A shocked silence filled the air.
“Then they are here tae gather enough intelligence tae report back tae their commander,” Adrina said. The anxiety on her delicate features was palpable. While the spies were a concern, the bigger threat was determining how many knights waited to invade Scotland. How many men were they actually up against? He reminded himself once more that he needed to get the lass home, obtain the facts he needed, and be on his way. There was much work ahead.
Duncan surveyed the men that gathered around the prisoners, and saw a strapping lad standing off to the side. Even though the Englishmen were only scouts, they were still too unpredictable to be trusted. There was no time to escort Adrina home, and then return to Cannpach to retrieve the prisoners. Unfortunately he couldn’t allow an untrained commoner to accompany the adversaries either. What he could do was to employ the youth as a messenger.
“Ye,” he said to the lad. “Send word tae Queen Gertrude that we found two spies. Her men will come get the bastards, and will force the information out of them.”
“I’ll go now,” the youth nodded, and broke away from the assembly.
“Ye will leave the bastards here?” Torin asked incredulously. “They’re dangerous.” A muscle jerked at his jaw, and he glanced behind him, taking in the chaotic mess.
“These men arenae as dangerous as the seasoned warriors in their prime. The auld man can easily be subdued, and the lad is wet behind the ears. Ye will be able tae hold your own against them.”
The sound of crying caught his attention. Turning, Duncan saw the woman standing nervously with the small bairn in her arms. Torin’s wife and child. She walked cautiously over to them, and the tavern owner put his arm protectively around his family. Duncan now understood the other man’s fear.
“Tie the prisoners tae the stable poles sae they’ll be away from your family. The queen’s men should claim them soon enough.”
“What’s really going on here?” Torin asked, his dark eyes scanning Duncan’s face. “Are the English coming?”
“Aye, they’re coming all right,” he said, his tone somber. “But they willnae be entering our bonny land without a fight.”
CHAPTER 6
Duncan set a fast clip, wanting to put as much distance as possible between him and the town. Since he first set eyes on his enemies, he struggled to contain the anger and hate that had surged to the surface. His fists clenched over the leather reins. Somehow seeing the prisoners brought back the dark and painful memories that he had fought so long to bury. And even though he tried his best to rule over his responses, the hatred took over, consuming him. God knew that if he stayed in Cannpach, all reason and sense of honor would have fled his mind. No doubt he would have slit those English throats. Of course the queen’s men wouldn’t get the opportunity to question the prisoners. And Duncan would have had blood on his hands.
Fortunately his head cleared enough for him to revert back to his analytical ways. The knowledge that could be extracted from the spies might be invaluable in defeating their foe. Conquering the English was a must, and he couldn’t allow his feelings or his past to jeopardize this.
After a while, he slowed his horse, satisfied that there was enough space between him, and the dark memories that were roused by the recent event.
Adrina reduced the speed of her horse as well, and sidled next to him.
“I didnae think ‘twas a guid idea tae go into Cannpach in the first place,” she said. “But we went, and the savages that we met there were subdued. We could have stayed at the tavern a wee longer, and had a bite tae eat. Instead, we flew out of the town as if demons were after us. I still dinnae understand why we left in such haste.”
“’Tis because I would’ve murdered those bastards if we lingered,” he said shortly. He stared straight ahead, not wanting her to see how close to the truth that she had come. Hedidhave demons after him, but they weren’t what she thought.
“Ye said ye didnae want tae execute them,” she said quietly.
“Och, I verra much wanted tae destroy them.” He breathed in deeply through his nose. Once more, the fury and enmity churned in his chest. “I have half a mind tae turn around, and finish the deed.”
“That wouldnae be wise,” she said, frowning. “What if ye get hurt? After all, there are two of them and one of ye. I think that the queen’s men are best equipped tae handle the prisoners. As for me, I only want tae return home, nae go looking for more trouble.”
“Aye, ye are right, I have enough trouble as ‘tis,” he said, looking pointedly at her.
She snapped her mouth shut. “I was merely voicing my concern over your welfare, but I see that I shouldnae have bothered.”
“I never asked for your concern.”
She sucked in a sharp breath and glared at him. “My view of ye hasnae changed, MacGregon. I still dinnae like ye.”
“Well, ‘tis unfortunate for ye,” he said. “Because I dinnae care.”
“Aye, ‘tis unfortunate that I ever met ye,” she said under her breath. Giving him a scornful look, she brought her hand to her hair and flicked it over her shoulder. “I understand now why I dislike ye.”
“It disnae appear that ye will spare me your opinion,” he said, his tone mocking.
She raised her chin a notch and ignored his comment. “’Tis your gilded tongue,” she declared. “I dinnae trust it.”
“I assume that ye would rather pin your trust on the prisoners in town.”
