"I'll try a bite of this one." He sniffed loudly, then she heard his teeth clicking together as he chewed. "Seems fine to me. They had the food for their own use, so likely 'tis safe."
She smelled the oatcake as well and detected no odd odors about it, although it was turning stale. Once she'd eaten that, Colin handed her another bannock and a piece of dried venison. Though the meat was tough, the flavor was wonderfully smoky and salty.
"We can't build a fire to cook, even if we did hunt some wild game," he said. "The enemies would see the smoke and find us. Besides, I should be able to get you back to the castle soon, once the skirmish is over."
"I pray your allies are the victors. Will Blackburn's men be able to track us?"
"Nay, my men know how to cover our tracks and create a false trail that will lead them on a merry chase."
"That is clever." Relief allowed her muscles to relax as she took another bite of the dried meat.
"How much did Blackburn allow you to eat on the journey here?"
"At first he was generous, but as we ventured farther into the Highlands, the taverns were harder to find. Then supplies ran low, and he allowed me less and less."
Colin growled a Gaelic curse. "I hope Neacal runs him through."
"As do I." She knew from listening to Blackburn and his men that Neacal was the MacDonald chief who held the castle where Anna had taken refuge. He was the main one Blackburn wished to kill. "Is he a strong warrior?"
"Aye, Neacal is one of the best. He can take care of himself. He's my foster brother and good friend." Colin spoke with confidence and warmth. She could easily tell the two men were close.
"Will he continue to protect my sister?"
"Of course. The lady has enchanted him."
"She has?" Saints! Did he mean the MacDonald chief was smitten with Anna?
Colin chuckled, but she did not know what was funny.
"In what way?" Kristina had to find out more.
"As I'm sure you ken, Anna has a remarkable singing voice."
"Aye." Kristina smiled, remembering her perfect intonation. "I wish I could hear her sing now." She wanted to ask more about Anna's association with the MacDonald chief, but felt a bit shy and out of her element. Maybe they were in love and that was why the chief was willing to go to war for her. Good heavens, what if they were lovers? She would much rather ask her sister about it. She did not feel comfortable talking to Colin about such intimacies.
