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“Fia? Where are ye goin’? It’s no’ first light yet.”
Damn. Wouldn’t you know it? Morag could sleep through an earth tremor, but when Fia wanted to sneak out, the girl was awake.
“Go back to sleep, Morag.”
“Ye’re dressed!” Morag sat upright in bed. “Ye are goin’ down to the courtyard, are ye no’?”
“Yes. I canna wait until first light to find out what is goin’ on. I fear for Imanie and wish we had never left her in the secret garden all alone.”
“Then I’m comin’ with ye.” Morag sprang out of bed. The last thing Fia wanted was a tag-along with a big mouth. She had hoped to go to the secret garden to check on Imanie and look for her bracelet at the same time. Now would be the only time to do it when there was still chaos in the courtyard. If she waited until sunup, Lord Beaufort would be sure to see her and make her stay within the castle walls.
“I’ll be back, Morag. I ken how much ye like to sleep, so go back to bed. When I return, I will tell ye and the others everythin’ I’ve learned.”
“Ye are no’ goin’ to do anythin’ stupid, are ye, Fia?” Morag yawned and sat back down on the bed.
“Ye dinna have to worry about me.” She put her hand on the heart brooch, hoping her dangerous plan wouldn’t be the end of her. Mayhap it was a mistake, but she couldn’t tell the others. They would either keep her there or want to go with her as Morag had. And telling Maira to stay behind was not going to go over well. It was easier to sneak around in the shadows if she was by herself. “Get some sleep, Morag.” She walked over and kissed her sister on the head and tucked in the blanket around her.
As she left the room, she looked back, hoping this wouldn’t be the last time she ever saw Morag. It was dangerous, but Fia had to do it. She felt as if she’d already abandoned Imanie and it didn’t sit right with her at all.
* * *
Alastair stumbled through the woods,not sure how long he’d been passed out after being stabbed in the side by the English when he went to stop his clan from attacking last night.
The English were strong, and the battle fierce. The last he remembered, he ordered his clan to retreat to the border. Of course, Brohain, Rhodric and some of the others with bloodlust in their veins had not listened to his orders and continued to fight. Being the chieftain of the clan, Alastair couldn’t leave them behind.
He’d been so intent on saving Brohain’s ass that he hadn’t even seen the young English boy dart out of the shadows. By then, it was too late. The boy scared his horse and Alastair fell to the ground, being stabbed by the lad before he knew what happened. Then to make matters worse, the boy stole his horse.
The last thing he remembered was seeing Brohain, Rhodric and some of the others being led away as prisoners. The damned fools! Why hadn’t they listened to him?
Holding his plaid up against his gaping wound, Alastair searched for a horse. He came across several of his men dead on the ground, as well as some of the English. He still had his sword, thank goodness, since the fool boy was more interested in his steed than he was in his weapon.
Alastair felt fury flowing through his veins. He would never get the respect from the older members of the clan that his father once had. The past three years had been naught but a struggle since the clan was split. Hell, if he didn’t care as much as he did, he would have left the older members to their fates and just concentrated on the ones who were loyal to him.
Now, because of a foolish move, some of his men were dead, others were captured, and part of his clan had left for the border without him. Could things possibly get any worse?
He didn’t find a horse in the woods but, as he walked, he came across what looked like a hidden door in a knoll. His side bled profusely, and he couldn’t go much further without tending to his wound.
Putting one bloodied hand on the wooden gate, he pushed it open. The first rays of sunlight illuminated the area inside, showing him a secret garden. With his vision blurred, he staggered forward, seeing a small cottage at the other side of the garden. He wasn’t sure who lived here but hoped he could convince them to help him.
He made it to the cottage and was about to knock when the door swung open. An old woman stood there, looking as pale and weak as he felt right now.
“You!” she said, which made him take a closer look at her. She sounded as if she knew him.
“I’m sorry, but do ye ken me?”
“You’re the Highlander that let Fia live when the others wanted to kill her.”
“What?” he asked, taking a moment to clear his head. Then he remembered. This was the old woman who had come to the young lassie’s aid three years ago in the forest. She was also the one who shot arrows at him and his men. “Och, I remember ye,” he spat, not sure it was good luck to run across her. Still, it couldn’t possibly get any worse. He needed to swallow his pride and try. “I need yer help, old woman. I have a sword wound in my side and require stitchin’. I’ve lost a lot of bluid.”
“Why should I help you?” The woman curled her lip while she rubbed her chest as if she, too, were in pain. Her breathing was rather shallow.
“Ye said it yerself. I let the lassie live.”
“Aye.” She squinted an eye and cocked her head to peruse him. “Tell me. Why did you let her go?”
“I can tell ye, but I need yer help first.” He nodded to the wound and removed his hand to show her the blood.
“Oh!” She swallowed forcefully at the sight. He couldn’t help noticing the perplexed look on her face. Then she nodded slowly. “Let me help you.”
He thought his worries were over, but the old woman took one step forward, clutched her chest and fell to the ground at his feet. He stepped backward, staring at her in disbelief and shaking his head. Her eyes and mouth were opened, but she wasn’t blinking. He got down on his knees and laid a hand on her neck to feel for a pulse. When he couldn’t find one, he leaned over to listen for her breath and nearly passed out.
“Damn it,” he spat, struggling to get to his feet. Of all the rotten luck! The old woman was going to help him, and now she dropped down dead at his feet. He hadn’t thought things could get any worse, but they just did.
