by Kim Allred
He swiveled his head toward where he'd last seen Ethan. A man-sized lump lay in the shadows, but when a breeze created a spark of flame, Finn saw enough to know it was Ethan. He was in a different position than last time, so Finn assumed he was alive.
While keeping an eye on the door, he listened to the sounds from outside. The soldiers words slurred with drunkenness, but they were still awake, still dangerous. Finn worked at his bindings, twisting and stretching to loosen them. He rolled to his side and tested his strength in an attempt to rise. He fell back and stifled a grunt. He waited five minutes and tried again. Better, but not enough.
He'd expended his energy, and, deciding on a five-minute rest, he rolled so he could stare at the stars through the broken thatch. He wondered if he could see Boötes from here, and whether AJ thought to search for the constellation.
A scraping sound caught his attention. He swiveled toward Ethan and saw him sitting. He was rubbing his wrists and his hands were free.
Then a hand covered Finn's mouth, the hushed words flowing quickly, "I'm Alex, Michel's brother. Stay still, and I'll cut you loose. Understand?"
Finn nodded, and when the hand fell away, he curled in and rolled over to give Alex more room to cut the ropes. Seconds later, the ropes fell away. He turned around and shoved his bound legs toward the young man, his ribs protesting at the sudden movement.
When Alex looked up, Finn determined he couldn't be more than a few years older than Michel. But enough of a man tonight for what he'd done. When he stood, he reached for Alex as his body collapsed. Then Ethan was next to him, Michel silent as a mouse behind him.
"Take a minute to catch your breath," Ethan whispered. "The duffels were piled in the corner." He handed Finn a cutlass and a knife. He nodded toward Michel and his brother. "You two need to go home."
The boys glanced at each other, and when they turned back to Ethan, Alex shook his head.
Finn would have laughed if their lives weren't on the line. "At least go out the back and stay out of sight. You can't be caught if this goes bad." When it appeared the boys weren't going to give in, Finn added, "Your mother needs you. Who will help her if you're arrested for treason?"
That did the trick. Alex nodded and grabbed Michel's hand as they disappeared through the back door as quietly as they'd come.
Finn straightened and grabbed his chest. He glanced at Ethan. "I'm not sure I can raise the sword."
Ethan stared at him for a moment, then ran back to the corner of the room. He was back in seconds, holding one of Finn's shirts. He glanced toward the front door, and when someone laughed and the fire popped with sparks, Ethan ripped the shirt down the middle.
"Sorry about the shirt," he whispered as he tightly wrapped the remnants around Finn's chest. "It's not perfect, but you'll feel better. Try to make them do all the work."
"Wouldn't a pistol be better?"
"I doubt you can reload fast enough. Besides…" Ethan raised a pistol. "I'll take out the bruiser. If you can't take one of the others, even in your piss poor state, I'll have to do some serious rethinking about your skill sets."
Finn grunted and twisted his body back and forth. He had to admit, he did feel better. He raised the sword. Not the strength he would need for any sustained defense from the right. He shifted the sword to his left hand. Much better. He was almost as good with his left, certainly enough for this evening. He'd be able to hold his knife with his right. He took a step, then a second.
He nodded to Ethan.
Ethan led them to the door. Finn found a spot next to him with a hole large enough for him to scan the fire and all three men. The bruiser, as Ethan had called him, sat squarely in the middle. The best of all targets. Finn shook his head and scratched his chin. Their luck did seem to be changing.
Ethan held the cutlass in his left hand, the pistol, already primed, pointed toward the fire. He stepped out to the porch, his steps light and firm, testing the board before committing his full weight. As he planted his feet to take the shot, the bruiser began to rise.
At first, the large man teetered, but he pulled himself upright. His friends laughed, and he laughed with them. He continued to weave, and as he stuck his hands into his pants he looked up. And froze.
His two friends stopped laughing and stared at him. It took them several seconds to register the surprised, vacant expression, and they turned to follow his gaze. When all three focused on Ethan, and the two companions began to stand, Ethan fired. The bruiser, who still had his hands in his pants, too drunk to understand his peril, pitched backwards. He appeared to have been hit in his right shoulder. If treated in the next day or so, he should live, but for this evening, his fighting was over.
The other two stumbled over their feet, and that was when Finn could have broken out laughing as he joined Ethan on the porch. Neither man had a weapon. Ethan advanced on the complainer. When the soldier backed up, hands raised in surrender, Ethan ran to him and, using his full body, swung the butt-end of his pistol across the man's head. He dropped like a rock, and Ethan hit him again for good measure.
The corporal glanced toward his horse, where he'd foolishly left his sword. The man pulled a knife from his boot, and Finn shook his head. At least he had some spine, but with drink and poor fighting skills, the corporal was hardly worth the challenge. The corporal buckled quickly from the broadside of Finn's blade. When the corporal tried to stand, Finn knocked him out by bringing the hilt of the sword down on his head. He almost laughed until he tried to hitch a breath and a bolt of pain seized him. Finn kicked the soldier in the ribs, not regretting the payback. They were at war, after all.
Ethan reloaded the pistol and handed it to Finn, then tied the two men with the rope that had previously been used on them. They dragged the first two soldiers inside and bound their legs. It required a bit more stamina to drag the bruiser into the house, and Finn made Ethan stop halfway there so he could catch his breath. Once they got the bruiser in the farmhouse, Ethan checked his wound.
"The ball's buried just below the shoulder. The bleeding has slowed, but it's going to hurt like hell. He'll need attention soon." Ethan looked around the room. "We should check the saddlebags for something I can use to bandage the wound."
"Grab all three saddlebags. Let's see what they left for us. If these two dolts aren't as slow as they seem, they should get themselves loose soon enough. That should leave plenty of time to make it to town, or they can remove the ball themselves. If not…" Finn shrugged. "Napoleon is better off without them."
When Ethan left through the front door, Finn crawled through the crooked back door to find Michel and his brother. It wasn't hard. Michel stood, shuffling from one foot to the other, the reins of a large brown horse in his hands. The plow horse. Michel would grow into a fine man someday, as would his brother.
Finn handed them a sack. When Michel looked in, his eyes widened, and he showed Alex.
"You didn't have to do this," Michel said. "Mama was happy to help. She's tired of the soldiers taking what they please."
Finn nodded. "I kept enough of the lamb to keep Ethan and me fed until we reach the monastery. We have plenty, even if we have to hide for a day or two." He laid a hand on Michel's shoulder. "You and Alex took a large risk coming back to save us. You have our gratitude for putting your faith in us."
Alex grasped his brother's other shoulder. His voice was deep, already having changed, so perhaps a little older than Finn first thought. "My brother said you were friends of Sebastian. That was good enough for me."
Finn gave the boys his lopsided grin. "Aye, good men you are. Now leave, so the soldiers don't know you helped us. I wouldn't want to see anything befall your family." They turned to leave, and Finn began to hobble back to the farmhouse when Michel ran up to him. He opened his hand with the small ball of gold.
Finn shook his head. "No. You earned that. Take care of your family." Then he turned and walked back to the farmhouse.
They feasted on a good portion of the lamb, then wrap
ped the rest to take with them. The soldiers carried light packs on their horses with basic staples and weapons. Ethan found the pouch of money the corporal had taken from him and shoved it in his pocket.
By the time they stirred the embers and restarted the fire in the hearth, Ethan's gaze had grown heavy.
"Get some sleep." Finn elbowed him. "I'll wake you in a few hours to relieve me. We'll head out at first light."
Ethan stretched out, using the blankets he'd found in the saddlebags.
Finn stared at the fire. They couldn't take the chance of running into more soldiers before reaching the monastery. That meant they'd have to take it slow or find back roads where possible. He checked on the soldiers every hour. Between the hits to their heads, the gunshot, and their drinking, they'd sleep until dawn.
When Ethan roused to relieve him, Finn crashed to the bedroll with a groan. His ribs ached, and he would need Ethan to retie the bandage before he got on a horse. As he began to doze, he sent a thought to AJ, hoping his wife was close enough to feel him. I'm coming.
After what seemed only minutes of sleep, Ethan kicked his foot. When he stood and stretched, the pain in his ribs hurt but was manageable. The light tinges of dawn broke on the horizon. Time to leave.
They checked the bounds on the two men and replaced the bandage on the bruiser. He had slipped in and out of consciousness, but so far, there was no sign of infection. The wound looked angry, but the bleeding had stopped and barely seeped.
After stripping the horses of any army adornments, they packed two of the faster-looking horses and released the third.
Finn looked around, "I thought the corporal asked the big guy to find another horse."
Ethan shrugged. "Guess they couldn't find one."
Another thing to be thankful for; the soldiers hadn't hurt anyone else. It didn't give him much relief. The soldiers may second-guess their actions next time, but it wouldn't be long before they were up to no good. Some men just didn't change.
When they returned to the farmhouse, Ethan kicked the boots of the trussed-up soldiers. They were groggy and confused until they focused on Finn and Ethan.
Ethan stood next to the corporal. "Your friend needs a doctor, but he has some time before any infection takes hold. The ball is still in his chest, probably along with some of his shirt. I suggest you spend your time figuring out how to get out of your binds so someone can walk to town for help." He squatted next to the man and leaned in. "It's possible you might be able to catch the one horse we've left you, but we're taking the bridle. I hope you learned to ride bareback." He continued to stare at the corporal until the soldier looked away.
Seemingly satisfied, he stood. Finn thought Ethan might kick the soldier again, with a bit more force in a place more sensitive. Instead, Ethan's smile turned cold, and he whispered, "Long live the King of England." Halfway to the door, he turned to Finn. "Let's ride for Normandy."
Unable to say anything more insightful or deceitful, Finn followed him out.
Ethan checked the ties on the duffels and brought a horse to Finn. "You might be feeling better now, but you'll think differently after a couple hours in the saddle."
Finn rubbed his shirt. "This seems to remind me of another time one of us had injured ribs."
"Why is it we're always chasing a woman?"
Finn laughed, then clutched his side. When he could speak again, he spit out, "They're going to be the death of us."
Ethan slapped him on the back and helped him mount. "Let's hope we're both gray-haired by then."
By the time Finn was seated, he knew this was going to be a long day. Between his aching ribs and having to skirt risky areas to avoid soldiers, it would probably be morning of the following day before they made it to the monastery.
When they'd walked the horses several yards from the house, Ethan stopped. "I'm not sure how long they'll believe we've headed east. A single man riding will be less noticeable than two."
"Aye. Why don't you take the lead? I'll follow along since I'll need a slower pace. Stay on or as close to the road as possible. We'll meet up for a break."
"Hour out?"
Finn grunted. "To begin with." He looked up to study the gray sky. "It looks like the weather might hold, so more people will be out. Let's be cautious, especially if anyone is out searching for their missing patrol."
10
The knock came in the middle of the night. AJ moaned and rolled over, believing she might have dreamed the sound. She listened for another sound while she cleared away the cobwebs of sleep. A few seconds later, a second knock. She shoved the blanket away and ran to the door. Sebastian stood on the other side, a small lantern in his hand.
"It's time. Pack and meet me in the meeting room I showed you. Do you remember how to get there?"
She nodded and managed a hoarse, "I'll be right behind you."
There wasn't much she had to pack. She kept most of her items in her canvas bag, wanting to be ready at a moment's notice. She'd already decided pants were the best choice for the ship. Jamie wouldn't expect her to work, and she had coin to pay him, but she didn't want to be a hindrance. There had to be something she could do, even if it meant cooking.
She was out the door of her chamber in less than five minutes, Beckworth's pack over her shoulder and canvas bag by her side. She used the lantern from her room to guide her down the dark tunnels. Fortunately, the secret meeting room was on the same path as the outer door. After Sebastian had walked her past the statue next to his private room, her memories had returned. To reduce her building anxiety, she had spent yesterday wandering the passages. But it did little to reduce her concern for Finn, wherever the hell he was.
When she turned left instead of right at the intersection deep in the tunnels, the first doubt scratched at the back of her head. When she crept toward the stone bench, the hallway was silent. If anyone was in the room, they were either keeping quiet, or the soundproofing was amazing. Not a drop of light leaked from where the door should be.
Not sure if she was meant to wait or go inside, she touched the stone motif, then ran her hand down to the third stone. She pushed. A click, the whoosh of air, and a slim line of light shone through a small crack. A murmur of voices shut off like water from a tap.
Bingo.
Sucking up her courage, she pushed through and quickly shut the door behind her. The room was lit by a single lantern close to the door, leaving the back of the room in darkness. Several figures shuffled in the shadows. She raised the lantern to get a better look until Sebastian moved into the light. She breathed a sigh of relief. He was smiling.
She set the lantern on the table and dropped her bags.
"The good Lord in heaven, it's true." Jamie came forward, and AJ gaped. This was not the boy she'd left behind just a few months ago. Though from his perspective, it had been almost two years. He had sprouted into a ruggedly, handsome man. His dark brown curls framed his face, and he carried a day's worth of beard. He'd filled out with what appeared to be sheer muscle and four inches of height.
He stalked toward her, and she almost stepped back before he grabbed both her arms and turned her until she stood in the light of the lanterns. "My God, but it's good to see you." He appeared shocked as he continued to scan her, from her shoes to her head. Then he grinned. "Some things never change."
She had grasped his forearms, feeling the hard muscle beneath. "I can't say the same for you. The ladies must be piled up in the ports waiting for the Daphne Marie." She still had the ability to make him blush, and snorts sounded from around the table.
"Quiet," he commanded the men, though it was in jest. His expression turned wistful. "I wish it was under better circumstances. We were saddened to hear Maire had gone missing. But when we arrived, we didn't believe Sebastian's wild tale of your return. Though nothing surprises us anymore."
When he stepped back, a large man with dark skin and darker eyes picked her up in a bear hug.
"Lando," she squealed with delight. She hugged hi
m like a drowning woman to a life raft. He'd always made her feel safe, partly because Finn had made him her bodyguard, and because he'd taken the time to teach her the use of her dagger. He always seemed to have faith in her.
"It's good to see you, little one. Though why is it only when danger surrounds you?"
She laughed and hugged him again. "I do seem to have a dark cloud following me around."
"More like a stain on the bottom of your shoe. Is it true you returned with the viscount?"
Grumbling circled the table, and she glanced at the other men. Additional candles had been lit, but she only recognized a couple of faces.
"I'm afraid so."
"Where's Finn?" Lando found a chair for her.
She blinked back the tears she kept in check. She knew he was out there somewhere, and she expected a damn good reason for him being late. Each day he didn't show could only spell trouble, and the only thing keeping her sane was the belief that he and Ethan were together. They'd found her before, and they would do it again. Any other thoughts would take her down a dark path that would do no one any good, least of all Maire.
AJ spent the next twenty minutes sharing a condensed story of how Beckworth got caught in the fog's vortex and had unknowingly been sucked into the future with AJ and Finn. She continued with Ethan's return and the news of Maire's abduction. She skimmed over pieces of the story, specifically around Ratliff's death, preferring to keep select portions for when she was alone with Jamie and Lando. When she finished the part about Beckworth escaping Ethan and forcing her to jump without Finn, she immediately noted that hadn't been the wisest thing to share. For better or worse, Beckworth would be needed for part of her journey.
