, but will return when I can. In the meantime, I will pray for your release.”
Unfortunately, Gwen didn’t share Enid’s optimism. She returned to her corner and sank to the floor. Once settled, she pulled her knees up close to her chest, bowed her head, and asked the Lord for answers.
~ * ~
Kyle shivered and tugged the plaid over his shoulders. He opened one eye peered around the clearing. Upon realizing it was still dark and all was quiet, he closed his eyes again. He’d taken the first watch, standing guard for three hours while Blair and Rory rested. By the time it was his turn to sleep, he was ready to collapse, but concerns about Gwen haunted his dreams.
“Are you planning to sleep the day away, cousin?” Rory kicked the sole of Kyle’s foot as he passed by. “Blair should be back any minute.”
Propped on one elbow, Kyle dragged his fist across his eyes. “Back from where?”
“The castle. Are you hungry?” Rory asked.
Kyle sprang to his feet and strode to where his cousin was kicking dirt on the remaining hot coals of their fire. “When did Blair go to the castle and why didn’t he wake me?”
Rory tossed him a sack containing an oatcake and some dried venison. “It was a one man task. Blair wanted to check out the castle and see if he could figure out a way to get us in and the best way to rescue Gweneth.”
“And he did figure out a way.” Blair announced and strutted into the clearing with what appeared to be a brown robe slung over his arm.
“How?” Kyle wanted to know what he’d learned and couldn’t wait to get started. The sooner they got into the castle, the sooner he could be with Gwen.
“The castle is well guarded, but I managed to get in via the postern gate. It wasna easy and there is no way three of us could get in unnoticed. But I do have a plan,” Blair said. He squatted, picked up a twig and sketched a map of the castle in the sand. “The stronghold is here, the woods here, and the shoreline where the ship is moored is over here.”
“What about Gwen?” Kyle asked. “Did you find out where she is?”
“Apparently, she is in the dungeon. The laird caught her trying to run away, so decided to keep her there until they set sail.”
The news that Gwen was being held in the castle dungeon caused Kyle’s chest to tighten. He was pleased to know she was alive and prayed she was well, but the idea of her being imprisoned gutted him. It also made rescuing her more complicated. “Getting into the castle grounds will be hard enough, how will we manage to sneak into and out of the dungeon as well?”
“We dinna breach the dungeon or the castle,” Blair said.
“Then how do we get her out?” Kyle asked.
“We wait until they are loading the ship and pluck her off when everyone is busy getting the vessel underway,” Blair explained.
“In broad daylight?” Kyle scratched his head, the plan giving him serious pause for thought. “You think we can just get on board and walk off with her and no one will stop us? Sorry but it doesn’t sound like a good idea to me.” He was an optimist by nature, but Blair’s suggestion sounded more like a suicide mission than a plan that might work.
Blair tossed Kyle the robe. “Laird Gower is a verra religious man and willna set sail without a priest or monk on board, someone to say a prayer before they set sail and as a good luck token.”
“Brother Caol, it’s nice to meet you.” Rory slapped Kyle on the back and laughed.
“And what will you two be doing while I am giving the benediction? I’m just glad I can read and speak Latin.” One of the perks of being a doctor, Kyle chuckled to himself.
“As the men are loading the ship, we will lure two of them away, tie them up, and steal their clothes. That way, we can blend in with the others onboard when we take their places,” Blair replied. “I visited the monastery after I went to the castle, to borrow the robe, a bible, and this cross.” He handed Kyle an intricately carved wooden cross on a leather thong. “After the laird boards with Gweneth and we learn where she is being kept, we will free her and make our escape.”
“It sounds like a simple plan, but there is one flaw,” Kyle said.
Blair shrugged. “And that is?”
“We will be at sea and none of us can walk on water.”
“Before we set sail, I will secure a small wooden boat to the back of the ship. Once Gweneth is freed, we can make our escape. The trick is to locate her quickly and make our getaway before we get too far from shore.”
“It could work. But what happens when two monks show up?” Kyle asked.
“That willna happen. I made a generous donation to the brothers and explained the young lady’s plight. They have no love for the Gowers, so were more than happy to oblige.” Blair stood and picked up his plaid from the ground and shook off the dirt and leaves. “We need to get ready to leave, timing is important.”