"The first goal is their safety."
Ren leaned forward.
"Then let Two Feathers draw attention to the front entrance while we approach the rear."
Elias looked at her.
"We?"
She met his gaze.
"Yes."
"Renβ"
She raised one eyebrow.
He stopped.
She continued.
"I know the old drainage channel. My cousin knows it too."
Elias glanced toward the sketch.
Ren touched his hand.
"I am not asking to ride into gunfire."
He listened.
"I'm asking you to trust that I know this country."
For a moment, he studied her.
Then nodded.
"All right."
Ren smiled.
The plan was simple.
Two Feathers would approach the front of the storehouse under the pretense of delivering information.
Elias and Iron Elk would remain concealed within supporting distance.
Ren and her cousin would use the drainage channel to reach the rear of the building, locate the children, and guide them toward waiting horses.
They would withdraw without confronting Crane if possible.
No one wanted a battle.
The children mattered more than punishing their captors that afternoon.
The rescue took place shortly before sunset.
Two Feathers rode toward the storehouse with his hands visible.
A guard stepped onto the porch.
"Halt!"
The older warrior stopped.
"I have news for Mr. Crane."
The guard studied him.
"Where are the papers?"
Two Feathers shook his head.
"Still with the chief."
The guard cursed.
"Then why are you here?"
"Because the cowboy found something Crane needs to know."
The guard hesitated.
Then called for another man.
While the two argued near the front entrance, Ren and her cousin moved carefully along the dry drainage channel.
The ditch was narrow and filled with loose stones.
Ren kept low.
Her heart pounded.
She could hear the men talking near the building.
But the rear wall remained unguarded.
They reached a small storage door.
Its wooden latch was damaged.
Ren pressed gently.
It moved.
Her cousin looked at her.
Ren nodded.
They slipped inside.
The storeroom smelled of grain dust, old leather, and stale tobacco.
A narrow passage led toward the main room.
Ren heard a child crying.
She moved quietly toward the sound.
Behind a stacked row of crates, two children sat beside a small window.
The older girl held her younger brother close.
Both looked terrified.
Ren crouched.
The girl gasped.
Ren immediately raised one finger to her lips.
"Quietly."
The child stared.
Ren spoke softly.
"Your uncle sent us."
The boy began crying harder.
"Is he alive?"
Ren nodded.
"Yes."
The girl looked toward the door.
"The men said nobody was coming."
Ren's expression softened.
"They were wrong."
She reached for the rope securing the small enclosure.
Her cousin worked at the knot.
Within moments, it loosened.
Ren helped the children stand.
"Can you walk?"
Both nodded.
"Then follow us. Stay close."
They moved toward the rear door.
Outside, a guard shouted something.
Ren froze.
Footsteps crossed the main room.
Her cousin pressed one hand against the door.