If only he had something to wrap around them that wouldn’t require removing clothing. The satchel of food seemed the only possibility. Made of leather, it might at least help keep in any warmth his icy feet created.
He fumbled with the opening, then lifted first one foot inside, then the other. He did his best to close the bag around his trousers. The effort seemed so paltry, but exhaustion pressed harder than he could withstand. He slumped closer to the boulder. His vision had grown completely black, maybe because his eyes wouldn’t stay open. He could no longer hear the sound of voices.
He could hear ... nothing.
8
Audrey paced by the gate, her coat pulled tight around her against the cold, hands fisted in her pockets. She would have to go inside the wall soon, but the sounds of village life increased her dread. What had she done? Why had she thought helping the prisoner escape was the right choice?
Brielle would find Levi and drag him back. Then the council would punish her and him both. What a foolish choice she’d made.
How much longer would it take Brielle and the men to return? They’d been gone at least an hour so far. Did Audrey dare stay out here and wait more? No matter what lay in store for her back in the village, returning alongside Brielle didn’t intimidate her as much as returning by herself. Though Brielle would be as angry as a prodded mother bear, they’d been like sisters as far back as she could remember. She desperately needed a friend right now, even one furious with her.
She spun and paced back the other direction. Her tracks made a muddy mess of the snow out here. Surely whoever manned the gatehouse watched her. But as long as they left her alone, so be it.
Maybe she should have gone with Levi. She could have showed him the cave instead of letting him waste precious time searching for it. And she wouldn’t have to endure the disappointment of all those she loved.
The weight on her chest pressed even harder. How could she face this?
The crackle of footsteps on leaves sounded, and she spun to scan the woods where Brielle last disappeared.
Her friend emerged from the trees, expression grim, her bow in hand. Evan strode just behind her, and Leonard brought up the rear. Where was Levi?
Her heart leapt in her chest. Maybe they hadn’t caught him. But how could he have slipped away? Brielle was a master at tracking.
Audrey stepped toward them, then paused as she did her best to read what had happened on her friend’s face. She looked angry, as would be expected. Frustrated.
Brielle finally glanced at her. “I hit him with an arrow, then we lost him. I’m getting more men and supplies for a full hunt.”
As the three filed by her and proceeded through the gate, Audrey fell into step behind them. Her belly clenched with the thought of men spreading out for an expansive search. They would find him, surely.
And if Brielle had hit him with an arrow, he must be injured. How badly?
A new thought plunged through her. Brielle’s arrow tips ... she dipped them in a sleeping tonic Audrey had created. They’d mixed the substance so the prey she shot wouldn’t wander away before she could catch up to it, and Evan was the only human who’d ever been pierced by the tonic-covered arrowhead. He’d slept for half an hour, then awakened groggy.
Was Levi lying out there asleep somewhere?Lord, let him wake up and get to safety before all the men begin searching.
When they’d trekked halfway across the courtyard, the door to the Durand family’s apartment opened. Chief Durand stood in the opening, silent and watchful as they approached.
Brielle stopped in front of her father and spoke the same terse sentences she’d said to Audrey minutes before. The chief nodded and stepped back, allowing them entrance.
His gaze locked on Audrey as she brought up the rear of their group. She attempted a weak smile for him, doing her best to show her apology in her gaze.
“I wish to speak with you, Audrey, once the searchers have gone out.” Though his voice stayed low and gentle, the burn of tears rose to her eyes. How much did he know? He couldn’t yet be aware of everything she’d done, but he probably knew enough to realize she should be questioned.
She nodded, and they both shifted their attention to the people swarming Brielle, Evan, and Leonard.
Brielle took charge immediately, calling for every able-bodied man to take part in the search. She instructed which weapons and gear each should bring, then told them to meet her in the courtyard in a quarter hour.
As the group disseminated, Audrey craved the security and quiet of her own chamber next door. She slipped forward and murmured as she passed Brielle, “I’ll prepare food to send with you all.”
Her friend didn’t stop her, but the weight of Brielle’s gaze pressed heavily as Audrey stepped out the rear door.
She’d seen her father among those in the Durand home, so it didn’t surprise her that he was also gathering weapons when she stepped into their quarters.
He glanced at her as she shut the door but kept at his work, so she strode across to her food supplies. Collecting three different satchels, she stuffed them with baked goods and dried meats. The act reminded her too much of the bag she’d packed for Levi that morning.
If the men of Laurent found him, what would they do to him? Brielle had already shot him once, which told her they might not hesitate to do something more drastic to stop him.
