“Yer mother brought a few things,” Flora said. “It is true, ye do not have very much, which means ye will not feel out of place once settled at Ross Keep.”
“It is called Dun Airgid, Silver Fortress,” Catriona said. “It sounds like a fantasy, does it not?”
“It does,” Flora replied breathlessly. “Ye must write me and describe every single detail.”
Catriona smiled at her friend. “I will. What will ye be doing once I am gone?”
“Lady Ava has asked that I help with household management. With Lady Fraser gone, it will all fall into her hands,” Flora replied with pride. “I am looking forward to it. My son and mother are coming to live here again.”
“Thank ye for all ye have done for me. Without ye, I am not sure I would have survived this ordeal.” Catriona sniffed and hugged Flora. “I can never thank ye enough.”
Flora took a shaky breath. “I will miss ye.”
“I hope to return in a season or two. Ye will be busy with yer new duties and barely miss me by then, I am sure.”
Just then, a maid came to the doorway. “Miss Catriona, yer family is here.”
***
Catriona’s mother stared at her as if she’d grown a third eye in the center of her forehead. “Ye are traveling away from Fraser lands? No one in our family has ever left Fraser lands.”
“That is not true,” her father interjected. “I have. I went across the river once.”
“To the other Fraser lands,” her mother noted, to which her father frowned and sighed.
Her sister was too busy running after the older boys to pay much attention. Catriona smiled at noting the toddlers had attached themselves to Flora’s skirts along with her own boy. When she moved, three little ones walked alongside her as she attempted to help her sister.
Just then, Ewan walked by. “Come,” Ewan said as he motioned to the boys and they immediately stopped in their tracks to stare up at the large warrior, their mouths falling open. “I need help,” Ewan told them. “If ye have time.”
The boys nodded and ran to keep up with Ewan’s long strides out the front door.
“Where do ye think he’s taking them,” Audra asked, not seeming at all worried.
Catriona looked to the doorway. “Probably to the stables.”
“Good! They need to be put to work and tired out.”
“We will stay the night,” her mother announced, looking around the great room, no doubt to stake a place to sleep.
“Ye and father can sleep in my bedchamber. I will find Audra and the bairns a room and I will sleep in Lady Fraser’s sitting room. There is plenty of room there.”
Plans made, Catriona felt good and looked forward to a day with her mother and sister.
“Would ye like to see my gardening?” She stood.
“Let me fetch the wee ones,” Audra said, but Flora waved her away.
“Go, they seem content with me.”
Audra sighed with relief at only having to carry the sleeping youngest.
Then Flora motioned to a blanket by the hearth. “Put the wee one down. I will watch over the bairn.”
The garden was flourishing. Plants of varying heights grew in neat rows and not a weed was in sight. Catriona beamed with pride when her mother stared at the large plot. “Ye did this yerself?”
“I did. Only a lad helps me every now and then.”
“Are ye sad to leave it?” Audra asked, reaching down to touch a flowering plant.
She’d not considered it, but already knew who would take it over. “I will, but hopefully, I can help Esme with one up there at Ross Keep.”
In the distance, she noticed Ewan and her nephews standing around his huge steed. He’d given each boy a brush and they enthusiastically brushed the animal.
“I do not believe I’ve ever seen a man so handsome,” Audra said, following her line of sight. “Who is he?”
“Ewan Ross. He is returning to Ross lands with the same party I am traveling with.”
“Is he married?” her mother asked, staring at Ewan.
“Why do ye ask?” Catriona couldn’t help but chuckle. “Ye are married.”
Her mother laughed. “Just curious. He is very attractive. Large...muscular...”
“Mother!” both she and Audra exclaimed.
Ewan looked over at them and immediately they pretended not to notice, but Catriona was sure he knew they were speaking about him.
“My goodness,” Audra said. “I envy my boys right now.”
“Ye are married, too,” Catriona scolded, but couldn’t help stealing another glance toward Ewan.
She had to admit that he was certainly very handsome. His blond hair gleamed in the sun and his tunic fit him well, leaving little to the imagination of his muscular form. The breeches he wore molded perfectly to his well-formed legs. Catriona cleared her throat, forcing herself to look to the garden.
Her sister and mother walked through the garden admiring the different plants.
A few moments later, Flora walked out along with the toddlers.. Claiming the children needed fresh air, Flora blew out a breath.
“The babe?” Audra asked, eyeing the toddlers who hurried into the garden and grabbing one as it toddled by. “Stay with me.”
“Still asleep. A maid is looking over her.”
“They are lovable,” Catriona said. The she asked Flora, “But perhaps three is a bit much?”
Flora laughed. “A bit, yes.” Her gaze moved over to where Ewan stood with the older boys, who were now sitting on the corral looking at the horses. “Does he know ye have decided to go?”
“I am not required to inform him,” Catriona replied. “A part of me is still unsure. I am petrified of something happening. I hate these feelings.”
“Ye will be just fine. I assure it,” Flora said with a firm nod. “And so it shall be.”
Despite her trepidation, Catriona smiled. “I pray it is so.”
Moments later, Ewan walked toward the house with the boys, who raced into the keep. Audra whirled around and dashed after them. Her mother and the toddlers remained inside the garden. They sat on a bench as she spoke to them in soft tones. The children were obviously becoming sleepy.
“I will see about preparing a chamber for them to sleep,” Catriona told her mother who nodded. She looked to Ewan. “Any idea where I can find an empty bedchamber?”
“There’s one in the same corridor as mine,” he replied. “Come, I will show ye.” They walked in together.
“The boys enjoyed spending time with ye.” Catriona glanced up just as Broden headed toward them. Not paying him any mind, she continued speaking. “I wish Audra’s husband would take more time with them. He does work long hours, so I understand...”
“Where are ye going?” Broden asked, interrupting. “I doubt Ross needs any more tending.”
The last thing she wished for was any kind of scene with her parents visiting. “I am looking for an empty chamber for my sister and her bairns to sleep,” Catriona said, making to keep an even tone.
“Is it necessary that he go with ye?”
Ewan looked from Broden to her and back. “If ye would prefer to find the chamber and help set it up, I am more than willing to return to packing.”
He walked away and Catriona turned to Broden.
“Where is the empty bedchamber?”
“I do not know. I live at the guards’ quarters.”
Catriona glared up at him. “The bairns are falling asleep. They need a place to sleep.”
“I didn’t mean to...”
“There will never be anything between ye and me,” Catriona hissed. “Nor between me and anyone else. Please leave me be.” She hurried off, hoping to catch Ewan.
Chapter Seven
The arrow hit the target’s center. Ewan let out a breath and released a second one. This one was not as accurate.
Despite his injury, returning to archery made him feel whole again. The tension, release of breath, and loosing an arrow was like
an extension of himself. Ewan placed another arrow, went through the motions and upon releasing it, he caught sight of Ava Fraser.
The woman watched him from the side of the building. Her gaze moved from him to the target.
He’d leave the next day, so it was best to speak to her once and for all.
At Ewan approaching, she stood her ground. The woman was not easy to intimidate, he knew it first-hand. So many questions whirled in his mind. But the main question was one only Ava Fraser could answer.
“Do ye ever miss?” she asked in a flat tone. “Even with yer injury, yer accuracy is without compare.”
“I have missed before, usually when I’m distracted.” Ewan looked to the target. “As ye can see.”
When she lifted her gaze to his again, he realized why Keithen did not stand a chance in not falling for the beauty. Her golden-brown eyes were slanted up at the outside corners, her lips were full and, although she rarely smiled, they turned up at the corners, just a bit.
“Why did ye come to me?” she asked, motioning to him. “Is there something ye wish to tell me?”
Obviously, she suspected it was he who’d killed her father. Ewan decided it was time to confirm it. “I shot yer father. I assume ye suspected.”
“I did.” She looked straight ahead. “He was cruel and never kind. However, he was my father and I felt his death.”
“Will ye dress as the masked person again and try to kill me to avenge his death?”
She whirled to look at him with an expression of astonishment. “What do ye speak of?”
“The masked person who saved Keithen from attack in the forest. I think it is ye.”
Ava blew out a breath and waved her hand dismissing his words. “Ye are wrong. Ye are leaving then?”
“I am.”
“Good. I hold ye no ill will Ewan Ross. That said, I hope to never have to see ye again.”
“There is still one person who deserves to die. And it is not me,” Ewan told her.
She studied him for a long moment. “Who?”
“The guard with the red birthmark on his face. If ye are so bent on vengeance, then perhaps avenge what was done by yer clan to Catriona.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I helped her. It was I who demanded she be released upon learning she’d been sent to the guards.” Ava took a step closer to him. “Believe me when I say that they have been made to pay. Many died at the last attack by the Ross and Fraser Clans. Then the other attack by lesser clans finished off the rest of them. The current clan is no longer as powerful.”
“And yet, they continue to cause trouble,” Ewan replied with a sneer. “And he lives still.”
“How do ye know this?”
Obviously Keithen had not informed her for whatever reason. He, on the other hand, had no reason to keep the information to himself. “He is the one who left me for dead.”
Ava’s eyes widened.
Ewan met her gaze. “Or perhaps, ye would rather thank him than kill him?”
When she remained silent, Ewan went back to the marker and pulled an arrow out of his quiver. Out of the corners of his eyes, he saw that Ava continued to stand in the same spot. She didn’t watch him now but, instead, looked past the back wall of the compound towards Mackenzie lands.
***
During first meal on the day of travel, Laird Fraser insisted the Ross guardsmen who were to depart eat in the great hall. Every table was filled as the Fraser guards who were to travel also ate inside.
With the great hall filled to capacity, Ewan imagined Catriona would not eat there. It would be too much for her. He kept an eye across the room to where her bedchamber was on the off chance she’d emerge. The table in the corner where the women sat was currently filled with guards.
“I wish to thank the men of Clan Ross for coming to our assistance,” the laird exclaimed, holding up a tankard. “Ye have ensured that the people of Clan Fraser feel safe and, for that, I am forever indebted to Laird Ross.”
The men banged their tankards on the table in reply, everyone looking around the room to each other.
“Ewan Ross,” Laird Fraser called out his name and Ewan stood and walked to the front of the room.
The laird placed a hand on his shoulder. “I thank ye for commanding yer men and honoring yer laird.” The man met his gaze directly. “Ye are a great leader and warrior who fights well, and we are grateful for yer being here.”
It was the first time Ewan had ever felt so proud. He swallowed at the thick knot in his throat. “It was my honor to serve ye, Laird.”
The laird motioned to a guard who brought a leather bundle. “This is for ye,” Laird Fraser said, unwrapping the folds to divulge a beautiful broadsword. The handle was intricately etched with a vine and thistle. “Thank ye.”
When Ewan reached for the gift, his hand shook just enough to be embarrassing. “I will carry it with pride,” he replied. Then he spoke softer. “If ye ever need me, I will come to do whatever ye may require.”
“I know ye will,” Laird Fraser replied and patted his shoulder. “Godspeed. Take care of my wife and the lass, Catriona.”
At the laird saying “Catriona”, the room seemed to close in. Had he heard the man right? The laird motioned to the table where he’d been sitting.
“A special feast will be served for all,” the laird announced and the people in attendance cheered.
Broden, who sat at the same table as him, stood up when Ewan lowered to his seat and went to another table. At the moment, he could care less. Catriona was traveling to Ross Keep and he decided it was because of him.
The next morning, there was a frenzy of activity after first meal. The laird’s carriage was prepared along with a packed cart that would carry whatever Lady Ross needed for the trip. A wagon was already loaded with items needed for the two nights they’d be spending on the road, as well as foodstuffs for preparation.
Ewan maintained a distance as he had his own items to prepare. He now had more tunics and other things that he’d not had on his way there, which presented a problem. Already, the bags that he’d thrown over the horse were full.
After consideration, he yanked older tunics that he’d hoped to keep for sword practice out of the bags and replaced them with neatly rolled newer ones.
He went to another guard who seemed to be finished packing. “Do ye have room for these?”
The guard shook his head. “No, I had to leave items behind.”
Just then, he noticed Catriona standing by the wagon where items were still being loaded. He went to her, feeling silly with his old tunics.
“Do ye have room anywhere for these?” He looked into her wide eyes. Clearly, she was nervous but doing her best to stay busy.
“Put those there,” she told a lad who emerged from the kitchen with a basket filled with flat bread covered in a white cloth. “In the corner.”
She then grabbed the tunics from Ewan, not looking at him. “If there is anything else ye need a place for, I may have a bit of room under the bench in carriage.” She hurried to the door of the carriage and set his tunics on the bench. She wrapped them with a shawl and then smiled at him. “A pillow for my head.”
Ewan wished he’d brought the newer tunics. “I do not have anything else. Thank ye.”
This time, she lifted her gaze to him. “Of course, I wouldn’t wish ye to leave anything behind that matters to ye.”
Searching her face, he was glad that some of the nervousness seemed to dissipate.
“Miss Catriona,” someone called from the wagon and she hurried away.
He helped carry a few more things from the kitchen and soon it was time for the party to begin the trek to Ross lands.
Ewan mounted and called for his men to line up outside the gates. In lines of ten men each, he gave instructions for how they’d move forward.
Ten Frasers and ten Ross warriors would ride in front of the party. A group of six, including Ewan, would flank the carriage. Broden and a mixed team of warriors and archers w
ould bring up the rear.
Once positions were assigned, everyone realigned, and they were ready.
Ewan rode back into the courtyard to see Lady Fraser and the laird bidding their farewells.
The couple hugged openly, followed by Ava and Keithen who bid both Lady Fraser and Catriona their farewells.
The women were then assisted into the carriage by the coachman’s assistant, who would ride on the back of the wagon.
Finally, after the lead guards called out, the coachman urged the horses forward, and the carriage went through the gates.
Ewan wasn’t sure why, but he turned back to the entrance. Standing in the doorway, next to Keithen, Ava watched him intently.
There was much that had been left unsaid between them. He wondered if she learned the reason behind his actions, would she understand. Probably not. It was her father, after all, that he’d killed.
Whether the man was evil or not, he represented a place in her heart. Ewan lifted an arm in farewell. Laird Fraser, Keithen and Flora, who wiped at her eyes, all returned the gesture.
Ava did not.
***
Catriona sat back in the carriage. As nervous as she’d been when packing and getting everything settled, now that they were moving, calmness overtook her.
“I do detest the traveling portion of travel,” Lady Fraser said, peering out to the passing landscape. “We can barely see anything with the horses in the way.”
Following the woman’s line of vision, Catriona had to agree. To her right was a black horse, to the left, Ewan’s silver stallion. “They could move a bit forward and allow us to see better.”
Lady Fraser chuckled. “True.” She then settled back and closed her eyes. “I will sleep for a bit and then work on the embroidery I brought with me.”
For a long while, Catriona kept watch. Although she was sure the men who escorted them had a better vantage point, she still wanted to ensure to catch sight of some kind of threat.
Ewan leaned down and caught her looking. He motioned for her to sleep by putting both hands to the side of his head and leaning to the right.
A Fierce Archer (Clan Ross Book 6) Page 7
