items in an already overflowing healing basket and walked to the door. “I am a healer, please make certain that in your absence you leave behind none who would require my skills.”
She opened the door and saw Tarr and Fiona approach from the end of the hallway. “You have company.”
Raynor nodded. “Thank you very much.”
Aliss hurried down the hall with only a nod to her sister and Tarr as she past them.
“She appears upset,” Fiona said, and turned to rush off after her but stopped and looked to Tarr.
“Go, she may need you,” he said, and shooed her away with his hand.
“I will not be long.”
“Be as long as necessary,” he said, pleased that she had at least considered him before running off after her sister.
Tarr entered the room to find Raynor seated in a chair by the window.
“The days grow more chilled,” Raynor said without looking at him.
“We are ready for winter.” Tarr glanced around the room, walked to the door and opened it. “Have ale and food brought to us,” he told the one guard, and closed the door.
“Have you decided what will be done with me and my men?”
“That is not why I am here. You know more about this leader of the Wolf clan than I do. I have heard stories, thinking them mere myths, for I have not seen him in these parts.”
“He handles the unrest in his lands north of Scotland. From what I have heard he rules much of the land and its people by fear. None dare oppose him. I heard he is called Wolf hence the name of his clan.”
“What would bring him here?”
“I asked myself the same question,” Raynor said. “If his plan had been to seize your land, he would have arrived with a massive amount of warriors.”
“You say you chased him off the island, the Isle of Non. What was he doing there?”
Raynor stood, the ale and food having been delivered, as Tarr poured them each a tankard of ale. He gladly took one.
“That was even stranger. He was there with a minimum of a dozen men, and his presence discovered by sheer accident. We gave chase and they took off without a battle. I followed them to the border of my land to make certain they were gone.”
“This Wolf does not sound as if he would be spotted by accident.”
“Another thought of mine also,” Raynor admitted. “Why, though, would he want me to know he was there? He plans something. But what?”
“Whatever it is I’ll be ready.”
Fiona caught up with her sister as she walked out the door of the keep.
“The day hints at winter, you should have a shawl about you,” she admonished.
Aliss slowed her pace as they walked down the keep stairs. “I was in a hurry and not thinking.”
“What troubles you?” Fiona took off her green shawl and draped it over Aliss’s shoulders.
“Now you will be cold.”
“I am fine,” Fiona insisted, and took the basket her sister held, slipped her arm around hers, and led her to a favorite spot of theirs beneath a large tree near the meadow. It was a secluded enough for them to talk, yet they were not out of sight of the village.
“I think Raynor plans his escape very soon,” Aliss said after sitting.
Fiona plopped down beside her. “I really do not think Tarr intends to harm Raynor and his men.”
“Confinement wears on Raynor and I cannot blame him. I would go insane if kept imprisoned for any length of time in a solitary room.” She shook her head. “That is not what is important. I think he will ask us to go with him when the time comes.”
“This upsets you? Have you come to care for Raynor?”
“Nay,” Aliss said firmly. “He is handsome and seems a good man, but I have no such feelings for him. I but worry about us.”
“How so?” Fiona asked concerned.
“What will become of us? I grow tired of this charade, of watching how I act and what I say. I miss being able to fully concentrate on my healing, and I miss my identity. Some people call me Aliss, others refer to me as Fiona. How long must we continue this?”
“I think I am making progress,” Fiona reported proudly.
“Truly?” Aliss asked surprised.
“Tarr has suggested we build a bridge where we can meet in the middle.”
“That sounds promising,” Aliss said excited. “Perhaps this will turn out better than we had expected.”
“It is possible, but we must continue to have patience.” She rubbed her sister’s