by Alisa Adams
Ceena just harrumphed. “We could have been there by now,” she groused.
Tristan looked at her. “No, ye could not have. Unless yer Whins can fly. Patience my fierce warrior,” he whispered as he started to reach for her cheek. Ceena’s eyes widened at his touch. She smacked his hand away and he quickly pulled it back.
“Dinnae be crowding me, Tristan,” Ceena grumbled.
They rode steadily through the dark forest. Moving at a slow pace, but they were following the pieces of cloth that Loughlin and Flori were leaving. The Munroe-Ross warriors seemed to be taking a path that wove in and around the trees. They appeared to be avoiding a more direct path through the dense woods. As the day darkened into twilight, they were forced to stop for the night.
“Why are we stopping?” Godet asked. “The horses can get us through the woods.”
Gordon looked up at Godet. She had not gotten off her horse. He reached up and put his hands at her waist and lifted her down. “’Tisn’t safe. We dae not know how far ahead they are and they will have stopped for the night. The woods are too thick and dark to see now and I willnae risk ye,” he said as he slowly set her down and held her there in front of him, close to his chest.
Gordon let go of her waist when she pushed at his hands. He captured her hands in his against his chest and gave them a gentle squeeze then took a step back. “We will rest for the night here in this clearing. Take my plaid to keep yourself warm.” His deep voice rumbled in the soft twilight as he walked over to speak to his men. She held his plaid to her breast as she watched him go.
“Godet, we should keep moving,” Ceena whispered as she and Ina walked up to their sister.
Godet did not look at them. She was still staring after Gordon who turned from speaking to Tristan and saw her watching him. He stopped talking mid-sentence and stood there staring at her. Godet smiled with embarrassment at him and turned to her sisters.
“It isnae safe,” Godet answered them. “Gordon says we dinnae know how far ahead they may be and he believes they would have stopped for the night as well. He also does not want to risk us.”
“Och, risk us? Then let’s find them ourselves and wake the Munroe scunners from their sleep,” Ceena declared with a murderous gleam in her eyes. “He does not need to fear for our safety!”
“And risk Flori? No, Ceena. ‘Tis not wise. We will bed down here for the night and continue on in the morn,” Godet said firmly.
“The Bogle Wood is no place to be sleeping, it’s only fer dying,” Ina said fearfully with her arms wrapped around her waist. Her pale, blonde hair shone brightly even in the darkness of the woods. She hugged herself tighter and began to whisper in a dramatic voice, “A wulver could come upon us and eat us in our sleep here in the dark woods...” She paused melodramatically. “Or Sawney Bean could carry us off and feast off our arms and legs or a kelpie could take us down into watery grave...”
“Ina! Stop that blithering. There be no water around us,” Godet chastised firmly.
“But Sawney Bean? Or a wulver? Or maybe the blue men of Minch will drown us or Bean-Nighe will come and steal our clothes off us and wash them, preparing for us to die…” Ina continued with a dramatic shiver.
“Again, no water Ina,” Godet stated matter-of-factly. “Ye are scaring Ceena.” Ceena was staring wide-eyed at Ina. She too wrapped her arms around her waist and hugged her plaid close to her.
“Aye, no water, but no one knows what may walk in the dark of the Bogle Woods,” Ina whispered in a hollow tone, relishing her dramatic list of frightening creatures of lore.
“Sards, Ina! I wasn’t the least bit frightened until ye started with all that. Cannae ye talk of something less terrifying please?” Ceena cried with a short, forced laugh.
“Let’s spread our plaids by the fire girls,” said Godet, “we need to get some rest. We will be at Fionnaghall tomorrow and who knows what will happen there.”
“Not by the fire, that’s the first place Sawney Bean will go,” Ina warned as she backed away from the fire. She hit something rock solid. She could go no further. Her eyes widened in fear. “Dinnae tell me, Sawney Bean is right behind me isnae he?” she asked in a hushed whisper.
Two large hands came up to grasp her shoulders. She gasped. “No, ‘tis just me. Liam.”
Ina’s shoulders slumped in relief or, more likely, from disappointment. Her sisters couldn’t tell but they smiled. “Oh,” Ina said. Definitely disappointment, Godet concluded.
“Dinnae be afraid small woman. I willnae let anything get ye, nothing gets past me,” Liam said in his deep, gravelly voice.
Ina’s eyes widened and she grinned at her sisters. She sighed and took a step away from him and turned around. “I really wasnae afraid, overly large man,” she crooned sweetly to him.
“Och, I knew it!” exclaimed Ceena. “Ye were trying to frighten us, weren’t ye?”
“Niver!” Ina lied as she spun back to face her sisters.
“It is not any of those creatures ye talked of that ye should be fearful of,” Liam warned in a deep baritone. He was staring down at her seriously with his fierce, scarred face looking menacing.
Ina spun back to him. “It’s not?”
“No. ‘Tis the dead trees themselves,” Liam disclosed as he dropped his deep voice impressively even lower. “They come alive at night. As dae the shadows of the woods. They come to life and walk amongst the travelers in the woods. They will blanket ye in their darkness and drag ye off into the dark void, screaming in fear at the blankness of the dark surrounding ye and suffocating ye. Away, away, niver to be seen again,” he droned as dramatically as Ina had.
Ina and Ceena’s eyes were as wide as plates. Their mouths were slightly open. “No, just no,” Ceena said shaking her head and walking away. “I cannae sleep out here in these woods. I feel there is something out there, there’s something watching us. Where is me horse?”
“Ceena! Ye arnae wandering these woods alone at night! And ye cannae be taking Whins out into the forest either,” Ina said with concern.
“I am and I will,” Ceena retorted stubbornly looking around the little clearing for Whins.
“Then I am going too. I dinnae like these woods, not one wee bit!” Ina took a step toward where the horses were. A thick muscular arm reached out and a hand wrapped itself around her upper arm.
“Ye are not going anywhere small woman,” Liam said curtly to her.
“Ye cannae stop me,” Ina cried, trying to shrug his hand off her arm.
“Tristan,” Liam called out. “See to yer woman, mon,” he said with a nod at Ceena who was stomping determinedly toward her mare.
“Stay out of me way, Tristan!” Ceena cried stubbornly. “I willnae be sleeping in these bogle woods. No, ye cannae make me. I willnae dae it, I willnae!”
Tristan stepped in front of her, blocking her path to her horse Whins. She stopped abruptly else she would have run into his wide chest. She would not look at him. “Where is my fierce warrior?” he asked softly, for her ears alone.
She slowly looked up at him. “I dinnae like it here.” She raised her chin defiantly at him.
“Niver tell me that me fierce warrior is frightened of child’s tales?”
“There is something here, I can feel it. I dinnae want to be here. We should all go. Push on!”
Tristan took a step closer to her and tilted her chin up. Ceena yanked her chin away from his grasp. He only reached out and held her chin again, firmer this time, then spread his hand and fingers to gently cup her cheek. He raised her face to his. “I will niver, ever, ever, let anything harm ye,” he whispered, staring into her eyes. “I swear this lass.”
Ceena looked up at him doubtfully. Her eyes were full of confusion. “I’m not yer woman,” she protested in a low voice.
“No, ye arnae any mon’s woman. Ye are a warrior, a fighter, strong, fierce, free, and brave.”
Ceena stared hard at him. “I still want to push on through the night and get out of these woods.” She pau
sed, turning away. “But I willnae.” She said the last as she walked away from him, her shoulders back, and fists clenched at her sides. “And I am not yer woman,” she tossed back over her shoulder at him. She walked near the fire that Gordon’s two warriors were building up, spread her plaid near to Godet, and sat down. Drawing her knees to her chest, Ceena wrapped her arms around them and sat staring into the fire.
Ina came and spread her plaid as well. They ate some oatcakes and smoked venison as they sat quietly. The men passed out the same and ate in silence as they stole glances at the women.
Ceena kept looking watchfully out into the darkness, past the firelight. Once the men had eaten, they began to talk quietly. Their voices rumbling peacefully in the dark as they discussed the brewing of their whiskey and their heather ale. Godet eventually lay down and pulled her plaid over herself and drifted off to sleep. Ina followed her shortly, unable to keep her eyes open.
Ceena watched in surprise as the men moved to lay their plaids around the women, in effect surrounding them and protecting them. One of Gordon’s warriors took first watch, sitting with his back against a tree. Tristan moved his plaid near to Ceena’s, giving her a brief nod, and then laid down at her back. She noticed that Liam’s big body lay near to Ina’s delicate form and Gordon’s giant shoulders were almost engulfing Godet where he lay behind her. Ceena sighed. Tristan’s voice rumbled softly from behind her.
“Sleep warrior. I have ye.”
She looked over her shoulder, barring her teeth at him. She turned, held up her dirk and pointed it at him. “Dinnae crowd me, Tristan, I told ye.”
Tristan stared back at her with a broad grin, then rolled over. She laid down, feeling the heat from his back. She slowly and cautiously scooted herself back, almost completely against his broad back, sighing at the warmth of him. She closed her eyes and pulled her plaid over herself.
15
Godet woke to delicious warmth and a heavy weight over her arms, around her waist, and around her legs. It was the morning twilight of darkness just before the sun rises. The fire's embers were glowing softly. She looked down at the thickly muscled arm around her and knew it was Gordon wrapped around her. His arms were holding her tight and his leg was thrown over hers. She felt a gentle squeeze and looked back at him. He raised his finger to his mouth, telling her to be silent. She shook her head slightly and felt him disentangle himself from her. Slowly, very slowly, he rose.
What is Gordon doing? Godet wondered.
Then Godet heard what had awakened her. Gordon must have heard it too. There was someone in the woods—or something.
Godet looked over and saw Tristan’s eyes open, immediately alert. Ceena instantly was awake as well, her hand to her dirk, and she was ready to jump up. Her eyes were wide. Tristan reached out and held her arm, not letting her rise. He put a finger to her mouth warning her to stay silent, but she bit it. He glared down at her then Tristan slowly got up. Ceena was standing, looking out into the woods. She glared back at him when he joined her, frowning fiercely at her. Ceena gave him a fierce look right back.
Liam got up with the grace of a lithe cat even for his huge size. He joined Gordon and Tristan. Gordon’s two warriors prowled the perimeter with Gordon and Liam going deeper into the forest.
Godet instinctively moved closer to her sisters, motioning for them to stand back to back, dirks ready, and facing the forest. Tristan was in front of them, his musket and sword ready. Godet motioned for Tristan to move. They tried to step in front of him, but he quickly moved back to stand guard in front of them. Ceena hissed at him, but he ignored her. They could see Gordon and Liam’s dark shadows moving through the woods. The two other warriors continued to prowl right and left around the women, their eyes intent on the woods and where their Laird was.
Suddenly, there came crashing through the trees, a shout, and then the sound of Gordon and Liam clashing swords with someone. The warriors went on high alert. Walking rapidly back and forth and watching the woods all around them while the continued grunts of Gordon and Liam could be heard through the trees.
Godet poked Tristan’s shoulder—hard. “Shouldn’t ye be helping yer laird? We can take care of ourselves, Go!” she commanded urgently and with fear in her voice.
Tristan spared a glance over his shoulder and grinned at her. “Nay, I dinnae think he needs any help, me lady,” Tristan said over his shoulder to her.
“How dae ye know?” She poked him again. “Go! Or I’ll go. Ye cannae leave him out there to fight alone! Ye dinnae know how many are out there against him!”
“Ye arnae going into the woods, Lady Godet. He has Liam. Have ye seen the mon?” Tristan added with a laugh. “And it’s only two men that I hear.”
Sure enough, they heard Liam’s rumbling baritone shout, “I’ll knock yer two daft haids together ye mauchit skivers!” Followed by the sound of two heads being knocked together and Liam’s rusty laugh.
“Go easy on them, Liam,” they heard Gordon command. “I have questions for them.” Godet kept her eyes trained on the woods where Gordon’s voice was. Her breathing was fast. She had never felt this fear for anyone but her sisters.
When he came back into the clearing pushing a man in front of him, Godet breathed a sigh of relief. Gordon’s eyes instantly met hers, scanning her body, and making sure she was all right. She did the same to him. Noticing every cut and scratch and bit of blood. He shoved the man toward his two warriors who grabbed him and held him. Liam had the second man. Gordon kept on walking, never breaking stride. He walked straight up to Godet; his eyes raked over her again.
“Are ye all right, neach-gaoil?” he said looking down into her clear, silver eyes. Was that a tear I see? For me? he wondered.
Godet’s heart was pounding so hard in her chest she could not find the words to answer. She numbly shook her head once. Staring up into his eyes. She reached up with shaking fingers and gently wiped a small streak of blood from a cut on his forehead, her fingers moving his dark hair aside. He was standing so close to her and his shoulders engulfed her, creating a sense of privacy as he looked deeply into her eyes. She searched his face, noting the slight sheen of sweat on his skin, his dampened hair that fell to his wide shoulders, and his white linen shirt that clung to his arms and chest. No marks, no more blood. He seemed to be fine.
“I was so frightened for ye. Are ye all right?” she whispered. “Tristan would not go help ye. And he wouldnae let me go to ye either.” She reached up again to catch another trickle of blood from the cut. Gordon stopped her and held her fingers. He looked down at his blood on her fingers.
“I wouldnae have let ye either.” He stared at her and saw the shine of tears forming in her eyes. This woman who had worried for him, feared for him, and wiped the blood from his face.
Ever since his parents had died and he had been thrust into the position of Laird at a young age, Gordon had had to put his feelings aside and take care of his clan. No one had shown any amount of care for him until this woman. He had to unquestioningly do as the elders advised, including courting Brigda. No one had cared what he had wanted or felt or needed. More and more he had stood his ground with the elders or put forth his reasoning for his decisions and stood fast. He had listened with respect then said his piece and lately, they had been agreeing with him. He was questioning more and more why he had let them push him into the relationship with the MacKenzie clan and a betrothal to Brigda. He had to find another way other than an alliance with the MacKenzie clan to get whiskey to the ports.
Gordon gently kissed the tips of Godet’s fingers.
“Robbie? Robbie Ross, is that ye?” Ceena called out.
“Waesucks! ‘Tis Robbie!” Ina cried in surprise.
Godet pulled her fingers out of Gordon’s grasp and looked around to the two men being held by his men. “Robbie?” Godet said. She started to run to them, but Gordon grabbed her and held her back.
The two men instantly started to struggle against their guards’ hold when they saw Gordon
holding Godet. “Let her go!” Robbie shouted as he grunted and pulled against the hands that held him.
“’Tis fine, Gordon, let me go,” she said quietly but firmly to him. “They are our clansmen,” she added when he continued to hold her firmly.
Gordon stared down at her then looked threateningly at Robbie. He slowly let go of Godet while keeping his eyes on the man.
Godet instantly ran to Robbie. She clasped his face between her hands. “What are ye doing out here in the woods?” she asked them.
“’Twasn’t just the crofters that got tossed out of Fionnaghall, but the soldiers too my lady,” Robbie explained.
“Ye can let them go,” Godet told the men holding them. “They are our clansman. They were guards of the main hall,” Godet explained with happiness. “Och, I am so glad ye are away from there. How fared the other men?’
“Not well. Any soldier that disagreed with Mungan was thrown out. He’s a mauchit, glaikit, scunner, he is!” Robbie growled angrily.
“Disagreed? What did he demand ye dae? Did he harm the others?”
“Most of us refused to carry out Mungan’s orders to burn the crofters out, amongst other vile things. How could we? They are our people! He is evil! Aye, he made some of the men pay for their refusal to not dae as he bid.”
“He is naught but a blootered, bowfin, boggin, bampot,” chimed in Ina with her lilting voice.
“Ye are a canny lassie, Lady Ina,” Robbie commented proudly as he stared at Ina. No one could miss the lingering glance he gave Ina.
“Where are they now? The other men, where did they all go?” Godet asked worriedly.
“The woods my lady. It is said the Bogle Woods have eyes, so we thought it a canny place to hide…” he said and winked. Robbie let out a shrill whistle and true enough the woods came alive. The dark shadows began to move and one-by-one men stepped out into the clearing.
Gordon’s men turned to face them; their swords held ready. Tristan pushed Ceena and Ina behind him. Gordon moved to grab Godet but she ran forward to the men and turned rapidly around to face Gordon and his men. Her arms were spread wide as if to protect her clansmen. Ceena and Ina joined her, their dirks drawn to protect their clansmen if Gordon and his men tried to attack them.
