Highlander's Promise Read Online Free PDF Page B

flew open.
    Cree clenched his hands to stop himself from reaching out and stopping her.
    Dawn did not need to force tears to her eyes, they came easily, having to leave her husband locked away in here. She reached out, not caring who was there only wanting them to believe she was grateful to be free.
    “Stop your crying, you fool. If you had listened to your husband in the first place you would not be in this mess.”
    Cree never felt so grateful as he did now, seeing his wife fall into Old Mary’s arms, and he sent her a message that left no doubt he meant to be obeyed. “Take the crying bitch and keep her. The smell of her rot disgusts me.”
    Old Mary draped a blanket around Dawn and gave her a shove. “Get moving. We leave in the morning.”
    Cree shut his eyes tight and clenched his fists even tighter as the door slammed shut and the key turned in the lock. When he got his hands on his wife he was going to give her a good thrashing. When Old Mary had given her a push, Dawn had held up her hand and two of her fingers were crossed. She was letting him know she would not be separated from him. She was coming back to free him.

Chapter Five
    “Keep going, I’ve had enough of your laziness,” Old Mary said, poking Dawn from behind.
    Dawn kept the blanket tight around her and was glad for Old Mary’s prodding. Hearing her voice, knowing she was there, gave Dawn courage. She hated leaving Cree behind, but knew it was necessary. There had been too many guards and more would have been alerted if Cree had made an attempt to escape.
    Her gesture of joined fingers let him know she would return, though she knew he would not be happy about it. It made no difference to her. She would free her husband whether he thought it dangerous for her to do so or not.
    When they reached the room where the guards were stationed, one stepped out and blocked their path.
    “How about a quick poke before you go?” the guard said his smile revealing rotting teeth.
    “Go on and give him a good poke,” Old Mary said, giving her a shove.
    A foul stench suddenly rose up around Dawn.
    “Let me get her cleaned up first,” Old Mary said, shoving her aside to reveal a putrid fluid where Dawn had stood.
    Dawn cringed while hiding her smile, familiar with the smell of water fouled by decaying fish guts. How Old Mary came by it or knew she would make use of it was something Dawn would not question, though she was forever grateful.
    “Be gone with you,” the guard shouted, gagging at the stench.
    Another guard hurried Old Mary and Dawn along the passageway and practically tossed them out the door.
    Dawn was surprised to see that it was night.
    “Hurry, we do not have much time,” Old Mary urged, pushing Dawn toward the shadows of the nearby trees. She pulled a sack form beneath her tunic and handed it to Dawn. “Hurry into these.” Her voice grew soft. “I saw that Cree was well enough, but what of you? Are you all right?”
    Old Mary had always worried over her and she assured the old woman that she was fine, though anxious to free Cree.
    “A plan is set and we must see it done,” Old Mary whispered.
    Once Dawn was dressed in less foul smelling garments, Old Mary took her arm and walked out of the shadows.
    “My bones ache, lass. Let us return to camp and rest so we can leave by morning,” Old Mary said for those close enough to hear.
    Dawn grew anxious. Old Mary was letting anyone who could hear her know they were leaving tomorrow, which meant she had a solid plan that could very well free Cree.
    When they reached where they were camped, they found that their cart had been ransacked, its contents strewn about. They pretended to be upset, though it mattered little to them. Nothing worth stealing had been left. Dawn had tucked the food pouch beneath the cart and Old Mary had kept her pouch of herbs tied at her waist.
    “We leave at sunrise,” Old Mary said as they tossed the last of the smelly rags back in the cart.
    “Make it the crack