“Aye,” Cain grumbled louder, wondering how he would. There was no rope around and no vines to help. His cloaks and wrappings would have to do. He quickly tore them off then began tying them together to form a rope.
“It willna hold!” Cameron called up when Cain told him what he was doing.
“’Twill hold,” Cain called back confidently. “Ye dinna know the sewin’ skills of Berengaria and Margaret.” He smiled into the white, thinking of Nicky’s mother and dearest friend.
“Tie it around yer waist or wrap it many times around yer wrist. Call to me when ye are ready to come up.”
He prayed it would work while he dug in his heels and braced his weight in the snow. No one in the stronghold would believe he didn’t kill his enemy when he had the chance.
“Ready!” Cameron called.
“God, help us.” Cain tested the weight for a moment and wrapped both his wrists in the fabric and began to pull. He was about twenty breaths in when his muscles began to stiffen and cramp. Still he pulled, grinding his teeth, praying for more time. Just a little more time.
“I think a knot just came undone!” Cameron shouted. He was closer.
No! Do not let him fall this close to safety!
Suddenly, the weight was lifted and the makeshift rope went slack. Cain’s belly sank. Even though Cameron’s apology was given in order to save his life, Cain believed it and thought it was good to hear.
He heard another male voice, and then Cameron’s! The white fog was dissipating. He watched a hooded figure bent over and pulling Cameron up the rest of the way.
“How did ye find us, Son?”
Cameron’s son, Raphael.
“I followed yer voice.”
The one who came out in search of Elysande!
“My daughter!” Cain said from the ground, taking a moment or two to gather his breath and calm his muscles. “Did ye find her?”
“Yer daughter is fine and in good care thanks to Adam, one of yer shepherds. She is restin’ and anxiously awaits word of ye.”
“Restin’ from what?” Cain asked, straightening on his feet.
“I found her lyin’ in the snowdrifts. She was close to death.”
Cain gasped and stepped back. “Take me to her!”
The young Cameron agreed but checked to make sure his father could make the journey.
“Today, ye were given a gift of findin’ folks in a storm,” Cain gave in on the way up the hill and said something Father Timothy would approve of. “Ye arrived just in time to save my daughter and yer father. God is good.”
“Aye, He is,” Raphael replied. “I am verra thankful to have found them both. They are important—”
Cain’s expression suddenly grew dark. “Who is Adam? I dinna have a shepherd by that name.”
Neither one remarked but turned to the silhouette of different sized cottages on the hill and then they ran.
