Chapter Eleven
Sheona
Two days later, Sheona bolted up in bed, wide-eyed. What had awakened her?
“Get up, Sheona. We’re leaving soon.” Her father stood in the doorway, his arms crossed as he stared at her. “Pack a bag. You won’t be back for a while.”
“What?” She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, moving her legs over the side of the bed at the same time. “Da. Where are we going?”
“To the abbey. I told you the other day.”
“What abbey?” Icy tendrils raced up her spine, gripping her like the fear of standing alone in the dark and witnessing something you knew you shouldn’t, yet you can’t pull your eyes away.
As if for some reason, you’re supposed to see what’s in front of you, even though every part of you rages against it.
She forced the images in her mind back into their hiding place. “Da, what is happening?”
“Did you find a man who will marry you?”
“In two days? Nay, Da. No one would agree that quickly.”
“Then we’re going to the abbey.”
“I don’t wish to go to the abbey. Which abbey?”
“Iona. We’re going to the MacClanes, then using their boat to go to the Isle of Iona. You wish to be a nun? Then you must visit to see what their life is like. You need to know what you are choosing.”
“But I didn’t choose it yet.” She grabbed a gown from her chest and shook it out, doing her best to straighten the errant hairs on her head before she plaited it.
“We’re visiting. There will be no arguing, lass. We’re leaving in half the hour. Move along.” Then he was gone, slamming the door.
She donned her gown, straightened the wrinkles the best she could, then grabbed a bag to pack another outfit and her leggings that Dyna had given her.
Then she put two axes inside, just in case.
Sloan. She had to find Sloan. He would talk their father out of this daft endeavor.
Collecting anything else she might need, she rinsed her teeth and washed her face, glad she’d taken a tub bath the night before.
She’d not have time now. It would take half the hour to warm the water.
Hurrying out of her chamber, she grabbed her bag and stopped at Marta’s chamber, knocking on the door. “Marta?”
Silence. Marta usually awakened at dawn with the bairn, so she was probably below stairs with the wee lassie. Sheona raced down and out the door, grabbing her mantle at the last minute. “Sloan!”
She didn’t see him, only some of his men. “Miles, where is my brother?”
“He and Eva went to MacQuarie Castle for a visit.”
“Damn it,” she muttered, waiting for Miles to chastise her for cursing, but he just arched a brow at her. “Have you seen Marta or Gideon?”
“Aye, they left for a quick boat ride. They took the wee Margret with them.”
“Nay …” Sheona closed her eyes and said a quick prayer. “Miles, please don’t let him take me to the abbey.” Her voice came out in a whisper. “Not until my brother or sister is here. Please?”
“Sorry, lass. He’s already chosen his guards for the journey.”
“You? Ingelram?”
“Nay, Fitz is leading. He said it was just for a visit. Don’t panic. I’ll let Sloan know when he returns. He said it’s for a sennight, possibly. It might be good for you to take some time away after all that has happened between you and Taskill.”
“Naught has happened between Taskill and me! I wish people would stop talking about us. Da wished to order him to marry me. Taskill refused, as I did. End of story. We are not betrothed.”
Miles gave her a weak grin and said, “It might be good for you to visit Iona. It’s a lovely isle so they say. It’s said to be full of sandy beaches and grassy knolls. Artan lives there with his wife, Simone. Have you met her? She’s an archer. Look for her. She’ll help you if you ever need it.”
“Who is Simone?”
“Logan Ramsay’s adopted daughter. An exceptional archer who only wears the leggings like Dyna does.
” He leaned forward to whisper, “They say she killed Glenna of Buchan with an arrow in the middle of her eye. Dropped the wicked bitch to the ground so fast that some never saw her hit until she landed on her back, the arrow sticking straight out of the center of one glowing orb.”
Sheona shook her head to rid the image from her mind but considered that perhaps the woman could assist her if she needed it. Asking Marta was impossible. “What is her name again?”
“Simone. Married to Artan, Thane’s second.”
Her father appeared out of the stable door. “Sheona, I’m ready. Get over here or I’ll have Miles carry you over his shoulder.”
“Can you not stop him, Miles?” she begged, grabbing his hand.
“Nay, he’s the old chieftain. We must do as he says. I promise to tell Sloan and Marta when they return. Enjoy your journey. The isle is beautiful, as you know.”
Sheona let out a deep sigh and trudged forward, knowing her path was now set.
She didn’t speak to her father, instead bringing out her horse, attaching her bag to the saddle, and retrieving another axe from the stable and hiding it in the bag. She needed all the weapons she could find.
Fitz hurried over to her side. “May I assist you, lass?” He gave her a wide smile and held out his hands as an offer, but she shook her head as she climbed onto the mounting block.
“I can manage.” She was in no mood to speak with anyone.
Her father had already mounted and headed past her, pausing for a moment. “Move out, lass. Time is short, as you know, and we have much land to cover.”
She moved her horse, four guards surrounding her as they headed across Mull to the opposite side where the MacLean holding was.
Fitz asked, “Did you have a good time at the festival the other day, lass?”
Her father said, “Do not talk to my daughter. She’s a lass and not worthy of your time. You should be thinking about battle tactics, Fitz. You have much to learn.”
Sheona wished to throw an apple and hit her father in the face.
But she didn’t.
She always did what she was told.