Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 97127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
The days passed pleasantly enough, at least when she was alone with Decimus. He remained a strict, heartless man in front of others. No one dared to question his orders, any directive from him met not an ounce of opposition.
She watched people tremble with fear when confronted by Decimus. And she attempted to listen to the gossip that circulated throughout the fortress, but whispers turned to murmurs in her presence. Everyone feared she would confide in her husband what she had heard and punishment would follow.
Jenna was careful with her remarks, always praising Decimus and reminding Mary of her husband’s orders.
Mary continued to play her part well and to plan. She had hope of their successful escape and she intended to hold that hope strong in her heart and see that it became reality.
Decimus was roused from bed late one evening by one of the guards. He tucked the blanket around Mary and told her to sleep, he would return when he could.
He returned angry, several hours later, bolting the door behind him.
Mary shook away the sleep and sat up to see her husband pacing in front of the fireplace. “What is wrong?”
“Jenna was caught stealing food.”
Mary jumped out of bed and hurried to her husband’s side. “Stealing food?”
He stopped pacing and slipped his arm around her waist. “She was caught taking the leftover food from your tray and giving it to her younger brother, who waited in the woods.”
“What is wrong with that?”
“It is not permitted. It is considered stealing and punishable by severe torture.”
Mary’s legs grew weak. “You cannot be serious.”
He shook his head. “I issued the orders myself when I first came here. I had to make certain they all feared me beyond reason, so that none would question me. I needed complete obedience if I was to be able to come and go from the fortress without question.”
“No one has ever stolen?”
“No one has ever been caught.”
“Except Jenna.”
He nodded. “I found out that Jenna had been sharing her own food with her younger brother who lives in the woods. When she became your personal servant, she began giving him your leftovers. The boy is just as thin as his sister. They were orphaned a few months ago and Jenna had no way to feed them, so she came here to work.”
“Is that how you get most of your servants; they have a choice of either starving or working here?” Mary asked.
“I suppose working in hell at least allows for a chance of an everlasting life in heaven.”
Though fearful, Mary asked, “Are Jenna and her brother now prisoners?”
“They huddle in a cell together. I knew they needed each other’s strength so I made it appear as if they would suffer their fate together. The young lad appears maybe six years, though Jenna claims his age is eight.”
Mary grabbed her husband’s arm. “What will you do? Everyone will expect you to punish them.” Tears clouded her eyes. “Can the Dark One save them?”
Decimus stepped away from her, the look of anguish in his eyes tearing at Mary’s heart. “I would need Roarke’s assistance.”
“You have me.”
He raked his hair with his fingers in frustration. “I cannot risk your safety.”
“Is that not my choice?”
He looked at her as if she were daft. “I will not place you and my child in danger.”
She walked over to him, her blue eyes pleading. “They are two innocents, Jenna and her brother. Why should they suffer for being hungry? Roarke is not here; I am. I can help, just tell me what to do.”
He shook his head and walked away from her, turning back with angry eyes that had her recoiling. “How do I justify involving you? I wanted to keep you as far from harm as possible.”
“I understand, but right now two innocent children are our concern. There must be something we can do.”
He marched over to her and grabbed her by the arms. “I have no choice if I want Jenna and her brother to survive.”
“Then let us not waste another minute.”
His hands turned gentle and he drew her slowly to him. “You promise me you will be careful?”
“I will take no unnecessary chances.”
He hesitated, then nodded his consent. “The Dark One cannot be involved in this escape. I will need to keep the men distracted while you free Jenna and her brother. You will then need to take them to safety. Do you feel well enough to walk a distance?”
“I am fine and Jenna will be with me.”
“And your return?” he asked with concern. “I cannot venture out and bring you back. I must convince everyone here that you are ill and must remain in bed, and that only I will tend to you.”
“Will men search for us?”
“I will keep them away as long as possible, but eventually there will be a search. There are other men—men to be trusted, once prisoners themselves who now help in freeing others. They will guide Jenna, her brother, and you, and will show you a return route that is safer, accompanying you a short distance. But there will be at least half a day that you will be on your own.” He shook his head. “This is madness; you cannot be walking the woods alone.”