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“Let’s go,” said Branton, leading the way.
When the guard fell from the battlements into the courtyard, it caused the distraction needed. Maira saw Cleo driving the wagon over the drawbridge with the bishop holding Ricker in the back. Tommy and Alf rode out of the stable on horses and headed toward her.
“Morag,” said Maira as they approached her. Branton fought with the guard while Maira cut her ropes.
“Maira, I’m so frightened. We’re all goin’ to die,” cried Morag.
“Nay, you won’t. Be strong, Morag.”
“Maira, we’ve got horses,” called out Alf as the boys approached. “Get on, quickly.”
Maira helped Morag atop the horse with Alf, but she did not join them. “Branton, go with them to protect them,” said Maira.
“Nay, I won’t leave you,” protested the boy, taking down another man. Branton was proving to be a loyal warrior.
“Do it. It is an order,” she shouted. “I need someone who can protect them and it has to be you.”
“What about you, Maira?” asked Branton. “Who will protect you?”
“I’ll take to the tunnels and go back to help Jacob. Now please, I don’t want to have to worry about Morag and the boys.”
“I’ll protect them, Maira. You can count on me.” Branton jumped atop the horse with Tommy and they all managed to leave the castle just as the High Sheriff came out of the keep. Behind him was Delbert holding a blade to Jacob’s throat. Jacob was bruised and bleeding and could barely stand.
“Jacob!” cried Maira, rushing toward him with her sword drawn.
“Take a step closer and I’ll kill him,” shouted Delbert. Maira noticed Jacob’s hands were tied behind him and that he could barely walk. By the angle of one of his legs it almost looked as if it were broken.
“Nay, don’t hurt him,” she begged. “Please.”
“Fight me, wench,” said the High Sheriff. “It turns me on.”
“What?” she asked, backing away as he drew his sword.
“Leave her alone, it’s me you want,” Jacob shouted.
“Nay,” snarled the High Sheriff. “You’ll watch us fight and then you’ll witness me taking the wench right here in the courtyard in front of everyone. That will prove she is my wife and not yours.”
“You bastard!” Jacob broke away from Delbert but as soon as he did, Delbert hit him over the head with the hilt of his sword. Jacob fell to the ground, shaking his head as if he were dazed.
“Don’t kill him yet, you fool. I want him to suffer first,” snapped the High Sheriff.
Maira had no choice but to fight with the High Sheriff. He toyed with her at first, and then started coming after her with his blade with a vengeance.
She fought her best, but the man was crazed and, soon, her sword was flung from her hand and he pushed her to the ground.
“Now, it’s time for a little fun,” said the High Sheriff, untying his breeches and straddling her. Maira fought against him but he held her down with his body and one beefy hand.
“Leave her alone,” screamed Jacob.
Maira heard the snap of ropes and a scuffle and then the sound of a body hitting the ground. Jacob somehow manage to kill Delbert and pick up his sword. He charged the High Sheriff, limping on his hurt leg.
“Get him, you fools,” shouted the High Sheriff, sending a dozen guards toward Jacob. “Kill him.”
“Nay,” Maira cried, digging her nails into the man, but his arms were covered in leather and it didn’t do much to deter him.
Just when Maira thought it was the end for her and Jacob, she heard shouting and looked over to see the servants of the castle run out of the keep. They started fighting with their makeshift weapons.
The next sound came from the front gate.
