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The sun was a bright, half orange ball on the horizon when they reached their destination, Terese knowing she had slowed Piper down. It amazed her how familiar the young woman was with every inch of the woods, and it was that way with any forest. Once in it, Piper was as comfortable with it as with an old, dear friend.
Piper dropped to the ground and carefully brushed leaves out of the way to reveal tracks. “There were two of them, one heavy-footed and one nimble. They’re scouting.”
A chill ran through Terese as she bent down alongside Piper to take a look. “Do you know who?”
“Look here,” Piper said, pointing to one hardy imprint in the ground. “This was made by a sandal. Mercenaries mostly wear boots.”
Terese frowned, leaning back on her haunches. “This confirms a fear I had. At first when Henry mentioned the mercenaries, I wondered if perhaps the gossip we perpetuated about our little group had grown out of hand. Then I wondered what if…What if it had nothing to do with us at all?”
“It doesn’t bode well,” Piper agreed, then added proudly, “but we are warriors. You have seen to that.”
Perhaps so, but Terese worried regardless.
“I would guess that the warring clans sent scouts to see if a surprise attack against the mercenaries was feasible,” Piper continued.
“And if they’re successful, they may just keep going, claiming everything in their path.”
“A very good chance that’s exactly what they’ll do,” Piper said.
“Is this as far as the scouts have gone?”
“They circle for the moment, concerned with their plan of attack,” Piper explained. “They will probably continue to scout the remaining area afterward.”
“And come upon the thriving farms,” Terese said shaking her head. “Once they discover the farmers don’t belong to any liege lord, their lands will be confiscated and they’ll be free no more.”
“And the convent?”
“They will not hurt us, but we will find our activities restricted.”
“What can we do?” Piper asked anxiously.
Terese paced, the dried leaves swirling around her scuffling feet. She stopped suddenly and one or two leaves attached themselves to the hem of her brown skirt. “There’s only one solution to this problem.”
Piper waited expectantly.
“I go see the mercenaries.”
Lachlan woke just after sunrise and following a hurried stretch he made his way to where he was certain he’d find Sister Terese enjoying the morning sunrise. He stopped when he saw that she wasn’t there. He grew concerned that perhaps something happened to one of the children, or possibly Henry or Frances.
With quick steps he made his way to the common shelter. He almost collided with Sister Hester when she hurried out the door, a basket on her arm.
“Good morning, sir,” she said with a nod.
He had given up on trying to convince the nuns to call him Lachlan.
“I’m taking fresh honey bread to the men.” Hester pulled back the cloth for him to see.
The delicious aroma had his stomach crying out.
Hester smiled and handed him a slice, which he gratefully accepted.
“I’m looking for Sister Terese,” Lachlan said before popping a piece into his mouth and relishing the sweet taste.
“I’m not sure where she is, though I believe Sister Megan knows.”
“Where can I find her?” he asked.
“She’s left for one of the farms. A babe needs delivering.”
“What farm? Where?” Lachlan asked.
“Sister Piper would know that,” Hester said, slipping him another slice before walking away.
“Where’s Piper?” he called out.
Hester turned and shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
He stood eating the bread and wondering over his next move. “Evan!” he said aloud.
“He’s off in the woods,” Andrew said, causing Lachlan to swerve around at his unexpected arrival. “He’s holding the work up again.”
Lachlan cringed. “What this time?”
“Fresh nests. Evan says the trees with the nests we can’t disturb. He’s marking the trees we can use. So, what are you going to do about it?” Andrew challenged.
“You’re going to do as he says,” Lachlan ordered.
Andrew shook his head. “Why do you allow him such fancies?”
Lachlan raised a brow. “You question my command?”
“Never,” Andrew assured him. “I will get the men to work as soon as Evan finishes.”
Lachlan placed a sturdy hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “Evan tracks like none I have ever seen.”
“True,” Andrew nodded. “Very true. The men even talk about his exceptional skills.”
“Now tell me, have you seen Sister Megan this morning?”
Andrew shook his head vehemently. “I keep my distance when at all possible.”
Lachlan grinned. “I am not accusing you of anything. I need to know if you’ve seen her today.”
Andrew answered reluctantly. “I saw her for only a moment. She was in a hurry, clutching her basket, telling me she had to be on her way. She smelled like freshly blossomed flowers and her cheeks were flushed pink and—”
“Enough!” Lachlan ordered. “How many times am I going to have to remind you that she is a nun?”
“She does not look nor does she act as a woman who has avowed herself to God, and you can’t tell me you haven’t thought the same watching the women.”
