Fiona glared at him with heated eyes. She had no choice. She surrendered her identity or else . . . chance never seeing her sister again?
With a spiteful toss of her head she announced, “I am Fiona.”
Tarr stared at her while he shouted, “Gather the men; we ride at first light.”
“Why do we wait?” Fiona asked, her blade remaining at his throat, while his men began to file out of the room.
Tarr pushed the blade away with one finger. “Traveling on foot at night is difficult and foolish, since tracks are hard to detect. We will catch up with them fast enough. In the meantime we will prepare and be ready to travel and do what we must to rescue Aliss.”
Fiona lowered her sword to her side. “I will go get ready to join you.”
“You do not go with us.”
“You cannot stop me.”
He grabbed her arm, a path clearing for him as he shoved her out of the room and walked her rapidly to his room, kicking the door shut behind him.
“I can and I will, Fiona. You are a skilled warrior, but this time it concerns your sister—”
Fiona yanked her arm out of his grasp. “He took my sister, therefore it is my battle.”
He pointed at her. “Your anger may cause foolish actions and bring dreadful results. You will remain here under lock and guard if necessary.”
She pointed right back at him. “I will not make foolish decisions and you better not try locking me away.”
“You threaten me?” He took a step toward her.
She advanced on him with the same determined step. “If I must.”
“Watch your tongue with me, woman.”
“It is my tongue, and I will not change it to suit a husband. I will have my say whether you like it or not.”
“Have your say, but you will not have your way,” he said, his face close to hers.
“I will or you will rue the day you challenged me.”
“There you go threatening me again.”
“I will see my sister safe,” she shouted at him.
“Aye, you will, for I will see to her safe return.”
“Not without me.”
He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her off the floor. “Stubborn fool, I will not let you risk your life.”
Her blazing green eyes calmed in color and sadness drifted over her face. “I must; Aliss knows I will come for her. She knows nothing will stop me; not even you.”
Tarr lowered her gently to the floor, his hands remaining at the curve of her waist. He stared at her for several moments, the fire leaving his dark eyes.
“You will obey my commands?”
“Aye, I will follow your lead.”
“Your word on this?” he asked.
“My word.”
“Then go ready yourself to join me.”
She hurried to the door.
“Fiona.”
She turned around before opening the door.
“No one takes what belongs to me without consequences. I had all intentions of rescuing your sister.”
She nodded slowly. “It is good to know you are a man of honor.”
They left at first light just as Tarr promised, fifty men went, and Kirk remained behind ready to follow with another fifty if necessary. There was, however, the defense of the keep to consider, and with the unexpected attack of the barbarians, Tarr was taking no chances. Warriors would be dispatched as necessary. If they could catch them before they got to Raynor’s land it would be an easy capture with little fighting, and that is what Tarr hoped for.
Fiona rode beside him, rigid and alert, prepared to battle at any moment.
“You have sent men ahead to scout and see that we travel the right trail?”
“I have,” he answered, knowing she meant no insult by questioning his leadership. She was concerned for her sister. He had realized the full extent of that concern when she had told him her sister would expect her. He had understood at that moment the inseparable bond that existed between the twins. A bond of love and honor; he had no right to force her to break.
“The signs have been clear so far?”
“Aye, they have, and I expect they will continue to be so,” he assured her.
“Aliss will not be fearful; she is very brave.”
“A trait that you share.”
“Many think me stronger than Aliss.”
She shook her head and he could see her eyes glaze with tears, though she would not spill a one. She was too stubborn.
“They are wrong; she is the stronger, far stronger than I.”