The lane curved ahead, passing through a small stretch of woodland before opening onto the village common.Una had walked this path dozens of times since moving to Kyleakin and thought nothing of the trees crowding close on either side.
Which was why she didn't notice the man until he stepped out onto the road.
He was rough-looking and armed, blocking her path.
Una stopped abruptly, her hand going instinctively to the small knife she kept hidden in her kirtle's pocket.It was not the first time she had encountered trouble on a lonely road, and she had learned years ago to be prepared.
"I need to pass," she said coolly, already calculating whether she could dart past him into the trees.
"Do ye now?"he replied, grinning to reveal several missing teeth."Well, that's nae goin' tae happen, because we need ye to come with us, Lady Fenella."
Una blinked."Lady Fenella?I think ye have the wrong person."
That was when she heard the footsteps behind her.
Una spun around, but it was too late.A second man had circled around, cutting off her retreat.Before she could scream, rough hands grabbed her arms.
"Let go of me!"Una kicked backward, her heel connecting solidly with someone's shin.She heard a curse and felt the grip loosen slightly.She twisted, managing to wrench one arm free and reach for her knife.
But they were faster.One man caught her wrist, squeezing until she cried out and the knife clattered to the ground.Another shoved a cloth between her teeth, muffling her screams.
Una fought like a wildcat, kicking and thrashing, but she was outnumbered.They bound her wrists with rough rope, cinching it tight enough to bite into her skin.
"Feisty little thing," one of them muttered."They warned us she'd be spirited.That's why she's been creeping about the taverns."
Creeping about?What are they talking about?
Una tried to ask around the gag, but the words came out as muffled nonsense.
They half-carried, half-dragged her into the trees where a covered cart waited.Una renewed her struggles as they lifted her toward it, but it was useless.She was shoved roughly into the back, landing hard on the wooden boards.
"Got her," one of the men called out."Let's move!We need to hand her over to the gang so we can get paid."
The cart lurched forward before Una could even try to sit up.She rolled into a pile of sacks, her shoulder hitting something hard that made her eyes water.
Through the canvas covering, she could see the men talking as they rode alongside the cart.Una strained her ears to catch their conversation.
"Why do ye think they wanted us to fetch her, Bearnas?"the one with missing teeth asked."They have enough men.Seems like a lot of trouble for a dowry."
"Who cares, Talorc," the man named Bearnas replied from the driver's seat."As long as we get paid, I dinnae give a damn what they do with her after."
"Are ye not curious how much they're getting paid, when 'tis us who did all the dirty work?"
"What do ye mean?"Bearnas asked.
"Well, they said they'd pay us fifty sceats, but what if we kept her and ransomed her ourselves?"
"Dinnae borrow trouble, Talorc," Bearnas snapped."They're dangerous men.The last fool who tried to trick them wound up with his innards gutted and his throat slit."
There was a pause, then Talorc spoke again."If we ransom her ourselves, her da will pay us far more than fifty sceats."
"Are ye daft?"Bearnas hissed."The gang will ken what we're doing and slit our throats before we can scratch our arses."
"Let's take a vote on it," Talorc replied.
"How?There's only two of us," Bearnas scoffed.
"Not if we ask the lass what she thinks."
