Page 39 of Awoken
“We’re riding to Duncaith,” Ross replied, his tone flat, guarded.
The outlaw’s dark brows rose. “There’s a good road from Dunan to Duncaith … is there a reason why we find ye in this forgotten valley?”
Ross didn’t answer, and a stubborn silence drew out. Leanna sensed he had given up being cooperative; the conversation might take an ill turn if someone didn’t intervene.
“We’re on the same side,” she gasped, the words spilling out of her. “Ross and I are running from MacKinnon. He wishes to wed me against my will. Campbell helped me escape Dunan … and we’re riding across country to avoid capture.”
As she’d expected, her words caused a stir. A deep groove formed between the outlaw leader’s brows. The surrounding men shared glances while Ross muttered a curse under his breath. “Ye should have left the talking to me, milady.”
Leanna stiffened. “This isn’t the time for stubbornness,” she replied under her breath. “We need help.”
A few yards away, Craeg stared at her, surprise etched upon his handsome face. “I take it mybrotherwill be hot on yer heels?” he asked finally.
“Aye,” Ross growled. “And I suggest ye let us continue on our way so that we all might avoid him.”
Craeg reached up a hand and rubbed his clean-shaven jaw. “Duncaith won’t save ye from MacKinnon’s wrath,” he replied, his gaze meeting Ross’s. “Take it from one who’s spent years eluding him. The best place to hide from the clan-chief is in the forgotten corners of his own lands.”
Ross stiffened. “Aye … how is it that ye have managed to evade capture for so long?”
Craeg watched them for a heartbeat, before a smile stretched across his face. “I learned how to meld with the shadows, Campbell … and I can show ye too.” He glanced around at the bowmen, who stood like statues, their weapons still drawn. “Lower yer bows, lads … these two aren’t our captives, but our guests.”
Slowly, cautiously, the men did as bid.
“Ye should have let me speak on our behalf,” Ross murmured as he turned his horse and followed the outlaw band through the trees. “The less these people know about us the better.”
“I was just trying to stop a fight,” Leanna muttered between clenched teeth.
Panic fluttered up under her ribcage then as Craeg fell into step beside them. The Lord preserve her, he looked so much like his brother.
She just hoped he was as different from Duncan MacKinnon as folk said—or they were riding into even more trouble.
Craeg the Bastard glanced at the claidheamh-mor that hung at Ross’s side. “That’s a fine blade. Where did ye get it?”
“My father’s smith fashioned it for me,” Ross replied, his tone guarded.
The outlaw reached out, drawing the broad-sword up, so that the top half slid from the scabbard. He then peered at the blade he’d just revealed. “There’s writing inscribed here … what does it mean?”
“Ne Obliviscaris. It’s the Campbell motto … Forget Not.”
Craeg’s mouth quirked. “A good creed … and one I also live by.”
Ross snorted. “Yer brother has a long memory too, and never forgets a slight.”
To Leanna’s surprise, the outlaw grinned at that. “Aye … that’s why he’s provided me such sport over the years. I enjoy poking the adder with a stick.”
Ross snorted in response. “Ye had better be wary of the serpent’s fangs then.”
19
Offering Hospitality
THE OUTLAWS LED them away, south of the burn, and into a densely packed wall of pine trees.
With each furlong deeper into the wilderness, Leanna grew tenser. She wasn’t sure they’d made the right decision by accepting the outlaws’ hospitality. Could they really trust Craeg the Bastard?
Maybe I shouldn’t have been so open with him?
She could feel the tension in Ross’s body as they traveled farther and farther into the heart of the forest. She didn’t need to see his face to know that he wasn’t comfortable.
