They reached the towers in no time at all and took steps two at a time. Her lungs were burning by the time they reached the tower of ravens, where the messages were sent. A strong smell of birds and fresh hay filled her senses as soon as they opened the doors.
“Write a note to Fiona!” Callum commanded before leaving her hand and heading toward the ravens perched on the other side of the room.
The birds all seemed uneasy, squawking and pacing back and forth, eyeing them both with suspicion as they bobbed their heads. The sounds of battle carried up even to the highest tower, making the birds uneasy on their perches.
Outside the castle walls, the battle raged on with men shouting and women screaming. The sounds alone struck fear into herheart as Eleanor quickly raced toward the simple desk. Her hands shook as she used a sharpened piece of coal to hurriedly scribble a note.
Castle under attack. Marion wounded. Come at once.
Her heart skittered again when Callum came toward her with a raven on his arm.
The large black bird sat obediently as Eleanor attached the note to its leg. They walked over to the window, allowing the bird to take flight, yet it was the scene in the distance that made them both freeze, drawing their attention to the horizon.
Men were fighting in the castle grounds, but beyond them, and beyond the walls, marched troops of men in shining armor, their hoods held low. Their movements were skilled and tight, far too practiced for normal highland raiders.
“This isnae a normal invasion, Callum,” she managed to gasp the words when she remembered to breathe.
“Aye, this is a skilled military attack. It has been planned for months…” his words trailed off when the sound of clinking armor seemed to rattle the horizon. “Come, we must go,” he sounded far too calm for a man facing an army that seemed like it outnumbered his men two to one. An attack of that magnitude could only have gone unnoticed if members of his clan had been bought off to hold their tongues.
She allowed herself to be guided again, never stopping as they took the winding steps two at a time. They reached the bottom of the stairs again in no time at all and headed back toward the castle foyer.
Marion still lay where she had been, undisturbed and deathly still. The pool of blood had not seemed to have gotten any bigger, yet the fact that Marion was still not stirring did not bode well for Eleanor at all.
Please live.
Eleanor whispered a silent prayer as she quickly followed behind Callum. There was no need to linger here anymore, not when she understood the severity of what was happening in the castle and beyond the walls.
Callum flew across the foyer, waiting only until he reached the doors that would lead them to the outside world.
They reached the castle doors at the same time, and Eleanor took a deep breath, preparing herself for what lay beyond the safety of the oak doors.
Bran suddenly appeared at their sides, his eyes flicking from Eleanor to Callum as if he knew that protecting her was his main goal. The way he was stalking, along with the hairs standing up on the back of his neck, let Eleanor know that he was ready for battle, far more ready than she felt.
If things had been different, she would have stayed in her chambers, yet the thought of leaving Callum’s side had struck fear in her heart.
The dog nudged her side with his nose, meeting her gaze as if he could smell her fear.
Callum claimed me, but so has Bran.
A feeling of gratitude came over her. She had entered the castle as a stranger, yet she now had people who cared for her. A family of sorts that had kept her moving forward.
Using both hands, Callum gripped the bolt that held the door in place and lifted it to the side with a loud screech.
Who had stabbed Marion if the bolt on the door had been secured in place?
The sickening realisation made her stomach churn with disgust. Everything they had thought had been true. The person inside the castle would not stop until the toll had been paid in blood.
We are nae safe.
Her thoughts vanished in an instant when Callum pushed open the doors.
Eleanor had not been prepared for the carnage that met her gaze beyond the doors.
Steel clashed against steel as blood splattered the damp earth. Men fought against men while others lay bleeding in the mud. Her knees almost gave way, yet Callum urged her forward as he brandished his sword above his head and headed directly into the thick of battle.
The fierceness of his battle cry sent shivers down her spine as she quickly followed suit with Bran on her heels. Her boots squelched in the mud, making her mindful of how she stepped, no matter how fast they were moving.
I have to keep movin’.