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“Aye, but I’ve just had word that Richard has troops of fourteen thousand men and he is moving up the coast of Scotland, headed for Edinburgh,” Imanie told them.
“He is?” This news was alarming to Fia. Her family’s home was in the Lowlands but directly in the path.
“Please, go back to the castle,” begged Imanie. “You will be safe there.”
“What about ye?” asked Fia, concerned for the old woman who didn’t look well at all.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“But the Scots might find you here,” warned Willow.
“I’ll stay and help protect you.” Maira pulled her sword from the scabbard.
Imanie chuckled lowly and continued to rub her chest. She tried hard to steady her breathing. “Lady Maira, you might be good with a sword, but that is no good against an entire clan of Highlanders. Now go before it is too late.” Imanie got to her feet and ushered the girls back to their horses.
“Who told ye this news?” asked Fia.
“I have my sources,” the old woman explained. “But I will not divulge their identities.”
“Are they women from the secret group?” asked Morag, always needing to know more.
“There is no time for talk. You must leave anon.” Imanie hurried them to the entrance of the secret garden.
“Come with us, Imanie,” begged Fia. “I am worried about ye.”
“You know I can’t do that.” Sadness showed in the old woman’s eyes. “I want you all to be strong and use what I’ve taught you to better your lives.”
Fia’s heart jumped at hearing the old woman’s words. “Imanie, ye sound as if ye are sayin’ guidbye.”
Imanie’s eyes became glassy, and a thin smile turned her lips upward. “I have been blessed to know each and every one of you. I have enjoyed training you these past three years, and you are fast learners. Each of you is a strong woman that Queen Philippa would have been proud of.”
“Ye didna train me at all,” Morag reminded her.
“Nay, and I am ashamed that I let old superstitions get in my way.” Imanie unpinned the heart brooch from her cloak and held it out to Morag. “Take this, Morag. You are just as strong of a woman as your sister and cousins, and you deserve it.”
“For me?” Morag’s eyes lit up in excitement as she plucked the brooch from the old woman’s hand. After examining it, she pinned it to her bodice.
“Nay, ye canna do that, Imanie,” Fia protested. “Ye told us that the last time ye brought someone into the group without the queen’s permission, someone died.”
“The queen is dead, and I’m too old to be frightened by superstitions of what might happen,” said Imanie with a fond smile. “Now go, and protect yourselves. If anything happens to any of you, I will feel as if I have failed in carrying out the wishes of our late queen.”
Shouts could be heard coming from the forest. A flock of birds lifted from a tree in the distance.
“They’re comin’ closer,” screamed Morag. “I’m frightened.”
“Come on,” said Maira, pulling Morag with her over to her horse. “I’ll protect you. Now keep quiet before you alert them that we are here.”
“Hurry, Fia,” said Willow, already atop her horse.
Fia grasped the bracelet in her hand for strength. Something told her not to leave Imanie, and she didn’t want to go.
“Go on, Fia,” said Imanie with wisdom in her eyes. “Your journey starts today. I can honestly say that even I didn’t expect it.”
“My journey? What do ye mean?”
“This Highland clan is one we’ve seen before,” explained Imanie. “It is led by the laird who saved your life three years ago.”
“What does this have to do with anythin’? Have ye had an insight?”
