by Kat Mandu
“We got the escape plan all but ready with the exception of the line itself. He pointed out the harness they had around Cliff who was surprisingly unperturbed by that things.
“I think the cat needs to go first, and it’s getting busy downstairs so we are looking at a very small window of time.” He explained as he already hears the pounding on the doors downstairs startup.
“I don’t think we can keep this up!” York shouted as from the roof. “I think Morgan is heard! Yep definitely hear. I am not liking that rope idea.
“Sounds like we got a target,” Boss grinned as he grabbed a bow.
“I am running on fumes but I think I can still wound him.” Spark grimes,
“You have a limit?” Boss asked,
“Enough I want in on this as well,” Kareem grinned as all four off them headed up as they set down as many arrows as they could find as Cliff was raised up to the roof, which now had a fair amount of discarded blades. Tin grabbed a large tower shield after the barricaded everything. They all readied an Arrow as Tin intercepted the falling blades.
The four moved in near perfect unison as Morgan who had been under the impression that he was safe, suddenly found four arrows aimed at him. Morgan ducked away as everyone just tossed accuracy to the wind as Lagertha brandished his spear thrusting at the men who finally broke into the tower.
“What a target rich environment, twelve,” Tobi shot another one.
“Fifteen, do try to keep up,” Kareem mocked,
“Wait when did we start counting?” Tin asked as he cracked off a chunk of the tower and kicked it down the trap door. “Um five?” He ducked his head back as he narrowly dodged an arrow.
“Morgan is sticking his head out again ten points for him!” Arvil spotted him as he started to send out more of his little lead balls.
“We are running out of time, explosion or not we need to leave.” Spark grabbed out the long rope and lopping it through the ring, on Cliff’s harness as Boss tied it to the crossbow bolt and spotted the group waiting on a rooftop ready to receive it.
“Come on,” Boss gritted his teeth, he needed that last mark to know it was time to go when he spotted Morsina he breathed a sigh of relief as he launched the crossbow.
The explosion went off signaling the time to go, as Boss pushed everyone off as they hooked onto the rope. Arvil sent out a gust of wind scattering the remaining arrows as he hit everyone with a gust to speed up the descent. The attackers started to brave up as Boss took a second to light up a grenade which granted him just enough time to be the last one off the rope. He measured out his line he took out a knife and slashed the rope. He grabbed onto the rope as he startled a few people as who followed suit. He braised for impact.
He regretted his action, as shoulder banged into the building as pain shot into him. He held onto the rope, as he struggled to keep his grip.
“We need to get to them, of course,” he dropped to the ground he hadn’t had much of a drop. They didn’t have much time while the guard had rusted the castle it wouldn’t take long for them to follow.
Chapter 69
“They are off,” Arken nodded back as Madison nodded, she slipped her watch necklace under the plate mail it seemed they started a bit early.
“I’ll take point, the Knights will stay close to Morgan, and my parents, that will be the biggest issue.”
“Any knight fight is going to drag unless you can pry him out of his armor,” Tray smirked as his older brother frowned.
“We got a lot of ground to cover but the maps show places they are not. Everyone got their candles?” The four held them out as Madison headed down with ark as the brothers moved upward both in guard uniforms to help blend in.
She headed down to the room she last spotted her father. She headed down as her heart sunk, “Sir Eric,”
“Madison,” said the knight, he kept his visor down but she could still see the aged face. “Turn back,” he drew up his mace, as he raised up his shield a serpent intertwined with the hilt of a sword.
“You know me Sir Eric I am here to save my family,” She frowned as she reluctantly drew her blade, as Arken Pulled out a dagger as Eric turned to the bendact.
“I have to know way of knowing that, and you could be bewitched while I doubt you have been, the soul thing but, I can’t risk it.” He took up a defensive stance, as about three more knights formed an all but impenetrable wall.
“William, Micheal,” she swallowed, “I am so sorry,” as Arken frowned, Madison charged then leaped everyone had a second to contemplate this odd action as she drew her feet up, “Arken! Jump!” She ordered as the woman obliged as the shield expanded as the five defenders were taken out at the legs as the dropped to the ground amidst screams of pain.
“I am getting to old for this,” Eric howled as Madison let the shield return to normal size,”
“Worn a girl before you start pulling shit like that,” she stepped over the Knights as she leaped out of the way of a hand.
“Stay here,” She gestured to the wall as Arken shrugged as she leaned up against the wall as she walked in.
The room was cleared out the bed everything thing outside the electric lights as Morgan sat on a chair in bright shiny armor, a long sword rested on his lap with a shield on his left arm. He smiled at her as he shifted the shield showing a white skull and crossbones on a red background.
“Not even pretending anymore?” She sighed
“To some yes, the charade continues but why bother? Besides I it’s been far too long since I struck my colors.” He shrugged,
“You really are a gluten for punishment, you think to put yourself in armor his going to give you enough of an edge?” She drew her blade as she held it by the blade, the confusion froze him for a second as she brought the hilt down. The blow staggered him into the wall his Shield pinned as Madison grabbed both hands on the blade and drove it into the armor plate. Blood flowed out as she shoved his shield as she put her weight on it.
“Ah,” he cried out as blades fell down but they bounced off her armor harmlessly.
“Bad place to pick a fight in, with your abilities,” she swatted his sword away. “Have you ever fought in your life? You come into my house, sport my kind of armor, and think that will best me?” She raged at everything this man did piss her off, she brought the sword around his struggles did little as she slammed the hilt into his dominant hand.
“You live for now cause I want you to root for your arrogance, but you have gotten away too often from now on every day this continues every time you fight I shall take something.” His hand smashed as he let out a silent scream his eyes teamed up as he tried to move.
“You bitch,” he clutched his hand as his breathing hitched.
She remained silent as she left the room with Arken waiting for her. “Brutal,” she shrugged as the two women rushed along, the cracked open doors as they inspected everything. Room after empty room as the Sounds of explosions hit the ear. “At least someone is having fun.” Arken chuckled as Madison made a noise but didn’t say anything as she busted open another door.
“Next floor,” she pressed on as Arken paused for a breath before continuing her mad dash after the fully armored woman.
“By the Son, woman give me a second, too, breath,” Arken had to brace herself, Arken paused as she watched her companion as she busted doors and the occasional head.“Why am I even here?” She exasperated gestured as a guard dropped to the ground as she paced herself to keep up.
“Isn’t that suit tiring?” Arken asked as she checked the closest door.
“Hardly, everything is light in order to allow one to fight all day if needed.” She knocked into a door. She paused as she looked outside as a series of colored explosions just noticeably outside against the blue sky.
“Oh thank god,” Madison felt relief hit her,
“Madison!” Came a long cry as she followed it guards moved in as knights spurred by the cry started to fill in the hall.
“I think that
might be a few more than we can handle,” Arken mentally counted as Madison was more convinced she was on the right track.
“I have an idea follow my lead,” Madison frowned, Arken gave her a detrimental look,
“It’s what I have been doing since I got here,” she gave a slight chuckle as the shield grew to take up most of the hall. “Oh shit,” as a little arrow slight popped out.
“Make sure I don’t smash the two brothers,” Madison pointed at the spot before she charged forward.
“How are you this strong?” Arken swallowed as she looked at the shield,
“The weight doesn’t change for me,” she bolted as Arken needed a second to comprehend that detail as the sound of panic roared as Arken spotted for her.
“She’s a demon!” Was the shout as she turned a corner and the shield grew to lock it in place. The remaining defenders turned to scope the situation.
“Oh by all means,” Madison taunted, as she pulled out a dagger, that pulsed with light, “but I borrowed this from Audwin, and I am running out of patience,” she snapped, they seemed torn as they eyed each other but true to her word, Madison marched forward, she moved around each one watched her nervously as Arken followed as she gingerly kept out of reach. They moved around a corner as everyone started to shout and argue when the each other.
Madison held up her hand as rock and steel scrapped against each other as the Sheild speed after her. Arken ducked out of the way.
“The seemed to have wised up to how many did we have to kill to get to this point?” Arken contemplated, as she noticed Madison had stopped her search. A large set of doors looked down the hall with a bill at an arch around it two Knights stood attention, they didn’t even turn to acknowledge the pair.
“Lady Stronglance seeks an audience, your companions are inside,” One said in a deep voice but Madison hesitated, the pair were unfamiliar with armor far to thick looking to be practical.
“Right,” she stretched the word as she opened the doors.
The silence was defying as she glanced over to see her father lying in his massive bed, her mother sat in a chair watching over him as a few nurses lingered watching Madison and Arken. Tray and James were out on the balcony they glanced to meet her eye before making themselves scarce as they edged away from view.
“There is always the worry whenever a suitor shows up, it’s not common but those old concerns always crop up. I know you far to well to buy that drivel Morgan claims. He can’t be moved, and sadly Nora won’t hear anything negative about him.”
“The plan was to bust you all out, we have a carriage set up and ready.” Madison lamented, “Dragons eye by the way,” she added,
“Lions claw,” she nodded as the word code to confirm identity was passed, “never thought we would have to use it.” She admitted as Arken shifted uncomfortably in the background as the dame lingered above her father.
“I heard David got out and is in the capital, I take it he wants someone with a bit more standing with the crown?”
“As sharp as ever,” Madison smiled at her mother. She stood up shifting her dress to remove any creases.
“Yes however for the sake of your sister, I feel my removal should be kicking and screaming,”
“What?” Arken and Madison blurted out after a lingering second.
“You heard me your two companions have already been informed.” Her mom insisted as Madison frowned before a curt nod, her eyes trailed back to her dad’s face. He looked thin hardly the larger than life figure she grew up looking up to. A note was set to the side, she reached for it half expecting her mother to prevent her action.
“Beware of new additions” was written signed with the initials DM
“Well that’s not very helpful,” Madison frowned,
“He’s always been like that but he sent an antidote, which is keeping your father alive, how he seems to always know what’s going to happen.”
“Can’t he do more? If he shows up this would be pretty easy to solve,” Madison pointed out,
“I mirrored him seems to still be wrestling with that she-demon, how much destruction that thing did I can understand why he can’t help, not that your father wants to ask, you know how he gets,” a knowing look was shared between the pair.
“Okay, let’s go not sure how much longer your companions can handle the guard.” She has a polite cough as the brothers scrambled as Madison chuckled.
“Are you ready to go,” Tray swallowed who looked rather stiff and uncomfortable.
“Proceed,” she allowed as Tray suddenly scooped her up as the screaming started, Madison winced at the volume.
“My dear ladies in waiting do not risk it, guards! Let them pass the brute may harm me if his path is impaired!” She feigned,
“Should we play along,” whispered Tray in a break between the lament and crying as she pretended to hit Tray over the back.
“Oh by all means,” Madison grimaced as they headed for the back door as those still loyal would charge only to suddenly drop even if the faked retaliation was comical to far away.
They hit the grass as they got to the emergency exit as Madison waved as Spark spotted her.
Boss lumbered forward as Laurella and Stefano followed along. “All accounted for?” He asked as Spark ran in disguised followed by the rest everyone moved past Madison as she mentally counted everyone as she caught a shadow seemed to slither through the grass only for Stefano to chuck an open bottle as the shadow snapped back as his erupted form seemed to hiss as the water splashed.
“Wraith,” Madison frowned as she was the last to exit.
“Haha, a victory for the kidnappers of nobility!” Tray shouted at the battlements. As the guards lingered above as they pilled into the cart. Madison grabbed onto the back as the sound of horses reached her ears.
“It’s far too early to celebrate,” she warned as Boss snapped the reigns as the team of horses started up as Nashton sat next to Boss as they where jerked.
“Right,” Tray agreed,
“How quaint,” Her mom observed only for a bad swing to connect.
“Ouch,” he breathed as Tray slowly slumped to his knees “permission to put you down?” He strained out as they hit a nasty pump “ah,” he winced.
“Yes, oh you poor dear,” she nursed him down, as they raced along,
“Here is my stop,” Arvil saluted as he and Tobi dropped off at corner. The pursuers pas by as a wave of arrows rained down from the roof. Tin and James Took the next turn, as they systematically slowed and removed the horse’s friends until finally, the horses slowed down.
“Oh, my what a trip, this reminds me of the old days when your father would take me out to deal with werewolves that lost control, I take it this is a temporary stop?”
“Yeah, it took some convincing but we have a setup, Tray and James did their best work. We have a few guards and lookouts.” She admitted, “we stuck to the more trustworthy.
A bluebird of prey lingered above the building as it seemed to look at them before dispersing. The building was hardly as grandiose as the norm for her mother as the first floor kept its ramshackle state, her mom did her best to hide her displeasure. But the support if you looked it was reinforced and as you climbed up the wood looked polished and stained until the top floor. “How quaint,”
“Better than he expected,” James admitted as he walked in, the place was limited to the floor but they had managed a warm stove and plenty of carvings, books, and artwork to keep the noblewoman occupied.
“Tin offered to be your gofer he’ll do his best to get things for you over the day, we should have the carriage ready tonight but we may postpone depending on how desperate Morgan is.” Madison listed off as she watched her mother get comfortable in a small plush chair as she settled in.
“It’s been far too long since I had a moment to just relax.” She closed her eyes.
“Mom?” Madison asked she approached her only for the light sound of sleep rising from the woman.
“Well That makes things easier, David should have the carriage on standby, we need to plan out the escape if he has any sense every gate or boat on lock. So we need to tread carefully, and maybe play this out like today and have a few different groups.
“I feel a small escape over the wall would be best I think the time for subtlety is now.” Stefano interrupted as he dropped in through the window.
“Oh,” the moment of surprise interrupting him half way. Madison let him finish, “that may be better I’ll think on it, meanwhile, I am sure Richard already has David informed.
The group moved down the stairs. Madison said a quick goodbye, as the headed back out to the streets as dinner time was only a few hours away.
“Not picky is she,” Stefano folded up a paper with the ladies dinner request.
“Different standards,” Madison sighed, “if she tries to escape just follow her, I don’t know if she fully believes us, but running after her won’t do us any good.” She instructed.
“Sounds fair the last thing we need is some sort of misunderstanding. Not that having Tin around does not feel like it’s another prison.” Stefano pointed out as Madison frowned but didn’t respond.
Chapter 70
“So boring,” Nashton frowned as Boss walked him through the stances and movements with the spear. They had accumulated a few extra but Boss’s primary concern was the coon boy.
“It’s not supposed to be fun, it’s to keep you alive,” Boss crushed the growth of annoyance this had been a regular complaint. With the Lady Stronglance rescued, her escape while a priority was not a large project. They carried on tracking the guard, but that required a basic disguise and sturdy pair of legs. Hardly the work of champions or the even mentally stimulating.
A few groups had taken to training and others relaxed and enjoyed the time off but even the laziest among them was starting to creep into stir crazy.
Madison moved in as she tossed the morning paper on the table, Nashton paused to watch on a few occasions there might be a dash for it but he was disappointed as the knight returned with a hot cup of coffee.