“We lack the time for this,” Jayce muttered as he assumed the lead. It was darker than she recalled, making it nearly impossible to see a foot ahead. The cells adjacent to the door were evidently vacant. She realised they must have positioned him in the rear, just as they had done to her.
It resembled a novel iteration of torment for her—she contemplated whether it was equally distressing for Colton.
Molly ensured the door was shut prior to speaking.
“Colton…” she murmured. Jayce advanced while scrutinising each cell. “Colton?” Molly enquired, raising her voice slightly. A movement occurred in the shadows, causing her heart to race. Is it possible?
“What caused the delay?”
Molly could not perceive Colton, yet his voice provided all the affirmation she required. Molly grasped the bars of his confinement. “Colton, are you well?” Molly enquired softly. They had limited time before the boy notified someone of the shift change. They were likely en route, and each breath was superfluous.
“I suppose I am as well as I can be,” Colton remarked with a feeble chuckle. Jayce struggled to locate the correct key in the utter darkness. Molly perceived the resonance of their breaths in her ears, synchronised with the rhythm of her heartbeat. “I did not anticipate your arrival for me.”
“Certainly, we would. You find yourself in this predicament due to our actions,” Molly stated softly. Jayce tensed beside her. Shortly thereafter, the lock clicked, and the door gradually opened with a creak. “You consistently provided support when we required it.”
“I value your deceit; it is melodious when uttered from your lips.” Colton groaned as he presumably compelled himself to rise and approach them. “You need not have gone to such lengths on my behalf. I anticipated that you both would have already returned to the castle by this time. I am confident they would have acknowledged their errors and released me shortly.”
“I would not anticipate that.” Jayce murmured as he walked by her. “How can we extricate him from this location without detection? His appearance is widely recognised; he is their leader.”
“There is a rationale for maintaining the darkness in these cells,” Colton remarked. Jayce halted his progress. Although she could not see either of them, she could perceive Jayce’s presence as if he were an integral part of her being. “They readily overlook that I was instrumental in the design of this building. At the end of the corridor, there is a cellar door that provides access to the subterranean level. These were initially constructed for servants-”
“We require no historical exposition regarding your building; proceed.” Jayce retorted. Colton merely chuckled. Molly desired to tread on his foot, yet she recognised her inability to locate it in the obscurity. Regrettably.
“He is charming; I am pleased to observe that this has remained constant.” Colton adjusted his posture and sidestepped past Molly. “It traverses subterraneously directly to the kitchens, allowing us to exit through the back door before they become aware of my absence. Fortunately, we possess the keys.”
“We should expedite our actions. I believe the guard monitoring the door is proceeding directly to Mr. Hugh to enquire about the abrupt shift change,” Molly stated. Colton grasped her hand in the darkness, nearly startling her.
“Let us proceed.”
Molly hesitantly extended her hand to grasp Jayce’s, compelling him to accompany them. Colton guided them along the lengthy, dim corridor, pausing intermittently to assist Molly as she stumbled over her own feet. She was merely relieved that the darkness concealed her blush from the two men who likely perceived her as a clumsy fool.
At the hallway’s terminus, he relinquished her hand and attempted to pry open the door. Jayce extended his hand to offer the keys, and moments later, they entered. A dazzling light caused her eyes to tear. The corridor was illuminated more than daylight and resembled an expansive stone cavern.
“Why is it so excessively bright down here?” Molly murmured, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. She looked back and observed several of the illuminated filthy cells behind them.
“The illumination is sufficient to illuminate the servants’ passage along the corridor of cells. It activates solely when there is an occupant in the cells. I suppose we should consider ourselves fortunate that they chose to illuminate it specifically for me,” Colton muttered. She turned to observe him closely and nearly gasped at his condition. He exhibited bilateral periorbital contusions and lacerations on his arm and neck. His garments were tattered in multiple areas, and he appeared to struggle to maintain an upright posture.
“Oh my… Colton, I cannot fathom that they inflicted this upon you.” Molly extended her hand to gently caress the bruises beneath his eyes. He clasped her hand and pressed it to his chest.
“I must concede, the responsibility lies with me. I presented them with a formidable challenge and resolutely declined to yield.” Colton cleared his throat and attempted to provide her with a smile. He signalled for them to proceed down the corridor and ensured the door was secured behind them. While it may not prevent the guards from entering, it would undoubtedly impede their progress to some extent.
“We must reverse this situation and regain their support, Colton. I believe we may have a strategy to pursue.” Molly accelerated her pace to match the men.
“It could ultimately result in our demise,” Jayce muttered.
Colton regarded both of them with elevated eyebrows. “Could you elaborate on this purportedly perilous plan? My own strategies have currently proven ineffective.”
Molly articulated, “If we can guide the rogues back to the camp, Sir Antony may be able to pacify them and persuade them to consider reason.” “I acknowledge the complexity of the situation; however, they are likely to heed his counsel. I overheard the guards refer to him as untouchable, suggesting they may be amenable to his endorsement of Jayce and his proposal. Should they remain disinclined to engage with Jayce, we shall depart and not return. Perhaps Sir Antony can reinstate their faith in you, at the very least.”
Jayce scoffed and thrust his hands into his pockets. Both disregarded him.
Colton appeared contemplative yet somewhat distressed. “No actions are required to guide them back; they will be aware of my location. I merely require a night to recuperate before we proceed.”
“I recognise the potential for adverse consequences, yet it is worth attempting.”
“Molly is correct, as per usual.” Colton smiled at her while Jayce expressed his exasperation. “I cannot remain passive and conceal myself indefinitely. We must attempt a course of action, and I have not heard any superior proposals.”
“We can take refuge with my guards for the night and return to your camp by morning. I am confident they will be awaiting us by that time,” Jayce stated. Upon arriving at the hallway’s terminus, Colton signalled for them to remain stationary.
He utilised the keyset to unlock the door and examined the interior of the kitchen. Molly was enveloped by a warm, sweet aroma that made her acutely aware of her hunger. She clutched her abdomen when it began to rumble. Jayce regarded her with suspicion.
Colton shut the door and faced them again. “Numerous cooks are at their stoves, yet no one is positioned near the door. We can pass through if we expedite our movement, but we must remain silent. Their equipment is noisy, albeit not excessively so.”
