Page 74 of Highland Flame

“A nun is goin’ to help us?” asked Gavin in surprise. “I dinna like this.”

“Yvaine, I hope ye didna tell her anythin’,” said Cam.

“She’ll run right back to the monk and report everythin’,” agreed North.

Yvaine had doubts as well, but decided she needed to trust Sister Edna. “I believe she is genuine and feels bad that the girl is gone. I think she will really help us.”

“What if she is lyin’?” asked Cam.

“Nuns dinna lie.” Yvaine tried to reposition herself in bed. Cam quickly jumped up to help her, and to fluff her pillows. “It’s the chance we’re goin’ to have to take. That is, unless one of ye kens the way through the catacombs in the dark.”

“The catacombs? What are ye sayin’?” asked Nash.

“I’m sayin’, we – ye can sneak out tonight through the catacombs. Lady Calliope, Lord Rook’s wife, told me that they lead underground all the way to Naward in one direction. In the other, they go all the way back to Hermitage Castle.”

“What?” Gavin made a face. “The tunnels lead back to Hermitage? Across the border? That far?”

“I guess so,” said Yvaine. “Lady Calliope kens them like the back of her hand.”

“I’d rather take a horse, thank ye,” muttered Nash.

“That’s all fine and guid,” said North. “But Lady Calliope isna here to help us.”

“Nay, and that is why I asked Sister Edna to join us,” Yvaine explained. “I am guessin’ that since she’s been here so many years that she at least can lead ye through the tunnels back to Naward to find Avianca.”

“I dinna ken about this,” said Nash. “The whole thing sounds . . . dangerous and unbelievable that we even think we can pull it off.” He captured North’s pawn.

“Aye,” agreed Gavin. “What makes ye think we’ll even be able to find the girl once we get there?”

“My brathair left her with peasants of Naward that live in the village. They are the Woods family. I’m sure Sister Edna will ken them.”

“Mayhap there’s another way,” said Davita. “I mean . . . it will be dark in the tunnels . . . and scary.”

“Ye’ll stay here to tend to Yvaine,” Gavin told his wife. “I dinna want ye in the catacombs at night.”

“I willna object,” said Davita, looking very relieved.

“I still dinna agree with this plan,” said Nash.

“Then stay here if ye want, but I will be goin’ to find my daughter.” Cam jumped up, looking like he was ready to leave.

“What will we do with her when we get her here?” asked North. He moved his bishop and captured Nash’s queen.

“Damn,” spat Nash under his breath.

“He does have a point,” agreed Davita. “As soon as Brathair Gillies finds out what we’ve done, he’ll be takin’ the girl right back to Naward.”

“Over my dead body,” spat Cam.

“Well, since I’m here instead of spendin’ time back at Hermitage Castle with my new wife like I should be, I guess I’ll help ye,” said Gavin with a shrug.

“I willna let ye down, Cam. I will go, too.” North got to his feet.

They all looked over to Nash.

“What?” asked Nash, looking up, his hand wavering above his chess pieces. “Oh, all right.” He got to his feet as well. “I suppose fightin’ off rats in the catacombs at night is still better than all the chores the crazy monk has been makin’ us do.”

“Then it’s settled,” said Yvaine, feeling confident. “Tonight, we put the plan into action, and by mornin’, Avianca will be back with us for guid.”

They heard a small scratching noise from the vents that led to the catacombs.

“What was that?” asked Gavin, looking toward the door.

“Probably rats,” complained Nash. “Get used to it. These tunnels are goin’ to be filled with rats, and they’re all goin’ to be hungry for a little human flesh.”