The Winter Queen of Havenshire

Chapter 11: ESCAPE

Corban woke in the cold, dark dungeon. His head pounded from the blow. How many more hits on the head would he have to take before he learned his lesson?

He had one thought on his mind. Escape.

He looked around but could see nothing. No light came into his cell. He felt around his body for his sword. It was gone.

Corban rolled onto his knees and crawled around through the darkness. He did what he needed to do and found a wall. He pulled himself up to his feet. He stretched his muscles and then leaned against the wall. He closed his eyes and waited.

The door creaked open. General Thrushbeard entered carrying a torch. He looked around until he saw Corban.

"Come with me if you want to live.'

Corban opened his eyes and glared at the man. His face was cleanly shaven. It took him a moment to recognize General Thrushbeard Cole.

"Why should I trust you, General? I am in here because of you."

"I don't have time to waist. The timetable has been pushed up. Captain Tearlach will soon be informed of our escape. Trust me or die here."

"I'm not going anywhere without my sword."

General Thrushbeard tossed a sheath sword hanging from a leather belt. "Catch."

Corban caught the sword. He unsheathed it to see his blade. He smiled and made his way to the door.

He exited the dungeon. To his left was a dead guard. "Was that necessary?"

"He like you overheard my conversation with Feroce. He knew too much to be allowed to live. You'd best keep quiet about what you heard."

Corban smiled at him. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Good! We have an understanding. Follow me. The others are waiting for us at the stables."

"Wait there's a horse big enough for the Hammer."

"Yes, they are called shires. They are large black or grey creatures. Some grow to be taller than seven feet. They are strong. Our stables have a few. We'll be taking all of them."

Corban tried to picture the Hammer on a horse and couldn't stop himself from laughing. He muffled the sound with his hand. It was better to get it out now before he actually saw it.

They made their way up the stone steps. Each step was taken lightly for fear the sound of the echo from the stair way might waken another guard. They exited the dungeons and entered the city square.

The dungeon was not part of the keep. Corban found it odd but was happier to be free at least for the moment.

The night air chilled Corban. He looked to the general who seem to ignore the elements. Two could play at that, but he would need a cloak before they left the castle.

Corban followed the general who took little mind to his surrounding which made it difficult for Corban to get a lay of the castle. He had no plans of staying but you never knew when such information could be useful.

They reached the stable. The base was made of stone while the roof was made of wood. The general pulled the stable door open.

Over twenty horses were saddled and ready to leave including the giant shires that the general talked about. The Hammer sat astride his horse on the forefront. Corban wanted to laugh but knew from the look on the Hammer's face that that would be a bad idea.

"You're late," Ferine said as she walked up to them.

Rojier followed.

"It's my plan," the General said. "We're good on time."

"She's not kidding," Rojier whispered. "You missed the funniest thing. The Hammer mounting a horse."

Corban tilted his head. His gaze was on the Hammer. He shook his head at Rojier.

"You're no fun, Corban."

"I just don't want to feel the Hammer's wrath."

"Good point."

"Here take this," Ferine said. She handed him a bearskin cloak. "The further north we ride, the more you will need it."

"Thank you," Corban said. "It's going to be impossible for us to leave this castle quietly with all these horses."

"All we need is the gate open and the drawbridge down, and we will all be fine,'" General Thrushbeard said.

"So who is taking care of that?" Corban said.

"This is the problem of you not staying with the group," Ferine said. "We have to repeat everything to you. The Crow and the twins should be getting there right now. Mount up!"

Corban walked past the Hammer. "Don't worry too much. The horse should know what it is doing."

The Hammer forced a grin and nodded.

Most of the horses carried supplies. Corban chose a chestnut Arabian horse. He put his cloak and mounted his horse. "Lead the way."

The Crow motioned for the twins to go. Jay and Jean ran to the stone curtain wall. The Crow shot an arrow with a rope tied to it. It lodged in a piece of wood.

Jay climbed it first. Quickly followed by Jean. They reached the top and climbed over the ledge. They made their way toward the gatehouse.

Crow exhaled. He loosed arrow after arrow killing any guard that could see the twins. He ran to get closer to the gate house.

Jay knelt by the lock door. He pulled out his small metal needles and put them in the key hole. He twisted them inside the locking mechanism.

Click.

Jay motioned for Jean to follow. They entered and made their way to the drawbridge lever. Jay motioned for Jean to find the lever for the portcullis.

Jean moved quietly from room to room. The snores of the gatekeeper filled the house. She stopped. There was still a lit candle. What a waste.

She made her way to other end. The portcullis had not been lowered. Odd.

A thick layered rope tied to a long wooden latch was all that held the gate open. She had an idea. She walked back to the candle and grabbed it. She placed it under the rope. The rope slowly burned.

She rose and went back to her brother. "I don't know how long we have," she whispered. "But we had better leave sooner rather than later."

Jay nodded. He pushed down the lever. The wood spoked wheel turned lowering the drawbridge.

The twins exited the gatehouse and made their way down the rope. The Crow greeted them on the ground. He motioned for them to make their way toward the drawbridge.

General Thrushbeard waited with three horses as the others crossed the bridge. Without a word, Crow mounted his horse and spurred him forward. The twins mounted theirs.

"How long before the portcullis comes crashing down?" General Thrushbeard said.

Jay looked to Jean. Jean shrugged her shoulders. "Any moment now?"

"That's not very comforting."

Horns blared throughout the castle. Soldiers and guards stirred.

"Someone has sounded the alarm," General Thrushbeard said. "Time to go."

"Which way?" Jay asked.

"North, always north!" he answered.