"What's the quarrel about?" Blackburn demanded, storming toward them.
"I'm merely guarding the lady, as you asked." Holme ground his teeth. If Blackburn weren't here, he'd dirk Ralston and be done with it.
"He's harassing her," Ralston said. "Not allowing her privacy to use the bushes."
Holme forced himself to chuckle, despite wanting to run both men through. "You sound like a whiny bairn, Ralston. I have far more experience in protecting ladies than you do."
"I beg of you, chief, allow me to guard her," Ralston said. "I'll keep her safer."
"Very well," Blackburn said. "I want her in good health when we reach Bearach. No bruises or cuts. If I see any on her I'll cut you both down!" Blackburn strode away.
"Watch yourself, Ralston," Holme said through clenched teeth. "You may find a dirk in your back soon." He walked a few steps away, trying to keep his rage under control.
"Come, m'lady." Ralston wrapped her hand around his elbow.
"He is a beast," Kristina hissed in a whisper as Ralston led her away.
Eyes narrowed, Holme watched them walk up the hill toward the bushes at the edge of the field. "Beast, huh?" he muttered, then spat on the ground. He would show her just how much of a beast he could be, no cuts or bruises necessary.
***
After riding for several more hours up and down hills, through the sharp, cold wind, Kristina was almost ready to topple from her horse when Blackburn yelled, "Halt! We make camp here!"
"Thank the saints," she whispered.
She could smell naught but the fresh air and pine forests, nor hear anything except a few birds and the distant roar of a red deer stag. 'Twas obvious to her they were deep in the Highlands now. The autumn air had grown colder, and a light mist hissed through the air. She was thankful she'd had the foresight to put on two layers of her warmest clothing before being taken hostage.
She dismounted and heard Ralston approaching. She'd started to recognize his footsteps, lighter and stealthier than some of the other men. "Where are we? Is there a village close by?"
"Nay," Ralston said. "We're going to camp in this field near the loch."
She was too exhausted to care. She simply wanted to lie down and sleep.
While she made use of the bushes, she felt a rock beneath her leather boot. She picked it up, finding it to be oval shaped, like an egg, except larger—the perfect size to fit into her hand for a weapon. It also fit into her pouch, where she slid it. She still had her knife, but she feared it was not long or sturdy enough to do any damage to a man wearing leather armor, unless she could slit his throat. Not that she wanted to kill anyone, but she did not like the threatening, sinister tone Holme used with her. Who knew when he might get violent with her? Anytime she was near him, she felt tension and aggression emanating from him, especially after he and Ralston had argued.
She stood, straightened her clothing and carefully stepped forward. "Ralston, I'm finished."
After a moment, his footsteps approached, rustling in the grass. "M'lady." He took her arm, then guided her across the field. "If you wish, you can sit on this stone while the men pitch your tent."
Why was he so kind to her when all the other men in this party either were brutes or never spoke to her?
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help." Tears pricked her eyes. She didn't know what she would do without him.
"'Tis no bother at all."
She sat, finding the stone about two feet in height, flat on top, and wet from the light mist. 'Twas unfortunate the stone was not large enough to lie down upon. Leaning forward, she rested her head on her folded arms, hoping she wouldn't drop off to sleep and topple to the ground.
She said a prayer of thanks for her continued safety, then prayed for Ralston because he was so considerate, and also for Anna's well-being. Imagining Anna securely ensconced in a castle, she drifted toward sleep.
"M'lady?" Ralston's voice startled her from the drowsy reverie, and she sat up. "You can get into the tent now."
"Sounds heavenly. Will you be sleeping nearby?" she whispered, hoping Holme wouldn't hear her. "I would feel safer if you were."
"Aye, just beside your tent, but I must also take my turn at watch sometime during the night and patrol the perimeter of the camp. But I will keep an eye on your tent."
"I'm so grateful to you." She wanted to give him a reward once this journey was done, but she had little to offer him. Her mother's gold earrings were the only thing of value she had, but she could not give them up.
After he guided her toward the tent, she crawled inside to lie down out of the mist and cold. Pulling the smooth rock from her pouch, she held it in her hand. It gave her a small measure of comfort, like a talisman. She would keep it always to remind her of this arduous journey.
