Page 69 of Highland Flame

“He’s a border lord nearby is all I know. He travels to Scotland fairly often. He has stayed at Lanercost Priory several times, but that was many, many years ago. I was just a young girl the last time I saw him, and a novice here. He passed through, and that was at least a good twenty-five years ago, I’d say.”

“So, is that where my brathair took Avianca? To Lord Rook’s village then?”

The nun looked up with wide eyes, realizing what she’d revealed.

“I’ve already said too much. I must go now,” she told Yvaine, hurrying to the door.

“Brathair Gillies, how nice to see ye,” came Davita’s voice almost shouting from outside the door as she tried to warn Yvaine. The door banged open and Gillies stood there with his fists on his waist.

“Sister Edna, what are you doing up here?”

“I – I –” stuttered the nun.

“She was only helpin’ me pack so I can leave,” Yvaine interrupted.

“Get down to the kitchens. Now,” ordered the monk.

As the nun left, Yvaine looked over to see Davita holding up her palms, apologizing for letting Gillies pass.

“Leave us,” the monk instructed Davita over his shoulder.

Yvaine looked over to her friend and nodded slightly for her to go. Once the door closed, Yvaine continued to pack her things.

“Can I assume ye are here to help me pack then, since ye just ran off Sister Edna?”

“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, Sister, but I warn you, it’s a dangerous one.”

“I have no idea what ye mean.”

“I heard you killed your husband.”

Her hands stopped and her heart pounded. “Who told ye?” she asked, not looking up at her brother when she spoke.

“These walls have ears. Nothing is beyond my knowledge.”

“Hah! Ye sound as if ye’re my enemy, instead of my family.”

“Yvaine, the monks don’t speak, so anyone talking is heard all the way from one end of the priory to the other. I heard every word you told Cam and your friends. Why didn’t you or Keithen tell me that’s why you’re here? To hide.”

“I’m no’ here to hide. No’ really.”

“Don’t lie to a man of the cloth.”

“All right,” she said, thumping down a heavy candle holder, facing her brother now. “Keithen didna think ye’d take me in if ye kent the truth.”

“He’s right. I wouldn’t have. You are a murderer, and I will not harbor fugitives in my priory.”

“God’s eyes, Gillies, I am yer sister!”

“Now you’re starting to sound like that stupid Highlander with your cursing.”

“Cam is no’ stupid, and I love him. We are goin’ to get married.”

“Not if I can help it, you’re not.” Gillies hurried to the door.

“Where are ye goin’? What are ye goin’ to do?”

“I’m going to do what I should have done long ago. I am sending a missive to Hermitage Castle, telling the Lairds MacKeefe that Cam did not cooperate. And you are going to have to leave at once, Sister. I can’t have you here.”