There were actually two doors, one on each side of the wall with a three-foot tunnel between them. Both were made of wood with mortar on one side that held the stones in place. Each had a leather strap affixed to the top and the bottom, making it easy to push out without letting it fall or to pull back in place from inside the wall. Finger holes had been chipped out of the stones allowing the removal of the doors when they were closed. She found the sections heavy and had to slide them, but Connor had no trouble lifting them. To her vexation, that was something he could do much better than she could.
Once inside the cottage, she kissed her mother's cheek. "Your sister said to say they are all well."
"I am relieved." Catherin sat on the bed and was starting to get the boys out of their wet clothing.
Rachel knelt down and wrapped her arms around both boys. "You have been very brave and Kevin will be pleased. Did the Fergusons take you?" Both boys nodded.
The oldest boy pouted. "We are not supposed to tell."
"What did they threaten to do if you told?"
"Kill all of you."
"That will never happen, I promise." Rachel was out the door in a flash and racing down the path, across the courtyard and up the steps with Connor right behind her. She was about to open the door to the great hall when she paused to look at him. In English she said, "Thank you."
In perfect English, he returned, "You are quite welcome." He smiled and she rolled her eyes.
She was almost completely out of breath when she reached Kevin and had to wait a moment before she gave her report. "I saw not one warrior in the forest, not one. The boys said the Fergusons took them, but threatened to kill the rest of us if they told."