“We have to go! Now, Tavish!” she screamed, pushing to move past him. “He’s set to burn if we dinna leave now!”
“Tosia!” Tavish shook her, hard enough to make her neck ache. “Why do ye believe this Englishman? Ye could be walking into a trap! It could be to use ye against James!”
“Nay!” She screamed, stamping her foot. Frustration, worry, anger welled up in her, eking out as despondent tears. “He said ‘twas to pay it back for his life. That he did no’ agree with the English entanglements in Scotland and wanted to go home. And I trust him, Tav. As I would trust ye if ye said the same. And if ‘tis a trap for me, then by God I’m willing to take that chance it ‘twill save James!”
Tavish stilled his hands, the hard lines on his face softening. Stepping away, he nodded slowly with understanding.
“What if I dinna want to take that chance? Nor would James.” His voice was flat, but his gaze roved over Tosia’s face, and her determination won out.
“Och aye. Well, then we will need horses. These here are ready —”
“Ready for what, young Tavish?”
A resonating voice boomed from the door, and they whirled around to find James’s Moorish companion standing in the doorway. Back lit and in his rich blue robes, he loomed even larger.
“Shabib!” Tosia cried out and grasped the neckline of her tunic. She probably appeared as guilty as she felt, sneaking out on the horses with Tavish.
“What did ye hear, Shabib?” Tavish asked.
Shabib’s ability to overhear the most secret of conversations was a well-rumored trait. Tavish shared a look with Tosia. They had no doubt he’d overheard much, if not all, of their heated discussion.
“That there’s a trap, and our dear Tosia desires to stop it to save Sir James?” Shabib moved, nay,glidedinto the stables.
Tavish moved in front of Tosia. “Aye. She’s had information from a rogue English lad with questionable loyalties that the English army is laying a vile trap. Something Sir James himself might construe. I’d ride to alert Sir James of such a possibility.”
“With the lass?” Shabib flicked his chin at Tosia. Tavish returned it with a half-hearted shrug.
“I prefer to leave the lass here, but she would no’ agree and would follow me regardless. I erred on the side of no’ wasting time in a fight with my sister.”
“Then saddle three mounts. For I’d no sooner have James’s wife enter the mouth of the beast than I would lead James there myself. You and I, young Tavish, have quite a task ahead of us, keeping Sir James’s wife safe as we find the king and share this development with him. If we do not succeed in keeping her from harm, then we will fall under James’s heavy hand. Two will accomplish the task better than one, aye?” Shabib ended his question with an eyebrow high on his forehead.
Tavish pursed his lips and nodded. Tosia’s entire body sagged at Shabib’s offer. Truly, they’d be more successful, and more secure, with a riding party of three. Strength in numbers.
The men check their weapons, then Tavish boosted her onto the horse. “Are ye sure ye want to ride with us? Shabib and I can do this for ye.”
“James will listen to me. I was there with the lad when we found him. He’ll know that I speak the truth. Certainty or pride in the Scots’ cause and his own planning might cloud his mind otherwise. I will keep up with ye and Shabib, this I vow.”
Tavish nodded at the unmistakable conviction in her voice. Shabib swept his robes to the side and mounted his horse in a smooth, practiced movement. He settled in and checked his own weapons — his knives and his curved scimitar which had traveled with him from northern Spain. Tavish grunted as he settled into his saddle and shook his shoulders to settle his broadsword on his back.
Then they galloped from the yard, Shabib in the lead and Tavish guarding the rear, each praying to God that they reached the king’s army in time.
