Sigimor suddenly left to direct the placement of some barrels of cider and ale at the rear of the cart. Mora realized she and her brother would not only be covered by a blanket but have a solid wall of casks behind them. This was going to be a very long journey.
Sigimor and Gybbon appeared to be having an argument as they walked around the side of the manor, the cart slowly following them, so Mora asked, “Is there a problem?”
“Aside from the fact that Gybbon insists he should pay Sigimor for the cider and ale, no.” Jolene took her by the hand and caught Andrew by his to lead them into the somewhat fancy little sitting room Jolene had set up for herself and any ladies who happened to come by. “Sigimor decided to slip you two into the cart out this way as it can be brought closer to the door, so if you are in sight, it will only be for a very short time if at all.”
“He has really planned this out,” Mora whispered in amazement.
“Aye.” Jolene picked up a crate but shook her head when Mora reached for the other one. “You are not to lift anything heavy for a while. Your wound has closed and looks fine, but the skin is fragile there, so you must play the invalid for a while. A very annoying pose to hold but, trust me, just reminding yourself that if you ruin my work you will have to go through all the mending steps you have done already all over again can be enough to make you behave.”
Sigimor stepped up to the door, leaned against the frame, and held his cloak out a bit. “Tuck yourself up in here, lad,” he said to Andrew, and the boy hurried to do so. “Feet on my foot and hold on to my leg. Good lad,” he said, and walked back to the cart after taking the crate from Jolene.
Mora watched as he went to the rear of the cart, talked to Gybbon, and Andrew quietly slipped into the back of the cart. Even she barely caught a glimpse of the child and she knew where to look. Sigimor then slid the crate in place.
He came back to the door, stood in the same position, half inside, half outside, and took the second crate from Jolene. “Now, lass, under the cloak, feet on my foot and arms about my waist. I tested this out with Jolene so ken I can walk fair normal when ye do.”
“I am more weight than Andrew.”
“Nay by much, I suspect.”
Taking a deep breath, Mora did as he asked. She found it odd to be hugging another man but fascinated by the way it did not affect her at all. If it had been Gybbon she was sure it would have. When Sigimor stopped, she scrambled into the back of the cart as quickly as she could and watched the crate be slid in behind her. She sat next to Andrew and, for once in her life, was very pleased that she was rather small for a grown woman.
A moment later, Gybbon slid his arm in and reached into the crate. That was when Mora realized that was where they had put her bag. She watched with a little smile as Gybbon scratched her cat’s ears before he pulled his arm away. Freya climbed out to sit on Mora’s lap. She doubted Robert would have recognized her bag, but Sigimor had even thought about that possibility. Jolene was right. Her husband was a very careful planner.
“It is like we are in a cave or my safe place,” said Andrew.
“Aye, it is,” she said, and hoped she would not give in to her small fear of such places.
The bright sun shone through the blanket enough to lighten where they were, but it was still a small place to spend three days in. There were enough small gaps in the arrangement to let air in, so they probably would not get too short of fresh air. Nevertheless, Mora knew it was going to be a very long journey.
She idly stroked her cat and wondered what they could do to pass the hours they would be stuck in this place. There was only so much one could talk about to a boy who was barely seven. Mora tried to think of what stories she could recall and was sad to admit she knew very few. She had listened to ones her parents told but had to confess she had made no real effort to recall them later. Looking all around, she noticed the blanket was tied down on the top, but where the ties were there were a few gaps so they might be able to spend a little time just watching what went by.
“What do ye do when ye are up in your safe place by yourself for a while?” she asked Andrew.
“I tell myself stories.”
“I thought of that, but I dinnae recall many.”
“I can tell ye some stories.”
“That would be nice and might pass some time.”
“Niall and David often told me some, although David sometimes smacked Niall on the head because he said that he shouldnae be telling a small boy that.” Andrew heaved a sigh that Mora felt was too big and filled with sadness for a small boy. “They were funny though. I miss Niall and David,” he added softly.
“So do I, Andrew. So do I.”
“It is only ye and me left in our family.”
“I ken it, which is why we must do everything these men tell us to do, even if it means we have to stay in this small place for a few days.”
“Aye. Then when I get big and Gybbon or Sigimor trains me, I can kill cousin Robert.”
Mora nearly wept. He was too young to have thoughts of a bloody revenge. At his age, his thoughts should be of wondrous tales and playing with other boys. Yet, she could think of nothing to say. She wanted that, too, only in her thoughts it was she who would strike the blow.
She leaned back against the pillows Jolene had insisted be put in and tried to think. There was a hard fight ahead as Robert would not give up. The only thing she was sure of was that she did not want anyone else hurt or killed because of her relations.
It was true that she could not fight a battle with a man with fist or weapon, but she had the wit to figure out some way that would make it so Robert had to cease his mad attempt to take all her father had gotten as an inheritance. The laird needed to be told the truth. It would hurt her uncle, but far better his feelings were savaged than men who had no part in this argument got hurt or killed. All she had to decide was the best way to get the truth to her uncle.
Sighing, she closed her eyes. When said, it sounded so simple, so easy, but she knew it was a dangerous thought. Robert could well have allies within his father’s guard. How could she get the truth to him through what could prove a large force of armed men on Robert’s side? It was a trouble that needed a great deal of thought and planning.
Chapter Eleven
Staring up at Gybbon as he lifted the blanket to hand her something to drink, Mora tried to hide the foul mood she was in. He did not deserve anger from her, he was just trying to help her. She just wished that help would have come in a nice open wagon or on a horse and with something to make the time pass. Mora took a long drink of water and handed the water skin to Andrew.
“No pain or return of the fever?” Gybbon asked.
“Nay,” she said, and decided it was not a lie, that she felt warm simply because she had been enclosed inside a blanket-covered cart bed for two days. “Do ye ken, I ne’er went much beyond the village. Yet, the first journey of any distance I take, I do so under a blanket and see naught.”
She decided not to mention all the times she and Andrew had lifted the blanket at the sides and peeked out like children spying on their parents. It had also allowed in more fresh air, which was welcome. The fact that a few times one of the men riding alongside of the cart had waved at them told her Gybbon probably already knew about those peeks.
“I promise to take ye for a good ride once ye are healed and ye can look at all ye want.”
“Any sign of Robert?”
“The MacFingals say he is following us, but he stays far away, and now that we are actually on the land of Gormfeurach, they appear to be slowing down even more. I expect to see some of my brother’s men soon.”
“Ye mean we are getting that close?”
“Weel, ’tis still a few hours but, aye, we are close.”
“Good. Have ye seen Freya?” she asked, worried because her pet had leapt out of the cart the last time they had stopped and had not returned.
“She is sitting up on the seat between two MacFingals. Jumped up there
the last time we stopped.”
“But Robert will surely recognize her.”
“By the time he gets close enough to even see her there, he is close enough for us to see and reach. They have already checked on that. She will be fine. I am nay so certain Nanty will be though, if he doesnae stop teasing them about how they talk to her.”
Mora laughed. “She must be enjoying herself, although she is rude to go out there when we cannae.”
“I am nay sure she kens a way back in.”
“Oh. Nay, I suppose she doesnae.”
“I could grab her and hand her in.”
“Nay, she is outside and surrounded by people. I willnae deprive her of that just because I feel comforted when I can pet her. She will let ye ken somehow when she wants back in here.”
“Keep the water skin then, and the journey is almost over. Ye have been a verra good lad, Andrew.”
“Thank ye. I have to be sure to stay alive for Mora,” he said.
“Aye, that ye do.”
Gybbon saw a sadness cross Mora’s face, but then she smiled at the boy and gave him a brief hug. Gybbon tugged the blanket back in place and rode up beside the MacFingals, the cat sitting up happily between them. Andrew was carrying too much worry and sorrow for a young boy, but he could think of nothing that would ease it save, perhaps, the return of the brothers lost to France and an end to Robert. Gybbon promised himself that he would do what he could to find out what had happened to their brothers. His family had connections in France and it might be time to make use of them.
“Who comes this way now?” asked Ciaran as he shifted forward on the cart seat so Freya could tuck herself behind him.
Looking at the group of men riding out of the trees far ahead of them, Gybbon laughed briefly. “Some of my brother’s men.”
“How can ye tell?”
“I am fair sure that is Nicolas at the fore.” He raised his hand in greeting and the man he thought was Nicolas waved back. “Aye, it is.”
“Can we now let the lass and the boy out of their cage?”
“Nay just yet. I am sure they are my brother’s men, but even if they are not, they show no inclination for battle.”
“Shall I just sit here then or move forward?”
“Just wait.”
Ciaran nodded and waited. Gybbon sat on his horse with his hand on his sword. He did not see Harcourt, but was not really disappointed by that. The man had a family and a keep to run. He would see him at Gormfeurach when he got there. So, he sat and watched the men ride up to them.
“Ye couldnae ride out to meet us?” said Nicolas as he reined in right in front of Gybbon.
“Resting the horses,” Gybbon drawled, and grinned when Nicolas chuckled and shook his head.
“Ciaran, why is there a cat hiding behind you?”
“She didnae ken whether ye were friend or foe.” He grinned when Nicolas frowned in confusion.
“Since ye are here and so we now have a goodly force of men to protect us, I will free our passengers.” Gybbon rode around the cart, undoing all the ties that held the blanket over its back. “Harcourt’s men are here, Mora,” he said as he tossed aside the covering. “Ye two can be free to be seen now. Plenty of eyes to keep a sharp watch for your cousins,” he assured her as he dismounted and walked up to the side of the cart.
Although she was sorely tempted to immediately leap out of the cart, Mora stayed seated and frowned up at Gybbon. “But that will let them ken that I came here with you, aye? Ye cannae want that.”
“Lass, I believe they already ken it. They were fair certain Sigimor was hiding ye, but they didnae have the courage, or the men they needed to face him and his clan. We were just fortunate that they didnae realize how many of Sigimor’s men were laid down with an illness.”
“If ye are sure,” she said, and when he nodded, she steered Andrew to him.
Gybbon swung Andrew out of the cart and set him down, but the boy stayed close to him and studied Nicolas and his men. “Now ye,” Gybbon said, and grabbed her around the waist, careful to put his hands above her newly healed wound, and grinning when she squealed softly as he swung her out of the cart. Then, after he set her on the ground, she slapped his arm.
Mora clasped his arm after slapping it and smoothed down her clothing with her other hand. The dizziness that had seized her when he had picked her up was not fading as fast as it should. When she was steady again, she shook off that worry. Her wound was healed. Her fever from that had passed and she would not worry about her health like some old woman. Feeling more at ease, she watched Gybbon introduce all his brother’s men to her and Andrew.
The moment that was done, she turned her attention to her cat, who was rubbing her head against Ciaran’s arm and purring. “Are ye going to come to me or nay, ye shameless, unfaithful wretch?” Freya left a chuckling Ciaran and leapt onto her shoulder.
“What has Sigimor sent us then?” asked Nicolas as he dismounted, then walked over to the cart.
“Cider, a bit of ale, and some fruit. Apples and some berry things. They had a very good season and reaped a hearty harvest.”
“And he still insists his ale and cider are better than ours,” drawled Nicolas.
“Of course. He feels ye just need more taste comparisons.” Gybbon laughed along with Nicolas.
“Berry things?” Mora asked in confusion as she stepped closer and looked at the many covered jars that were in the crates. “Oh, lovely.” She looked at Andrew, who was also studying the things packed in the crates. “Ye can put some on your porridge when ye break your fast in the morning.”
“Mora? We are going to ride out now. Do ye want to get back in the cart or do ye wish to ride?” asked Gybbon.
“I would love to ride, if it willnae be a trouble.”
“Nay, no trouble.”
“I think ye need to remove Freya first.”
“Oh. Aye, that would be best.”
She reached up to pat her cat, then went to put her pet in her bag. When Freya immediately leapt out to go sit by Ciaran she just laughed and returned to Gybbon’s side. He swung her up into the saddle, but this time she suffered no overwhelming dizziness so cast aside her small concerns about her health.
It was nice to look around as they traveled. It was lovely land and the sparkle of water she could see off to the left told her it was well watered. She idly wondered if they did more grazing of animals than they did planting.
“’Tis verra pretty here,” she said.
“This is the end of Glencullaich land. The land for Gormfeurach starts just inside those trees. We share water from that burn but Glencullaich has the best land of the two keeps.”
“’Tis why a lot of folk call them sister keeps now,” added Nicolas. “We are verra intertwined now. A lot of our people are related to each other. A sister in one, the brothers in another. Parents in one, grown children at the other. If we ever fought each other it would be hard on both sides and a lot of people could weel just leave.”
“That is rather unusual, isnae it?”
“Verra unusual, but it works for the moment. The lairds are close friends and that helps.”
“’Tis a shame there is nay more of that.”
“Our swords would dull,” teased Nicolas.
Mora just shook her head as the two men laughed. It was still nice that, for the moment, there was at least one spot where it was peaceful. It was probably a good thing that Sigimor and his clan were three days away, she thought, and laughed softly.
“What has ye laughing?” Gybbon asked.
“It was an unkind thought.”
“Then I must hear it.”
“It was just that I thought how nice it was that it was such a peaceful moment. I then thought suddenly that it was probably good that Sir Sigimor and his clan are about three days away.” She smiled when both men laughed heartily.
“He does love to poke and poke until something bursts open,” said Nicolas, and then looked at Gybbon. “Harcourt would have com
e with us, but he injured his foot and has been told, most firmly, that he best nay mount a horse for a while. And he had no wish to greet ye while in a cart.”
Gybbon laughed again and shook his head. “How did he hurt it so bad?”
“Fell off the stable roof.” Nicolas looked behind them and frowned. “Some of your men rode off a while ago.”
“Aye, I sent them to look for Robert.”
“Weel, they are coming back at a good speed. Might just be hungry for a gallop after plodding along with a cart for a few days.”
Gybbon hoped that was the case, but the minute Ned reined in near him, he knew it was not. “What is wrong?”
“Weel, Robert hasnae left. He got far behind us because he was waiting. He was just joined by a force of armed men and it appeared by the greetings that they were from his clan. Mayhap a dozen but, e’en as we left, a few more rode up. Robert and the head of that wee group started having an argument.”
As they all began to ride on toward Gormfuerach, Gybbon grimaced. “Probably the sheriff and a few of his men.”
“I am sorry,” murmured Mora, knowing she was the reason the men were there.
“Ye have naught to be sorry about,” said Gybbon firmly. “Ye did naught to the mon. ’Tis his greed bringing him here.”
“I ken it. I am nay e’en sure just handing him the house and land would stop him.”
“Nay, because she refused to give him what he wanted.”
“Like a spoiled child,” she murmured, and she felt Gybbon nod before turning his attention to riding with the other men.
Gybbon signaled some of his men to keep a close watch on Robert and turned his full attention to getting to Gormfeurach. The mon was going to keep pushing for what he wanted until he got himself killed. Gybbon began to think over what he needed to say to Harcourt to make him understand that.
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