or the other. We all saw what ye done. Ye are part of us now. Anyone who attacks one MacGregor attacks us all. Because of yer skill with a bow and sword, we live. Because of yer hand with a needle and thread, I will soon be dancin’ again. And because of yer bravery and generous heart, Duncan will ’ave himself a bonny bride who will be one of the clan’s best defenders. Donnan’s blood is on Alain’s head, not yorn.”
“Thank you, Liam.” Overwhelmed by his declaration, Anna kissed his cheek.
He winked and hobbled over to check on Rory, who’d still not regained consciousness. Scooting gingerly onto the back of the wagon next to Rory, Liam quietly talked to him, though none knew if the man heard or not. Unwilling to interrupt an intimate moment between brothers, Anna busied herself preparing breakfast.
She tossed out the remnants of last night’s kettle, then brewed more tea while oatcakes cooked. Motioning to Iain, she walked to the front of the wagon where they would not be overheard.
“I worry we are too exposed here. Two of Alain’s men escaped. I cannot help but feel vulnerable here with the forest to hide them, and the river at our back.”
Iain’s easy smile turned grim. “Aye, Malcolm and I believe the same. We thought one of us should ride ahead to find a more secluded spot to camp.” He jerked his head toward the injured men. “How far do ye think they can travel without risking further harm?”
“If they lie down in the wagons, I do not think an hour of slow travel would bring them harm.”
Iain nodded and turned to go. Remembering a question she had forgotten to ask yesterday, Anna grabbed his arm. “Did you recognize the men with Alain?”
Iain shook his head. “Nae, none of us did, but Alain’s mother was a Hamilton, a clan south of Edinburgh. We suspect ’tis them. We put a dirk with a clan badge in the cart to ask when we return home.”
Anna stared into the distance as she considered his words. Iain saddled one of the horses and galloped down the trail.
An hour later, Iain returned, having found a better place to camp three furlongs away. He’d scouted the area thoroughly and reported no sign of activity. Anna allowed herself a sigh of relief.
By this time, Rory had regained consciousness. Still shaky, he painfully sat and ate the last of the oatcakes, letting Trean lick the crumbs from his fingers.
Iain and Malcolm rearranged the carts, transferring some of the lighter bundles to the captured horses, creating enough room for Rory and Duncan to lay in the wagon, a pile of hay between them for Trean. They wrapped Donnan’s body in his plaide and draped him over one of the horses, tying him securely.
At the new campsite, Anna inspected the wounded and added fresh dressings, thankful the ride did not start any new bleeding. They settled in for the day, restless and alert.
Later in the afternoon, four riders approached. Iain, Malcolm and Anna greeted them cautiously at the perimeter of their site.
“We saw the smoke last night, and our laird sent us to investigate.” Their leader identified himself as Dougal MacFarlane.
Iain described the events of the previous day. An angry murmur rose among the MacFarlanes to hear a group of allies were attacked on their lands. They’d not run across any sign of those who escaped and did not recognize the clan crest when Iain showed it to them. Anna suspected the men had returned to the Lowlands. If they were Hamiltons, where else would they go?
Dougal walked to where Duncan lay in the cart and greeted him as an old friend. Trean’s youthful growl brought a smile to his face. “I see ye have a wee guardian.” Keeping his fingers well away from the sharp baby teeth, he halted a pace from the wagon. “I will send a man to report the situation to our laird. When ready, we will escort ye home.”
They agreed to resume their journey at first light. Anna stayed with Duncan through the night while the others shared the watch. At daybreak, they loaded the wounded onto the wagons, tethered the captured horses, and continued their trek. Whether because of their new escort, or lack of enemies, the trip proved uneventful. By evening, they arrived at Ciardun.
They were greeted by the guards at the gate, and word spread quickly of their arrival. The laird accompanied Duncan’s litter inside, Mairi and Nessa following worriedly