Chapter 4 Last chance

As the days went by Olivia new she had to get away. She was not he q fry going to France. She could not leave all she knew and loved.

She had a plan tonight would be her chance as her father and the servants would be occupied with guest in the great hall. She had stashed some food and a wine skin full of water in a bag under her bed. She had a dagger that belong to her mother to protect herself.

Night quickly came. After about an hour into the activities downstairs she made her way down. She decided it was time.

Quietly Olivia slipped out her room down the hall to the back stairs. She made her way stealthily step by step. Ducking into shadows and slipping past an alcove where a young maid and a man servant we’re making out. They never knew she was there.

Stopping at the kitchen door Mrs McGill was instructing another cook and servant in what was next to be served to the guest.

Olivia slipped behind the table and darted to the hall to the back exit of the castle. Not a soul saw her. “Ahh, sweet freedom.” She thought as she came out the door.

Sticking to the shadows the whole way to the barn. She stood and watched to see if it was clear for her to enter. After some time she heard nothing but the sounds of the animals and the whispering of the wind.

Slipping inside, she went to her favorite horse. “Shhh, Ivory it’s okay girl. It’s me. Good girl. That’s right, we are going for a ride. “ Olivia cooed as she feed the quarter horse a carrot from her bag. Quickly she saddled the horse. Praying the whole time no one saw the white horse leave the stables.

“Let’s go girl.” Olivia walked the mare out of the sables and across the yard. Once they were out of the eye sight of the the castle she mounted the horse pulling her cloak around her. Heading for the far hills.

She knew the country side very well. It looked like it was going to rain any time. She had to make it to the caves tonight. She would stay there till morning.

The rain came not long after. It wasn’t heavy but at a steady pace. After a few hours ride she came to the cave. Finally she thought with a shiver. I am so cold. Rushing to get inside and get a fire started.

She got down and walked the horse into the mouth of the cave. With a shiver she quickly pulled out the flint and steal to light the little pile she had quickly gathered. After a couple of strikes it caught fire.

“Thank you Mr. McTavish for teaching me how to light a fire. “ she muttered to herself.

She searched the cave for anything that could burn for heat. Olivia wasn’t the first to use the cave. Someone had a small pile of wood in a corner. That would do till morning.

Over in the night Olivia developed a fever. With the fever came dreams of her mothers death and her father sending her away. She thrashed and turned fitfully through the night.

She woke to the howl of a wolf in the distance. She got up weakly and set small fires along the caves edge. Knowing that would keep them at bay till morning. The last of her energy was spent. She passed out in a fretful sleep once again.

What she didn’t know was that Johnathan Campbell saw her slip into the darkness and out of sight of the castle. He was there with his father and the guest that had came to the castle that night.

“What is she doing?” He thought when he saw her slip from the barn. He was trying his best to keep up with her from such a distance away. The only way he kept up with her was the white horse. If it wasn’t for the horse he would have lost her in the dark and the rain.

After sometime she disappeared from sight. He continued to search. There came the howling of the wolves from a distance. He needed to find Olivia before she got herself killed.

He scanned the vast area in front of him when he saw the flicker of fire light in the distance. How did she get so far ahead.

He gradually made his way to the where she was. He carefully approached and realized she had found a cave to take refuge in. “You little minx. Aren’t you a smart little thing.” He said in a mumble chuckling.

As he approached the cave he saw some movement from inside the cave. Olivia was in a heap on the cave floor thrashing around as if she was fighting something.

Quickly putting out the fire and gathering her things on her horse. He could see she was well prepared to be out here for a long time.

Johnathan lifted her up in his arms realizing how sick she was. It has to be from the cold rain. He tied her horse to his and lifted her to his saddle. Lithely getting up behind her he wrapped his arm along with his cloak around her and headed for home.

She nuzzled into his warmth instinctively feeling safety in his youthful embrace.

Johnathan tensed up for a moment glancing down at her. Shaking his head he picked up his reigns turning the horses in the direction they came.