Page 75 of Highland Flame

Chapter Twenty

“Is everyone ready?” asked Yvaine later that night as Cam paced the floor of the secret room.

“We’re all here, but there is no sign of the nun,” complained Nash.

“Davita filled her in on our plans an hour ago, and she was still willin’ to help us,” said Yvaine.

“She’s no’ comin’. I told ye that. She probably betrayed us already to that stupid monk.” Cam grew more and more impatient and just wanted to go find his daughter and bring her back quickly.

“I am here, and I heard what you called Brother Gillies. It wasn’t nice.” Sister Edna walked into the room. She held a basket over one arm, and was covered from head to toe with a long, hooded robe.

“I suppose Brathair Gillies is right behind ye?” asked Cam.

“Nay. Why would he be? He doesn’t know anything about this. I didn’t tell him,” said Edna.

“Well, that’s a surprise.” Cam stormed across the room. “What’s in the basket?” He started to reach for it, but she quickly moved it away.

“I have brought some food and ale for the trip.”

“Guid. I’m starvin’,” said Nash, hurrying over to her. “I’ll have somethin’ to eat right now.”

“It’s for Avianca,” said the nun. “I’m not sure if she’ll even have been fed since the Woods family is poor and has so many mouths to feed.”

“I still dinna understand why Brathair Gillies would take the lass to such a poor family,” said Gavin.

“He probably got tired of her cryin’ and gave her to the first family he saw,” Cam answered, pacing back and forth.

“I’m sure that isn’t what it was,” Edna replied. “Brother Gillies has his reasons for doing things, although he rarely explains to anyone what they are.”

“Enough of this clishmaclaver. I’m ready to leave,” said Cam. “How long will it take to get to Naward?”

“It’s only a half-hour on foot, but since we’ll have to travel slowly through the catacombs, it might take longer,” answered the nun.

“Gavin, get the torches. Let’s get a move on,” instructed Cam. He walked back to the bed, leaning over to give Yvaine a quick kiss. “I promise ye, everythin’ is goin’ to work out. Dinna worry,” he told her in a low voice.

“I’m no’ worried,” she said. “Now get on!”

“I hope ye ken the way through these catacombs,” Cam grumbled as he passed up the nun.

“Of course, I know the way. I’ve lived here for twenty-five years. Just follow me, and I’ll get you to Naward quickly to collect the child.”

Cam followed the nun through the catacombs, holding the torch high to ward off the rats.

“Ow, somethin’ bit me,” cried Nash from the end of the line as he jumped around and used his sword, swiping it at the ground. “Someone give me a torch to hold so I can see the rats to kill them.”

“Stop yer complainin’, Nash, and put that blade away before ye hurt someone.” Cam could see the exit up ahead and stepped in front of Sister Edna to lead the way. “We’re here, Nash, so ye can stop cryin’ about rats now.”

Once they all exited the catacombs, Cam looked over to the nun. “Where do we find the Woods family?”

“Their cottage is just up ahead. However, it is late and they will be sleeping I’m afraid.”

“No’ if they have rats, they willna,” mumbled Nash, following them through the streets, still holding his sword in case a stray one followed them.

“Mayhap I’ll just sneak in and grab Avianca and leave,” suggested Cam. “That way, no one will even ken she is missin’ until mornin’. By then, we’ll be on the road and on our way home.”

When they approached the cottage, Cam signaled for the rest to be quiet while he snuck into the house. He saw the lights on in the main room, and figured they mustn’t all have gone to bed yet, after all.

He climbed in a window, seeing the sleeping children. “Avianca?” he whispered, not able to see well in the darkened room. When he reached out for a girl who he thought was his daughter, the child sat up and screamed.