She motioned the way Brielle had gone. “Into the trees.” Attempting to stop these two would be futile, especially when Brielle had already located Levi’s trail. If Audrey appeared to go along with things now, perhaps her penalty would be lessened.
Her insides clenched. What would they do to her for helping the prisoner escape? Physical punishment, like a whipping? The knot in her middle tugged tighter. Would they send her away? She’d been following her conscience in saving an innocent man. Maybe she should have waited and pleaded his case with the council once more. Would God have turned the hearts of the people during the day of fasting and prayer?
I’m sorry if I ran ahead of you, Lord.
But perhaps God’s plan all along had been to use her to free Levi Masters. Why else would she have felt such a strong certainty that he was innocent?
She didn’t know the right course anymore.
The pressure inside made her want to vomit. And part of the turmoil still came from worry for Levi. If Brielle found him and brought him back, this would all be for naught. Shewould have risked her position in the village and, worse yet, Levi’s very life for nothing.
Lord, let him find safety.
Perhaps she should go back into the village, but she couldn’t bring herself to yet. She wasn’t ready to face the disappointment and anger of those she loved. Had Papa awakened and been told what had happened? She could imagine Chief Durand pounding on the door until her father rose, then the two of them discussing the matter, serious concern on the chief’s face and pain wreathing her father’s.
The knot in her middle pulled even tighter, if that were possible. She wrapped her arms around herself and began to pace.
Levi sprinted through the trees, ducking under branches and doing his best to avoid patches of snow or mud where his tracks would be obvious. They would be able to follow him if they slowed down to focus on finding his trail, but Lord willing, he would be tucked in that cave by then. If he found the place.
Lord, let me find it. Don’t let this be my demise.
He never would have run if the opportunity hadn’t practically forced itself on him. Perhaps he should have said no. Waited for God to work on his behalf among the council. But when Miss Moreau had sliced through his bindings and motioned for him to follow her, it had seemed like a miracle only God could orchestrate. Like in the book of Acts when God sent an angel to lead the Apostle Peter out of prison. Miss Moreau had looked like an angel from thatvery first time he saw her. Maybe God truly had sent her to free him.
If so, Lord, help me to keep from being recaptured.
Brighter light shone through the trees ahead, which meant he was nearing the edge of the woods. He slowed as an open stretch of snow spread before him. He couldn’t travel across that without leaving obvious prints. Beyond the flat stretch rose the first of the mountains Miss Moreau had described. He could just see a second peak beyond it. That would be the one with the cave on the eastern side.
His gaze swept back to the tree line, first to his right, then to his left. Maybe if he followed the edge of the woods for a while, he could get closer to the mountains. Perhaps even find a place where the snow had melted, and he would have a better chance of getting across to the rocky peak. From there, he should be able to find a path over the stones and avoid snow-covered areas.
Aiming left, he moved back into a jog, picking his way carefully and ducking low to avoid the branches.
Was that the sound of footsteps tromping through the woods behind him? With his heart pounding so loud in his ears and his own feet heavy beneath him, he couldn’t be certain. He didn’t dare slow enough to look back.
The line of evergreens seemed to be curving away from the mountain. He might have to simply charge across the snowy expanse and count on the rock-covered cliff beyond to hide his tracks.
There appeared to be some kind of dip in the open land ahead, and as he neared, the indentation turned out to be a barely trickling creek running from the mountain to the trees. This might be exactly what he’d been looking for.
The small stream of water wove through puffy sections of snow on either side. If he ran through the liquid, he would leave no mark that he’d been there. But the thick leather of his boots wouldn’t hold up against so much moisture. His feet would be sodden by the time he reached the mountain. He could go a while longer with wet boots, but not too far or frostbite would take over.
Once he got up on the rocks, he could strip off his tunic and undershirt and wrap his feet in them. This thick fur coat would keep his upper body warm.
Armed with that plan, he sprinted the last stretch to where the creek met the woods, then charged into the water. In some sections, the tiny stream barely spread wider than his foot, but he was careful not to bump against the snow on the sides of the bank.
His feet burned as water soaked through the leather, then seeped into his wool stockings. It didn’t take long before his feet grew numb.
He allowed himself to look back at the trees once. No one appeared there. He tried to hunker low as he ran, but he would be seen if anybody looked. Finally, he neared the rocky base of the cliff. He might make the escape yet.
As he reached the first few knee-high stones that signaled the base of the mountain, his numb feet had grown so heavy he was beginning to stumble.Give me strength, Lord.
Using his hands, he climbed up on the rocks. The mountain didn’t rise very steeply, but with his feet so frozen, he would be more surefooted if he kept going on hands and feet. Tiny streams of water ran down the slope from several directions to form the creek he’d been walking in. He followedone up the slope, so his wet boot tracks weren’t so obvious on dry rock.
As he maneuvered, he finally had to leave that line of damp rock to veer around the east side of the mountain. He needed to reach that second peak. Only then could he find safety.
A shout sounded in the distance. A man’s voice echoed across the open space.
Levi spared only a quick glance over his shoulder, enough to see at least two figures standing at the edge of the woods. One began sprinting toward him, and the other leapt forward to follow.
He refocused his efforts on maneuvering around the mountain. He’d already traveled a quarter of the way around and at least a third of the distance up. He shouldn’t go any farther up, as he’d just have to go down again on the other slope. But if he could put the mountain between him and his pursuers...
