The Husband Poisoning Society, Chapter 33

The longhouse had no windows. I didn’t know how many troops stood outside the barred door. But I suspected that it was more than even Fiona could take in a fight. The fire in the center of the longhouse crackled behind me. The flames cast twisting shadows on the wall of the longhouse. 

The residents of the longhouse whispered behind me. 

“They wouldn’t burn the longhouse, would they?”

“Of course not. There are women here.”

“They might. This is becoming a fiasco that they want under control.”

“I am the Duke’s battle-brother. They would never do such a thing.”

That last voice I recognized as Sven. Turning to face him, I shook my head.

“You think that you’re that important? Duke Xander is trying to prevent a war that would tear across the whole of the Boro Sea. You’re trying to start the war that he’s trying to prevent. You think he cares that you’re battle-brother with a dead man? You’re a problem that he has to deal with now. If he burns down the longhouse, he solves two problems. The women behind you are likely the only reason the thatch isn’t already burning.”

Sven went silent. 

“What do we do?” Amy asked. “We need a way out.”

Laila stepped forward. “We need to get back to the catacombs. We can hide and escape in the catacombs. Fiona and Vincent can pick off soldiers better in the catacombs. It’s built to limit large battles and favor a small group of defenders.”

“But how do we get to the catacombs from here?” Amy asked. 

Ada stepped past Magnus and Sven. “There is a hidden tunnel from the longhouse to the catacombs.”

“Quiet woman!” Sven spun and struck Ada, knocking her to the ground. 

“Mother!” Laila called out.

Vincent picked up a goblet from a table and flung it at Sven’s head. The goblet bounced off Sven’s temple and he dropped to the ground. Magnus started forward, and Vincent threw another goblet. Magnus crashed to the floor beside Sven. 

“Now,” Vincent said. “Does anyone else feel like being brave? Or do you prefer being conscious?”

The remaining men didn’t move.

“Okay.” I said. “We have the antidote. We sneak out through the tunnels, into the catacombs, and back into the castle. Then we cure Leon, and figure out how to clear our name.”

“You can’t clear your name.” One man said. “You’re guilty.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” I said. I stopped myself from continuing, lest I incriminate Lynn. 

“This is your last chance! Surrender now!” A voice from outside yelled. 

“Ada, the tunnel please.” I said. 

Ada nodded and pushed a linen box aside. She then lifted a set of boards, and revealed a tunnel in the earth with a rope ladder leading down into the darkness. 

“These are for civilians to evacuate to the castle during an invasion.” Ada said. 

Vincent stepped to the remaining men. He handed Fiona all but one of the pistols. 

“Ladies. Gentlemen. we are going to need to go out the front door.”

Vincent led the group to the front door and yelled, “We are sending out civilians!”

Vincent lifted the bar and opened the door. The women went first, and the men followed. I peered out the door. It looked as though there were some forty soldiers out there. 

“That’s a lot of swords.” I said. 

“And muskets.” Vincent said. 

“We need to go.” I said. 

“We will not escape.” Fiona said, looking up from the tunnel. “This tunnel is too short to stand up straight, much less run. You will need a distraction.”

“What do you mean, we will need a distraction? You’re coming with us.”

“No. I will be the necessary distraction. They will not get past me. And once I am certain that you have escaped, I shall surrender.”

“We can’t risk that.” I said. 

“Please,” Amy said. “You have to come with us.”

“I have to protect my fiancés. Now go.”