Just outside the cavern, the travelers stood hunched in the rain. As they milled around, gathering brush to cover the entrance, Tom and Samuel came up behind.
"There ain't no one following." said Samuel.
Adam Thoroughgood and Tom had a brief and hushed discussion, after which Tom untied his horse from the trees and climbed into the saddle. Elizabeth had scattered the last of the branches over the cavern entrance when Adam drew her aside and spoke to her in a hushed voice, "Missus Miller, Mister Easton is going on to find the remainder of his men, but he has agreed to escort you as far as the cabin. There are blankets to black the windows with, and small provisions as well, but we can't make it there on foot and still have time to make it ready by sun-up. You go on. Samuel, Daniel and I will follow behind shortly, ma'am..."

Elizabeth nodded tiredly and took this excuse to put as much distance between herself and the farm as she could. She moved to untie another horse when Easton's mount sidestepped into her path. Startled, she slid on the wet limestone and caught her balance just before she fell. She then looked up to see Easton's arm extended to her. Silently, she grabbed his arm, he pulled, and she swung up cleanly behind him. Her arms slid around his waist and she turned her head to look at Adam and Samuel as the horse began to move off, "Be careful." she called.
Samuel nodded, and Adam replied, "See you soon." and sent the horse off with a solid swat to its rump.

The road was deserted. They rode on for miles, the only sound being the chuff of horse's breath, and the occasional snap of a rock being scuffed by hooves. The rain had decreased from a steady pour to a drizzle. Elizabeth unlaced her fingers, and brought one hand back to wipe the rain-soaked hair from her forehead. When she put her arm back, Tom made a small noise clearing his throat and turned his head back slightly towards her. "I'm sorry.." he said.
"Hmm?" asked Elizabeth.
"About your farm, your family...I'm sorry. I wish I'd gotten there sooner."
Elizabeth shifted slightly, "Thank you, but had you come earlier, you'd most likely be dead too..."

The weight of this certainty settled on Tom uneasily, and he turned back to the road ahead. Elizabeth slowly began to fall to exhaustion and the lulling pace of their walking horse. She yawned, and not having the strength to bring her hand back, buried her face in Tom's shoulder. The resultant warm spot from her exhalation made a welcoming place for her to rest her cheek, and a few minutes passed before she drowsily mumbled, "I hated you, you know."
Tom stiffened slightly, "Hmm?"
"Mm-hmm, Christmas. Here was this poor, hurt man, and you wouldn't let a body help him. Vain and selfish, you dragging him off into the night to die.."
"Hezekiah is alive." Tom interjected, "In no small part thanks to you, of course. With any luck I'll be meeting up with him tomorrow, er, today.."

They rode on a minute more before Elizabeth spoke again, "Still, you have to admit you weren't very pleasant."
"And you were ever the soul of good-will to all mankind?" Tom smiled grimly. "I seem to remember differently..."
"I wanted to brain you with a rock."
"I know."

When they reached the cabin, Elizabeth hurriedly lit the lantern and went inside. In a few minutes, they had blanketed all the windows and were standing outside in the trees, looking for any sign of light. The cabin appeared deserted. They quickly discussed the path for the following night, and Tom, anxious for news of his friends, once again readied himself.
"You'll be safe here?"
"I'll be fine."
"I'll be back." He once again mounted the tired horse, and rode off up the road. Elizabeth blew out the lantern and darkness fell over the cabin.