Page 19 of Blood & Claw

If those mercenaries had stopped anywhere, it would be a place like this.

Maybe this was her abductors’ destination. And if not, surely, a crowded fort would be the perfect place to hide, to rest up for a day or two.

And while they did, she’d track them down.

Weaving her way through a stream of people who were coming and going from the fort, Ailsa passed through the gates and into the market ground. Woodsmoke laced the air, as did the aroma of roasting mutton and the nutty smell of baking bread.

Her belly rumbled. Loudly. Making her way over to a stall where a small, rosy-cheeked woman with braided walnut-brown hair was selling hot mutton pies, she bought two, placing them carefully inside her satchel. It was difficult to resist the temptation to dive straight in. Instead, she met the vendor’s eye. “Where’s the nearest ale-hall?”

If the mercenaries were here, they would need food, ale, and a place to sleep.

The woman studied Ailsa—no doubt taking in her dusty, sweaty appearance—before gesturing to the alley behind her that led off the market ground. “You’ll find it a short walk up that wynd.”

“Thanks.”

“It’s a rough place.”

Ailsa favored her with a tight smile, even as her pulse quickened. “I’ll manage.”

The pie-seller smiled back, revealing large, slightly crooked teeth. “You can stay with me, if you wish? It’s two iron pennies a night, and that includes your morning and evening meal.”

Ailsa’s shoulders lowered at the offer, although she tried not to let her relief show on her face. Best to appear sure of herself. She’d be visiting ale-halls in search of Kayla’s abductors, but she wasn’t looking forward to staying in one, to drawing attention to herself. “Very well,” she replied with a nod. “Thank you.”

“I’ll see you back here.” The pie-seller turned to serve an elderly man who’d stopped before the stall. “Just before sundown. No later, mind.”

Ailsa left the market ground, a fresh spring in her stride.

She had somewhere to stay and directions to the nearest ale-hall.

If Kayla were here, she’d find her.

Making her way up the wynd the woman had indicated, she found herself a low wall to perch on. There, she devoured both mutton pies. After days of travel—of eating nothing but stale bread and hard cheese—they tasted incredible. Flaky pastry and a rich, tender filling.

She enjoyed the moment, the brief feeling that she was finally getting somewhere.

She’d reached Farnoch, found accommodation, and now had a bellyful of food.

And Kayla was close by; she could feel it.

She was still sitting on the wall, brushing crumbs off her tunic, when two tall, black-cloaked men made their way up the wynd. One was fair-haired, the other dark. They walked with the loose-limbed stride of trained warriors.

Enough of them had visited Kayla after dark for her to recognize the sort.

Ailsa stilled, her pulse kicking up a notch.

Could they be part of the band she was searching for?

Catching her staring, one of them scowled.

She ducked her head. Be careful.

They kept walking, and she tracked them, watching as they disappeared into the ale-hall farther up the wynd.

Her breathing grew shallow. What if it was them?

She couldn’t let this opportunity slip through her fingers.

She had to find out who they were. If she was lucky, they might even lead her straight to Kayla.