Hiding Katherine by GG Shalton (most difficult books to read txt) 📕

Ian grabbed his shoulder. “Where? She was not in the dungeons.”

“They locked her in a cellar under the stables. We need to get through the guards.”

Ian made chirping noise and crawled through the shadows to the stables. Three knights sat in the stable with swords.

Ian came up behind one of the knights, putting a blade to his neck. “Everyone remains calm and give your weapons to my friend here. We are going to slowly walk to the back of the stable and we need you to remain quiet.”

One of the knights looked at them and went for his sword. Ian took his knife out of his boot and threw it and it landed in the man’s neck. Daniel watched the man grab his neck gurgling for air.

Ian smirked at the remaining guards. “Let’s try this again. You will give my friend your weapons.” One of the knights snarled at Daniel but handed him his sword. The other knight handed over his as well. Daniel took both and waited for Ian’s instruction.

“Daniel, grab the man and let’s go to the back and get the cellar door open.”

Daniel took one of the swords lifting it to the man’s neck as Ian held the other knight at bay. They took a few steps as the stable door opened. The distraction caused one of the knights to flip Daniel’s sword and sweep his feet, he raised his foot to kick the sword out of his hand and put his hands around Daniel’s neck choking him. Ian broke the knight’s neck with one of his hands and ripped the other knight’s hand out of the socket away from Daniel’s neck. Daniel started coughing and spitting as he sat up. Ian took his sword and bested the man leaving all three knights dead at their feet.

Three more knights stood in the doorway. One was heavily decorated and flanked by the other two. Daniel wondered if one was Drake. They unsheathed their swords.

“Daniel! Get behind me.” He heard Ian’s voice wake him from his stupor.

They tried to circle Ian, pursuing him slowly. Ian pushed Daniel against the wall protecting him as he studied his opponents. He squatted taking his sword and attacked two men with one swing, taking them down to their knees. The other man tried to move in but was stopped by one of Ian’s men coming in the stable door behind them. He ran his sword through one of their necks, while Ian held his sword high to finish the other one.

Ian turned to the remaining knight and held up his sword. He stopped mid-swing and dragged the man around. “Where is she?”

He spit at Ian. “Dead! My whore of a sister didn’t deserve to live.”

Daniel approached him and punched him in the face. “I will kill you with my bare hands.”

The men rolled on the floor as Ian pulled Daniel off him and slit the man’s throat.

“Go open the cellar before any more English come through that door.”

“He said she is dead!” Daniel let out a moan of agony as he cried out for his mother. “She was all I had.”

“Open the cellar,” Ian called out to his men as he put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.

The man opened the cellar door and walked down a few stairs. A screen was built into the floor allowing some light and air to enter.

“Lady Katherine?” he yelled into the cellar.

A weakened reply echoed, “I am here.”

The man yelled up the stairs, “I have her, she is alive.”

Daniel ran as fast as he could to the cellar door and reached for his mother. “Mama?” He took her out of the man’s arms and held her close to his chest.

Tears streamed down her face. “I am well, my baby boy.” She stroked his face and hair.

Ian stood with a few of his men and watched the reunion. Katherine looked around and gasped. “Ian?”

Daniel pulled her to her feet. “Can you stand?”

“I am a bit wobbly, but well.” She looked at Ian. “What are you doing here?”

His eyes moved up and down her body before looking away.

Daniel took her hand. “I asked him for his help. He agreed, but I had to promise to never bother him again or he will kill me.” He looked at Ian with a little amusement in his eyes.

She looked up at Daniel and touched his face. “Why did you ask him? That was dangerous, Daniel! Was it the story I told you?”

Daniel nodded. “I had to take the chance. I have never seen anyone fight like him. I wish I could train with him every day.”

Katherine looked at Ian and took a few steps to stand in front him. “It seems that I am indebted to you again. Thank you for helping Daniel and saving me.”

Ian stared at her for a moment seemingly wanting to say something but changed his mind. After a long minute, he cocked his brow saying, “English Women!” He grunted. “Always needing to be rescued.”

Katherine’s jaw dropped in surprise. “Scottish Men! They are always late.”

His eyes locked with hers for a moment and then his expression changed. “Lady Katherine, we need to get you out of here.”

Katherine looked down at the dead men and her smile faded. She saw Drake. Covering her mouth, she walked over to his body and kneeled on her knees. She closed his eyes with her hands.

“He was my favorite growing up. Turns out he was the worst one. I never saw my brother Darin. Only rumors that he was mad. I think Drake made them up and lied about it.”

Ian went to stand beside her. “We need to get you safely out of here before they come looking for their horses.”

Daniel held on to his mother as they snuck out of the stables. Katherine guided them through the castle grounds to the spot on the wall that was unsecured. She crawled through it and helped them dig out more dirt, so they could crawl through as