Taken By Storm(79)

“That’s encouraging,” he said.

“I should encourage you to be a fool?”

“I have no other choice,” he argued.

“Perhaps there is.”

“I don’t agree and neither do the others,” Tanin said sharply, causing them both to turn and face him.

“What’s going on?” Burke asked, looking from one to the other.

“Tell him,” Tanin said accusingly.

“It could work but plans would need to be strictly adhered to,” Storm said calmly.

Tanin shook his head. “She wants to attempt to rescue Cullen from Weighton.”

Burke looked to Storm. “I thought you said Weighton was impregnable?”

“It is,” Tanin said.

“It might not be,” Storm advised, and both men shot wide eyes at her.

“How so?” Burke asked.

“I have an idea that might work, but I need to give it more thought before sharing it with you.”

“I don’t like it,” Tanin said.

“It may not matter one way or the other,” Burke said. “If the earl accepts my proposal, then this is a moot point. I don’t think we should worry about it until then.”

“She won’t stop thinking about it,” Tanin argued, pointing to Storm.

“It may be necessary for me to think about it. If I don’t, valuable time can be lost and a man’s life may be forfeited. I prefer being prepared just in case.”

“It’s unthinkable,” Tanin warned. “There’s no way it can be done. It’s certain death.”

“For Cullen,” Storm confirmed.

Burke stepped between the pair. “At the moment it is merely a consideration that tomorrow may prove nothing. There’s no point in arguing over something that may never see fruition.”

“Tell him, Storm, or I will,” Tanin threatened.

“I gave you an order to keep what we discussed to yourself,” Storm said.

“Not this time,” Tanin said, shaking his head. “Not what you proposed. It’s damned foolish and can mean death.”

Burke turned an anxious glance on Storm. “What’s Tanin talking about?”

“I told you, it’s an idea that needs further investigation and preparation.”

“It needs no consideration. It needs ignoring, forgetting, burying,” Tanin insisted.

“Storm,” Burke said firmly. “Tell me now.”

Storm thought to ignore them both. She was the leader and her word was law, though it seemed Tanin had chosen to ignore her order. She couldn’t, however, carry out her plan if she didn’t have the support and determination of her men. It would take a concentrated effort from all of them to succeed.

“Keep in mind that it is a fermenting thought that needs further consideration,” she advised before continuing. “The one reason it is so hard to rescue anyone from Weighton is because no one knows the inner workings of the place. Every prison rescue we’re made was successful largely due to the knowledge we obtained about the prison itself.”

Burke nodded. “When you rescued me I remember that you knew of the cells at the end of the corridor.”

Storm nodded. “We learned of that from people who had been held prisoner there and had been released. Then there were the greedy guards who were willing to exchange information for coins.”

“So we find ourselves some greedy guards,” Burke said.

Tanin shook his head. “The man who tried now rots in Weighton. No guard there would dare take such a chance. He’s only too aware of his fate, and no amount of coins would be worth the chance of being condemned to Weighton.”

“The only other way is for someone to enter Weighton as a prisoner, learn what they could for a few days, and be prepared when the others make the rescue attempt,” Storm said.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Burke said. “The fellow could learn the workings of the place and possibly even locate Cullen’s cell. He can even see if there’s a good escape route.”

Tanin rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes, this fellow could do all that in between being tortured, beaten, and starved.”

“It’s a gamble, and the fellow would need to volunteer. I could do it. I wouldn’t expect someone to place his life on the line for my brother.”

“Wouldn’t work,” Tanin said. “Weighton is for special prisoners, mainly ones who have committed crimes against king and country. You’re a foreigner, and it would take time to make a case against you, and until then you would be held in another prison.”

Burke shrugged. “Then there is no one—”

Tanin nodded. “Now you understand.”