Moving along the fringe of the treeline, he worked his way down until he was across from the second story window at the back of the house. No trellis rose along the side of the house as had been the case near Rupert’s room. Bart figured he could make the climb up to the window, but Freya would never be able to leave the manor that way. There was nothing for it, if they wanted to bring Freya out they would have to enter the manor. Which would mean getting past the two guards patrolling the grounds.
Bart remained hidden in the trees across from the window while he contemplated what they should do. Then suddenly, a silhouette appeared from within the room. It was definitely feminine in nature. Don’t worry Freya, he said to himself. We’ll get you out of there. As a plan formed, he began making his way back to where the others waited.
“She’s in there,” he told Riyan after rejoining them.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
Bart nodded. “There’s a woman in the room the soldiers said she would be in,” he explained. “I think I’ve got a way for us to get in.” Glancing to Kevik, he grinned and said, “Are you up for a little magic?”
“I should be back in Wardean with a comely wench instead of in this godforsaken, backwater village,” Armsman Shlem grumbled to himself. “Why Captain Glaver had to bring us here, at this time of year…?” Shlem liked the comforts of life, that’s why he had originally volunteered for Captain Glaver’s company. The rumor was that his men were given bonuses from time to time and rarely saw combat, which suited him just fine.
Turning the corner yet again, he began making his way toward the back of the manor. Laughter coming from within only worsened his mood. He was thinking rather dark thoughts of those within the house when he reached the back of the house and saw Armsman Cail halfway to the edge of the woods.
“Hey!” Shlem cried. He saw Cail pause and wave him over. Anything to alleviate the boredom of walking post, he quickly rushed to his side. “What is it?” he asked upon reaching Cail.
Cail turned back toward the woods and pointed. “A wisp,” he said.
“A what?” Shlem asked. Turning to look where Cail was pointing, he saw a glowing light moving about erratically.
“It’s a wisp,” repeated Cail. “They’re known to inhabit woods and mountains.”
Shlem was intrigued by this new development. “Is it possible to catch one?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” admitted Cail. “I’ve never seen one before.”
“Then how do you know it is a wisp?” Shlem asked.
“I’ve heard of them,” he replied. “I’m going to try and catch it.” Cail looked to Shlem to see if he’d object. Being on guard duty and all, they really shouldn’t leave their posts.
Boredom won out and Shlem nodded. “I’ll come with you,” he said. “Let’s make it fast.”
Cail nodded and they both began moving toward the ‘wisp’ in the woods.
“Kind of a quiet creature isn’t it?” asked Shlem.
“So I’ve heard,” he replied.
The ‘wisp’ seemed to be moving deeper into the woods as they reached the treeline. “Get it!” cried Shlem. “It’s getting away.” Rushing forward, he and Cail quickly moved through the trees in pursuit. Then, the ‘wisp’ disappeared.
“What…” began Cail when men jumped them from the shadows. He saw Shlem struck in the head and go down. Turning to flee, he felt a blunt object strike the back of his head and the lights went out.
“Tie them up,” said Bart. “They should be out for awhile.”
As the twins bound the soldiers, Bart gazed back to the manor. Kevik came to stand beside him. “A wisp,” he said with a grin. He had seen a real wisp once during a trip with his late master, and it hadn’t looked anything like his bobbing light.
“It worked didn’t it,” replied Bart.
“That it did,” Kevik agreed.
The rear of the house was darker than the front. Only one window on the ground floor held light, the others were dark. Still no other soldiers had yet made an appearance.
Coming up behind Bart, Seth said, “It’s done.”
Bart nodded. Taking one more look about the area he found it remained clear. “Let’s go,” he said. Moving out with the others following close behind, he crossed the open space to the back door. Once there, he again paused to make sure their presence remained undetected, then placed his hand on the door handle. Before opening it, he laid his ear against the wood of the door to listen. Not hearing anything, he cracked the door open.
Light immediately poured out, revealing them to anyone who might be looking. On the other side of the door was the kitchen. A servant was stacking bread and meats together on a tray. At the moment, he was unaware of being watched.
Bart drew his knife then pushed the door open a little further to make sure he was the only one in the room. As the door opened, the hinges creaked which drew the man’s attention toward the door. Before he had time to realize what was happening, Bart bolted through the door.
Nothing more than a gasp escaped the man before Bart had hold of him, the point of his knife held menacingly close to his throat. “Quiet,” Bart cautioned him. When the man nodded, Bart moved the knife a little bit away from his throat. “Riyan,” he said and indicated the door leading further into the house.
Riyan crossed the room and was at the door in a flash. Pushing it open a crack, he peered through. “It’s clear,” he said as he kept watch through the door.
“Okay,” Bart said, returning his attention to the servant. “How many are in the house?”
“There’s…” he began when from the door Riyan said, “Someone’s coming.”
“Shhh!” Bart said to the servant.
Riyan took another look through the crack then let the door close. Turning back to Chad, he said, “It’s Girg.” Girg was one of Rupert’s three cronies, and had caused Riyan and Chad no small amount of misery over the years. If he was here, then Rupert had to be too.
“Good,” Chad said as he came to stand before the door. “I’ve been waiting for this.”
Riyan stepped back just as the door opened and Girg stepped through. His eyes widened in shock when he saw who it was standing before him.
“Hi Girg,” Chad said then struck him as hard as he could in the stomach. As Girg doubled over, Chad brought his knee up hard and crushed his nose. Blood sprayed as his head was propelled back upward again. Grabbing hold of Girg’s shirt, Chad yanked him forcefully into the kitchen.
Blood gushed from Girg’s nose as the force of being yanked by Chad threw him hard into the table. Stumbling off balance, the table’s edge caught him in the sternum. For a brief moment, his upper torso laid across the table before it was dragged off when his lower body sank to the floor. Coming to rest, Girg didn’t move.
Soth went and knelt beside him. “Hit him kind of hard didn’t you?” he asked. Checking him, he turned to Chad and said, “He’s alive.”
“Too bad,” Chad said. Years of torment and harassment by Girg and the other two cronies of Rupert didn’t leave him with any room for remorse.
Riyan checked the other side of the door again and announced the coast was clear.
“Good,” Bart said, returning his attention to the servant. “Now, you were saying?” But the servant’s eyes were rolled up in the back of his head. He had passed out. “Great,” Bart said as he let the man drop to the floor.
“The stairs leading up aren’t too far away,” Riyan said. “We should find Freya and get out of here fast.” Glancing to the bloody mess that was the table and Girg, he knew that if someone should come in here, things would become complicated.
“Alright,” said Bart. “We’ll keep an eye on down here. You and Chad go get her.” When a surprise look came to Riyan at Bart not coming, he said, “She’s your lady faire.”
Riyan nodded. “We’ll be but a minute,” he said.
“Don’t take any longer than that,” advised Chyfe.