Chapter Two—The Gateway

Chapter Two—The Gateway

I'm a complete fool, thought Horatio, this is all my fault. Mine. I should've listened to Archie, I should've kept closer watch, I should've been more alert. All my fault. He glared around at no one in particular, anger and guilt clouding his gaze. They were prisoners—again—and it was his fault. The only comfort he allowed himself was the knowledge that he had kept Styles from doing anything rash.

"Horatio, something's happening." Archie nodded towards the tall red haired man who seemed to be leading this expedition. Around him were gathered three other men, and they seemed to be discussing something in low serious tones. "I think those four are in charge here…. Horatio!"

"What?" Archie was looking at him now, concern written on his tired face.

" Stop that now! This isn't your fault, so stop thinking what I know you're thinking!"

"What?!? How do you know that I've… " Startled out of his self flagellation, Horatio stared at Archie, shocked.

"I know you, I know that you're blaming yourself. That won't help us here. Stop. We need to focus on getting away."

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"What are they doing?" Jamys was looking at the two young officers as he spoke.

"It appears they are arguing, shall we see about what?" As Ivo approached the men on guard, the blond officer looked over at him, catching his eyes.

"Who are you and where are you taking us?" A very direct young man, and rather brave, to dare to ask such a question in his position. A solidly built young man, well tanned—as would be expected of a sailor—with sun bleached hair falling in front of bright blue eyes that seemed to convey a mixture of anger and concern, with just the slightest touch of fear.

"Archie!" hissed the dark haired one.

"Archie? Is that your name?" Ivo seemed a bit amused by their seriousness, but then Ivo seemed a bit amused by everything, rather astonishing given his personal history. Neither young man spoke, the dark one bright red with embarrassment.

"Baudwin asked you a question, answer him." Jos did not often command, but he felt these two might need a lesson in just who here was in charge. All he received in response were stone faces from both officers. Not ready to share this information are you? Well, it will come eventually. Jos actually felt a bit of respect for the two of them, they had borne the last few hours rather well, but he would have an answer.

"Answer him."

"I asked my question first," the one called Archie replied, defiantly.

Ivo laughed aloud, this was indeed a very brave young man, or a very ignorant one, or both.

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The laughing man in front of them glanced back at red haired man before answering, "We are Michaelines and you are going to the Stronghold."

Wonderful, what in heaven's name was a Michaeline? "What is a Michaeline?"

The young man gave him what looked like an honestly surprised look, "We are Michaelines." Simply put, but not very illuminating, he thought.

"Where is this Stronghold?" Now the man looked a touch wary. He reminded Archie suddenly of Major Edrington, though the cheerful young man before them bore only passing resemblance to the absent earl. Short honey colored hair topped a smiling heart shaped face with laughing brown eyes that seemed to find everything about the two of them amusing. He can't be much older than we are, Archie concluded with a start.

"That I may not tell you. But come, give us your names." Not likely, we don't know yours, after all. As if reading this thought off his very face, the laughing man smiled and offered with a nod, "My name is Ivo Baudwin, you are officers in the British Navy, and your first name is Archie." He seemed to be waiting expectantly for their answers. Archie exchanged a look with Horatio; may as well, he seemed to say.

"Third Lieutenant Archibald Kennedy, of His Majesty's Ship Indefatigable." Standing to attention as he recited, staring off to Ivo's right.

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The dark haired one was staring at his companion most curiously, as if they could speak to each other through their eyes solely. These two are old friends, Jos realized, old friends who have been through a lot together. The one who hadn't spoken yet was a tall lad, still a trifle gangly, but growing out of it. He had a serious air about him, and the sort of looks that men find interesting and women find irresistible.

"And you, what is your name?" Ivo was enjoying himself immensely.

When addressed, he too, snapped to attention, "Second Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower, also of His Majesty's Ship Indefatigable." He did not look at Ivo either.

It was odd, finding these two young men staring at him. Somehow, they must have guessed that I lead here. Jos wasn't sure this intuition they seemed to share was a good thing at all.

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The tall one, with the dark red hair, walked over to them. He's a touch taller than Horatio, Archie noted. A physically imposing man, tall and solidly built, with dark green eyes which he focused on them now. He did not speak, he merely stared at them for a long moment. Those eyes seemed to see right into their souls and gave Archie the shivers, but he would not let this man see that he had had any effect on him. Raising his head some, he stared defiantly back at the red haired man. He tilted his head at Archie, his expression questioning then, looking away, he ordered in a low voice for the march to continue.

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Lorcan was staring at the dispatches he had just received, this could not possibly be happening, he thought, not now. In a sudden fit of temper he threw the contents of his desk towards the far wall.

"What on earth was that?"

Lorcan groaned. The last thing he needed right now was for his sister to find out the morning's events.

"What was that?" she repeated, coming into his rooms.

Lorcan looked carefully up at his elder sister. Eilis stood in the doorway looking at him expectantly, and then she spied the mess that had been his desktop's contents scattered over the floor.

"Good heavens, what did you do?"

"I got irritated," he responded shortly, in no mood for a conversation.

"You got irritated."

"Yes."

"I see." She paused for a moment. "Where's Jos?"

What a rotten time for her to finally take an interest in his whereabouts.

"Forest patrol." He wasn't about to tell her about the Englishmen, not if, as it appeared, she might be coming out of her self-induced exile. She would not take kindly to their presence, and suddenly he was sorry he'd sent Jos to bring them in, he should have foreseen this and sent someone else.

"Is there a reason you're here?"

"Yes, actually. We—Avenie, myself, and some of other women—are going out to the orchards. The apples are ready for harvesting."

"Yes, good, go." At least she wouldn't be here when the Englishmen arrived. Eilis was looking at him oddly.

"What's bothering you, Lorcan?"

Nothing I can share with you without causing you more unnecessary pain, dear sister.

"Nothing that you need worry about," and with a forced smile, he bid her on her way.

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Pellew scanned the shoreline. Horatio and Archie should have been back by now and there was not a sign of them.

"What can they possibly have gotten themselves into now?" he murmured to himself.

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Horatio was thinking much the same thing as their march continued. They were now skirting the edge of a long high overgrown wall. The blond fellow, the one who gave his name as Ivo, had taken to walking next to them, casting occasional sidelong glances their way.

It's as if he is waiting for the culmination of some joke.

Then he saw it and knew what Ivo had been waiting for. He and Archie both stopped dead.

"I'm not going through that!" Archie blurted out.

"Crafted during the Inquisition, to persuade heretics that confession really was their only hope," supplied Ivo, chuckling at their reactions.

That was an ornate gate to…. hell, as far as Horatio could see. It was iron and seemed to contain every demon that was ever spawned writhing through its bars.

"It's only a gate, Archie," he forced himself to whisper. Archie looked at him as if he'd taken leave of his senses.

"Only a gate? Look at that thing! What good could possibly lay behind a gate like that?"

"I don't know, but the men are looking to us to lead. These men will take us through that… thing whether we like it or not, and I prefer not to be forced through it."

He could see Archie mentally collect himself.

"You are right, Horatio. I am sorry."

They both looked back at their men now, who were indeed on the edge of panic.

"Lead on." Horatio gestured as nonchalantly as he could with ropes around his wrists and Ivo, still chuckling led them through the gateway into…