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Bliss woke with a start and sat up abruptly.
Trey jolted up beside her. “What’s wrong?”
It took a moment for her to realize that they were in front of the campfire. Last she remembered ... she cocked her head and stared at him.
“I carried you here after Burnell took over guard duty.”
She had slept soundly and without dreams, unusual for her, but a sudden sensing had woken her. “We must get the men ready to leave at first light.”
“What’s wrong?” Trey asked, standing along with her.
“If we wait too long to leave, our paths will cross. If we leave as light breaks on the land, we have no chance of crossing paths.”
Trey nodded and went to work rousing the men. Once told their sunrise departure was necessary to avoid confrontation with mercenaries, the men got busy. Carriers had been fashioned the day before for two men who were too seriously injured to walk.
When the glow of the rising sun was seen on the horizon, the group departed. Bliss led the way, knowing that certain areas had to be avoided. It was a strenuous morning for all. The men, though weakened by their plight, remained determined by the chance to see their loved ones again.
It was late afternoon when they came to the area where it was necessary for Bliss and Trey to part ways from the group of farmers.
Burnell stepped forward. “We are grateful and in your debt for all you have done.”
“Arrive at my home safely, and your debt is paid,” Trey said with a smile and a firm handshake.
Bliss shook her head. “It is too long a trip not only for those more seriously wounded, but the others who begin to heal. You will need to stop and rest at least two days, and I know the perfect place where you will find help. You will stop and rest with my people ... the Picts.”
Burnell turned a doubtful glance to Trey.
“I have met the Picts. They are good people and will welcome you.”
“Aye, they will,” Bliss said, and reached for Burnell’s hand, turning it palm up. “Sentinels guard our land. When one approaches, you tell him you have a message from Bliss, their healer. He will hold out his hand and you will draw this symbol on it with your thumb.” Bliss drew a cross and pressed her thumb in the center. “He will then help you.”
Burnell nodded and once again thanked them, as did the others who filed past them as the small band of farmers continued on.
When the last one had disappeared from sight, Bliss turned to Trey ready to continue their journey to see how Philip fared.
“Something wrong?” she asked when he saw how strangely he stared at her.
“The symbol you drew. Draw it for me,” he said, and held out his hand.
Bliss obliged, drawing a cross and pressing her thumb in the center.
“What does this symbol mean?”
“It is a symbol my people use to let our kind know that it is safe to trust the one who knows it.”
“There are no words that accompany it?”
“A Pict will sometimes attach a message to it,” she said.
“How do you know the message is from a Pict? Couldn’t an outsider who knows the symbol also add a message?”
“The Picts deliver their message in a special way that is never discussed with outsiders.”
“So if I asked you to explain—”
Bliss shook her head. “I couldn’t.”
“What if I recited a message that accompanied that symbol? Could you tell me if it was sent by a Pict?”
