“We’ll deliver it before they have a chance to do so.” Hugh sighed. “’Tis our best option, nay, our only option, to gain entrance to the keep. It will allow us as far as the kitchen.”
“Surely it won’t be difficult to find our way to the dungeon from there.” The gleam in Matthew’s eyes made Hugh nervous.
Hugh well remembered his own thirst for adventure when he was Matthew’s age. But quenching that thirst could get a man in trouble.
“The kitchen is a separate building set against the keep.” Liza drew a square with her finger on the table. “Over here is the hall. The entrance to the dungeon is down a short passage on the opposite side of the great hall.”
Hugh eyed the short distance she indicated with her finger. “Shouldn’t be too difficult to make our way there without gaining too much attention. Any guess on how heavily guarded the dungeon is?”
Liza frowned. “From what I’ve heard, only one other is in the dungeon besides my sister. I wouldn’t think more than one or two guards.”
“Excellent. The guards won’t be expecting any problems, so they should be easily overcome. We’ll hope the keys are nearby so we can release your sister.”
“Then what?” Liza asked. “How can we possibly all walk out without someone noticing?”
“We?” Hugh asked warily.
“Surely you don’t think I’d remain behind.” Liza seemed outraged at the very idea.
“Aye, I do. ’Tis too risky.”
“I’m the one who knows where to go. The servants know me.”
“The servants also know your sister is locked in the dungeon.” Hugh felt obligated to point that out. “Your appearance will only raise suspicion.”
“I’m not staying behind. Melissande will be reluctant to accompany you if I’m not there.”
“Surely we can tell her that you sent us,” Matthew suggested.
Hugh watched Liza, wondering if she’d accept that explanation. Having her accompany them seemed a terrible idea. He didn’t want to have to worry over her safety as well as her sister’s and their own.
“I have to come with you. My knowledge of the layout of the keep will aid you.”
“If Wymark spots you—” Hugh didn’t care to finish the thought.
“I’ll make certain he doesn’t. Nothing would give me more pleasure than outwitting him.”
“I don’t like it,” Hugh said. “If something goes wrong, we’ll need a person on the outside to aid us.”
“If something goes wrong, I’ll be right there to help.” The look of determination on her face nearly made him groan.
“She has a point, Hugh,” Matthew said. “If we need to change our route, having Liza with us would be of great help.”
The triumphant look Liza shot him made him close his eyes in defeat. Yet how could he argue? If it was his sister locked in the dungeon, he’d want to go as well. “Very well then. The three of us will go. Now let us determine when.”
Chapter Six
Liza’s heart pounded as they approached the gate to the keep that evening. Matthew led the horse and cart with Hugh trailing behind. Both men wore simple brown wool cloaks to hide their surcoats and mail. Hugh’s axe and Matthew’s sword were wrapped in old blankets and tucked along the side of the conveyance. With luck, the guards wouldn’t search the cart when they saw the barrels of ale.
The thought of Melissande locked in one of the cold, dark, damp, narrow cells in the bottom of the keep made her frantic with worry. Her sister must be frightened out of her mind, wondering if Wymark would kill her or leave her to rot.
“Here we are,” Matthew whispered. “Remember to act as though nothing’s unusual.”
“There is nothing unusual about delivering ale.” Hugh winked at Liza when she glanced back at him.
Matthew smiled. “I’m most anxious to meet your sister, if she’s anything like you.”
Before Liza could answer, they’d arrived at the gate. “What do we have here?” The guard walked around the cart and shook one of the barrels.
“We’re delivering ale at the request of Wymark.” Liza almost managed to keep the tremble out of her voice.
The guard nodded and waved them through.
“Let us hope the rest of our plan goes as smoothly.” Hugh studied the layout of the inner bailey. “Where is the kitchen?”
She gestured toward the side of the keep where a smaller structure bearing a thatched roof sat with an herb garden on one side and a kitchen garden on the other. Servants hurried to and fro, ignoring them completely. Matthew led the horse closer while Liza tried to gather her courage.
Both men strapped on their weapons then hefted a cask of ale on their shoulders, angling the oak barrels to hide their faces as they entered the kitchen behind Liza.
The massive room with a low-beamed ceiling bustled with activity. A leg of mutton roasted on a spit over the fire, scenting the air as a young boy slowly turned it. A woman fashioned dough into loaves on the large wooden table in the center of the room. The cook glanced over his shoulder at Liza and nodded as he caught sight of the barrels. Two other servants called out greetings to her as she led the way through the kitchen. Liza could feel the weight of their stares. Surely they wondered whether or not she knew about her sister.
The buttery, the small room where the casks of ale and wine were kept, was next to the pantry. The door stood ajar and she opened it wider then stood aside so Hugh and Matthew could enter and set down the heavy casks.
“Well done thus far,” Hugh whispered with a brush of his hand along her cheek. “Where is the dungeon entrance from here?”
“Past the great hall, there are the stairs that lead to the lower level.” Nerves fluttered through her but having him beside her eased her fears.
He gave a brisk nod. “Lead the way.”
Hugh and Matthew found empty casks to carry out so they could use them to hide behind. Liza eased out of buttery and peeked around the corner. Most of the servants were busy in the kitchen, preparing for the evening meal, leaving the passageway quiet.
Drawing a deep breath, she walked with purpose toward the doorway to the great hall where servants set up trestle tables. She continued past the entrance, down a corridor to where she thought the stairs were. It had been a long while since she’d come this way, but memory served her well.
Hugh and Matthew left the casks near the top of the stairs. They could only hope no one questioned why the oak barrels sat there. The stairs were dark and narrow, the steps uneven. Hugh’s hand on her shoulder halted her progress before she’d descended more than a few steps.
“Allow me to lead the way from here,” he whispered, his features barely visible in the dim light.
She nodded and he eased by her. The ceiling was so low he had to bend his head. She glanced back to see Matthew directly behind her. Down they went, the stairway growing darker until it was nearly pitch black. They reached a small landing and then descended another flight of stairs. Liza reached out to place a hand on Hugh’s back to make certain she kept pace with him.
At last she saw a pale glow ahead and knew they’d soon reach the guards’ area. Muffled voices could be heard. Hugh’s progress slowed until he halted at the end of the stairs and gestured for Liza to remain where she was. He raised the hood of his cloak, pulling it forward so his face was no longer visible and gestured for Matthew to do the same. Rather than reach for the axe he carried, he withdrew a knife from his belt.
Liza tried not to think of what would come next. The idea of killing the guards for fulfilling their duties seemed terrible, but what choice did they have? None if they wanted to free her sister.
Matthew moved past her to follow Hugh into the area where the guards chatted. From what she could hear, they were playing dice.
“Halt and state your business,” one of the guards called out as he caught sight of Hugh.
“We’ve come to remove the woman,” Hugh said.
“By whose orders?” another man asked.
“Remove your hood,” one of the guards ordered.
Liza eased forward to peek around the corner, unable to resist.
Before the man could draw his sword to enforce his words, Hugh held the knife at his throat. It happened so quickly that his movements were a blur. Liza closed her eyes, wishing Hugh wouldn’t kill the man.
Matthew stepped forward, the tip of his sword pointed at the younger guard’s chest. “Where is she?”
“Don’t—” the older guard warned. But Hugh tightened his grip, cutting off the man’s air.
“If you want your friend to live, fetch the keys and unlock the woman’s cell,” Hugh ordered.
The younger guard hesitated, but the gurgling sounds his companion made seemed to convince him. With a worried glance at Matthew’s sword tip a hair’s breadth from his own neck, he eased back, hands up. Then he tipped his head toward where the keys hung on a peg near their table.
At Matthew’s nod, the guard grabbed the keys and moved toward one of the heavy wooden doors that marked the cells. Liza eased back out of sight in case the men recognized her.
She heard the older guard gasp for air as Hugh loosened his hold enough to let the man breathe and found herself gulping for air as well. She peeked again, desperate to see what was happening.
“Hurry,” Matthew demanded as the younger guard fumbled with the key then lifted the heavy wooden board that blocked the door shut.
The creak of the door opening captured all of Liza’s attention. She wanted to run to her sister and reassure her. Instead, she waited as Matthew peered inside the cell.
“Melissande? ’Tis time to leave this dismal place,” he said.
“Who are you?”
Liza breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of her sister’s voice.
“Friends,” Hugh offered.
A bedraggled Melissande emerged from the cell, blinking at the torchlight coming from the guards’ station. She looked back and forth between Matthew and Hugh, wariness in her eyes.
Liza bit her lip, trying to keep herself from stepping forward to show herself.
“Thank you, friends, for freeing me,” her sister said.
Matthew took her arm to ease her out of the way then turned to the young guard. “Welcome to your new quarters. Hand over your weapons and step inside.”
“Damn if I will,” the man argued.
Matthew only held his sword higher. Grumbling, the guard removed his sword and knife and set them on the floor. Hugh tossed strips of cloth to Matthew who quickly bound and gagged the guard then shoved him into the cell. Matthew closed the door, locking and barring it.
“You’re next.” Hugh disarmed the older guard, bound and gagged him as well before pushing him toward one of the empty cells and locking him in. “You’ll be found soon enough.”
He took the keys from Matthew and hid them in a crevice. “That should delay their freedom a bit longer.”
Matthew guided Melissande to the stairs and held a finger to his lips to request her silence as Liza came into view.
Melissande’s eyes grew wide. “Sis—”
Before she could utter the word that would give away Liza to the guards, Matthew put his hand across her lips and whispered in her ear. “Do not speak. No one must know who aided us.”
Melissande nodded as tears filled her eyes. Liza rushed forward to hug her, her own vision blurring as they held each other.
“We must make haste,” Hugh whispered with a smile.
Liza knew that. She truly did. But she released her sister long enough to launch herself into Hugh’s arms, so grateful for his help. “Thank you.”
He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “My pleasure. Now let us leave this dreary place.”
Hugh led the way with Liza directly behind followed by her sister with Matthew guarding the rear.
At the top of the stairs, Liza removed the cloak she wore and handed it to Melissande. “Put this on. It will give you some padding.”
“For what?”
Hugh used his knife to wedge open the lid of one of the barrels and turned to Melissande “In you go.”
Her sister’s dark eyes widened. “You’re going to put me in there?”
Liza gripped her sister’s hand. “You’ll be fine. Hurry now.”
Melissande nodded reluctantly, her worried eyes large in her pale face. The past few days must’ve been very difficult as she appeared more subdued than Liza had ever seen her.
Hugh lifted Melissande into the barrel. She squeezed down, the cloak helping to cushion her. With a few quick taps, Hugh refastened the lid. He gently hoisted the barrel onto his shoulder, and they headed back the way they’d come.
Liza’s breath quickened as they neared the great hall entrance again. Many more servants bustled about now.
“What are ye doin’ with those casks over there? They belong in the buttery.” The male servant appeared very annoyed to find them in the wrong place.
Liza’s mind went blank. She opened her mouth to provide an excuse but could think of nothing.
“My apologies,” Hugh offered. “We were to leave with these empty casks but it seems we’ve made a wrong turn.”
“I’ll say. Move on with ye.” The servant waved them toward the kitchen.
Liza’s knees weakened with relief. Hugh’s quick thinking had saved them. Again. Brain and brawn. So helpful to have both. She couldn’t be more grateful for his presence. Never could she have accomplished all this on her own.
“Thank you,” she whispered as they moved forward.
“Don’t thank me until we’ve passed the gate. We’re not out of the woods yet.” He held Liza’s gaze. “No matter what happens, keep walking.”
She nodded and swallowed hard. Hugh was right. They weren’t safe yet. Her stomach knotted with fear as she led the way into the kitchen.
“What took ye so long?” the cook called out.
“The empty casks were in the very back. We had to move many barrels to retrieve them,” Liza said.
“My apologies for that. I’ll mention it to the bottler to keep them better organized.” The cook frowned as he stared hard at Hugh and Matthew as though sensing something was amiss.
Liza’s heart raced. What if he decided to question them? She had to find a way to distract him. Despite Hugh’s order, she stopped before the cook. “I know how busy you are, but I wondered if I might speak with you for a moment.”
He took one last look at the men before focusing on Liza. “I know what you’re going to ask, but you know I can do nothing.”
“I know. I understand.” She glanced down at the floor, noting out of the corner of her eye that her companions had made it safely out of the kitchen. “I would only ask if you could give her a message. Just to tell her that I love her.”
He glanced around the kitchen at the staring servants then bent his head to whisper, “Aye. That much I can do. I’m sorry, but she shouldn’t have been where she was.”
The emotions inside her ran so high she wasn’t surprised when tears filled her eyes. “I know. That’s been a flaw of Melissande’s since she was old enough to walk. Always at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He shook his head. “I’ll see if I can pass on your message, but it will have to wait until the morrow.” One sharp glance had him reprimanding a woman who chopped vegetables. “Not so small. We want them to see what they’re eating, don’t we?”
“Thank you,” Liza said. “I appreciate it.” She turned and walked away, hoping her ploy to distract him had succeeded.
She drew a deep breath of the cool night air as she exited the warm kitchen. Hugh and Matthew stood next to the cart with the barrels loaded on it.
Hugh shook his head when he saw her. “I told you not to stop, but whatever you said to him worked.” He tappe
d one of the casks. “We’d best be on our way. Can’t be comfortable for her.”
Matthew grinned. “Brilliant thinking to put her in there.” He slapped his friend on the back. “You always have a plan.”
Matthew guided the horse and cart forward, and they made their way out of the inner bailey past the guards who waved them through to the outer bailey and the town beyond.
“Can we let her out yet?” Liza asked.
“Let us wait until we reach the brew room. No sense in risking someone seeing her. We should have part of the night before they start looking for her. Mayhap even until dawn.”
Shock seeped through Liza. They hadn’t spoken about what would happen after they managed to free her sister. With a lump in her throat, Liza realized what lay ahead. She and Melissande might’ve had their differences, but she was the only family Liza had.
Would Hugh go with her? Tears nearly choked her at the thought of having to say goodbye to both of them.
Chapter Seven
At last they reached the brew room. Hugh carried in the casks while Matthew returned the horse and cart to the stables. Liza locked the door as well as the door that led to the busy alehouse to ensure their privacy.
Hugh breathed a sigh of relief as he removed the lid of the cask, revealing Melissande tucked into the barrel. She squinted at the light, drawing in deep breaths of air. He could hardly believe they’d managed to free the woman. More than once, he’d thought their mission at an unsuccessful end.
“Greetings, Melissande.” He reached inside and lifted her out by her arms.
“Ouch.” She straightened as he set her on the floor, bracing herself against the table.
Liza didn’t spare another moment. She hugged her sister tightly. “I feared I’d lost you.”
“As did I,” Melissande said as she returned the embrace. “I wasn’t certain you knew where I was or what had happened.”
“We’d like to know the details.”
“Indeed,” Hugh added.
Melissande arched a brow at Liza, and Liza made the introductions. While it was obvious they were sisters, Melissande was a smaller version of her sister with light brown hair and hazel eyes.
Vengeance 01.5 - A Knight's Kiss Page 5