Cassian (The Immortal Highland Centurions #2) - Jayne Castel Page 0,23

in the lower ward. Their faces pale and anxious, men and women watched De Keith and his escort ready themselves to ride out. Despite that many warriors—including the Wallace and his men—remained behind, the folk here were still nervous to see their laird depart for Stirling.

Aila didn’t share their anxiety. The laird had increased the Guard, and had men tirelessly strengthening the stronghold’s defenses, both inside and outside the walls: a deep ditch filled with iron spikes now snaked around the landward side. Every day, more wagons arrived from Stonehaven—the village located just a few miles north of Dunnottar—with stacks of lead and slate, and barrels of pitch to use against any who dared besiege the walls. De Keith had also built up the food stores—just in case Shaw Irvine failed to bring the gates down with his ‘Battle Hammer’ and tried to starve them out instead.

Shaw Irvine won’t attack while we’re away, Aila reassured herself. And if he does, Dunnottar will be well prepared. Indeed, Lady Gavina wasn’t convinced her brother would ever lay siege to Dunnottar. She believed Irvine was merely testing David De Keith.

Comforted by these thoughts, Aila turned back to her mount.

Cassian had been right about Dusty. Her father had gifted her the palfrey, but Aila had never warmed to the mare. She was spirited and willful, and seemed to sense Aila’s diffidence. Twice in the past months, she’d tried to throw her. Aila had hoped to ride another horse to Stirling, but it appeared none could be spared.

She would just have to wrestle with her mare.

Aila adjusted the stirrup nearest and turned to face Dusty’s rump. She was just about to mount when she spied Heather weaving her way purposefully through the crowd toward her.

Smile fading, Aila waited for her sister. She’d been hoping Heather wouldn’t come out to see her off. She just wanted to get away from Dunnottar for a while and forget about her family. After weathering her mother’s response the day before, she didn’t feel like another scene.

“Were ye going to leave without saying goodbye?” Heather greeted her.

“I knew ye’d find me,” Aila replied airily.

Heather frowned. Her expression was guarded this morning. “Take care in Stirling.” She stepped forward and enfolded Aila in a hug. “Keep yer eyes and ears open … and trust no one.”

Aila’s mouth twitched, and she swallowed the nervous laugh that bubbled up inside her. She was merely accompanying her mistress to Stirling. Most likely, she and Lady Gavina would spend an uneventful week there, while the men discussed important matters, before returning to Dunnottar.

Heather made it sound like she was a spy.

Nonetheless, she didn’t bother to contradict her sister, not when she looked so serious.

“I’ll be careful,” Aila assured her.

Heather’s lips parted then, as if she wanted to say something more. But the moment passed, and she stepped back, favoring her sister with a strained smile. The expression was forced, and Aila wondered why her sister’s eyes were suddenly so grave.

“Has Ma been talking to ye?” Aila asked, her suspicion rising.

Heather sighed. “She blames me for ye going. Says I have set a poor example.”

Aila tensed. Of course, their mother would say that; she didn’t seem to think that Aila had a will of her own.

“Ye are all making a storm out of a summer’s breeze.” Aila leaped nimbly onto Dusty’s back and adjusted her skirts. “I’ll be back before ye know it.”

Cassian led the way out of Dunnottar, next to the warriors carrying the De Keith banner: a long swath of blue, green, and turquoise plaid that snapped and billowed in the strong wind. The North Sea was rough and grey this morning, the surf thundering against the cliffs below the headland. And despite that they had just passed into summer, the air had a sting to it.

The company snaked its way down the winding path and then up the steep slope to the cliff-top opposite the fortress. They then emerged onto the rolling, green hills that stretched away from the castle. As he urged his courser into a trot, Cassian glanced behind him at where the grey curtain wall of Dunnottar reared up against a wild sky.

Before leaving, he’d spoken to Maximus and Draco in the lower ward bailey, and repeated the need for them to remain vigilant—not that either of them needed reminding.

When the hammer strike came, they’d all be ready. Cassian had sent out scouts to keep an eye on the Irvine-De Keith border. Maximus and Draco would send word to Stirling