The big hanging light shattered stone and torchlight into a thousand rotating shadows, as smoke and sparks showered down. Blades clashing with soldiers who rushed to escape the collapsing wreckage, William pushed Catherine behind him. The hall was filled with the roar of collapsing timber and the choking dust.
As Catherine's breath caught in her lungs, her silver hair fell across her face. William touched her back with his hand. His voice was raw as he snarled, "Stay close."
They swerved among soldiers scrambling over splintered stone, darting past toppled tables and broken benches. William felt his heart thumping like drums of war. They were getting closer to peril with each step, yet he felt powerless to halt. He couldn't let her go.
They spilled out into a short corridor illuminated by flickering lamps as a side door opened. Catherine's face was white as she held him. Behind them, a soldier's scream was heard, but it was cut off abruptly. William raised his blade in response to the sound, but Catherine held onto his arm. "No," she said in a whisper. "We must continue to move."
He wrenched his eyes from the dead soldier and fixed them on hers. "We're still not safe." With each step resonating in the chilly stone, he led her down the hallway.
After turning a corner, they entered a tiny room with tapestries lining the walls. The floor was covered in deep shadows as the hall's firelight flickered through the broken entryway. William stretched out and grabbed Catherine's arm as she stumbled. "Are you okay?" he inquired.
Her breathing was irregular as she shook her head. "I—I believe so."
He brushed her cheek with dust. "Come on." He guided her to a different door.
Catherine's mouth was abruptly covered by a hard hand. William spun around, slicing through the torchlight with his blade.
One of Russell's soldiers who had not run away stumbled forward. Soot and blood coated his steel armor. He had wild eyes.
The soldier pushed Catherine against the wall as William attacked. He growled, putting his forearm to her throat, "Silence, boy." Catherine's eyes expanded, her gaze combining anguish and panic.
"Give her up!" William's voice faltered as his rage flared. He brought his sword up.
The soldier gave a hollow, bitter laugh. Catherine was knocked to her knees by his forceful shove. William was about to lunge, but the man stopped him with a quick strike to the chest. William staggered with a scorching chest.
The soldier loomed over Catherine after releasing her throat. Her garment snagged on a nail in the floor as she attempted to crawl away. The soldier loomed over her, shadowing her with his bulk as she fell, knees scratching hard stone.
William's eyes grew strained. He made himself think. This could not continue. After swallowing forcefully, he lunged. "Avoid her!"
The soldier's face contorted as he spun around. He tightened his hold on Catherine's arm. "I own her," he snarled. "What he desires is taken by the king's man."
William cut through the air with his blade. Sparks flew as steel and steel collided as the soldier blocked with his sword. William was almost pushed back by the power. Around the hilt, his knuckles turned white.
Catherine's pallid face was marked with panic as she struggled to her feet. "Will, stop him!" she screamed in a raspy voice.
William launched his assault, his blows tinged with anger. William's shoulder was nicked by the soldier's blow, and the pain flared. William pressed his blade beneath the soldier's guard, shook it off, and breathed sharply. Catherine was freed when the man staggered back. She shook and fell against the wall.
The soldier attacked and yelled once more, but William fought back. Every conflict rang in William's ears. After deflecting a thrust, he turned and stabbed the soldier in the thigh. As crimson blossomed on his leggings, the man yowled and fell on one knee.
The stone floor was splattered with blood. The soldier's eyes were blazing with malice as he glared at William. He lifted his sword to make one last cut. William gripped harder, preparing to strike. The soldier's blow was deflected, and William's forearm was cut shallowly but deeply enough to cause him to shudder. William staggered and tasted iron.
Catherine let out a cry and sprang forward to drag the soldier away, but he dismissed her like a towel. Her head snapped back with a terrible crack as she struck the wall. William was devastated. With a shout, he charged forward and stabbed the soldier in the chest. The man collapsed over Catherine, his mouth mute in amazement and his eyes wide.
William retreated, his heart racing. With trembling hands, he wiped his blade on the soldier's tunic. He gazed at Catherine, who was slouched on the ground with her eyes closed and her face bruised. Fear and guilt swept over him.
He knelt down and carefully lifted Catherine. Her eyes glazed with anxiety and fluttered open. She shuddered in his presence. William prayed she wasn't broken as he held her close.
He kissed her hair and said, "You're safe now." "I sincerely apologize."
Her cheeks were wet with tears. Her voice cracked as she said, "I knew they'd come." "I attempted to combat him, but—"
William touched her injured face with his hand. "You're secure. I promise.
She took a rough breath. "Agreement?"
He looked at her. "Make a commitment."
Her body trembled, but her tears stopped. William got up and carried her out of the room, bringing her into his arms. There was an uncanny silence in the hallway beyond. There was only one torch flickering.
William's thoughts whirled. At any time, Westham soldiers might swarm. He had to get her out of danger. With Catherine's head resting on his chest, he staggered forward.
As they rounded a bend, they almost ran into Bruce, who was sprinting in their direction with his sword out. When he saw Catherine's face damaged, his eyes widened. "Good gods, Will—" William gently placed Catherine down. "He attempted to capture her." On the spot where the soldier was dead, he spat. "I took his life."
Bruce gazed at William, feeling both proud and anxious. "We must relocate," he whispered quietly. "The noise will be heard by soldiers."
With a nod, William pulled Catherine back to her feet. "She has trouble walking."
After Bruce steadied Catherine, they started down the twisting hallway. Each step reverberated, lingering in the musty atmosphere. William's legs ached from carrying her weight. In ragged loops, his mind reenacted the assault. Catherine's appeal and the soldier's cries continued to reverberate in his chest. He could still taste the sharp tang of blood and terror.
They reached a tiny, spiral staircase made of granite that led downhill. First to descend was Bruce, followed by William, with Catherine resting heavily on him. Where William had been grazed by the soldier's weapon, his arm was scorched. Ignoring it, he concentrated on each step.
At the bottom they came to a massive wooden door with blackened iron rings. Bruce opened it. There was a tiny cellar beyond, with rotting crates, dirty barrels, and a single flickering lantern. On the far side is another door.
After pushing Catherine inside, he shut the first door. The lock swung. They were engulfed in darkness, only illuminated by the dim glow of the candle.
Sitting on an ancient barrel was Catherine. William examined her bruises while kneeling in front of her. Her cheek was swelled and her lip was cut. He examined her arm carefully; there were no fractures, but there would be scars for weeks.
He stroked her wounds, and she winced. Her voice trembled as she murmured, "I'm okay."
He used his cloak to wipe away her tears. "Shhh. Simply take a nap.
Bruce listened for footsteps upstairs as he stood near the door. He responded, "They'll be coming." "We don't have many minutes."
William gave a headshake. "No. She remains here. His hand touched Bruce's shoulder. "Tell them about William—take me up." At morning, Moses waits in the courtyard. The heir is back.
Bruce glanced across at Catherine. "Are you certain?"
William looked him in the eye. "Make me a promise, Bruce. No covert operations. No bargains.
Bruce took a step forward, his voice low. "You want me to put my life in danger by telling a lie?"
William gave a nod. Give them the information they desire. Give me time so I can relocate her to a secure location.
Bruce tightened his jaw. Once, in grief and reverence, he bowed. "I'll carry it out."
William heard Bruce carefully close the door after slipping away. Tall shadows were created against the stone walls as the lamp flickered. William encircled Catherine with his arms and pulled her in.
"I ought to have kept you safe," he said.
She put her cheek against his chest. "You did. I was saved by you.
He let her words wash over him and closed his eyes. But there was just one idea racing through his mind: Westham would arrive. They refused to halt. Not until Tazan's entire soul was ripped apart.
He kissed her forehead and tipped her chin up. "We must depart. Look for our own folks. Alert them.
With resolute gaze despite the anguish, she nodded. "I will live for you."
He gently cupped her face. "Always."
Together, they got up and moved in the direction of the second door. William held onto the handle.
There was a loud crack behind them. The lantern died after wildly flickering. The room was engulfed in darkness.
William froze, all senses sharpened. His heart pounding, he reached for his sword. Catherine let out a whine.
A silence descended from the darkness. Then the gentle sound of boots hitting stone.
William's breathing became labored. He sensed the movement more than he heard it—something moving silently across the floor and closing in.
He tightened his grip on his sword. "Remain behind me," he muttered.
Catherine gripped his cloak and nodded.
Out of the shadows came a figure—a youngster, perhaps 10 years old, gaunt as a ghost, clothed in rags. He had a little knife in his hand and big eyes. His face was a battle between defiance and fear as he glanced from William to Catherine.
The child stutteringly said, "We... we don't want trouble." "Just food."
William's chest grew constricted. "Who sent you?"
The child gave a vigorous shake of his head. "No one. I'm just hungry.
Catherine spoke softly as she moved ahead. "We can have bread together. However, you must move aside.
The boy glanced at the door that was closed. William had the feeling that the guards were just outside. They'd break in in another second.
Catherine replied softly, "Go." "Prior to them discovering you."
The boy's eyes filled with tears. After using the back of his sleeve to wipe them, he turned to run.
With a harsh gasp, William lowered his sword. "Take caution."
The youngster vanished down the dim hallway. Unaware that he was holding a breath, William released it.
Then, out of nowhere, the door behind them shook. Thunderclaps of heavy knocking.
Through the wood, a guard's voice called, "The dawn escort has arrived." "Come out, William Moses, and give up."
William's heart was racing. He and Catherine looked at each other. She touched his arm with her hand.
He took a deep breath and moved to the door. "Catherine," he muttered to her. "Remain here. Regardless.
With steely eyes, she nodded.
William opened the door with a yank. The chilly, pale morning sun poured in. Four armored guards stood on either side of Robert Bruce. Like threats, their swords glinted.
"Your word," Bruce muttered. "You said you would."
With a pounding heart, William slowly lifted his hands. "I held onto it."
Bruce looked into his eyes. "This could be a trap—"
"It isn't," stated William. He pointed to the security personnel behind Bruce. "Give us up."
Swords faltering, the guards paused. Then one moved forward, bringing his blade down. The others went after them.
Catherine was led by William to the door. Her bruises caused the two guards to gasp.
One extended a hand. "Someone has hurt you."
William gave him a chilly stare. "We have to go."
Bruce glanced across at Catherine. "I will fulfill my commitment."
William took a swallow. "I'm grateful." He looked out into the world.
Catherine faltered. With his heart in his throat, William grabbed her. She looked into his eyes, love and sadness blending together. She muttered, "We'll be free."
William gave a nod. "Quickly."
The light gleamed off the armor and stone as they emerged into the courtyard. Overhead, birds cawed, unconcerned. The smell of burning wafted across the air on a chilly wind.
At one point, William glanced back at the door where they had been. Inside, the torches had been devoured by flames. All of the decisions he had previously made and would soon make weighed heavily on him.
Bruce remained silent and vigilant at the gate. William walked past the guards and into the unknown while holding Catherine's hand.
Bruce lifted his sword as they disappeared over the hill. A small prayer moved across his lips.
The world they had just escaped was locked away in dust and blood as the courtyard gates behind him slammed shut.
Even though they left the castle, they are constantly plagued by memories of that room. Additionally, Westham is still hunting William and Catherine, as evidenced by the sound of an assassin's blade somewhere in the night.