Page 31 of Awakened By Time
Chapter 11
The turret wasbare of furnishings and so Brenna MacRae was forced to sit, back against the wall on the cold, hard floor beneath an arrow slit, the only opening other than the door she’d been escorted in through. It provided little light for her to see by, but just enough space for an icy breeze to blow through, chilling her to the bone. She wrapped herself tightly in her plaid and curled into as small a ball as she could possible manage in an effort to ward off the chill air while she waited. The uncertainty of her situation weighed heavily on her mind.
She hadn’t seen Laird Munro since her arrival, but she knew it was only a matter of time before he came for her. Not knowing what would befall her when he did, filled her with dread. If only Zeke would come for her, but she knew that to be a futile thought. She’d seen his body laying motionless on the road. She choked back tears knowing he was either dead or would be soon enough without anyone to help him.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of someone climbing the stairs. The muffled sound of voices on the other side of the thick wooden door had her straining her ears in an effort to hear what was being said, but it was to no avail.
She girded herself for whatever might happen next as the door opened and Laird Nevil Munro stood framed in the light pouring through the doorway.
“Welcome to yer new home, Brenna MacRae.” His face was in the shadows and so she was unable to ascertain his mood as he spoke, but she wasn’t hopeful he would be kind.
“This is not me home,” she protested.
“Dinnae argue with me,” he barked. “Yer insolence willnae be rewarded here as it was at Castle Treun.” He moved closer to her and she shrank back afraid he might strike her. Instead he crouched down to her level and stared into her eyes. There was no warmth in his gaze and it did little to put her at ease. “If yer Da doesnae give me what I want,” he hissed, “I’m afraid it will be yer home for a long, long time.”
Her heart sank. Nothing that had happened over the last months would lead her to believe that Paddraig MacRae would give up anything at all to rescue her.
“I willnae be yer wife. Ye cannae make me.” Brenna sat up straighter and did her best to speak with confidence and strength although she wasn’t feeling either.
“I dinnae want ye fer me wife,” he growled. “I only agreed to marry ye to get me hands on the land that rightfully belongs to me.”
Brenna didn’t say a word. What could she say? She was relieved he didn’t wish to wed her, but that only meant she’d remain a prisoner who’d either go mad or die here in this cold, barren chamber. She’d have to find a way to escape. Given time it was possible she could do it. She’d wait for her opportunity. It would come. It had to.
It seemed Laird Munro was a mind reader. “Dinnae even think of attempting to escape. Me men are stationed throughout the castle and have been instructed to lock ye in the dungeon, should they see ye out of this chamber. I’m sure ye’d agree, ye dinnae wish fer that to happen.”
He stood there for a moment staring at her. She wasn’t sure why, but then he turned and strode from the room, closing the door with a thud as he left.
She slumped back against the wall, relief flooding her body. He’d be back. She knew he would, but for now she was still fine. He hadn’t hurt her.
* * *
Zeke, Logan and Dougall sat atop their horses in the shadows of the Munro stronghold. They’d kept watch on the comings and goings through the gate, as well as the guards atop the battlements. They’d wait until total darkness befell the castle before making their move. The new moon would provide them cover as they crossed the open field between them and Munro. Once across they would attempt to gain entry into the castle, perhaps taking a captive who would help them find Brenna. Anything could happen, and they were prepared.
“How’s yer head?” Dougall asked.
“Fine.” Zeke said. He had to admit it was rather strange to be sitting here with the man who had taken Helene from him. Correction, the man he sent Helene back to. Stranger still, he now found himself legally tied to his sister, Brenna.
“Do ye nae find it odd that the three of us are sitting here now?” Logan asked. “What do ye suppose Edna is up to this time?”
“Whatever it is, I cannae believe she knew this would happen?” Dougall said. “Although why yer here, Zeke, is a mystery to me.”
“As I’ve said before, I’m here for Sara.”
“Have ye nae heard, ’tis me wife yer speaking of.” Logan shifted in his saddle and gazed at Zeke.
“I’ve heard. I’m not happy she did this without telling me.”
“If she had, would ye have let her come?” Logan asked.
Zeke didn’t even have to think about that. “No. But as I’m sure you’ve found, Sara has a mind of her own and when she decides to do something there’s no stopping her.”
Logan chuckled softly as the evening sky grew darker and darker still. Their eyes adjusted to the lack of light and they made their move. Dismounting, they left their horses where they stood and crept through the field towards the castle. Dougall motioned them away from the main entry gates and around towards the back wall of the castle. He pointed out a stone staircase that led up to an arched wooden door. They stopped and waited, crouched by the stairs. Not a sound was heard and no one was in sight.
“Wait here. I’m going to go up and try the door.” Dougall left them, silently and swiftly moving up to the door. He tried the latch, but it was locked. Zeke moved past Logan and joined Dougall. “Let me take care of this. He pulled his dirk from it’s sheath and used it to jiggle the lock and pry the door open. Dougall appeared suitably impressed. Logan joined them and the three men made their way into a narrow passageway. A faint light shone down to their left, so they went to the right instead. Hugging the wall as they went and careful not to make a sound, the three men made their way from one end of the castle to the other.
“Where do you think she is?” Zeke asked.
“One of two places. Either in the dungeon or locked up in a chamber somewhere,” Dougall replied