27. Chapter Twenty Seven Arryn
Chapter Twenty Seven: Arryn
We gathered in the living area, giving Brannoc and Rhowyn a moment to themselves. I glanced over the others, taking note of the fact that they were all dressed for battle, weapons strapped everywhere, much like I had done. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who'd been unable to sleep. Especially not once Rhowyn's pleasure was broadcasted through the bond, her ever-present walls nonexistent when she was in the throes of passion.
Checking the bond, something I did frequently, I found she was at peace with what happened. There was no longer any fear or concern coming from her, but now, I sensed those shadows that she'd absorbed, dancing along the lines of power that tied us all together.
A part of me knew there wasn't anything I could do about it now, but I still couldn't stop the worry I felt at wondering how this new connection would affect her. She already had too much on her plate, refusing to let us help her with bearing those burdens. Every time we tried, she insisted on remaining a part of it. As far as she'd come, she still hadn't accepted the fact that we wanted to help her, that it was an honor to bear the weight for her. She still held much of herself back, though after seeing the scars on her body, I had a good idea about why that was.
I checked my weapons as Rhowyn and Brannoc approached. Brannoc was bare of weapons, his own magic a weapon in and of itself, but Rhowyn carried not only her gifted dagger but a couple of others strapped to her that she had found somewhere. While she’d been recovering after the last trial, the dagger had shown up magically on the table beside her bed. Somehow, it had found her even though we’d left it behind trying to get her back.
The warrior in me was always turned on by the sight of her wearing so many weapons. Her countenance screamed that she was ready for battle, her muscles stiff yet fluid as she approached. Everything previous to this mission had been pushed from her mind, her sole focus on ensuring the success of our task.
Glancing at the clock, I realized that we were right on time. “Everyone ready?” I asked the group, needing the assurance that we were prepared.
A chorus of assent greeted me, and Rhowyn simply nodded as our eyes met. “We all know the plan. Brannoc, let's proceed to the meeting location. Hopefully, we can count on Loki.”
Brannoc approached Callum first, intending to carry us one at a time to the spot in an effort to conserve his energy. A part of me worried he might not have as much as before after Rhowyn absorbed part of it, but there was nothing we could do about that now. I'd just need to keep an eye out for him in case he began flagging during the mission.
“He will be there. He knows better than to break the deal we made,” Brannoc said just before he and Callum disappeared.
One by one, he took the others to the meeting spot, leaving me for last. When he finally reappeared before me, he paused. “You ready for this?”
There was so much in that question. A question from one friend to another, not one of a subordinate to a leader. Answering him honestly, I simply said, “Not really. There's so much that can still go wrong, but it's the best plan we have. I can't shake the feeling that something is going to go amiss, though.”
“It always does, you know that,” Brannoc responded. “What's different about this time?”
Shrugging, I said, “Other than Rhowyn being involved, I don't know. Something I can't see, something I can't prepare for. I don't like that we're taking Rhowyn with us. My instincts are calling for me to lock her up and keep her here safe and sound, but I know she would never forgive us if we did something like that.”
“Have faith, brother. I have a feeling that she'll surprise you,” Brannoc reassured me, clapping a hand on my shoulder and squeezing.
“She always does,” I said, thinking of all the times she'd left me in awe with her quiet strength.
“Ready?” Brannoc asked again.
I wasn't, not really, but we couldn't afford to dally any longer. We needed to get moving and I'd already wasted enough time as it was. When I nodded, he swept us up in his shadows, transporting us quickly to the spot the others were waiting.
Rhowyn eyed me as we materialized. “What's wrong?”
“Nothing,” I assured her, pushing my doubts and concerns down. Changing the subject, I addressed the others, “Any sign of Loki?” As if my words had summoned him, he also materialized, pulling the glamor that had hidden him away to reveal that he'd been here all along.
Startling, Lennox and Baer jumped when he spoke up from behind them. “Been ready since last night.” Rubbing his hands together with glee, he said, “This will be a great story to tell. I can't wait.”
“Have you heard from Juniper?” I asked Brannoc.
“Yes. Everything should be in place,” he told me.
“Good,” I said, squaring my shoulders. “Let's head out.”
We crept silently toward the castle, keeping to the shadows, Brannoc and Lennox doing their best to hide us from view of any of the passing guards. None of us dared to speak as we focused on traversing the area as silently as possible.
Finally, we came to the hidden tunnel that would let us into the inner courtyard. Not many knew of this back way in, but because of my former position as Captain in the Queen's Guard, I knew it was the least patrolled. It was originally designed as an escape from the Cashel Rí, in case of emergency, which meant that only a select few knew of its location.
Peering around, I lifted the grate from the opening of the tunnel, peeking inside to ensure the way was clear. I nodded at Callum, indicating he would enter first. We'd need his skills should we come across any guards along the way. Baer and Lennox were not nearly as proficient with weapons as he was. Callum dropped through the hole, struggling slightly to get his massive shoulders through the small opening, but finally slipped down with a soft splash. Next was Baer, then Lennox, and Loki. Rhowyn was in the middle, with Brannoc and me following after her.
She didn't protest when we decided the order of entrance last night. I was thankful now for this fact, a part of my anxiety soothed by knowing that she'd never have to face anything alone during this mission. One of us would always be with her.
Once I entered, the residual rainwater that trickled through the tunnel made it more difficult to move silently, covering the tops of our boots as we slowly traipsed toward the castle. The tunnel curved slightly, branches leading off the main tunnel every so often meant to distract any followers in the event of pursuit during an escape. I led the way, turning every so often, having memorized the locations and destinations of each of the tunnel branches until we finally reached our exit. Coming to a stop, we all held our breath, listening for any movement above us.
After several moments of utter silence, I was confident that we were alone. Callum lifted the grate soundlessly and moved it to the side, scanning the area before pulling himself up and out. Again, he remained vigilant as we exited the tunnel. Baer reached down to offer Rhowyn a hand up and out. Her smaller size made her dependent on the assistance. Still, I needed to lift her up enough so he wouldn't injure her by just pulling. My hands moved from her waist to under her thighs, brushing her ass as Baer pulled her out. I felt the amusement from her trickle through the bond and smiled. My Chosen certainly had a healthy sexual appetite, and when this was all done, I'd ensure that she was always satiated.
Refocusing on the task at hand, we moved quickly across the grounds, our footsteps muffled by the well-maintained grass of the garden that surrounded us. The entrance had been designed to be hidden in the bushes, ensuring the Queen could escape without notice. It also worked in our favor, allowing us the opportunity to enter just as easily.
Our group reached the outer door, the one that would allow entrance into Cashel Rí. I prayed to Avalonia that Juniper had been able to unlock it. While Brannoc could enter with his smoke, the doors and windows were blocked by magic that wouldn't allow him to let us in. Only someone with the granted authority could unlock the door. When I turned the knob, it didn't budge, staying firmly in place. I tried again, pushing against the door as if that might help.
“What is it?” Rhowyn's whisper barely reached my ears.
“The door's still locked,” I explained, my words just loud enough to alert the others as well.
“Let me try?” Lennox pushed forward, hoping the door would open for him. Still, it didn't budge. Apparently, the castle had barred his entrance after he'd fled with our group.
“What now? We can't just stand around out here waiting for her to show up. We're too exposed,” Callum said grumpily, glancing around as if someone were about to jump out of the shadows.
“I'll see if I can find her,” Brannoc said, preparing to turn into smoke.
Just as his form flickered, a soft snick sounded. “Wait,” I said, halting him. Reaching down, I turned the knob, which finally gave way to my efforts, silently swinging open as I pushed gently. On the other side was Juniper.
“Sorry. I got held up,” she whispered.
“I'm just glad you were able to get here in time,” Rhowyn told her.
Juniper nodded. “The way should be clear, but you need to hurry. They're changing shifts soon, and people will start waking for the day.” Her tone conveyed the urgency that we all felt.
“Thank you,” Rhowyn said, hugging the woman.
“Of course. Now, I need to get back before anyone suspects anything. I can't afford to be discovered helping.”
We nodded in understanding as she turned to head back to wherever she'd come from. “This way,” I instructed the group, Lennox's shadows coming out to conceal us further.
We crept along the servants' halls, hurrying as fast as we dared, taking the twists and turns of the convoluted castle to our destination. Finally, we reached the rough stone stairs that would lead us down into the dungeons. Ducking into a small room off to the side, I nodded to Loki. It was his turn to get ready.
Listening closely, we heard faint footsteps coming toward our location. Callum and I readied ourselves, Baer with a hand on the doorknob. I focused on finding the right moment, knowing this had to be well coordinated. Neither could make a sound, or we'd be quickly discovered. When I was sure, I nodded at Baer. The door burst open silently as Callum and I sprang into action, both of us approaching the guards who had just passed. At the same moment, we put the two guards in a chokehold from behind, applying enough pressure to ensure their silence.
The guard I was holding scrabbled at my arm, digging gouges in my skin as he fought to pull my arm away from his neck. I winced, clenching my jaw to prevent me from making a sound. Callum's guard was a little smarter, attempting to turn into him and lessen Callum's hold. The guard grunted as he lessened the pressure on his neck, his boots scraping loudly across the stone floor. Too loudly.
There was no carpet here in this part of the castle. Nothing to keep the sound from bouncing around the walls and down the staircase.
“Grant?” a voice sounded from the bottom of the steps. “Is that you?”
Shit. We needed to hurry. The guard I was holding finally slumped, his hands falling away from my arm. I gently set him down, grabbing my knife to help Callum.
I knocked the other guard in the temple with the hilt of my blade, effectively rendering him unconscious. He was definitely going to feel that for the next few days. I heard footsteps on the stairs, rushing to pick up my guard to drag him into the room where the others waited. As we pulled the guards inside, Baer and Loki rushed out, glamored effectively to look like our unconscious captives, shutting the door softly behind them.
“What's going on?” a voice sounded from the other side.
“It's nothing. Gentry here had a little too much to drink yesterday and is still hungover,” Baer said in his glamored form.
“Yeah. I still haven't found my balance. I knocked into the wall, not paying attention,” Loki played along. I could hear the tension in the air, praying that the other guard bought the excuse. Callum and I readied ourselves in case we needed to fight, our hands going to our swords.
“Well, get down here. Erie and I could use a drink ourselves.” The voices started to fade as the group descended the stairs. “I always hate these shifts. Nothing ever happens, and I'm always bored to tears.”
I heard soft chuckles, the other guards reporting to Loki and Baer. While they were distracted, Rhowyn and Lennox tied up our guards. It wouldn't do to have them wake while in the middle of our attempted jail break. As Lennox knotted the gags behind the guards' heads, ensuring their silence should they wake, footsteps approached again. I held up a hand signaling for him to stop. Every one of us froze as we waited for them to pass.
When I was sure they were gone, I dropped my hand and nodded for him to finish up. Standing, he brushed his hands against his pants, dusting himself off. I opened the door slowly, peering out the small crack just wide enough to allow me a view of the hall in both directions. Satisfied, I waved the others out of the room as we rushed down the stairs. When my feet landed on the stone of the small enclave, I asked, “Did you get it?”
“Aye,” Loki said, holding up the key with a smug smile. “They never suspected a thing.” Not waiting, I took the key from him, inserting it into the lock and turning it. I heard the lock click open, immediately turning the knob just as a loud siren sounded out.
Fuck! We'd set off an alarm of some kind. “Hurry!” I said, no longer concerned with remaining silent. Now, speed was going to be the determining factor in our success. “We don't have much time.”
We rushed into the dungeon, leaving the door open as we began our search. None of us, outside of Rhowyn, had been here before. As my eyes settled on the room on the other side of the door, we all froze. Shit, this dungeon was a lot bigger than I had expected. How were we going to find Master Jude now?