A/N: Hello everyone! I have another chapter for you guys. I hope you enjoy it

Chapter 23: Escape Plan…Again

Leaving the room, he made sure that a soldier was stationed outside the door and also at the bottom of the stairs. Though the tower was about 5 stores high, he didn't want assume that she won't try and escape. Leaving the tower, he met up with a few of his men who were tending to the horses. Seten approached him, letting a soldier tend to his horse.

"Is the lass happy that she gets a bed tonight?" Seten asked Erik.

"Very happy."

"Captain?" Their heads turned to see a soldier approaching them. "These were found during our rides." He handed Erik several pieces of ripped ribbon. He looked down at them, remembering seeing them somewhere before. "They were on branches throughout the woods."

"Where did they come from?" Seten asked. Erik knew and he should have known.

"Damn that lass." His hand fisted, crushing the ribbon.

"I give her credit though; it was a good plan." Too good, Erik thought. He should have known she would do something like this. "I'm starting to like this lass." Seten's comment made Erik's blood boil.

"As am I, she is not like many of lasses I know." Malcolm commented, adding more heat to Erik's anger.

"One more word for any of you and I-l-" He tried to threaten, but stopped. Seten raised an eyebrow at his captain. This was unusual for him to stop mid threat, especially over a lass. He knew Erik was always protective over his woman. He remembered many times that men would end up with almost broken limbs. Every man learned quickly to stay away from Erik's woman. What puzzled Seten was that Christine wasn't Erik's woman. So why was Erik getting protective over her?

"Sorry, Captain." Malcolm quickly apologized. No saying anything, he just walked away. The three men looked at each other, confused. Walking throughout the village, he needed to get as far away from her as possible. But he knew that would be impossible. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get her out of his mind. He started to think of returning to Gustave and keeping the lad. Yes, that could work. Then she'd be back in England, away from him. As much as he should follow that plan, he didn't know if he could. God, what is happening to me?

Looking out the window of the tower, Christine looked at the black horizon before her. The full moon gave light and she could see outline of trees. The sky was clear and the stars filled the black space. It was truly beautiful. She could get used to seeing this view every day. It was a rare chance she would back at England for her days were often booked until late and by then, she would be too tried to sit out and looked at the stars. Sighing, she heard movement back in the room and turned to see William walking over to her.

"Is he gone?" William asked, walking to her.

"Yes, he left a couple of minutes ago." She answered, gazing back out. "You have been quiet the last few days." She said to him. He usually was talkative, but after they were taken hostages and Christine's failed escape, William kept quiet most of the time. He spoke, but whenever Erik was around, he remained quiet.

"I don't like him." William said. William had heard about the stories about Erik Boyd and grew to hate him just like Gustave. "I especially don't like the way he looks at you." Christine knew that she shouldn't like how Erik looks at her.

"You need not worry it, he won't hurt me in the way you think." She tried to reassure him, knowing Erik wouldn't hurt her in that way, especially after hearing about what had happened to his sister. William was silent for a moment before saying something.

"You like him, don't you?" She looked at him, surprised that he came to that conclusion. Did she like him? She didn't know.

"He is not what the stories say." That was all she could think of saying. Glancing back outside, she looked out and noticed something in the distance. It was a light, a yellowish light. Fire…camp fire. It must be the English, her father. Hope suddenly filled her that it was her father, but she couldn't tell if it was. If wasn't the English, it could be a village that they could stay at until her father found her. Either way, it was a risk and she was willing to take it.

Looking around the room, she looked for something that she could use. There wasn't much in the room, but there were a lot of blankets and sheets. She got an idea. Walking over to the sheets, she went through them to see how many were stacked up. She needed a lot since they were five stores up.

"What are you doing?" William asked, unsure of what his cousin was doing.

"Making sure we have enough." She answered.

"Enough for what?" He asked.

"Enough to make a long enough rope." He was still confused on what she was planning. After she was finished counting, she looked at the confused boy looking at her. Knowing she should let him know about the plan, he had to agree to it. "I have a new plan."

"How? He asked. "There's a guard outside out door." He heard Erik tell Christine about the two soldiers guarding them.

"There's still one way to escape without them knowing." Glancing towards the window, William understood what her plan was.

"Absolutely not!" He practically shouted, probably raising suspicion to the soldier outside the door.

"William, please." She tried to calm him down. "Not so loud, he'll hear you." Taking a breath, she tried to explain her plan better. "We can tie the sheets together and make a long enough rope so climb down through the window. No one will be guarding outside."

"For good reason. Who would be willingly to risk their life to escape?" She knew one person that would and did. "And what would we do if we did make it?" She motioned outside to the light in the distance.

"That could be the English. If not, a village that we could stay and wait for father to come find us. By the time Erik could find us, we would be long gone. I doubt he'd risk facing the English to find us." However, a part of her knew that he'd come after her. Not William, only her.

"I don't know Christine." He was unsure if this would work.

"It's our last chance. We're getting further into Scotland, it's risky for father to come further here without the full army." She knew Bruce's phantoms were out there and she heard the stories of his phantoms. "It's our last chance to go home." He thought about it more and finally, made his decision.

"Very well, but on one condition."

"Which is what?" She asked him.

"I go first." She thought about that. "If something should happen, I can jump down easier." He had a point, this dress did make it difficult for her.

"Alright." She agreed. Nodding, he helped move some of the furniture, making sure not to make too much noise to cause suspicion. She tied up the sheets to make a rope, checking the ties to make sure they won't come undone. She tied one to a post that was the closest to the window. Making sure it was steady and strong, she looked at William. "Ready?" He nodded, taking a breath before walking to the window.

William was more nervous now than he had been when he first met Erik. As he climbed through the window, he made sure he had a tight grip on the sheets. Christine helped him and held onto the sheets to help keep them still. She tried to keep calm as she watched William climb down. The rope strained against his weight, but it held. Minutes went by until the rope went loose. He had made it down and now it was her turn. Testing the rope like he had, she glanced over her shoulder to the door. For a second, she thought of him, imagining what his reaction would be. But the second passed and she turned back around to climb onto the window. Her elbow accidently hit the shudder, causing it to clatter against the wall…very loudly. The noise echoed throughout the quiet night. She froze, panicking. Please…. please…She hoped the soldier was asleep and didn't hear it. But…

"Christine, let me in!"

Oh no…

Looks like Erik might ruin the plan again. Any thoughts on what Christine might do? find out soon

Reviews are welcome