The Scout by Hannah E Carey

Author:Hannah E Carey [Hannah E. Carey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hannah E Carey
Published: 2023-03-16T00:00:00+00:00

Despite knowing that I was doing what had to be done, my heart still pounded and my palms were sweaty as I rounded the corner of the hallway that led to the Ri’s study. Stealing away from the castle in the dead of night was inviting its own trouble, I knew that from experience, but this time, I was going a step farther. I was stealing Rhonwen’s bow. Whether or not it belonged to the clan and not Father wouldn’t matter to him. My thievery would be yet another betrayal to add to the long list he kept tallied.

The people need this. Blaidd needs this, I reminded myself, shaking off my disturbing thoughts as I drew nearer to the study. The hallway itself was dark, only a few torches lit here and there since it was well past midnight and the rest of the castle was asleep in their beds. Thankfully, I knew the castle well enough to navigate with ease in the dark. The small pack that was slung across my back was light enough that it didn’t make any extra noise, but I still moved cautiously. The last thing I needed was to be discovered.

As I approached the study door, I saw three shadowy figures. Two of them were slumped on the ground, leaning up against the wall. Cian hovered over them. I let out a quiet sigh of relief when I reached him. His plans for sedating the guards had gone off without issue. He was taking the pulse of one of the warriors and while the man’s head was lolled to the side, his chest rose and fell with a steady, even rhythm.

“They’re going to have a splitting headache in a few hours,” Cian said quietly, dropping the man’s wrist and straightening. “But other than that, they should be no worse for the wear.”

“Have you seen—”

I didn’t get to finish the question, cut off by a loudly whispered curse in Old Pernish. I whirled around to see that Domhnall had crept up on us, his eyes wide as he looked down at the unconscious warriors.

“By the Spirits,” Domhnall said. “I hope you didn’t kill them.”

“They’re fine,” Cian replied. “The key?”

“Here.” Domhnall pulled it from his pocket and Cian and I stepped back to give him access to the door.

Because of his position as advisor, Domhnall had been the one with the easiest access to the key to the study. He opened the door and ushered Cian and me inside ahead of him. The room itself was eerily empty, only the faint light of the moon shining in through the windows and allowing us to see.

The bow was mounted on the wall over the stone hearth. I made my way over to it, my pulse racing. We didn’t have much time to do this and we couldn’t afford any mistakes. Cian and Domhnall were right behind me and when we reached the bow, I turned to my cousin.

“You’re the tallest,” I said. “I’ll get a chair.”

“I’ve got it,” Domhnall said, holding up a hand.

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