She eased open the door to the courtyard and slid through, closing it softly behind her. The cool air was a gift, the heavy mist falling on her skin. There was no sign of disturbance, no alarm yet. She pressed herself into the deep shadows by the wall.
Fifteen guards. Red considered that. She wasn’t in so deep yet that she couldn’t retreat at this point. Wait until the Royal Guard of Palins came through with fancy uniforms and more blades. They’d see to these pigs. But that would be months from now, what with the Queen fresh on her throne. That did nothing for the poor, miserable ones chained within. And a special shipment could be anything … including children.
Anger rose in her throat like bile, and her gloved hand tightened on her dagger.
“Rescue, yes, but not at the cost of your own life,” The High Baron had said.
Eh. Fifteen. Easy enough, if they were of the same quality. It was worth a try. If the alarm was raised too soon, well, she’d get out and return later. But for now, she had the night. Besides, it wouldn’t do for any to think that she’d gone soft, working for the High Baron, now would it?
Red grinned as she moved down the wall, staying in the shadows. Those men had been settling in for their watch, from the looks of things. So with any luck, there would be some asleep and some on watch and drowsy.
“They claimed the Mayor’s manor house, lady. He’d a walled-in courtyard, and fine stables, and a deep cellar for wine. We was a prosperous town, once. Before…” The innkeeper had stopped, his voice breaking.
“Enough.” The High Baron’s voice had been gentle. “Tell her what she needs to know.”
“I can draw it out for ya. The stables, the wine cellar. There’s the main house.…”
Two torches burned at the main doors of the house. The stable was across the yard, and two wagons along the side. Prison wagons, with solid wood walls and the smallest of barred windows at the top.
Red wrapped her cloak around her, lifting it to hide her breath in the cold night air. She stayed in the shadows and watched and waited.
Patience was not one of her best skills, but time had taught her the need. She waited until she was sure, then waited a few moments longer. Better to be sure than—
There. By the wagons, in the deep shadows. One man stamping his feet and swinging his arms as if to warm himself.
Odd, that. Why guard the wagons?
Red kept still, watching. And was rewarded when the wagon guard went to the stable door and pounded on it. “Hern, give a man some kav, eh?”
The stable door opened, and light and noise spilled into the yard. “Gar, you’ve only been on watch for—”
“The damp goes clear to the bone,” Gar replied. “Hand out some kav, or some of the damn gutrot you’re drinkin’.”
Laughter came from inside, and Red saw something handed out to the man. The door closed with a bang. Muck, from the sound there had to be at least a handful of them in there, all awake, damn them.
Still …
Nothing by the main gate. If there was a guard up at the house, it was inside and not out. So take out these six, and there’d be, what, maybe only nine left, and some of those had to be sleeping.
Oh, aye, and tomorrow would be paradise, with scarlets singing in the birches.
Gar had his bottle now, and he was walking around wagons, taking swigs, his back toward her.
Red grinned, and darted across the courtyard.
She ran right up to the front of the wagon and ducked down, crouching on the wet flagstones. Gar’s feet paused for a moment, then continued on. She could hear him grumbling under his breath. There were other sounds too, quiet breathing and soft …
Muck. There was something in the wagons.
Red froze, but there were only seconds to decide. Gar was circling around. Attack? Run?
“Damn cold,” Gar muttered. “Damn dice. Last time I dice for watch. Last time I—”
Her dagger was up before she drew another breath. She launched herself at him, aiming for the throat.