“If it meant a chance to free my sister, you most certainly would. Now, we waste precious time. Let us ride and find Fiona.”
They were on the trail in no time, tension as sharp between the two clans as the cold air that stung their faces and chilled their bones.
“This will not do,” Aliss said, looking to Raynor and Tarr who rode on either side of her, stiff in posture and form. She glanced around her at the men who duplicated their leaders, sitting straight and alert in their saddles. “They are on edge, not sure of their enemy. Is it the clan who rides beside them, the man they chase? This is dangerous and must be settled before we go any farther, or it is certain to produce disastrous results.”
“You think like father,” Raynor said.
“Sensibly,” she confirmed. “Now, do something, both of you.”
Tarr nodded his agreement as did Raynor, and they called a halt.
Tarr spoke first. “We find Fiona this day so that we can all celebrate tonight.”
Smiles from both clans greeted his message.
“Celebrate the joining of two strong and proud clans. We ride together in purpose and strength and to discover the truth behind the mystery that has plagued the Blackshaw clan all these years. We ride united and fight united against common foe.”
Cheers rang out and Aliss hoped that Fiona heard it, for then she knew they were not far behind.
Raynor brought his horse beside Tarr’s. “We have a mission to save my sister and return her so that she can wed the chieftain of the clan Hellewyk. This blessed union strengthens our clans throughout the Highlands. We become an unstoppable force, and I alone will see to dealing out justice to those who have betrayed the Blackshaw name.”
Cheers sounded yet again, and when the journey continued the cold, stinging air remained but the sharp tension was gone and the two clans rode as one.
“We lost the trail again,” Tarr said, frustrated after returning from talking with his trackers.
Aliss shook her head. “We must hurry and find it for it feels as if the first snow may fall this day.”
Tarr agreed. The temperature had dipped sharply since they first left.
“My uncle is excellent in covering his tracks,” Raynor said.
“He taught you his ways?”
Raynor nodded. “Though, I am not nearly the tracker he is.”
“We shall test that theory right now,” Tarr challenged. “Snow seems likely, and if we do not find his trail before the flakes fall we will not find it at all.”
“I will do my best,” Raynor said.
“Your best is not good enough,” Aliss snapped. “He taught you. Think like him, breath like him, distrust like him, and you will track like him.”
“You are much stronger and much wiser than anyone realizes,” Raynor said, and rode off shaking his head.
Tarr rode silently alongside Aliss, lost in thoughts he dared to hope did not come true. He feared he would lose Fiona, and he did not know what he would do without her. He was a warrior skilled in battle, but this was a far different battle than he was accustomed. This battle, if not victorious, would bring an unbearable pain to his heart and soul.
He could not allow that; his only choice then was to be the victor.
“He has not harmed Fiona yet.”
Tarr turned with a jerk to stare at Aliss. “You know this for sure?”
“Think about it,” Aliss advised. “If he wanted her dead, he would have killed her by now, disposed of her body, so she would not be found and he would not be implicated.”
“Then he takes her somewhere on purpose.”
“Perhaps to make certain what he does is for the greater good.”
“What greater good?” Tarr asked with a snort. “His own?”
“The missing piece we search for. When we find it; all will make sense.”
“We hope,” Tarr said skeptically.
“You are aware of Fiona’s skills. She can well defend herself.”
“She is outnumbered.”
Aliss laughed. “They are outwitted.”
Tarr could not help but laugh along with her. “True enough. Should I then feel sorry for those who abducted her?”
“I do.”
“You have faith in your sister.”
“As she does in us,” Aliss said.
“I envy the bond between you two,” he admitted.
“Which is the reason why you did not want me around,” Aliss said with no animosity. “Yet you and she have an even stronger bond.”
“It took me time to realize it and—”
“That I pose no threat to you,” she finished with a smile. “I forgive you for you are a man and know no better.”