Betrayal

Chapter 10

Cecilia's sword fell to the floor with a loud twang that reverberated in the large room and the occupants of said room all moved into action.

"What is he doing here?" The red head reached the new arrival first and knelt by the older man's side.

He was lying prone on the floor looking more dishelved then she had ever seen him although he still breathed which was a relief. Simon helped raise the injured man into a comfortable position while Beth arrived with a pitcher of water. Their fourth companion closed the wooden door carefully and locked it behind them.

"What a foolish dimwit! If he weren't so injured I would have acquainted his cheek with my knuckles," Cecilia muttered to herself as she lightly tapped on his injured face.

Sir Russell's eye was already swallowed up by puffiness and darkness. It was difficult to imagine the prim and proper Sir getting roughed up in a fight.

"If you are to punch a man then aim for his nose or his eye. Cheeks are more durable," Their handsome companion crouched down with the rest of the group and gave his roommates a strained smile.

"Your advice is oddly timed but appreciated," The red head whispered back.

"I have a feeling you might use it one day," The tall man gave her a small smile which cause her heart a small summersault.

"If only I were that lucky," Cecilia sighed before she started barking orders, "Wash his face, Beth. Prop him up further, Simon. What in the world has happened to you, Sir Russell? Has the camp burnt down?"

"The smell of smoke is intense and it's not just Sir Russell that reeks of it. It's in the air," The taller man announced with a delicate sniff.

"Yes, they inteneded to be close to the town for this portion of the studies. It seems like the camp has been overrun," Cecilia explained redundantly.

"Is he still alive?" Beth whispered as she mopped the middle aged man's forehead, gingerly.

Cecilia flicked Sir Russell's bearded cheek making him groan out in pain. The middle aged man blinked rapidly and finally opened his eyes. Even his dark eyelashes were covered in soot.

"Sir Russell, may I be frank? You have chosen very poorly. We are in hiding. This is the last place you should have chosen as your destination," The Lady tried to keep her judgement out of her tone but failed.

"We were surrounded by the those same men that attacked us earlier. I ran and ran unthinkingly. I knew I needed to reach you," Sir Russell seemed out of breath after his short speech. He gratefully took the sip of water Beth offered him.

"They shall follow you and find us," The Lady chastened gently.

"No need. They already know you're here," The man explained regretfully.

"Blast it," Cecilia exclaimed, "We need to get out of here now. Beth, Simon gather our essentials."

"It's too late," Sir Russell coughed.

"Did they talk about him?" The girl gestured towards her new friend.

"They were speaking in an Eastern language but I understand the dialect enough to know they were indeed talking about your find," The man replied. He focused his attention on the subject of their conversation, "They want you, badly."

The taller man who had been twisting his gold ring around his finger in a nervous frenzy stilled. His shoulders drooped while his face took upon a pained expression. He took a shuddering sigh and stood up with his back to them.

"I stuffed the samples under my chest..." The injured man paused as he wrestled with himself to sit up straight.

"What chest? Surely you did not drag up your wardrobe?" The redhead felt an immense wave of stupidity as soon as the words left her mouth.