Over time, she became used to the wild dreams, and she endured them for the most part. At one point she convinced herself that she was merely dealing with an overactive imagination.
However on the night before she struck out for Tancraig Castle, she had the awful dream again. But this time it was different — at least itfeltdifferent. Death seemed to linger in the air, as if it waited in the peripheral, and was ready to snatch her parents away. A small part of her hung onto the hope that it was only another night terror that plagued her. But deep down she believed that there was something more. And with this, she realized that she had to act upon her guidance before it was too late. Then armed with only the knowledge that she needed to get to Tancraig Castle, she fled her home —
“We’ll rest here for a bit before we continue on,” Duncan said, interrupting her gloomy recollections.
Adrina blinked at hearing his voice. She looked around her, and was astonished to discover a huddle of thatched houses in the distance.
CHAPTER 5
“Willnae stopping in this town delay my arrival at Dunnvie Castle?” Adrina asked, pulling at the reins to halt her horse. “My people areenchanted, and I can ill afford tae dally here.”
Duncan looked back at her, trying to contain his impatience. He thought that the task of accompanying the lass to her home would be simple, but throughout this journey, things weren’t as easy or as comfortable. He noticed little things about her like the fall of her soft hair, and the tilt of her stubborn chin. Since the forest was reasonably still, he could hear every noise, ever sigh she made. And as hard as he tried, he couldn’t block the image of her naked and lying on her back.
“I need whisky,” he said, unable to keep the irritation from creeping into his voice, “If your people are enchanted, then they can stay that way for a wee while longer.”
She scrunched up her pert nose, clearly not liking his answer. But he pressed his mount forward, his sights set on the small town in the skyline.
Behind him, he heard her utter an unladylike curse, which was then followed by the muffled steps of hooves trampling over vegetation. His smiled grimly. At least she wouldn’t fight him on this one.
But his victory was short-lived. Like an untried youth, the randy thoughts and frustrations continued to hound him. He needed either to bed the lass, or drown his lust with a drink. And since the former option was out of the question, veering off into the town of Cannpach was the best solution. True enough, the slight detour would cause a delay, but the visit into town would be well worth the trouble. His spirits lifted slightly as he thought of slaking his thirst. Every town in the highlands brewed their own version of whisky, but from what he could recall, the town of Cannpach made an exceptional variety.
A few minutes later, they rode through the main street, which was lined with houses. Glancing over at Adrina, he noted the slight frown that marred her pretty lips. He could easily guess what was going through her mind. But he planned to continue to ignore her resistance. They were already in town, and he still needed his drink.
Out of long habit, he scanned his immediate surroundings. Hints of blue smoke rose above the squat buildings, although there were few people on the street. But there was something about this place that seemed peculiar. Then it hit him. In every town newcomers were usually greeted by the bairns. And it was the children that dogged the strangers to wherever they went. Duncan looked down the empty street. Where were they?
“This way,” he said, leading Adrina toward the only tavern in the town.
At hearing the sound of horse hooves, a long-faced stable boy emerged from the back of the establishment. He waited silently for them to dismount and then took their horses away.
As they walked into the building, Duncan noticed the few men scattered in the common room. Two patrons sat by the entrance, and were engaged in deep conversation.
Spotting a couple of empty seats, he started to move toward them, but his eyes drifted back to the men. Correction. Only one of them was a man. The other, while large and stocky, was a greenhorn. The cocky, arrogant air that surrounded the lad reminded Duncan of his younger brother Cailean.
But it wasn’t their rough exterior that initially caught his notice; it was their curious tunic and hose, which stood out like a prickly thistle. No doubt they weresassenachs. But were they King Harold’s men, and if so, how did they get this far inland? It didn’t make sense. The last he remembered, the English troops were gathering forces several miles south of the Scottish border. The cavalry would have a difficult time moving a large number of men over Scotland’s unfamiliar and inhospitable terrain. Yet Harold’s men wouldn’t be camped at that site forever. Perhaps they were now on the move. There was also a possibility that Queen Gertrude’s spies were unaware of this mobilization. So were the enemies now making their way to Bracken Ridge? That idea brought a deep shudder to run through his body. If this was the case, then the clans might miss their opportunity to ambush the bastards at the pass. And with the English knights swarming inland before they were ready, their chances of victory would be lessened.
“What will ye be having?” A woman inched forward, while a wee bairn peeked out from behind her skirt.
“I’ll take a dram of your whisky.” Then as an after thought, he added, “And bring a cup of sweet heather ale for the lass.”
She gave them a quick nod. And for a moment, she shifted her fearful gaze to the two foreigners before she scurried away to get the drinks.
“She seems quite nervous,” Adrina observed.
“Aye,” Duncan agreed. “’Tis odd indeed.”
He caught the eye of the tavern keeper, and beckoned him over.
“There’s something different about Cannpach,” Duncan said casually.
The tavern keeper eyes narrowed, assessing him from his head down to his kilt. “A MacGregon, are ye?” he said, his voice low and cautious.
“Aye, Duncan MacGregon is the name. And ye are?”
“Torin MacGin, owner of this establishment since my uncle keeled over last spring.” His voice dropped further. “I havenae seen a MacGregon in these parts for many years.”
“We keep tae our own lands,” he said shrugging. Something was happening in this town, and Duncan had an inkling that Torin knew what it was. “Tell me, what has changed here?”
Tension gathered at the corner of the other man’s eyes and his lips became pinched and white. “Many things,” he said. Then he shook his head slightly, and slanted his gaze toward the two interlopers.
