Page 34 of Highlander Redeemed
“Does she expect to fight with the warriors?” Nicholas’s tone was flat, as if he did not want Duncan to know how he felt about that possibility.
“She does, and I have promised her she will when the time comes.”
“That will not sit well with her sister and my wife,” Nicholas said.
“I do not think Scotia cares about that.”
“I am sure she does not. Have you any understanding of thisknowingRowan told me about?”
Duncan was grateful for the turn in the conversation. He explained the testing he continued to do with Scotia, and what they had discovered about why and when she mightknowsomething and why and when she did not.
“We must determine how best to use this gift of hers in our fight against the English,” Nicholas said, tossing a pebble into the fire. “It might just give us the advantage we need. Do you ken if proximity has aught to do with how or when she receives aknowing?”
Duncan had to think back to all the tests he had given Scotia in the last few days. “She had theknowingabout Sherwood, so that was from afar. She kent the allies were arriving in this glen before the guards at the pass blew the horn, but not long before. She kent where her sword was.” He looked at Nicholas, knowing this next bit of news would not sit well with the chief. “We found it just near the Story Stone, though she did not ken it was there until we were already at the meadow. Other than that,” he continued, “everything we have worked on has been within the confines of the glen.”
“Do you think she is ready to venture further afield with her training?” Nicholas asked.
“I think she is chafing at the bit to venture further afield.”
Nicholas laughed as he looked across the cook circle at Scotia, then back to Duncan. “Always, with that one, aye?”
“Always,” Duncan agreed.
“I have just the task for the two of you, but Rowan will insist you take more warriors with you to keep Scotia safe.”
“If this is a test for Scotia, then warriors will interfere. She does not want anyone to know what she is about until she is sure she will be a boon to our fight. I have promised her to keep this secret—though neither of us thought you still in the spy business.” ’Twas another good reason not to let what had happened betweenhim and Scotia happen again, he only then realized. “You have placed her in my care, and I have earned her trust.” Unless he had lost it today, but he did not say that to Nicholas. “I will not jeopardize that by pushing her on this. Not yet.”
Nicholas took a moment to consider Duncan’s words, looking from Duncan to Scotia again, who seemed to purposely look anywhere but at the two men.
“Very well. You have done well with her so far. I will give the lass a little more time to hone her skills in privacy, but only a little, for if Jeanette’s visions are true, Lord Sherwood and his detachment will be here very soon. In the meantime ...”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
EARLY THE NEXTmorn, Duncan moved silently through the wood, fully armed and only a little concerned for the safety of his companion. When he had roused Scotia well before dawn and told her the plan for the day, a combination scouting expedition and training day, she had glared at him at first, then leapt from her blankets without a word, and before he knew it she had led him up a deer trail he had never explored and out of the Glen of Caves, easily skirting the doubled guards around the passes.
As soon as they began to descend the ben, Scotia seemed to relax. She had stopped just as the sun’s wan light turned the eastern sky shades of subtle pinks and purples, and bade him to lead the way as she did not ken where they were bound. Ever since, she had followed behind him quietly, but he kept feeling as if she stared at his back. Whenever he looked over his shoulder—to make sure she was still there, he told himself—she was simply trudging along, her eyes on her feet, or searching the forest around them.
Last night her eyes had been on him, as if she battled with her feelings for him, the feelings he knew she held but did not want. But this morning she was more settled, and it seemed her battle had been won. And yet he could swear she tried to stare a hole in his back, though he could not catch her at it.
He fought his own battle this day. When he had gone to wake her this morn, she had looked so peaceful, so sweet, it had taken all his resolve not to touch her, not to run his fingers overthe smooth plane of her cheek, or to take her hand in his. It had taken all of his resolve to keep himself from simply watching her sleep. He had said her name quietly and her eyes had popped open immediately. He was glad he had controlled his desires and not made a fool of himself.
Even now, as they neared the outer watches set around the castle, he struggled to keep his mind off Scotia and what she might be thinking and feeling. He struggled to stay focused on what they were about. The English lord would probably send advance parties ahead of the main force to scout out the land, the whereabouts of the MacAlpins, food sources, likely ambush locations, and anything else they could learn that might be of use to the lord when he arrived. It would not do for Duncan and Scotia to stumble into one of those advance parties because he was preoccupied with the lass.
He held up his hand, his signal to halt, and looked about him. This would be as good a place as any to begin the day’s work.
“Hide yourself,” he said to Scotia. “You need to be close to where an enemy might pass—within striking distance, but not seen.”
She cocked an eyebrow at him, shook her head a little, then set about gathering fallen branches, twigs, and a vine that grew up the side of an ancient tree. In a shorter time than he expected, she had disappeared under a mat that looked like the rest of the forest floor. To his surprise she had even thought to draw her sword and dagger before she had taken cover. She would be ready for any enemy who passed by her.
“Stay there,” he said. “I will return shortly, and I expect you to hold your position until I do. Even if Lord Sherwood himself rides by you, do not engage. Do you understand?”
“You are quite clear, Duncan. Go now so that you might return sooner.” The edge of irritation in her muffled voice was familiar.
He faded back into the wood far enough that she would think him gone, then climbed a tree to keep watch, to make sure she didexactly as he bade her. If he did not ken where she crouched in her leafy hide, he did not think he would ever notice she was there.
When he was reasonably certain she really was heeding his order to stay hidden, he climbed down from his perch and made his way toward the castle. When he was out of her earshot, he made the call of the tawny owl, and listened. In the distance the call was repeated so he made his way in that direction, using the owl call twice more to find Brodie MacAlpin sitting high up in a tree, keeping watch over the castle and the surrounding land and loch.
Duncan made a hand signal that meant “What news?” and watched as Brodie made another, indicating there had been no sightings of their enemy. Duncan nodded, waved good-bye, and decided to return to check on Scotia rather than move on to one of the other two men keeping watch today. He trusted her to keep to her task, but still, she was Scotia and it was only prudent to check on her.
