The office was filled and overflowing into the hall with soldiers. Only a small space between Silver and Baron Monte allowed any breathing room in the tight quarters.

Oblivious to the suffocating conditions, Monte was smiling with a Chesire grin.

"Got you, thief! If you had wanted a tour, you should have come during daylight. Ha!" he nudged the guard next to him, nearly causing the soldier to drop his sword. "I made a joke, don't you see. He did not actually want a tour."

The baron chuckled soundlessly as the men around him edged away, anticipating another misplaced elbow. In spite of the situation, Silver could not help but arch his brow at the Baron.

'You aren't known for your humor, I see.'

Silver slapped his knee dramatically, and let out a guffaw. "Very funny, my Lord. I'll just be on my way. As you say, I can come back in the morning." He took a tentative step forward and was met with the end of a dozen swords.

'It was worth a try.' Silver shrugged.

The baron stared as his weak eyes narrowed on the thief. Monte was in his late forties, at least, and the bit of hair that remained about his ears was grey.

His medium build and medium girth were a mirror of his medium intelligence. His only true talent was amassing as many possessions as opportunity would provide and allowing his shrewd wife to manage them. But he hadn't told his wife about this late night adventure. This victory would be all his.

Seeing the cloaked man raise his hands in surrender against the overwhelming force, Monte knew success was in his grasp. His lips curved into a wicked grin.

"Stay right there, thief. You will get no further." He motioned to the guards. "Kill him."

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

After being forced inside, the captives being held in Conall's home were separated. Borit planned to keep his enemy close, but knew better than to let them all have the comfort of each other's company. Fear was his best ally.

Conall and Aiden were within the captain's sight as they were bound and sat at the far end of the wooden table. Not wanting to hear any idle threats or allow any scheming, the two men were also gagged. The men sat at the furthest end of the table from the door in the main hall like guests at an invisible feast. Not that they would have eaten anything that Borit offered them anyway.

In contrast, the boys were dumped on the ground. Gilbert, both angry and relieved to still be considered a child, was left in the far corner of the hall with Ethyn. Their hands were tied, but they were generally ignored by the rest of the company.

"We might as well be invisible," Gilbert grumbled. He wanted to be part of the action, but knew that he was not strong enough to overpower any of the fake soldiers. The young man felt useless.

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The redheaded boy on the other hand was grateful. "Being invisible has its advantages. At least they aren't beating us." Ethyn pointed out. "And Silver always says that being invisible is his greatest asset. The enemy cannot engage if they don't even see you. Those men were looking right through us. They don't expect anything from two measly children. So foolish." The green-eyed boy gave a toothy grin.

From the kitchen, Katherine brought a tray of bread, fruit and cheese. She set it on the table and shot an anxious glance first toward the boys and then towards the men. Borit narrowed his eyes at her. "No gawking! Get back in there and make us some real food."

One of his men pinched her, causing her to cry out and rub the spot. Her fear turned to anger as she reeled back to slap her attacker.

"I wouldn't do that. I am not inclined to hit a lady right this moment, but that could always change," Borit warned with an icy glare. "Then what would your heroic husband do to avenge you, hm? You will have quite a mess to clean up." The Captain whistled.

The woman's face fell as she lowered her hand. Her anger remained, but her desire to keep blood from being shed was stronger. She shuffled back into the kitchen to make some hot food.

Katherine was barely out of sight when her tray of food was already devoured. Borit's men were ravenous, with no manners or care for each other. Only their boss had any respect, putting his food on a small plate and actually savoring it.

A squatty man in a poorly fitting uniform ate a peach in barely two bites. He chunked the pit over one shoulder and managed to hit Gilbert squarely in the forehead. To the young man, it would have actually been less offensive if the hit were intentional.

"Ruffians…" he muttered.

"Foolish ruffians…" Ethyn reminded him. "Another thing Silver always say is to let them underestimate you. It means they have already lost. Now let's get to work."

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

Lily, Sage and Katherine were freed briefly in order to make a hot dinner for the unwelcome guests. After they had cleaned up the kitchen and washed the mountain of dirty dishes, their hands were retied as they were left together in the kitchen.

The women sat uncomfortably on the floor with their backs to one another and their hands resting in their laps. Two of Borit's men watched them while arguing about the validity of different wrestling techniques, nearly boring the women to sleep. Earlier in the evening, Borit had sent a message to the inn that Lily was caring for an injured Sage, and after the scene in the square, the cook had asked no more.

"So much for getting help from the inn," Lily whispered bitterly.

"I don't see your husband swooping in to save you," Sage bit back.

"He's gone to market to sell his game meat, and you know it. If he knew what was going on, he'd be back in a minute. I only hope I'm still here when he returns." Lily heaved a great sob.

Sage felt immediately guilty. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. This is all my fault."

Seeing her friend's remorse, Lily sniffed back her tears. "It is, but knowing what you were up against, I can see why you struggled. I only wish you had let us in on what was happening."

"Telling you would have gotten you killed. I was doing everything possible to avoid that."

"Chin up, ladies. This is no time for blame. We are in this together now and we will get out of this if I have to take a frying pan to the two guards over there myself." Katherine was not willing to give up. There would be time enough for working through feelings later.

"We are in this together…" Sage tilted her head as her eyes lit with mischief, "but they don't know that. I've got an idea. When you can, you two get out of here."

"I am not leaving my son and husband," Katherine protested with a snort.

Sage puffed out her cheeks and pulled her mouth to one side as she thought. "I will try to get the boys out too, but I do not think I can help the men. Wouldn't Conall want you to get to safety?"

Katherine hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly. It was enough for Sage.

"Follow my lead. Harness that anger you felt when you realized what I had done. Got it?" Without waiting for an answer, Sage moved forward with her plan. "I need to speak to your boss," the beautiful woman interrupted the men's discussion. "I want to make a deal." She pursed her lips, and the soldiers smiled.

One stood from his chair and lifted her off the ground. The brunette faltered into her captor, and the second guard came to her aid. In the chaos of her fall, Sage forced a small blade into Lily's hand. Lily wondered for a moment where she had gotten the blade, but saw the first guard's small belt scabbard was now empty. The brunette smirked and gave a covert wink.

Lily tucked the knife into the folds of her dress. "You traitor," she screamed in feigned anger, lunging forwards slightly but being held back by Katherine's bound hands. "I hope you rot!"

Sage shrugged lazily. "Of the two of us, I am not the one likely to rot today, am I?" Her lips curved into a wicked smile as eyed Lily coolly. With the bearing of a queen, the 'traitor' was led away by the taller of the two guards.

"Remind me never to get on her bad side," Katherine whispered, her eyes wide after the exchange.

Lily frowned. "She's a fearsome thing to behold, I agree." She watched as the second guard retuned to his seat then pulled the knife from her dress. "Now let's get out of here."