Turning to his companions he lifted his hand, raising his fingers to indicate the number of men within and pointing in the appropriate direction. Then, quietly, he slid his sword free of the scabbard. The others followed suit. He gestured for Ewan to remain where he was. Then flinging the door open, Ban and Jock hurtled into the passageway. The first guard reached for his sword but was cut down before the blade cleared leather. The second had enough time to free his weapon and, with an ear-splitting yell, launch himself at Jock. Ban swore softly. Leaving Jock to deal with the guard he opened the inner door of the bower.
'Isabelle?'
'Ban!' She stared at him incredulously. 'You came back.'
'Did you doubt it?'
'I thought I'd never see you again.'
'I don't give up that easily.'
There came a groan from the passageway and the clash of swords ceased. Jock put his head round the door.
'I hate tae interrupt but we need to get out of here. In another two minutes this place is going to be swarming.'
Ban nodded then looked at Isabelle. 'Come with me?'
'Yes, Nell must come too. Murdo will kill her otherwise.'
He had no trouble believing it so there was only one possible answer. 'Very well, but make haste.'
Pausing only to snatch up a cloak the two women followed him into the passageway. They had just reached the outer door when they heard raised voices from the hall.
'They've heard the racket,' said Jock.
'They could've heard the racket in Dunfermline,' replied Ewan. 'What the hell were you doing?'
'Never mind.' Ban seized Isabelle's hand. 'Just run for it.'
* * *
Forgetting about stealth they fled through the orchard. Behind them the sound of voices grew louder. Once Isabelle stumbled and would have fallen but for the strong, supporting hand round hers. When they reached the wall Jock and Ewan vaulted across. Then Ban swept Isabelle up and tossed her over to them. Having done the like for Nell he jumped over as well and then all five of them raced for the wood. Although the distance was relatively short it seemed to take for ever before they reached the trees where Davy waited with the horses. Seeing the women he grinned at his companions.
'You did it!'
'Aye, and now yon wolf pack knows we did,' replied Ewan. 'We need to put some space between us, and fast.'
Davy led the horses forwards. Jock mounted and reached a hand down to Nell. 'Ride pillion behind me, mistress.'
Breathless now, Nell could only nod. When she was safely ensconced, Ban turned to Isabelle, tossing her up on to his own horse. Then he mounted behind her, locking an arm about her waist. In the distance they could hear more shouting. Turning the horses' heads the little group rode away through the trees and thence up the track to the top of the hill, retracing their earlier route. The path was clear even in the summer half-light and the horses made good speed. When they reined at the top of the hill Ban glanced back. Even at that distance he could see a flurry of activity below and then the clatter of horses' hooves on stone. Pursuit was imminent. He knew they would never outrun it when two of their horses carried extra weight. Moreover he guessed that Murdo would split his force to pick up their trail. In that they would be assisted by the light of the rising moon.
* * *
After several miles at a breakneck pace the fugitives came at length to a stand of trees and the men slowed, reining in beneath the sheltering canopy. For a moment or two they listened. In the distance they heard the muffled thud of hooves.
'We must find somewhere tae lie low, my lord, or we're dead meat,' said Jock.
'Aye, but where?' asked Ewan.
Isabelle took a deep breath. 'There is a cave in the wood beyond the next hill. It's big enough to take men and horses.'
'How far, my lady?' demanded Ban.
'Two miles perhaps.'
'Tell me the way.'
Under her instruction he headed into the trees and thence along the right-hand fork of the trail. The horses were blowing hard, their necks and flanks streaked with sweat and flecked with lather. At this rate they would soon be spent. Isabelle thanked her lucky stars that she had ridden this country for the majority of her life and knew it well. She had found the cave by chance while out on one of her illicit solo rides. It was in a rocky outcrop set back off the trail and its entrance was not visible from the track below. Nor was there any sign of it ever having been inhabited, save perhaps by wild beasts. It might give them a chance, if they could reach it in time; if Murdo's men didn't know about it. Otherwise she and all her companions would be caught in a trap. The thought brought cold sweat to her forehead.
The horses plunged on, across a small stream and up the slope, their breathing laboured now. Relentlessly the riders spurred them forwards. Behind them the echo of hoofbeats grew louder; a sinister rhythmic drumming that struck terror into the heart like a pronouncement of impending doom. When she glanced back Isabelle could see a line of fire bright against the darkening land. Torches! Murdo's men would use their light to follow the trail. It seemed to be taking for ever to reach the top of the hill. It had not seemed so large before. Eventually they reached the summit and then began the hazardous descent, the horses plunging and sliding down the trail, bushes slashing at their legs and flanks. Then they were into the trees again and the pace slowed a little.
By the time they reached the rocky outcrop it was clear the horses couldn't go on much further, burdened as they were. With unspeakable relief she recognised the narrow path that led up to the cave. The dark mouth yawned before them. Dismounting hurriedly, Ewan threw his horse's reins at Davy.
'Take him. I'll go and wipe our tracks as far as I can.'
He seized a fallen branch and raced away leaving the others to enter the cave. Ban dismounted and then lifted Isabelle down. His hands lingered a moment on her waist.
'Are you all right?' he asked.
She nodded, aware of him to her very fingertips. 'Aye, my lord.'
'We may outwit them yet. Take Nell and get as far into the cave as you can.'
Without argument the two women obeyed. Presently Isabelle felt the cold stone wall at the rear of the cavern and turned with her back to it, clutching Nell's arm. As her eyes adjusted to the gloom she could just make out the dark mass of the horses, just catch the sound of their breathing. The blood pounded in her ears. It was echoed by another rhythm: the drumming beat of galloping hooves drawing nearer. Hardly daring to breathe she listened as the sound increased. Then she heard men's voices and caught through the trees below the flicker of torchlight. Isabelle shut her eyes and swallowed hard, praying. A noise in the cave mouth made her start. Then she realised it was Ewan returning. Had he been able to erase their tracks in time?
The drumming changed tempo, slowed and then stopped altogether. The searchers had slowed their horses to a walk. She could visualise the leading riders, grim faced, hard-eyed, looking for the trail by the light of the torches. Her overwrought imagination heard the chink of harness, the creak of saddle leather. These were men battle-hardened, accustomed to the outdoors, well used to tracking and guided almost by the scent of fear. They would relish this chase. When they ran their prey to ground they would flush it by whatever means necessary and, having it fast, would destroy it. Ban and the rest would be slain where they stood, she and Nell dragged back to Murdo. Almost she could see the cold ruthless gaze, the pitiless eye that would delight in her fear and seek to enhance her humiliation. He would make her watch the deaths of her companions before he carried her by force back to Castlemora. Then... The very thought was enough to freeze the blood. There was no hope of effective resistance. Murdo had the power to do with her whatever he wished. Isabelle trembled, feeling sick with revulsion. Before she would permit that to happen she would make an end of her life at the point of a dagger.
She waited, nerves stretched to screaming point, as the voices came closer and she could make out individual words.
'...lost the trail...might have doubled back...fan out...'
She heard hoof falls on dry earth and the clink of an iron shoe on stone. They must be right below the hiding place. If they looked up they would see only trees and undergrowth and then the rock wall. If you didn't know the path was there you would miss it. She had only found it by chance. Please, God, let them be deceived. Hardly daring to breathe she clutched Nell's arm more tightly. Seconds crawled by like hours. Then the voices moved away and the flickering lights with them. Silence formed and grew and became oppressive. Then the hoofbeats sounded again but they too gradually faded into the distance.