"What is your devious little mind cooked up?" Borit asked with a hint of amusement.

Sage beckoned him toward her with her index finger, then leaned so close that her lips brushed the man's ear. "What if I told you…"

The kitchen guard ran back into. "Captain," he yelled anxiously. "The other two ladies…they are gone!"

This roused the rest of the company who had been watching Sage's tawdry display from different points around the hall. Grabbing Sage's face, Borit sunk his nails into the cut on her cheek as he pushed her face away.

"How did they escape?" Borit asked evenly.

The soldier proffered the knife that was left behind on the floor. "They stole my knife to cut the ropes, Captain, and then knocked out the other guard. He's unconscious on the floor."

Borit removed the knife from his hand and examined it carefully, as if it would give him a clue. "I am supposed to believe two inept women were able to steal your knife and overpower Raider?"

"I don't think he was paying attention…" the first guard gulped.

Borit's eyes narrowed on the fake soldier. "Tie him up. I let you out of prison and I can put you back in it. Take him out back." He nodded to a large guard who smiled evilly. The guilty party hung his head. Deep down he knew he wouldn't make it back for trial. His life would end tonight along with anyone else who interfered with the Captain's plans.

"Captain?" Another guard interrupted from the corner of the room. It was clear by the tone in his voice that he was reluctant to speak.

"More bad news?" Borit asked, the anger in his voice bubbling below his strained words.

"Yes sir, the boys are gone too."

"Find them! Find all of them. I don't care if you have to knock down every door in this blasted town. Bring them back." The rage that erupted galvanized the men to action. All remaining but the three that were guarding Aiden and Conall headed out into the damp night.

The sharp-nosed man regained his composure and gave Sage a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He stood holding the knife in his hand, dangerously running his fingers along the tip. "So, your plan for humiliation was aimed at me and not Silver, I see. How unfortunate for you."

With fear in her eyes, Sage moved her chair backwards. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"You are very clever, but I do not like being lied to. Now I have to find a way to make sure you do not cross me again…" Borit leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table and rubbed the broad side of the knife blade against his cheeks as he thought.

Aiden, who had been watching this scene helplessly for some time, used all his effort to kick the table on which Borit had been leaning his arms. The large table lurched across the soft dirt floor, jolting Borit. The knife flew backwards, nearly slicing off the Captain's ear. Instead, it took a notch out of his earlobe.

Borit cried out in pain and anger, grabbing a cloth from inside his uniform to stop the bleeding. He stood holding the knife in his left hand and marched down the table. The flames of rage were visible in his dark eyes.

"You!" he said to Aiden. "I shouldn't have just had you dismissed from your post. I should have pushed for a much harsher sentence." He brought the knife to Aiden's neck and a bright red trickle dripped toward the former soldier's collar bone.

Unapologetic, Aiden said something muffled through the gag, but it was clear that the insult was directed at his enemy's mother. In response, the knife began to dig deeper into the skin.

"Stop!" Sage cried, having regained her voice. "You said you only wanted Silver. You promised not to harm anyone in this town."

"Yes…if you cooperated…and clearly you did not," Borit growled.

"I got Silver to fetch your precious mirror and when he returns, I will do whatever you say. Just leave them alone, please."

Borit waved the knife carelessly through the air before setting it on the table mock surrender. His eyes hardened.

"Stand him up," the captain told two of the guards. Borit pulled back his right arm and placed a tremendous punch into Aiden's gut. The impact made a loud THUMP and was punctuated by a stream of gagged curses from Conall. Aiden dropped to the floor writhing, trying very hard not to show his pain.

Borit walked back to the woman and touched two of his fingers beneath her chin. "Believe it or not, this is me being reasonable. Cross me again, and you won't live to regret it."

Sage could only nod. The tension and fear on her face elicited a smile from the Captain. He released her cheek and kissed her hand.

"Very good, My Lady."

Satisfied, Borit walked toward the sleeping quarters with and exaggerated yawn.

"We will continue this discussion later," he told the trio. "But for now, I will be making use of your bed, Conall. It's going to be a busy morning." And with that, he strode out of the room.

--------------

Gilbert and Ethyn scrambled out of the bedroom window just as the soldiers discovered they were missing. They crouched below the window, rubbing their aching wrists and exercising their sore muscles.

"We've got to get out of here," Gilbert urged. The younger boy nodded, and they darted through the trees and onto the main road. They ran full out for a couple of minutes, listening desperately for any pursuit. The moon had already set and the starlight was just enough to make out the road and houses' shadows.

Without warning, Gilbert dragged Ethyn away from the road and into the trees. The younger boy had the sense not to cry out, and they both dove into the deep brush. The scratches from the branches hurt terribly.

"I saw something; I know it," a voice called. Two more sets of footsteps came running alongside the voice.

"Should we knock on doors?"

"Unless they ducked inside without an invitation, we would have seen a light. They are just boys. How quiet can they be?"

In spite of the gravity of the situation, Ethyn couldn't help but smile. They had obviously never been around little boys who didn't want to be caught. They could be nearly silent.

The guards bickered a moment longer and then headed on down the path. Gilbert and Ethyn waited a long time after their footsteps could not be heard before either dared to move. Finally Gilbert made a decision and crawled further into the bushes to a small gap between them. He tugged Ethyn's sleeve and the younger boy joined him.

"I have got to warn Silver," Ethyn said urgently.

"I have got to help my parents. I think mom may have escaped through the kitchen." Gilbert responded.

Both causes were worthwhile and needed to be completed. And only the two of them could do it. There was only one thing to do.

Ethyn's face formed into a grim line. "Then we've got to split up."

"That seems like a bad idea." Gilbert knew that there was strength in numbers. It is why any army had so many men.

Ethyn shrugged. He knew how short they were running on both time and resources. "Do you have a better idea?"

Gilbert shook his head and sighed. "I don't. Do you know how to find Silver?

The younger boy nodded. "I will just head in the direction of the manor. We are bound to run into each other that way." While not the most solid plan, it was the best he could think of without alerting Borit's men.

Gilbert hesitated, but had no further advice. "Good luck, Ethyn, and be careful."

He held out his hand and the boy took it. "You too," Ethyn replied.

Releasing hands, they parted ways.