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CHAPTERFIFTEEN
The rest of the day was spent in much the same manner, occasionally the sound of horse’s hooves would alert them to a search party coming near, and they would hurry off the path and into a ditch or patch of trees. In this way, they avoided the patrols and came at last to the outskirts of Creeston. It was no more than a fishing village, a town, only in virtue of having little else by way of habitation for many miles around. But though there was an inn, where they might have overnighted, Murdina knew they were certain to be betrayed if they dared seek lodging there, and instead, they contented themselves with buying bread and milk at an outlying farm, pressing another coin into the farmer’s wife’s hand for the assurance of her silence.
“Who am I to stand in the way of two young lovers?” she said, handing over the loaves of bread and two cups of milk.
“Ye are very kind,” Murdina said, and having thanked the woman, they made their way along a bridleway and across several fields to a path leading over the heathers.
“It is a shame she had no horses,” Kin said, but Murdina gave him a look and shook her head.
“We cannae repay hospitality with such a cruel trick,” she retorted, but Kin only shrugged.
He seemed hardened to their task, and while Murdina was cautious as to the danger they faced, it seemed Kin had the resolve to do whatever it took to secure their safety on the road.
“But we do need horses–and food,” he replied, and Murdina was forced to admit he was right.
They went on for some time, the houses which clung to the seashore disappearing behind the gentle rise and fall of the heathery slopes. Her father’s patrols would not come so far north–not without supplies–and Murdina found herself more at ease; now the castle and all it represented was left behind. The mull, with its sand dunes and boggy forests, had given way to a vast moorland, stretching out before them, and looking back, she could just make out the watchtower where she and Murdoch had stood only a few days before. It seemed to represent a different world, and having stepped out of that world, Murdina now felt a new sense of freedom, one she had every intention of clinging onto.
“Look, there are the ponies, they are wild, but perhaps one might be tamed,” Murdina said, as they came to a steep rise and looked down at the heather-covered plain below.
The ponies were grazing there, and one or two looked up with interest as Murdina and Kin descended from the rise by a footpath that wound its way along a rocky outcrop before crossing a stream at a ford below.
“Will you tame one?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
“I would try,” she retorted, imagining that taming a pony was little different from mastering a horse.
Patience was all that was required, and setting down her pack, she approached the nearest animal, which looked up inquisitively at her, still chewing on the piece of grass it had pulled up from beneath the heather at its feet.
“Be careful he does not kick you, Murdina,” Kin called out, and Murdina returned him a withering look.
“Are ye just goin’ to watch or might ye seek to help?” she asked, rolling up her sleeves and stepping forward.
The pony narrowed its eyes, and Murdina leaped forward onto its back, causing the animal to bolt. It threw her up into the air, and she landed on a large tuft of heather, which broke her fall. Kin burst out laughing, and Murdina sat up and looked at him indignantly.
“I suppose ye would be happier stealin’ a horse, would ye? If ye are so skilled, why daenae ye demonstrate how tis’ done,” she said, pointing to the pony, which had now returned to pulling up tufts of grass to chew.
Murdina watched as Kin now approached another of the animals, but instead of trying to leap onto its back, he reached out and stroked its nose, patting it so that it now nuzzled its face into him and gave a snort.
“There, boy, good boy,” he said, running his hand across the pony’s back.
He glanced at Murdina, who scowled and rosed to her feet.
“Ye make it seem so easy,” she retorted.
“They will not let us ride them, but perhaps this one might be persuaded to carry our packs for us across the heathers,” he said, and Murdina nodded.
“It would be a welcome relief. Can we tie them onto Its back?” she asked.
“I believe so,” Kin replied.
He continued to gain the animal’s trust, patting its nose, and whispering in its ear. The pony stood stock still, and to Murdina’s amazement, Kin was able to tie the packs onto its back and tether a short piece of rope into a muzzle so that he could lead the animal with one hand.
“Ye make it seem easy,” she said, and he shrugged.
“I think I must have a way with animals, even if I cannot remember why,” he replied, patting the pony on the nose.
With their packs, it proved easier to cover a greater distance before nightfall, and they stopped to make camp by a stream where a small copse of trees grew, providing shelter against the breeze which seemed to blow unceasingly across the moorlands. Kin had a tinder box with him, and Murdina collected firewood so that soon they had a merry blaze going. The stream flowed into a large pool, and with a makeshift rod and some worms for bait, Kin managed to catch a large salmon, which they placed to cook in the embers of the fire, settling down to warm themselves by the flames.
“Tis’ a pleasant night; I can smell the scent of summer in the air. The days are growin’ longer,” Murdina said, looking up to where the sun was setting over the moorlands above them.
