by Willa Blair
“What if ye did? What if we could leave? Would ye go?”
Ella frowned at her. “Does this have something to do with yesterday? The shipwreck survivor you tried to deny exists?” Her hand flew to her throat. “Is he coming for ye?”
Muireall shook her head, anxiety a spike in her belly. “I dinna ken. But if he does, I would go. You could, too.”
Ella’s head fell against the wall at her back. “Nay, Muireall, dinna make me wish for something that will never be.” Then she lifted it and looked directly at her friend. “Besides, ye ken less about that man than ye do about these Rosses. Tira’s right about one thing—ye could do much worse for a husband than Erik.”
Muireall wondered if she dared tell Ella what Erik had said. Nay, she’d promised to keep his secret, and she would, at least while she remained here. “No’ if I have to live under the rule of the likes of Donas and Silas,” she finally answered.
Ella pursed her lips. “I see what ye mean. But men die in battle all the time. Donas loves to fight. And ye could help Erik take over the clan.”
“If it ever comes to that, I think Erik will be quite capable of doing that without me.”
“Aye, ye are right, of course.” Ella picked up her stitching. “May that day come soon. Then ye’d be wife of the chief.”
Muireall shook her head, though she knew her friend would not see the gesture. Her gaze was on the needlework in her hand. “Ella, forget it. It will never happen.”
“So ye have made up yer mind to go.” Her tone was sad, resigned.
Muireall knew she was imagining being left behind to face the life they now found themselves in. She laid a hand over Ella’s. “Aye. And to take ye, as well, if ye wish it.”
“I’ll think on it, but I’m not sure running away will improve anything.” Her hands tightened into fists. “I’d rather stay with Thomas than take a risk that may get us both whipped, or killed.”
“Dinna take too long,” Muireall cautioned. “But if ye decide to stay, then change yer mind, find a reason to spend time on a beach in one of the coves.”
“Why?”
“Just trust me. And dinna say anything to anyone about this. Lives depend on silence—yours and mine included.”
Euan and Calum had traded off sentry duty through the night, though Euan slept with one eye open. Calum’s injury might keep him awake and restless, but exhaustion might cause him to nod off. Fortunately, the night had passed uneventfully. After several hours sleep each, Calum wanted to hunt.
“I think I can manage this well enough to take down a bird for our breakfast,” he boasted, pulling the slingshot from his belt along his side.
“And clean the bird and cook it? Or do ye fancy eating it raw? Smoke from a cook-fire will give us away.”
Calum frowned and looked away. “Raw it is, then.”
“We’ll wait,” Euan told him, wondering if Calum was becoming feverish. “Ye willna starve in a day’s time.”
“’Tis already been more than a day…”
“Dinna remind me.”
They crept closer to the village and found a good vantage point in one of many clusters of low-growing evergreens along its north side.
Once the sun came up, though Euan stayed especially alert for Ross patrols, his real quarry was Muireall.
By late morning, she appeared. Euan spotted her immediately as she left one of the small thatched dwellings that made up the village. She took a seat on the ground in a patch of sunlight and rested her back against the building, facing out toward the trees. A lass soon joined her—one pretty enough to be her friend Ella. They were soon joined by another lass Euan supposed might be the third Munro, now Ross. They worked on some mending as they talked, too far away for him to make out what they said, then they fell silent for a long time. When the third lass left, Muireall and her friend resumed a conversation. They looked so serious, Euan became convinced this was Ella, and that Muireall was trying to find out if she wanted to leave the Ross village, too, despite her forced marriage.
Muireall’s gaze kept lifting to the woods.
He doubted she could see him, but he could change that in an instant, simply by standing. Should he?
He glanced around at Calum, who knelt at his back, attention on the woods around them. Though still exhausted, and not yet capable of running for his life, should that be required, Calum had the sharpest ears in the clan. So far, so good. Calum had not given the alarm, so no one approached, despite how close they were to the village.
Muireall appeared to be fine. As much as Euan wanted to get her away from her captors, and take her in his arms, this was not the time.
“Which one is Muireall?”
Calum’s low voice at his back startled Euan into a frown. “The one with auburn hair. The other, I think, is her friend, Ella.”
Calum huffed out a breath. “My God, she’s gorgeous.”
“Muireall? Aye.”
“Um, aye, she’s pretty enough. But Ella…”
Euan slanted him a frown. “She is married to one of the men here.”
“Against her will, ye said.”
“True. But Muireall’s no’ certain she’ll want to leave.”
“I wouldna mind a chance to help her make up her mind.” Calum straightened, still on his knees, then put a foot forward and started to rise.
Euan grabbed his good arm and hauled him back down. “No’ now. Until ye are stronger, ’tis too dangerous. I’ve seen that Muireall is safe and unguarded, if no’ unwatched. We need food and more water before we can fight off anyone who might try to stop us.”
“And swords. Even a dirk would improve our odds. But mine’s on the bottom of the firth.”
“Mine, too. We’ll figure something out. Look, they’re leaving.” The sun had moved far enough their spot was becoming shaded by the building behind it.
Euan watched the lasses gather up their mending, stand and move away. But wait, hidden beneath Muireall’s skirts until she stood was a bundle. She left it behind. It looked like a sack of more mending, but what if…”
“That’s got to be for ye,” Calum whispered. “Food. Maybe even a dirk.”
“It doesna matter. I’ve seen what I needed to see. We should leave.”
“’Tis no’ safe to move during the day. And if she’s as braw a lass as ye think, she’s canny enough to have left ye what ye need. Food, at least. Maybe a weapon, too.”
Euan nodded. Calum was right about one thing. They’d be too easy to spot in daylight. And they didn’t know the land as well as the Ross warriors, who might have vantage points he hadn’t yet recognized. He thought back to how he’d found Calum. The slightest movement, the slightest sound, would betray them. And if they were unlucky enough to be seen by a Ross patrol, they’d be easy prey. “It will have to stay there until dark, or until something draws the clan to the other side of the village. Then I’ll retrieve it. Get comfortable. We’re going to be here a while.”
Chapter 6
The bundle was still in place after the sun set. No one from the village had wandered behind this cot since Muireall and her friend left. Eventually, Euan judged it dark enough, and late enough—and he was well past hungry enough—to risk retrieving it. Calum had dozed off hours ago. Euan let him sleep and kept watch, praying no one discovered them, since they had no weapons. In a fight, Calum’s broken arm would only make a bad situation worse.
Euan put a hand over Calum’s mouth and shook him gently. “’Tis time,” he whispered. Calum opened his eyes and nodded his understanding. Though the bundle was only a little more than a dozen yards from their lair, most of those yards were open ground, where any movement would be instantly visible if someone chanced to look that way.
He had to risk it. They’d been days without food. Yet they still had to make the trek back down the beach, overpower a guard, and steal a boat. After that, they would have to row until it was safe to raise a sail, then stay alert for pursuers for hours more until they reached Brodie. Going after
the bundle Muireall left behind was safer than hunting game anywhere near the Ross village. The hunter could quickly become the hunted. And even if they were not discovered, they would not dare risk a fire to cook anything they managed to kill. Though his belly was empty enough to pinch, the thought of raw meat made it turn. First, he’d see what Muireall left him.
Calum sat up, then took up position to keep watch. Euan crawled out of their lair and stood, slowly and silently, dreading the alarm that would announce their presence to the clan. When no call broke the stillness, he crept away from their cover toward the edge of the trees, then paused. The usual night noises continued, reassuring him. Heartened, he crouched and covered the distance to the back wall of the cot in fleet seconds, picked up the bundle, and returned to the tree line.
Nothing disturbed the stillness of the night but the sound of his heart hammering hard enough to beat its way from his chest. He’d gladly take on an enemy face-to-face, suitably armed, of course, than repeat that stealthy run.
He moved deeper into the woods and joined Calum in their lair.
“Let’s see what Muireall left us,” Calum greeted him.
“After we move away from here, aye?”
They headed back to the burn and settled in a clump of bushes. Euan unwrapped Muireall’s bundle and revealed what he’d hoped for: a round loaf of oat bread, a fist-sized hunk of hard cheese and several apples. Even better, stuck in one of the apples, a small eating knife! A feast for two starving men—and a weapon. Small, awkward for throwing but useful for close quarters fighting, it wouldn’t be much help against a claymore or even a dirk, but it was better than nothing.
Given the amount of food she’d provided, he wondered if she hoped he’d come across more of his men or just thought he’d be that hungry. Either way, he was grateful. If only she could have left him a bigger blade. But even a dirk would have caused her problems if the bundle had been discovered in her possession. An eating knife made sense and was safer for her to include.
“Take it slowly,” he advised, as he broke the bread in two and handed half to Calum. He used the knife to divide the cheese. “This may have to get us through tomorrow, unless ye fancy eating raw whatever we can catch.”
Calum nodded and took a bite out of his share of the cheese. His eyes rolled back in his head as he chewed, then swallowed. “Bloody good.”
Euan ate slowly, and left more than half his portion for later. Calum did the same, though Euan could see he wanted to finish off everything Muireall had left. Euan handed him an apple. “Drink some from the burn, then rest a wee. In a few hours, we’ll make our way to the Ross’s boats and steal away before the dawn.”
“Ye’re going to leave those lasses…”
“Only for two days. They’re safe for now. The rest of our men may no’ be. We will sail straight out into the firth, then come back along the coast with sunup to see if we can spot any of our men north of Ross. If we dinna see anyone, I’ll get ye home with the news, then return. If I’m right, somewhere on one of those beaches, one or both of those lasses will be waiting for me.”
“No’ by yerself…”
“Nay. In another boat and with a small crew. No sense sailing a Ross skiff right back into their clutches.”
Calum considered it. “Aye, that’s a good plan. If they see a boat they recognize as theirs, they’ll follow it along the coast and ye’ll no’ be able to retrieve the lasses. A strange fishing boat will get less notice. Give me a few hours with the healer and I’ll come back with ye.”
“Ye are in no condition to handle a sheet, much less a sword.”
To Euan’s great relief, Calum nodded and moved to the burn. When he came back, he said, “I slept earlier, so I’ll keep watch for the next while. Get some rest.”
Euan saw the sense in that and agreed without commenting. Instead, he stretched out on the ground, knowing Calum would wake him all too soon. But sleep wouldn’t come. Memories filled his mind of the Tangie going down, of Eduard, Dugal, and James’s faces as they gripped the lines, peering down at the frothing firth and their sail sinking below the waves. He hoped they’d made it, but couldn’t shake the certainty they’d gone down with the ship. His only consolation was the knowledge that he’d thought the same of Calum.
Muireall got up during the night and quietly stepped out of her cot, hoping the darkness would shield her movements as she made her way around it.
The bundle of food she’d left was missing. She smiled in satisfaction.
Despite the fact that she’d told Euan not to come near the village looking for her, she’d known he’d do exactly that. She hoped he had the bundle. If he did, he was safe, and fed, and free—so far. She felt certain no animal had dragged it off. There was enough starlight for her to see if bits of the contents had been scattered over the ground. They weren’t, nor did she see the shawl she’d used. No animal would have dragged it far once it got to the food in it.
Was Euan still nearby? Watching and waiting for her? Nay, he had better sense than to remain so close to the village. Checking on her was one thing. Staying nearby long enough to be discovered by Donas’s men was quite another. Besides, they’d agreed she would find a way to be down on a beach in a few days, and knowing he’d kept watch over her made her confident he really would sail back to retrieve her. And Ella, too, if Muireall could convince her to leave Thomas.
“What are ye doing back here?”
Muireall choked back a gasp as Donas’s demand sounded behind her. She hadn’t heard him approach. She turned to face him, casting about for some explanation that would satisfy him. On the way to relieve herself? Nay, all the cots had chamber pots. “I just needed some air. The sky is so clear, I thought to enjoy the stars for a few minutes. Is there a problem?”
Donas stared her down, but she kept her head up and her gaze on the ground at her feet. She couldn’t bear to look at him, and didn’t dare. He wouldn’t take kindly to any lass staring directly back at him. Even less if she was the one daft enough to issue that kind of challenge.
“Three lashes were no’ enough for ye? I told ye there’d be more the next time ye tried to run again.”
Muireall shook her head. “I wasna…”
“Nay? So ye’re waiting for the man from the wreck. Was I right? Did he have ye while ye waited for the tide to turn?”
Muireall shook her head again and backed away. Donas was playing with her, and she didn’t know the rules of the game, only that he always won.
“Ye should be in yer bed.”
His tone had turned beguiling with this comment about Euan taking her. Muireall shuddered at what must be running through Donas’s mind. She had to get away. “Aye, well, I’ll go there now,” she replied and made to go around him.
He grabbed her arm. “No’ so fast, lassie. I’ve been wanting a taste of ye. Now’s as good a time as any, seein’ as how we’re all alone back here.”
Muireall tried to pull her arm out of his grasp, but he was too strong and she only succeeded in making him pull her closer.
“If ye want to live, no’ a sound out of ye, do ye hear me?” he growled, giving her a little shake as he bent closer. “I’d like nothing better than to hand Erik my soiled goods. He’s gettin’ above himself lately. Thinking that he’s ready to replace me as chief. That willna happen any time soon.” He chuckled and bent toward her. His mouth landed on her ear as she turned her face aside. “Dinna be coy, lass. I’ll have that taste, and a whole lot more, I’m thinkin’. Instead of giving him my clan, I’ll get to watch him raising my bastard. How about that?” Donas chuckled again, put a hand on her arse and pulled her against him. “Ye shouldha stayed tucked in nice and safe and warm in yer cot.”
“Release me!” Muireall put as much force into her demand as she could, hoping to distract him, while still keeping her voice down. If she screamed, he’d snap her neck like a twig. “Silas willna appreciate what ye have in mind.”
“Silas will never ken. If ye think to speak a word of this,
ye’ll regret it.”
Muireall shook her head. “Then let me go, and we’ll both forget this happened.”
“Ye’re a cheeky lass. But I’ve seen ye without a stitch on, and I’m thinking I’ll have some o’ that, right now.” The hand on her arse delved between her legs. His other hand left her arm and traced her throat down to her breast, then squeezed.
Muireall reacted out of instinct. No rational thought would have led her to such a foolish action. She drew back a foot and kicked him as hard as she could.
With a laugh, he let her go.
She knew she’d only surprised him. She couldn’t possibly have hurt him. Nonetheless, the opportunity was too good to waste. She ran.
Even this late in the year, the woods were thick with undergrowth and low branches. She heard Donas’s heavy tread coming after her, then heard him swear, and swear again. Finally he must’ve stopped because the next thing she heard was laughter. She paused to catch her breath and listen, surprised he’d given up so easily.
“Go on wi’ ye,” he taunted. “Ye’ll have to come back, and when ye do, ye’ll be mine. If no’ tonight, then another time, but I’ll have that taste and more.”
Muireall collapsed against a tree and wrapped her arms around her middle. That tore it. She could not go back. Not ever. Bad enough to be wedded to Erik, but to submit to Donas pawing at her and worse? Nay. And if she told Erik and he failed to kill Donas, Donas would take his revenge, then kill her…eventually. There were too many places Donas could take her to have his fun, then finish her off. She was certain Silas would have no say in the matter.
Nay, the only thing she could do now was to make her way to the boats and hope Euan had not left yet. She could go with him. She’d have to leave Ella behind, but if Euan meant what he said, and she believed he did, they could come back for her later.
Mind made up, she stood and began walking, moving slowly and carefully through the woods. The last thing she needed was to attract the attention of another predator. Some of them walked on four legs.