"So I see." He tried one key after another, eventually finding the one that undid the manacles holding the Highlanders in place.
The noise of clanking chains at last woke the guard and he came storming in, sword held out in front of him.
"Who are you?" he asked, snarling at Lennox. "Assisting in an escape?"
"I am Robert de Ros's new Captain of the Guard, and I am moving these prisoners. You will help me unlock them, or I will have you bound in their place. Move man, get on with it."
The guard fumbled for his keys, unlocking one manacle after another while muttering an apology. Lennox smiled. There was something to be said for Rose's techniques after all.
When all the men were released, he nodded to the guard. "You will be rewarded for your efforts. Come see me in the keep in the morning."
Leaving the flustered guard behind, he led the men outside, walking toward the gate which was held open while Rose talked to the overweight guard beside it.
"Robert de Ros thanks you for your kindness," Lennox said, bowing as he passed the guard.
"God be with you," the guard muttered in response, unable to tear his eyes from Rose.
"Farewell," Rose said, blowing the guard a kiss.
"See you soon," the guard replied. "I hope."
Lennox resisted the urge to punch the guard, keeping his fist wrapped around the staff as they left the priory grounds.
When they were clear of the priory by some distance Lennox began to relax, gathering the prisoners and his men around him at a crossroads. "Philip, get these poor men on the horses until you can find a cart and then get them north with you. They need food and warmth quickly. I will continue south with Rose."
"We should come with you," David said.
"These men need you far more than I. Travel north and look after them well."
"You walk a dangerous path going south alone," David replied.
"If God wills us to meet again, we will."
"Thank you," one of the prisoners said, catching Lennox’s sleeve. "The rat left us to rot in there."
Another prisoner coughed before speaking. "He caught us while we were hunting. Promised us he would not imprison us but then threw us in the dungeon when we refused to join his army."
"You are safe now," Lennox replied. He turned to face Rose. "Come, we must go."
"Farewell," Rose said to the group before joining Lennox on the back of his horse.
"What now?" she asked him as they headed away from the others.
"Now we take the staff to the stone circle and get you home."
9
Rose sat on the back of the horse, feeling more than seeing the miles fall away as they headed south, the morning bringing a thick fog that chilled her to the bone.
As the day wore on, her legs ached more and more, competing with her lower back for which part of her body hurt the most.
She didn't dare ask to stop and rest, feeling the sense of urgency radiating off Lennox. The longer they rode, the more that sense grew.
What did it say about him that he had chosen to remain with her? He had taken a massive risk in just the first step, retrieving the staff from Tynemouth.
He could have ended up in the dungeon with the other Highlanders, trapped down there in rags, left to starve to death by Robert de Ros who seemed to care nothing for the fate of those he had imprisoned.
"I should thank you," he said as they approached a wooden bridge in the distance.
