Luceo Non Uro || Outlander

Chapter 8

Fergus

The plan had to be set into motion very quickly. Murtagh was set to face trial within the fortnight. Malachi, Bryan, and I made haste in purchasing our supplies discreetly— mainly gunpowder. More kegs of it than would be needed for a hunting trip. The morning we had decided upon springing Murtagh from prison, I had walked them through the plan one final time with Germain's thimbles and spoons. I felt incredibly unprepared, having not passed my plan through Milord, but there was no time to think on it. Marsali watched on and added key points that I had forgotten in my rushed explanation. I was grateful for her attention and calmness.

We rode into town together, stopping the cart several buildings away from the jail. I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek with the promise I would return soon. On my hip hung a sack of gunpowder, ready to fulfil its purpose. As planned, I poured the gunpowder in a ring around the foundation of the jail, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Murtagh's Regulators follow the paths I had drawn for them with their respective thimbles. Everything was going according to plan so far. I dropped the now empty bag and rejoined Marsali at the cart for the next phase in my plan. I took the reins and walked the horses closer to the jail, where Murtagh's men were now arranging themselves into the pre-determined formation.

"Go on then, the sooner ye retrieve the old coot, the sooner we can be on our way." I leapt down from the cart for a second time, and strode up to the jail with the Regulator men. I was very focused; this plan was much grander than simply freeing a man from jail. I wanted his fellow inmate to burn.

"Good sirs, we are here to visit a prisoner of yours." The guard standing before me looked disinterested.

He brushed off my request, "No visits without permission." On cue, all of the men raised their pistols level to the chest of the guard. I was the last to follow suit.

"I do not think permission will be necessary." Two men broke formation to hold the guard prisoner. The rest of us made our way through the jail, taking down the subsequent guards that were now alerted to our presence. Everything was going well, until something we had not accounted for occurred. A civilian made quick work of detaining Malachi. I raised my pistol, hoping I would not have to use it. "Unhand him at once." The man turned slowly at the sound of my pistol cocking behind him. "Lord John?" I slowly began to lower the weapon.

"Fergus? What is the purpose of this attack?"

"We are here to free a friend." I looked around at the scene before me, making eye contact with Malachi and Bryan, who both had their weapons aimed at Lord John. "Do not harm him, but do not allow him to leave. His allegiance is to Governor Tryon. I'm very sorry," I added, hoping it would somewhat make up for the disturbance we had caused him. I went down the line of cells, keys jingling on my hook, searching for Murtagh. I saw Bonnet first and grimaced. At least Milord would be happy to hear that he would be a problem to his family no longer. At last I came to the door holding Murtagh prisoner behind it.

"Murtagh?" a soft female voice said from beside me, although I paid it no attention. If she knew Murtagh she must be on our side. Lord John was the only thing I was worried about now.

"What are ye doing here lass?" I looked over and was shocked to see it was none other than Brianna, Milord's daughter. I cursed this plan. Milord would wring my neck should any harm come to her. I looked down at her stomach, which was beginning to show signs of her condition. Milord had warned us in his most recent letter that his daughter was pregnant, possibly by the scoundrel standing just meters away from us. Is that why she was here?

"You were arrested?" Once I managed to unlock the door, I ran ahead to check our escape route was clear.

"Fitzgibbons!" Lod John's voice called. "I'm not entirely surprised to see you here."