Disclaimer: All characters and places belong to Squaresoft Enix. Apart from the additional characters created by me.
A/N: Thank you once again for the reviews I have received so far. Please keep them coming! I am so pleased to see so many people viewing this story and if you are following, I do hope you will review!…. Oh well on with the story.. JD
THE HOOD
Chapter Thirteen – Clandestine
The feelings and thoughts of the thirteen now standing outside the door of the mill was a mixture indeed. The children happy and amazed at their newfound discovery. How could they possibly understand the consequences of the event that now played before them? Only when they looked to their parent's faces and then the other adults around them, did they then question what was wrong.
"Father?" Asked one of John's sons, as he pulled at the cloth belonging to his father's pants.
"It is a fire and not a sunset Tom. But you did well in showing this to us. Come, let us go back inside," said John, as he looked to his wife Rose.
The fear now evident in her own eyes, for she knew what the Sheriff was capable of doing, as the tales had reached them from many a traveller seeking refuge from his tyranny. Her sister Beth had also told them both of the actions of the Sheriff in Balamb and what he had done to the people there. He was without doubt a callous man. The very thought sent a shiver down her spine, as she followed her husband into the mill with their children.
Milady had been transfixed to the spot, as she stared with complete horror at the fallacious sunset. While her hands covered her mouth in a prayer like pose, tears threatened to fall as they formed in her eyes. When she eventually spoke, it was like a whisper
"If we had stayed within the wood but one more day, we would now all have perished in the flames."
Turning so that she could see 'The Hood' she continued
"Do you not see what you have done?"
Puzzled by her question, he turned to look at her as she began to speak again
"You have saved all our lives! How are we ever to thank you?"
'Saved them! They were hardly safe!' He thought before replying
"Milady, our situation has not changed. For we are still in danger, as the sight before us shows that the Sheriff is now in Galbadia and only half a day's ride behind us. So please do not be untimely with your praise. For we are now trapped and cannot head to Dollet without standing out as strangers to the people of the village. Even if we were to enter the town itself, it would be easy for the Sheriff to seal the gates and seek us out upon a word of our arrival, for we would have nowhere to hide. We cannot head back for the fire has seen to that and taking the Galbadia road to the Deling turn off is out of the question, for we run the risk of running into the Sheriff and his men. Forgive my bluntness Milady, for I did not mean to frighten you."
Milady knew he had spoken the truth and it did little to calm her fear of the man. No not a man, but a monster that now pursued them. 'What were they to do? What of her father?' These were the questions that came to her mind. So she asked
"Do we not risk discovery by the Sheriff and his men, for surely they will search the mill on passing?"
Her question had surprised him, for he had expected her to ask of her father. But he was not without a plan and so he replied
"Yes Milady, I am sure of it. But I do not think that the horses reside within the only secret place and I believe that hiding from sight is our only option, until the Sheriff and his men have passed. Then we may look to my plan on entering Dollet and for you to see your father, for I know this is a question you wish to ask of me."
"That is true for had you not mentioned it, I would indeed have asked," replied Milady.
"Then let us head back inside, for it will do no good to remain out here," stated 'The Hood'.
With a nod of her head in agreement. Milady walked back into the mill with 'The Hood' following closely behind. When they had reached the room holding the large table once more, the expressions on the others faces was grave indeed. Only Zell had looked up when they had entered and asked the question that had been on all of their minds.
"What now?"
"Have you already given up and resolved to be captured so quickly? Asked 'The Hood'.
It was Irvine who replied first to his question.
"I fail to see what hope there is of avoiding the Sheriff and his soldiers."
"There is always hope!" Replied 'The Hood' as he turned to John Ward and asked
"John tell me, can your walls only hide horses or do you have places that men may also remain hidden from view?"
John smiled as he replied, "Aye, we have a couple of places."
"Show me!" Replied 'The Hood'.
John rose to his feet and then led 'The Hood' up the stairs and into the main bedroom of the house. Where another flight of steps led to the attic.
"This way," said John. As he climbed the steps and entered the attic in a stoop to avoid the oak beams that formed part of the roof structure. Looking around there was not really much to see but a few sacks of vegetables and a large wooden trunk.
'The Hood' could see nothing in this room, but he doubted that he would be shown such a room without reason and so he asked
"I fail to see how this room may help us?"
"No this will not, but there is a secret panel in the centre of the far wall," replied John.
Taking the few short steps to reach the wall, before pushing his weight against it, but it did not yield.
"Soldiers when they have searched here before, do as you do now and find nothing. But the panel is lower and you will need to enter on your hands and knees," said John.
Lowering himself on to his knees 'The Hood' pushed against the wall once more, only this time it moved to reveal an opening. Crawling his way through the hidden doorway, he stood once more as he surveyed the small room before him. Despite the lack of windows, light filtered into the room through a gap that lied between the thatched roof and the walls itself. On closer inspection it revealed an adequate view of the front of the mill and provided enough room to fire and arrow, should the need arise. The only disadvantage was its size, for only three could hide here in any comfort. Exiting the hidden room once more on his hands and knees, 'The Hood' re-emerged back into the attic.
"The space lies between the two buildings and cannot be seen from the outside. But if the soldiers come up here and feel the walls, you may bolt the door on the inside and remain safe," stated John.
"There is only one thing not in its favour and that is its size. You said there was a couple of hiding places. Can you show me the other, for I do not expect Milady to crawl on her hands and knees?" Asked 'The Hood'.
"Aye, but you may not favour it," stated John.
"Show me anyway, then I can decide," replied 'The Hood'.
"Follow me," said John.
When John and 'The Hood' re-entered the room where the others had once again been seated around the table. Questioning eyes looked up at them anxiously hoping that 'The Hood' did indeed have a plan.
John broke the silence by saying "Beg yer pardon Milady, but I need to move the table".
"Oh of course," replied Milady, as she rose from her seat. The others followed suite and moved to the side of the room.
When John had picked up one end of the large and obviously heavy table, 'The Hood' asked
"And you can move this quickly?"
John looked at him and replied "Aye, it is a heavy table that is true but I can move it with ease".
As he swung the table over to one side, it revealed a large trapdoor that had been hidden by the wooden base of the table. Pulling on the large iron ring, John opened the door, which relinquished the damp odour from the underground cellar.
"Our Beth uses this when she visits by boat, as it leads to the river bank and cannot be accessed by another route," stated John.
Taking the steps down into the cellar, the light filtering from above aided 'The Hood' as he examined his surroundings, along with the river rats that had made this dark damp place their home. He did not need to see them for their foul odour alone had notified him of their presence.
"If you follow the wall round to the left it will lead to the river," offered John.
'The Hood' looked at John before replying, "Re-shut the trapdoor, for I wish to see if I can find the exit."
"Aye," replied John, as he pulled the door back into place and plunged 'The Hood' into darkness.
Feeling the wall behind him, he shuffled slowly along its length until it banked left and then left again. The passageway in front of him was indeed narrow, for he could feel the wall on both sides. Using them as a guide, he made his way following its path to the right and then he saw light breaking through ahead. Moving faster now he made his way towards the light. Finding what appeared to be an animal hide in front of him. The light breaking through from underneath, where it had obviously been hung up to cover a doorway but its length did not quite reach the floor below. Moving it aside and allowing his eyes to adjust to the early evening light. He stepped out onto the bank.
The watermill wheel on his left stood silently as it waited once again to be activated by the levers and cogs inside. To his right a small damaged upturned boat rested on the reeds and grasses that had gathered in the small recess before him. It could hardly be described as an escape route, for the only option was the river itself, but none the less it was better than nothing and he would take it if he had to.
Satisfied with the options before him, he made his way back through the hidden entrance and retraced his route until he reached the steps and the trapdoor once more. Pushing against it as it opened first slowly and then with a bang as it flipped open and startled those in the room. All eyes were upon him as he stepped back into the room.
"John, can you show Zell and Irvine the hidden room upstairs?" Asked 'The Hood'.
"Aye," he replied, as he closed the trapdoor and moved the table back in place.
When they had left the room 'The Hood' turned to Alan and asked
"How long would it take a man on foot to reach the village of Dollet from here?"
Averting his gaze from the window he replied, "No more than half a days walk."
"And you still have family residing in the village?" Asked 'The Hood'.
"Aye, a father, mother and younger sister. Why do you ask?"
"I would like you to head out at first light and visit them, for it will not look out of place as a stranger would on entering the village. We need to know if we can rely on some form of shelter from the villagers, which I hope your family will be able to provide answers to. Take Will here with you and he can be another set of eyes and ears, for you will need to enter the town itself to see the situation there. You can claim to be working in Deling with Will here, should you be questioned. But to avoid suspicion, you must stay at least seven days, only then will I expect you to return." Instructed 'The Hood'.
Alan and Will nodded in agreement.
"Good, then I suggest you rest now before your journey, I will keep watch." Offered 'The Hood'.
Milady had watched the exchange between 'The Hood' and these two men with great interest. 'Would they really have to wait seven days before heading to Dollet? To be so close to her father and not be able to head that final distance. But she had travelled this far and his judgement had been correct in leaving Galbadia Wood.' That thought alone sent a shiver down her softly she said
"Edea, you may go and rest, for you do not have to wait for me to retire."
Looking up from her seat opposite Edea replied, "Are you sure Milady, for I do not mind providing you with company until you are ready?"
"Yes I am quite sure, for there is company already here," replied Milady.
"Very good Milady."
"Come, I will show you were you may sleep, for I have already put my boys to bed." Stated Rose, before escorting them out of the room and up the stairs.
As he stood there in his silent vigil, watching the darkness engulf the landscape before him. So deep in concentration, that he did not notice her approach, as she attempted to see what held his gaze so. Turning to him, she spoke softly
"You watch with such intensity. Yet all I can see is the darkness of the night before me. Tell me, do you observe something that concerns you so?" Asked Milady.
He turned slightly to catch her gaze before replying
"No Milady. It is only the trees I see moving in the night air."
"Yet still you remain. Is it perhaps that you expect the Sheriff and his men to arrive this very evening?" She asked.
"No I do not expect them until the morning, but there is a small chance that I may be incorrect. I do not like to leave matters in the hands of chance for that will surely lead us to our capture or death. My vigilance has kept me alive these last few years when an element of doubt remained. So I will continue to be cautious, while your safety lies in my hands Milady."
"Then I must thank my Knight for his vigilance and pray that he remains my champion when the morning comes," said Milady.
Before 'The Hood' could reply to such a statement. Zell and Irvine had returned to the room once more. Raising only the slightest hint of surprise on his face, Zell said
"We have studied the secret room most carefully and we are both of the opinion, that should the need arise, we would be able to break through the thatch and escape across the roof and then to the river. Its only disadvantage seems to be in its size."
"Good for that is the opinion I formed also. I want you both to put all of our belongings within that room tonight. Then should the alarm be raised of the Sheriff's approach, escort Edea to that room and remain there until you are told it is safe to leave. I have asked Alan and Will to head to Dollet at first light, for we need to know what occurs after the Sheriff's arrival and if we can expect shelter in the village. Besides, there is not the space to hide everyone within this mill," said 'The Hood'.
"And what of Milady?" Asked Zell.
"Milady's safety will remain in my hands and morning will come soon enough, so let us be ready," said 'The Hood'.
A/N: Will they be safe in the Mill? Will the Sheriff and his men find them? What will happen next? Find out in the next chapter of 'The Hood'. Oh and please review!!! JD