Several snickers followed. Blackburn laughed darkly. "I'm nay going to drown you, at least not until I have your sister bound and gagged on the horse in front of me. Once I have her, I don't care what happens to you."
Bastard! What could she do to prevent him from capturing Anna? He would treat her horribly—beat her and abuse her.
Once Kristina's ankles were tied, Blackburn said, "Throw her facedown over Ralston's lap."
"With all due respect, chief, why would you treat her this way? She is no danger to anyone."
"I didn't ask for your opinion, Ralston. Either keep your mouth shut and do your job, or you can turn over your weapons now and head back east on foot."
"Lift her up here," Ralston said, relenting.
One of the brawny guards flung her across the saddle and Ralston's legs. Pain shot through her stomach. Saints, he'd near knocked the breath from her. 'Twas the most uncomfortable position she'd ever been in. Despite the pain, she tried to inhale as deeply as possible.
"Damn the man," Ralston grumbled low, for her ears only. "I see no reason for this."
They rode a half hour farther and Blackburn yelled, "Fan out, men. Archers, ready your bows."
"We've arrived at the castle," Ralston told her.
"What does it look like?" she asked, trying to ignore the pain and discomfort of her position.
"It is made of dark stone and has high walls. It sits on a small island in a loch—"
"Quiet," Blackburn ordered through clenched teeth. "Holme, get her off the horse and make her be quiet."
"There's no need to—" Ralston began.
Someone slapped her hard on the arse.
She screamed. "Keep your hands off me!" She knew 'twas Holme who had done it.
He chuckled and dragged her from the horse. She screamed again. Suddenly she was upright, her feet on the ground and her head spinning from the quick change in position.
"Who is the lady?" a man yelled from the distance.
"I'm sure you must have guessed!" Blackburn called back. "Send my wife out to me and Lady Kristina will not be harmed."
Nay, please, Anna, stay inside.
"Kristina!" Good heavens… that was her sister's voice.
"Anna! Is it really you?" Kristina yelled.
"Aye. Release her at once, you blackguard!" Anna ordered.
Blackburn laughed, though there was no humor in it. "Lady Kristina wanted to travel with us to get you, my sweet. She misses her sister."
"Don't—" Kristina began, but a meaty hand clamped over her lips, muffling her warning.
"Shut your mouth," Holme growled into her ear.
Don't do it, Anna. Stay where you are,she wanted to scream, but couldn't.Please God, don't let her come out here.
"We'll come out!" the distant man called, the chief, she assumed.
Nay!
In the quiet, the sound of many horses' hooves pounding over the rocks and dirt reached her ears. They were not approaching from the castle but from the opposite direction. Was another war-band coming upon them? Would they attack?
