“Fiona and I have found a guard who gave his allegiance to Coll during his visit here two months past. Cedric holds a touch of fae blood, even has a sister with a skill. He aids us now.”
“Are you certain of his loyalty? This could be a trap set by Jeremiah in the hope of capturing us and bringing your rescue to an end.”
“I’m certain, and we’ve made our way outside via the servants’ stairs and are standing within a quiet nook where few tread. Where are you?”
“Along the rocks near the sea-gate, discussing exactly how Duncan and I will make our way in. Hamish has seen naught yet, unfortunately.” A sliver of moonlight streaked through the stormy, darkened clouds above and she looked through his eyes and found him crouched with Duncan, the sea crashing in and spraying over them, a coiled rope and grappling hook in his hands.
“The guards will be able to see you should you scale the curtain wall, whether ’tis dark or no’. Jeremiah will be awaiting just such a move so he can attack without any recrimination.”
“We’re well aware, but we have little choice. I’m no’ leaving here without you. You’re my wife and where you are, is where I need to be.”
“I will never allow any harm to come to you because of me.” She grasped Cedric’s mail-clad arm. “Ronan and Duncan are on the rocks next to the sea-gate landing. They’re close.”
“Tell them to stay right there. I’ll come to them.” He laid his helm on the ground then removed his chainmail, weapons, and chunky boots. Standing in only his leather pants and black tunic, he snuck his dagger from his wrist sheath and murmured, “I need to ensure the tunnel is clear of any seaweed and debris afore I allow either of you any entry. Disrobe as you can. The current will be strong so the less you’re wearing, the better.”
“That we can do.” She loosened the front stays of her gown and shoved the velvet down before slinking back farther into the darkened shadows in her white shift. “You must stay where you are, Ronan. Cedric is coming to you through an underwater tunnel that leads directly outside.”
Beside her, Fiona removed her forest-green gown and rolled it into a tight bundle, her brown shift blending in well with the dark.
“Here, you’ll need this.” Cedric hauled his black tunic off and handed it to her. “Your shift will be a bright beacon out on the rocks. Don my tunic instead. It should reach to your knees.”
“Thank you.”
“Give me a few minutes. Wait right here for my return.” Hunkered down, he removed an iron grate from under the lily pads and carefully propped it against the wall, rolled his pants to his knees and sat on the edge of the hole. Water sloshed as he maneuvered himself down, the rim barely wide enough to allow him to fit through. “Keep to the shadows and dinnae draw any attention to yourselves.”
“Of course and there is something I must tell you.” She knelt next to him. “Ronan looks eerily like Coll, so you should find him with ease. Take care as you swim.”
“I shall.” Shoulders scrunched, he sank and disappeared within the murky dark. Bubbles rose to the surface then nothing.
She pulled his tunic on and underneath it, shimmered out of her shift and tucked it within her gown and set her bundle next to Fiona’s clothing behind the grate.
“This is probably no’ the best time for me to remind you of this”—Fiona clasped her shaking hands together, her bottom lip wobbling—“but I’m still no’ overly fond of tight spaces clogged with water, no’ since that time we went swimming in the loch and I dove down deep and my foot got trapped between two rocks. You remember that day, dinnae you?”
“Aye, but ’twas so long ago. You must set that fear aside.” She scanned the courtyard and shrank back even farther into the shadows against the wall. “Coll and Duncan freed you without any issue that day, and I’ll be with you in the tunnel.”
“I had to hold my breath for a very long time afore they did.” One deep frown.
“I can take ahold of your mind and force you to my will if you wish.” She squeezed Fiona’s fingers. “Is that permissible?”
“Nay, dinnae do that.” Fiona blew out an unsteady breath. “You’re right. I must set this fear aside.”
“Cedric is here.” Ronan’s reassuring words resounded in her mind.
“Cedric is with Ronan.” She hugged Fiona. While within Ronan’s mind, she followed his movements. He shucked his boots, war coat and fur vest, dumped them into Duncan’s waiting hands then in his black leather pants and billowy blue tunic, dove into the choppy waves and joined Cedric bobbing in the near dark.
The two sank down, groped for the tunnel’s entrance in the murky black then pushed through the tight hole and swam toward them.
“They’re both coming.” She dropped to her knees, grasped the edge of the rim and searched the watery depths.
Seawater poured over her feet then Cedric emerged, clambered out, his dagger pinched between his blue lips and water sluicing to his feet.
“Ronan?” More water gushed.