Chapter 5 #2
“There were four in the grove who chased at will,” she replied, then stepped quicker beside him when they came into a clearing appearing covered by silvery snow, but it was only the heathers reflecting the moonbeams. “’Twas Kollungr, Sv?rn, Torsten, Rune.
These are the black hearts belonging to the Northmen who hound me each step. ”
He nodded. “Cluaran, how is it you came to be out from the cavern and into the wood at that same elusive moment?” His question held a curious twinge.
He still didn’t believe her, but the name he bestowed she found herself warming to. “The shadow-glance dictated the terms in fate’s choice,” she answered simply.
“The foreshadow, pardon, shadow-glance?” he asked, doubtful.
“Aye,” she replied, then challenged, “You still harbor doubt upon my claims?”
“Keirah, I believe in what I can touch and kill,” he retorted. That was cheery. His tone gave credence to the mercenary’s blood running his veins.
Her gaze looked ahead at the forest line.
It resembled a sheer wall, like the cliffs they had just left, but this wall was green with fluffy leaves.
However, her mind re-visited the moment he asked about.
“Well, whether or not you believe my claim, MacCade, the hounds of the North I just named came charging into the cavern from the east, all except Sv?rn. He must have been the opponent to feel the wrath from your axe.”
“Vengeance.”
Her brows shot up. “The axe is called Vengeance?”
“Aye.”
Wow, he was even more grim than originally thought.
“After Lord Kollungr entered the cavern,” she continued the original topic, “he struck me down with an unforgiving slap straight across my cheek for my defiance, then the fates simply…reversed. Directly to the moment shortly after you took your leave of me. So I took mine in haste the opposite direction before they entered the cavern.”
“The cry of my name was a distraction technique from the cavern to draw the enemy there before you bolted?” His voice held a tone belonging to admiration.
“Aye,” she replied. “I may have been denied the training with the blade” – her hand clutched the dagger tighter in her grip – “however, this did not halt my rendering upon their tactics. Diversion is among their greatest.” And dirtiest.
She met his expression, which carried the look of pure approval.
Again, why did she seek this somewhere in her heart?
His voice interrupted her thought when he replied, “And in the element of battle tactics you just unleashed it back upon them.” The air seemed richer when he gave a rumbling chuckle.
“Well, hell, Keirah, you are a thistle with a mind sharp as one of its thorns.”
A sharp thistle, huh, like that. Her shoulders inwardly grew tall as the treetops.
“You shall show me the way to practice with the blade as promised?” She couldn’t keep the want from her voice when they entered the next grove.
“Aye, Cluaran. The moon is high; take aim at the trunk ahead.”
Her response swift, she relived the steps dictated; however, the blade missed. Ugh – loser!
He jogged ahead a couple of steps to fetch it off the soil. Handing it back, he instructed, “Your throw is keen, ’tis your aim. Start with the tree’s center, then you may widen the target point once you harbor the feel.”
“Aye.” Her answer was prompt. If she had to do this a thousand times more, she would.
Far too long, any grain belonging to control was denied.
All right, do this! A squeal pressed her palm when she covered her mouth to muffle the extravagant sound after the blade hit the grizzled bark dead center with a tiny thump.
The blade fell quickly, but it stuck for a mere moment. Aye!
She turned to find him grinning. “Sharp as a Highlands thistle.”
“Oh, Aonghus, I would have used the weapon upon Sturan if the training we speak of had lent a hand!”
His grin vanished. “Keirah, you have seen Sturan MacNaller?” he questioned, shocked.
“Aye. The traitor reminds me of a boar; his eyes are a beady black, his frame is thick and stout, with a pushed-up nose upon his fleshy face. Ugly as all inside and out. The only feature missing is the tusks. One of King H?konsson’s highest men-at-arms deemed I travel to Bute with Sturan; his distant clansman’s cousin Rudri was there as well as Lord Kollungr.
I was present at the siege upon Rothesay Castle.
Wretched devils used my talents to ease their way toward their conquest. They tricked me with the same promise given to the Scottish warriors present: that everyone would be free from harm if they surrendered willingly.
” She covered her face, unable to look upon her fellow Scot and speak the words.
“They lied. Soon as the lads laid down their arms, Lord Kollungr, and Sturan right beside him, ran their blades through nine directly in front of my eyes before I tried to run from the horror.” She threw her hands into the air, the words ripping from her soul.
“Me! I lent a hand in aiding the killin’ of my very own countrymen!
” Her palms hid her face again. “The mere…”
Her words stalled when his palms lowered her hands from the cheeks covered by fresh salt.
“You are mistaken, Keirah, ’tis not your fault,” he said, comforting.
“You have shared a truth, and now I will do like in kind. Under the charge of mercenary for a king’s knight I have been placed to seek out Sturan MacNaller and any details as to his unseen brothers named Seumas and Sorley.
I am to return them before King Alexander, facing the king’s judgement for the traitorous acts you speak upon.
This is why I was present in the forest; I have been hunting the devils who are burning burghs and killin’ Scots, their own people, simply given Rudri was denied a claim to the Isle of Bute by King Alexander.
Have you laid eyes upon Seumas or Sorley? ”
Her hands fell from his when she covered her mouth in surprise.
“Nae, you must chart a course to return then, Aonghus. One of them had to be present the last eve when I heard Sturan’s voice state ‘Brother’ on the other side of the tree we had taken refuge behind.
Do not waste a moment more with me. I may find my way unto Stirling… ”
“Nae.” The word carried a weight of granite. “I will see you safely to Stirling then return for the three traitors, agreed?”
Not too sure on that one, MacCade. She began striding quicker beside his brisk pace.
There may be another way. “Aye, there is a chance he may come to you, MacCade. As declared, he was present when you shielded me behind that pine. Sturan seeks the favor from H?konsson above all else in this moment, lending an air to aid Lord Kollungr in his search for me.” She paused. “My dagger will be ready.”
“Cluaran, is there any other wish you seek in way of battle weaponry?”
Everything but a catapult, lad. “Simply the bow we spoke upon.” Her words were a sigh from eagerness.
He shook his head slightly. “Keirah, I will seek the bowyer as promised; however, for the training for archery itself we shall need another’s talents. I do not hold a terribly natural feel for the weapon.”
“Aye, you are too grand in size.” The words left her mouth before they cleared her mind in consideration. Oh, raging hell, had she just inadvertently called him brawny? Why was she behaving like a fresh-faced lassie each time he looked at her intently? Stay the course! Dammit!
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Keirah, was I imagining it or was a compliment just ushered into that remark?”
Her eyes quickly re-fixed on the forested shadows they entered. “Aye,” she peeped. There it was again. Hell, why did she feel suddenly like a wee lass of ten and one?
He chuckled. Aye, she took naturally to the sound belonging to his laughter.
There was a rough charm about him. Being he looked like a score in age, why wasn’t he a warrior for his own clan?
She’d witnessed the ease with which he had dispatched Sv?rn, a Northman she had seen lay many foes to the end of his blade. She proceeded carefully on the topic.
“Aonghus?”
“Aye?”
“We have spoken upon the MacNaller clansmen.” Her softest tone sounded. “May I be so bold as to inquire about your clan?”
“Cluaran, I would prefer to keep this discussion for a later moment.”
She met his gaze; it had turned guarded. “Pardon, I did not mean to tread onto a sour emotion. However, I do find times to speak…”
“Another time.” He snarled the words at her.
She bit her lip and kept silent. There was the beast.