Crispin_ At the Edge of the World - Avi [56]
Trying to keep from panicking, I gazed about but did not see her. I had no doubt, however, she was heading for that tower hole.
Sword in hand, I ran down the hill, straight for the tower. I had taken no more than a few steps when I realized I must take pains not to be seen. Not by Dudley’s men. Nor by anyone in the church. If I were seen by anyone, Bear’s life would be forfeit.
Crouched but still running, I ran forward in a great circle, away from Dudley’s force but hoping to come upon the tower indirectly. Now and again, I bobbed up in hopes of seeing Troth. But even when I came within fifty yards of the church tower, I had no idea where she was.
Meanwhile, Dudley and his men were now opposite the castle, keeping to the far side of the moat. His archers were shooting arrows. Though I was sure Dudley would make no attempt to cross the moat, those within the castle could not know that. I saw archers atop the castle ramparts lean forward and loose their arrows at the attackers. And Bear without a shield!
Knowing I had to find Troth, I forced myself to take my eye from the castle and look at the church tower. First, I took note of the flow hole that Dudley had spoken of, the one that he told Troth she must use to gain entry to the tower. I found it easily enough. I also caught sight of some movement aloft, behind the tower archer holes. That meant that some of the soldiers I had seen—still impossible to know how many—were within, ready to defend the treasure. The more there were, the more danger for Troth.
Taking a chance, I stood up, looked about. This time I saw her. She’d done as I had expected, gone to the tower, albeit indirectly, moving along the moat’s embankment, trying to reach the tower walls without being seen.
Wanting to reach her before she went any farther, I dashed around—as she must have done—toward the river moat. I knew I might be observed from the far side of the moat, but felt I had no choice.
I reached the embankment safely, and dropped down, wanting to keep myself hidden from those within the tower.
Troth was some thirty yards before me. She appeared to be gathering herself for a run to the tower.
Ignoring caution, I shouted, “Troth!”
She paused, turned, and looked back.
“Wait!” I cried. Still bent over, I ran forward along the moat bank.
“Troth,” I blurted out when I reached her, “I killed the one guarding me.” I held up the sword, still stained with blood.
In revulsion, she stepped back.
“He would have killed me,” I said. “Troth, he attacked me.
She gazed at me for a moment, then turned away, and looked toward the church.
“What do you wish to do?” she asked, her face averted.
“I don’t care what Bear told us,” I said. “We must help him.”
“I thought the same,” said Troth. “I’ve an idea.”
“What?”
“I’ll do what Dudley ordered. When I open the church doors—that’s what he wanted—he’ll lead his soldiers to the church. But, Crispin, he’ll be thinking mostly of the treasure. Then that’s when we must reach Bear and get him away.”
“Troth, Dudley tied a rope to Bear’s neck to hold him.”
Her mouth opened in shock.
“And not all the soldiers left the church.”
“How many are there?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure I saw some in the tower. Behind the arrow slits.”
Troth looked up. “I’m going anyway,” she said. “Stay here—in case I fail.” She made a movement to go.
I held her with a hand. “We’ll have a better chance to get the doors open with two of us inside.”
Troth offered no argument. Instead, she turned back to scrutinize the tower. “Crispin,” she said, “if we can get against the tower and move flat along the walls, they shouldn’t be able to see us, or shoot at us, before we get to that hole.”
She was right: the arrow slots were some one hundred feet above the ground, designed to repel attackers at a distance. Nor were there any turrets for shooting directly down.
“But we must hurry,” I agreed.
That said, she jumped up and raced for the church walls. I scrambled to follow, too fearful to look up.
37
WITH TROTH in the lead, me following behind, we ran hard.