Blood of the Highlands

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Persais' POV

Persais had a bad feeling. A really bad feeling. Tormand had rode out the gates an hour ago with at least 30 men, in the dead of night. Where the hell could he be going? He couldn't be planning to ride down the mountain in the dark could he? T'was madness; suicide.

Persais wasn't a fool. If he was leaving with that many men then he was going to war; war with her clan. She had no idea how he planned to reach the flats in the dark but she did know one thing, Tormand MacLeod damn sure wasn't going to ride into war blind. He had a plan. A plan that made him confidant enough to attempt the impossible and that did not sit well with her.

Peraias cursed before continuing her pacing. She had to do something, anything.

Just then the bar behind her tower door was moved to soon reveal a guard and the young maid Annie with the pitcher of water she had been demanding half the night.  Persais wished it had been anyone other than dear Annie. The sweet girl was too kind and trusting. Persais didn't have the heart to kill her.

"I've brought your water m'lady"

Persais gave the girl a tight smile and gestered for her to set it on the small table near her bedside. She watched closely as the young girl walked further into the room. Persais had to think of a plan and quick, this could be her only chance. Glancing quickly at the guard who appeared to be bored standing in the doorway, she gave a genuine smile before making her way to the maid. What fool would let his guard down around her? Yes she had been behaving herself as of late but honestly, the idiots it seemed never learned.

"Annie here let me help you," she said attempting to take the pitcher from the girl. Quickly Persais bumped into her sending the pitcher toppling to the floor, shattering at their feet.

Annie gave a startled gasp and hurriedly bent to clean up the pieces. Persais bent down as well only to scoop up a sharp piece and quickly put it to the girls throat, spinning her around to hold her against her chest. Annie cried out and the guard quickly drew his sword to come help the poor girl.

"I dinna wish to hurt you Annie," Persais whispered in her ear. "I need you to go to the corner now. Make a sound or try to flea and I will kill you." Persais pressed the sharpened end tighter into her throat. "Understand?"

The girl nodded and Persais threw her to the side just as the guard made his way to her. The guard raised his sword to intimidate Persais, instead she threw herself at his chest and bit into his ear, causing him to scream and lash out at her.

Persais bit harder and yanked a small piece away with her teeth. The guard dropped his sword, falling to his knees. His hand went to his mutilated ear. Persais jumped off him and picked up his sword.

"Ye stupid bitch!" he screeched.

Persais didn't say a word, instead she brought the sword down in a fast arch and removed his head clean from his shoulders before he even knew what was coming. Annie yelled out at he sight and made a dash for the door. Persais hastily caught her by the arm and brought her back.

Grabbing her by the nape of her neck, Persais applied enough forces to render her unconscious, if only for a few minutes. Tearing at the girls skirts, she removed two long thin sprips. Bundling one up Persais shoved it into the girls mouth and used the other to gag her. Pulling the girls limp body over to her bedside she quickly grabbed a sheet and ripped another longer strip and bound Annie's wrists to he bedpost.

"Sorry Annie," she whispered before securing the knot.

Persais picked back up the guards sword and headed for the open door. She shut it gently and barred it. Hopefully the girl wouldn't make to much noise when she awoke. Persais knew she should have killed her but she just couldn't bring herself to end the young girls life. She was an innocent in all this.

Persais made her way down the stairway with quick silent bounds. melting in with the shadows as to not be seen. Stealth like hers came from years of practice. Some were lucky and seemed to be born with the uncanning ability but not Persais. She had worked damned hard to perfect that skill and she put it to use now as she made her way throughout the keep.

Hearing voices she quickly hid in a small alcove beside the hall, watching as to guards passed. She waited until their footsteps echoed down the hall before continuing on her way. Persais still needed a plan of action. She had escaped her room but making it out of the sleeping keep was another matter. guards would be patrolling on the parapets and the gates would be closed for the night. She didn't have time to search for a bolt hole. She needed to stop Tor and before it was too late. In the very least worn her father of the attack.

Persais stopped in the entrance for the great hall. Many men at arms were sleeping within. Their pallets littered the floor along with a select few who were up playing drinking games by the fire. She needed to get to the kitchens on the other side without waking or alerting the men.

She prayed the four men by the fire's senses were to dulled by drink and they wouldn't notice her making her way through. She couldn't pass as a maid, not with a sword in her hand. She could discard it but that would leave her vulnerable. Persais took deep calming breaths to decide what she should do when two more guards joined the four by the fire, laughing and pouring themelselves a drink.

Damn

Sighing she laid down her sword against the wall and walked with confidant steps to the far tables. She picked up some of the left over cups from the evening meal and made her way to the kitchen entrance. She was no more than a few feet from the door when one of the men signaled her.

"You there! Come here let me look at you."

Persais' heartrate picked up as she tried to remain calm. Masking her unease, she turned and slowly made her way to the fire. She didn't know if they would recognize her. She no longer had her sword but. a fight would be pointless anyway the noise would alert the entire hall of her escape. She had no choice but to comply and hope they let her continue on her way.

"Aye, can I help ye with anything?" she asked making her voice low and softer than usual.

"Aye," he said with a smile. "I think ye can."

Dont forget to vote/Comment! ]