After what felt like an eternity, they finally emerged from the inlet and into the open sea. Molly let out a shaky breath and wiped the sweat from her brow. A murmur of relief went through the villagers and Fiona gave her an approving nod.
“We need to go south,” she said, pointing.
“I’ll need you at the prow to guide me,” Molly replied. “And tell the lookouts to keep their eyes peeled for any rocks or shallows and to inform me the moment they spot anything.”
Fiona gave a small smile. “Aye, captain.”
Molly breathed deeply and steadied herself, feeling the weight of responsibility. She was in charge of these people’s lives, and she couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. She might be used to carrying passengers but a jaunt to observe wildlife with a boatload of tourists was vastly different to ferrying a boatload of frightened villagers whose home had just been attacked. But she couldn’t let her fear show. She had to be strong for them.
With Fiona’s guidance, Molly steered theMermaidsouthward. The sea was rough, and the boat rocked back and forth violently as it rode the waves. Molly had to hold on to the tiller with both hands to keep it from slipping away from her. The wind howled past them, whipping her hair into her face.
She could feel the eyes of the villagers on her, watching her every move, entirely dependent on her skills. Molly gritted her teeth and tightened her grip on the tiller. She steered them through the rough waters, her eyes fixed on the horizon. For miles there was nothing but dark, choppy sea, and she couldn’t stop her mind flicking back to Conall and the rest of the men left behind in Lanwick.
Would they be able to beat back the raiders?Of course, she told herself.Conall will be safe. He has to be.
Fiona appeared at her side again, her face drawn with worry. “Is everything all right?”
Molly nodded, trying to project a sense of calm she most definitely didn’t feel. “Just need to keep our course steady. I don’t want to run aground or capsize in this rough sea.”
Fiona’s eyes widened. “Capsize? That’s possible?”
Molly gave her an apologetic smile. “Anything’s possible in weather like this and overloaded as we are. But don’t worry. We’ll make it to the cove. Just keep an eye out for any sign of danger.”
“Aye, I will.” Fiona’s gaze lingered on Molly, as if she was about to speak, but then she turned away and resumed her duties.
Molly watched her go, feeling a pang of guilt. Fiona and the rest of the villagers had put their trust in her, a stranger. She didn’t deserve it, not after she had almost run off and left them in the lurch. But she would make it right, somehow. She would get them to safety.
The hours passed, and the sky began to lighten. The sea calmed somewhat, and Fiona suddenly pointed and shouted.
“There! The cove is just ahead!”
As they passed the final headland and turned into the cove, Molly sagged with relief. She had never been so glad to see land in her life. The villagers cheered and hugged each other.
Molly slowed the boat and navigated around the rocks and into the shallower water where she dropped anchor. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and looked back at the sea, relieved that they had arrived safely. The villagers began to jump down into the shallows, thanking her and patting her on the back before wading to shore. Molly accepted their gratitude with a small smile, but her thoughts were still on the events that had brought them here.
“Is there anywhere we can shelter?” she asked Fiona, looking around at the forbidding place.
“Aye,” Fiona replied. “There’s a cave on the other side of the cove that we use for emergencies. It’s not ideal, but it should keep us safe for now.”
They disembarked and carefully made their way across the rocky beach. When they reached the cave, Molly could see why they only used it for emergencies. It was damp and musty, with only a few small alcoves for people to sleep in. But it was better than being out in the open.
The villagers began to settle into their temporary home. They moved with practised ease, rolling out bedding, helping the elderly to seats, getting small fires going in the mouth of the cave. It was like they’d done this before. Perhaps they had.
Molly wondered what the life of a medieval smuggler was like and how many times they’d had to flee like this. Obviously more than once. There was a stack of provisions in the back of the cave: firewood, blankets, and dried food. What would it be like to live so precariously?
Molly did her best to help where she could, making sure everyone had a dry spot to lie down and enough blankets to keep warm, but she hated the way they thanked her and squeezed her hands. She didn’t deserve their gratitude.
Finally, everyone was settled and Fiona came up to her, her face a mask of determination.
“What do we do now?” Molly asked.
Fiona looked out at the sea, her expression distant. “We wait for Conall and the others.”
“What if they don’t make it?” Molly asked quietly “Or what if the raiders find us here?”
Fiona lifted her chin. “Then we’ll defend ourselves. We have enough able-bodied people here to make a stand if we have to.”
Molly nodded although she didn’t see how a bunch of women, children and the elderly could stand up to those raiders. Still, if they were all as fierce as Fiona, maybe they would stand a chance.
