“My da is the finest of the MacCurran’s warriors,” Jamie offered as they picked their way along. “No one can best him with a sword, not even the laird himself.”
She smiled. A very proud son. “Your mother must miss him sorely.”
“Nay. She’s passed on. She was poisoned by the thief, as was my wee brother, Hugh.”
Isabail halted and turned to face the lad. “Och, I’m so sorry, Jamie. I’ve no sense at all, stirring those memories for you.”
His gaze dropped to his feet. “My da is off searching for the madman as we speak. He’ll not return until he finds him.”
The truth, or just a wishful thought? She put a hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “Then I’m certain he’ll return anon.”
He nodded. “What is it we are seeking in the storeroom?”
“A small chest,” she said, continuing down the tunnel until she reached the open space of the storeroom. She immediately breathed easier. “I saw it here a number of days ago.”
“What’s inside?” he asked curiously.
“A gift for the laird,” she said, holding the torch high. “It’s a small brown chest banded with brass. I think it’s behind those flour sacks.”
He scrambled over the sacks in question and climbed down the other side. “I think I see it.”
“Good. Can you lift it out?”
She heard him grunt. “‘Tis heavier than it looks. Is it filled with gold?”
Isabail laughed. “Nay, but something nearly as precious to the laird, if I’m not mistaken.”
He heaved the chest atop the flour sacks, then climbed over. When he had both feet planted firmly on the tunnel floor, he lifted the wooden box with a grunt and clasped it to his chest.
Seeing the gritted teeth and taut muscles in his arms, Isabail quickly led the way back out. When they reached daylight, Jamie called for a halt and set the box on the ground. “What’s in here?” he asked, out of breath.
“It’s a secret.”
“Can I be there when he opens it?” the lad asked as he bent and reclaimed the box.
Isabail nodded. “Of course.”
They marched across the close to where MacCurran and his brother were eating their midday meal. Isabail tossed a short glare at Gorm, who was lying contentedly at MacCurran’s feet.Traitor.She waved Jamie forward with the chest, and the lad lowered the box to the ground next to the dog.
MacCurran offered her an arched brow.
His stare was intent, and Isabail blushed. “You may recall that I offered you a prize,” she said, suddenly very aware that Niall was listening with avid attention. “I keep my word. Here it is.”
MacCurran looked at the chest, then back up to her face. “I assumed it was a jest. You’ve no need to gift me anything.”
“You assume many things, I’ve noted,” she said briskly. “In truth, the item is already yours. I found it in the caves. Open it.”
MacCurran gave the last of his bread to Gorm, then bent and unlatched the chest. He opened the lid and stared at the contents for a long moment.
“What is it?” asked Jamie. “May I see?”
MacCurran nodded, and the boy leapt forward to look in the chest. He frowned, clearly disappointed. “Arrowheads?”
Niall dove for the box. “Truly?” He grinned as he lifted a steel broadhead and studied it. “Where did you find these?”
Isabail’s eyes met MacCurran’s. “In the cave. Had you a seneschal, you’d likely have found them yourselves some time ago.”
He smiled faintly. “I seem to recall someone suggesting that very same notion a few days past.”
