Chapter 2: The Mission
Captain Blaylock and the four Crusaders strode down the center aisle of the shadowed stable, their boots tromping and swords swinging in unison. The rows of brass buttons on their dark blue uniforms gleamed in the low light as they walked --- Captain Blaylock in the lead, Burrows, Fitzgibbons, Lynch and Declan in two pairs behind him. Declan's belly twinged in excitement as he matched their purposeful demeanor, endeavoring not to appear the novice in the company as they set out upon the yet unknown mission.
They rode in a similar formation, heading north on the main road after they left Kilmaedan Castle. 'Twas a cool night, with a thin wind and intermittent moonlight through shifting grey clouds. In some two miles, they turned west onto a narrow lane, the horses' hoofbeats muffled on the soft, damp ground as they passed between the stone walls along dark pastures. The sounds of night accompanied them...the hooting of owls, the trill of nightingales, the chirping of crickets.
At the Captain's bidding, Declan advanced to ride at his side. "I've already instructed the others in the plan for tonight's engagement," he said. "So, I shall apprise you of the essentials. Our destination is the farm of one of the Duke's tenants. The farmer has been overheard in a local tavern in seditious speech against his lordship. Indeed, the family is suspected of aiding the rebel United Irish faction known to be active in the county."
The horses splashed across a shallow stream. Blaylock continued: "The farmhouse is some thirty paces from the road, separated from it by a stone wall. 'Tis a simple cottage --- stone with a thatched roof. There are two means of egress: a door and a window, both on the front. The inhabitants are four in number: the farmer, his wife, her sister, and a young child. The man is young and strong and may be armed --- be prepared."
Declan attended the Captain's words closely. As he listened, he observed in his peripheral vision a large bird flying silently alongside them, eerily silhouetted by the moonlight --- eventually he lost sight of it when the clouds regrouped over the moon.
"Upon our arrival, Burrows, Fitzgibbons and I will address the door; you and Lynch will wait in the yard. Given the hour, I expect we shall find them abed. We will escort the women and child out. Whilst we interview the man, you and Lynch will guard the women. We do not yet know the extent of the women's involvement in the treasonous plot, but I intend to discover it. In the meantime --- mark me well --- no harm must come to the women. Do not let them escape, but do not injure them. Is that clear?"
"Aye, sir."
"As the events unfold, I shall give you further orders --- or the others will. Obey them as you would me."
"Aye, sir."
After a half hour's ride, they reined to a stop alongside a low wall, the stones dim under a tracing of vines. "'Tis here," the Captain muttered. In the dark, the black shape of the dwelling was scarce visible, but Declan could smell the peat smoke over the scent of earth and animals. For some moments, the five men stared into the blackness with no sound save the wind rustling leaves about them.
Then the clouds broke, and moonlight dimly illuminated the scene. 'Twas as Blaylock had described it: a small stone cottage with a thatched roof and smoke rising from the chimney...a sight quite familiar to Declan from his past employment on farms. Nary a hint of light leaked round the shuttered window or door.
On Blaylock's nod, the men dismounted and passed through a sagging wooden gate in the wall --- Declan bringing up the rear. As he stepped into the yard, there was a sinister stirring of the air above him that made him duck --- his eyes darted up to the swooping shape of some winged creature against the night sky. With a harsh caw, a large bird alit upon the roof of the cottage.
Silently the men crossed the yard, picking their way over soft ground, stones, tufts of scrub grass, and past pale mounds of ruminating sheep --- a few lurching to their feet and bleating as they passed. Some twenty feet from the dark house they halted. Following the Captain's hand signals, they proceeded according to plan: Fitzgibbons and Burrows flanked him to the door, whilst Declan and Lynch stood back. Declan carefully stepped sideways in the mud to give himself a clear line of sight to the door. He put his hand upon the butt of his holstered flintlock and watched intently.
Captain Blaylock knocked forcefully upon the door and commanded, "Open in the name of the Duke!"
Immediately there was a ferocious barking on the other side of the portal. Declan and Lynch exchanged quick looks. Blaylock hadn't mentioned a dog! In all the guards' drills, he had never trained to defend against a canine attacker. 'Twas apparently an unforeseen development for the three men at the door as well, for they leant close together in impromptu consultation. Above the barking Declan could make out little of their exchange.
"...about a bloody dog!" Fitzgibbons said.
"Stand ready," Blaylock ordered.
A faint line of light now appeared round the window shutters, then the door slowly opened several inches. In the sliver of light was the face of man. "Patrick Lanigan?" Blaylock said above the barking.
The man's face turned to take in the five uniformed, armed men...then he opened the door a little wider, showing the snarling dog next to his bare feet. He was a young man of middling height and sturdy build, his hair tousled and his shirt hanging out of his breeches. In his right hand was a stout blackthorn shillelagh. Declan's thumb went to his pistol's hammer, his eyes fixed upon the farmer's hands.
With his hand upon his own flintlock, the Captain said something to the man, who, after again surveying the visitors, issued a curt, unintelligible command. The dog at once ceased barking but remained at his side, growling. Again, Blaylock addressed the man --- the Captain's words inaudible from where Declan stood, but his demeanor was completely composed.
The farmer seemed to be pondering the words...after a pause, he turned with a grim expression and stepped out of sight inside the cottage. In a few moments he reappeared along with two young women with woolen shawls wrapped round their nightgowns --- one was carrying a whimpering wee lad some two years of age.
Blaylock, Fitzgibbons, and Burrows stood aside to permit the women to step out into the dark yard --- Patrick Lanigan and the dog following close behind them. Blaylock pointed at Declan and Lynch. "Over there."
The women halted at the indicated spot, some four feet in front Declan and Lynch. In the darkness, Declan could scarce see their faces, but he heard Lanigan's low voice. "'Twill be fine, love. Just wait here whilst I talk to these men." He looked from Declan to Lynch, his eyes fierce in the dim light. "Orla, stay!" he said without looking down.
As Lanigan turned back towards the cottage, Blaylock called out, "The dog stays with you." The man hesitated for a moment, regarding the three men waiting at the door, then signaled the dog to come. He and the dog preceded the guards into the dwelling and the door was shut behind them.
Silence.
