Page 22 of To Wed a Witch
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AS THE FIRE BURNEDlow and his men settled into their bedrolls, taking turns at keeping watch, Bhaltair made his final rounds.He positioned his bedroll and plaid beside the cart where he could see both approaches to their camp, his sword within easy reach and his senses alert for any sign of danger.
Inside the cart, he could hear soft feminine voices as Sìne and Paisley prepared for sleep.
"Sìne?"he called softly.
"Aye?"Her voice was drowsy but welcoming.
"I'll be here.If ye need anything..."
A pause, then Sìne's soft voice replied, "Thank ye, Bhaltair.For everything."
He then settled with his back against a tree and tried to get some sleep before it was his turn to keep watch.
***
HIDDEN IN THE DARKNESSbeyond the reach of their firelight, Bryce Sutherland watched the camp settle for the night.He'd noted the guards, the careful positioning, the way Ferguson never strayed far from his precious cargo.The man was no fool.He knew the value of what he carried.
But even the most careful warrior had to sleep eventually and when he did, Sutherland would be ready.
For now, he pulled his plaid tighter against the chill and settled in to wait.Patience, after all, was the hunter's greatest virtue.
***
IN THE DEPTHS OF THEnight, Bhaltair stirred at the soft sound of movement from the cart.Alert instantly, his hand went to his sword before he recognized Sìne's voice, barely above a whisper.
"Bhaltair?Are ye awake?"
"Aye," he replied quietly, rising and moving to the cart's opening.He'd noticed a strange mist had settled over the camp.He was on edge now because enemies could move amongst the fog unseen.
"What is it?Is Aidyn well?"he asked.
"She's fine.Sleeping peacefully."Sìne's face appeared close by, and he could see she was troubled."I ken danger is close.I heard the voice tell me—"
She stopped mid-sentence as if trying to explain herself better.
"Ye heard a voice in the mist?"Bhaltair asked without judgment.
"Aye, I ken it sounds unnatural, but it was a warning to be alert," Sìne replied.
Rather than dismissing her concerns, Bhaltair nodded grimly."Ye may be right.I did not want to alarm ye before, but there's been sign of riders following our track.We need to keep watch for mercenaries."
"What should we do?"
"Nothing different.But I'm glad ye told me about what ye heard."He reached out without thinking, his fingers gently touching her cheek."Try to rest, wife.The men have been keeping guard all night.I'll scout the perimeter and make sure all is well.Remain in the cart and keep yer dirk close at hand."
Sìne leaned into his touch for just a moment, and the simple gesture sent warmth spreading through his chest."Be careful, husband," she whispered.
"Always, wife," he replied.
Bhaltair kept his vigil and checked with his men.No one found anything amiss.When he next checked on the women, they were fast asleep.
He settled back beside the cart, but this time he did not sleep.Sìne's warning had been like a premonition.Though he was not the superstitious type, experience had taught him to remain alert and heed a warning however it was delivered.
***
BRYCE SUTHERLAND CURSEDhis rotten luck.His men had just been on the verge of attack when a mysterious mist descended on the campsite.The fog was so thick he and his men could not see a foot in front of them, let alone move stealthily through the campgrounds.One of his men had already tripped on a log and narrowly missed landing in the fire pit.They had to abandon their sneak attack because there was nothing sneaky about stumbling around with poor visibility.What made it worse was the campsite seemed to be stirring to life as he heard a woman and man talking, then several guardsmen moving about, no doubt securing the perimeters given the strange fog.Bryce called a retreat.
