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“That is the second search party in an hour,” Murdina said as they rose from their hiding place–a muddy ditch by the edge of the path, overhung by brambles.
“But they will not come back this way, not now they have searched for us here,” Kin replied, trying to sound more confident than he was.
On his own, he would easily have disappeared into obscurity, but with a traveling companion, it was far harder to remain hidden. The path wound its way through trees, with ditches on either side. The ground was boggy, flooded at times by high tides, and the going was difficult, made harder by the mud, churned up by the horse’s hooves.
“Tis’ nae far to Creeston, a few miles further north,” Murdina said, but Kin shook his head.
“They will look for us there, tis’ certain. We cannae risk goin’ to such a large settlement. Are there nay farms nearby? Somewhere we could steal a horse?” he asked, and she raised her eyebrows at him disapprovingly.
“Steal from those who have next to nothin’ themselves?” she asked, but Kin only shrugged.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” he replied, for he was not above such deeds if they furthered his mission.
But what that mission was–what it was meant to be–remained a mystery. He knew nothing of his true purpose, only his name and the strange connection to the island of Mull. It was that which drew him on– the certainty of something, some purpose which was his. It was all to do with the key and the coin, and though he was glad of Murdina’s company, he could not let that fact detract from discovering the truth of who he was and what he was meant to do.
“We can take the road leadin’ beyond the edge of the town, there are paths there which cross the heathers, and we shouldnae be seen if we keep to that route–we shall have to search for a farm, or perhaps animals in the fields. But to reach Mull, we shall need more than a horse,” Murdina said, and Kin nodded.
He knew nothing of the island–neither if he had been there or not, nor what it would be like when they arrived. Would his memory return? He had tried so hard to remember, but that same mist hung over him, clouding his vision and causing him such frustration he could curse.
“There must be boats further north–a fisherman who can row us across from the mainland,” he replied, and Murdina shrugged her shoulders.
“I daenae know–we have left so quickly, we will have to discover it for ourselves, I suppose,” she replied, and he smiled at her.
“We make a fine pair–I with no memory, and you with no knowledge. But never mind, we shall discover it, as you say. But for now, we must find a horse and get as far north as possible. This way?” he asked, pointing along the path ahead.
“Aye, and then we shall be safer,” Murdina replied as they hurried on together.
