Lady Adalyn (The Saga Of Wolfbridge Manor Book 1), Sahara Kelly [the best e book reader .TXT] 📗

“There’s nowhere else it could go, unless there is an underground chamber of some sort. Do you know of caves in this area? Because I don’t.” Evan answered Giles’ question.

Daniel brought up the rear. “I agree. This channel diverts water into the lake. It might well have been first used for irrigation or watering cattle during dry years.”

Adalyn huffed out a chuckle. “Dry years? What are those?”

“Good point.” Daniel managed a grin.

“So all we have to do is open what you called a gate. Where is it?”

“Ah, that’s the worry now.” Daniel moved off, slithering down a little slope and ending up much nearer the water. The bank was not so high there, and Adalyn sucked in a breath.

“Be careful,” she called.

Daniel flashed her a quick smile and a nod before pointing out the problem. “It’s a primitive structure. These beams are holding back a layer of old turf, and the current new bank that has built up around it over the years. We have to free it to allow the water through.”

“Well then, let’s get at it.”

Jeremy and Evan clambered to Daniel’s side and surveyed the two cross beams that held it all in place. At one point it must have been completely nailed tight, but with the passage of time the boards had rotted away, leaving only the crossed spars which were secured with iron bolts. On either side there were heavy iron latches, much like those Adalyn had seen on the gates of fields. But these were bigger and had rubbed a niche for themselves in the solid beams that sank down into the earth and fixed the entire system.

“It’s an enormous gate, isn’t it?” She stared at the contraption.

“It is that,” nodded Jeremy. “She’s going to be a devil to open, too.”

“I’ll get the tools,” said Evan.

The other two threw off their coats, ignoring the cold drizzle.

“Adalyn, you must keep out of the way. Somewhere secure.” Giles looked around and found the nearest tree. “I want you there, by that trunk. You can see everything, but I daren’t take the risk that the bank will collapse once we free that gate. If the water comes in fast, as I think it might, it will sweep everything before it. So up there you should be out of its path.”

“But what about you all?”

She was seriously concerned now; this venture might save lives, but it might also claim lives. That thought was unbearable.

“We can look out for ourselves and each other. But knowing you are safe allows us to do what we need to do without worrying. So please…” Giles’s expression was a mix of worry and desperation. “If we are to do this, keep out of the way?”

She nodded. “All right. I understand. But for God’s sake be careful.”

“We will.” He joined the others.

They began by clearing the accumulated debris around the latches and as they freed the iron, some of the material between the river and the gate showed signs of crumbling.

“It won’t take much,” shouted Evan.

“I think the water will pound its way through once we get it started,” added Jeremy. “Be ready if it does.”

Daniel stood next to the gate, swinging a large mallet and weakening the main post. The rhythmic sound of his strokes rang in Adalyn’s ears and she found herself clinging to the tree, desperately anxious that it wouldn’t work—and greatly afraid that it would.

With all four men working to loosen the latches and clear away the old turf, twigs and mud, it wasn’t long before a shout told her that there was water coming their way.

“Oh God,” she whispered. “Keep them safe…”

“I think…”

“Look out…”

Suddenly, with a shrieking of ripping wood and the roar of angry water, the gate gave way and the Wolf river eagerly sought a new avenue of escape.

Jeremy and Evan jumped free, leaping backwards and knocking over Giles as they did so. All three struggled in a tangled heap on the wet bank.

But Daniel…where was Daniel?

Adalyn’s heart stopped, then started again at triple its normal speed. “Daniel…” she screamed. “Daniel…where are you?”

Heedless of the risks, she let go of the tree and slithered down to where the river was now whooshing past her in its new direction. “Daniel,” she screamed once more, running along the edge, pushing branches out of her way.

She couldn’t lose him. Not Daniel…he was her love, her dearest heart. If she lost him…she couldn’t survive…

There were voices behind her calling her name and Daniel’s…but still she did not stop. If she couldn’t find him before this channel went beneath the ground…

Her mind blanked as her eyes searched the water and the banks for any sign of him.

“Adalyn…”

“It’s him. It’s Daniel…”

Her shriek brought the others running even faster to her side, and she pointed to a sharp bend. “There. Look…the gate has caught on that low branch and he’s hanging on to the wood…” She hopped from one foot to the other. “The rope. You had a rope Jeremy. Throw him the rope…”

Jeremy, who had indeed brought a rope, had to go back for it, because it was up by the entrance to the runoff channel.

Adalyn wanted to scream again, but instead she called out to Daniel. “We’ll have you safe in a few moments, Daniel, don’t give up…keep holding on…”

“I will.” He cursed. “The damn wood is splintering. Hold your breath, love, I’m going to try to grasp the tree instead.”

The roar of the water was deafening, a thunder that drummed into her ears and pounded ceaselessly at everything in its way.

She held her breath, clenched her hands together and prayed with everything she possessed, as Daniel freed one hand and tried to lift himself high enough to grab the branch of the overhanging tree.

The first time, he failed.

A sob of terror stuck in her throat.

But the second time, he reached it, wrapping his fingers around it and pulling himself away from the wood. One final kick and he was free, able to work his way