Strictly Taboo(113)

“How will we know to trust the right enemies?” Rufus managed although the cold had nearly sealed his gob shut.

“I can smell a liar with my eyes shut Rufus. You if any should know that. Before my Mother died, she told that a quest would be the only way I would find my fair lass. I will be able to tell if it she immediately.”

“Pardon my asking but what if she isn’t willing?”

Angus laughed at his servant’s absurdity, nearly falling off his horse.

****

Through rocky fields and near vertical climbs, the men made it beyond the fortress at Clatchard Craig. What lie ahead was Black Cairn Hill, Newburgh and more enemies that neither Angus nor Rufus could count. They decided to find shelter at dawn and rest until mid-day when it was safer to advance.

“You say you are my faithful servant. Does that mean you brought me something soft upon which to lay my weary head?” Angus joked.

“I’d say ye should roll up your coat but you’d freeze if you took it off. If looking common was your goal Sir, I should say you have succeeded. Going unnoticed in this crevasse until things quiet down will be a good start to our journey if we don’t get noticed while we rest.”

“We rest? Sorry Rufus but you will stand guard as I sleep. You must fall to my service with the surety that someday you will be rewarded.” Laird Angus Blake slept more comfortably in his feather bed but he slept soundly knowing that his quest had begun. In his ears, he shoved cotton to guard from the frigid breeze reaching his insides. It was a trick his Mother, Lady Blair had taught him when he was a boy.

Angus woke up to a blade laid firmly upon his neck. He glanced to see Rufus shivering outside the cave. Having known the man so long, he could tell the situation was dire. He pulled the cotton out of his ears and he saw a woman above him. She was speaking but he did not hear a word as her beauty stunned him. Black curls framed her face while the rest of her locks cascaded softly down her back. Her eyes were violet and her skin like porcelain. The lass was strong as she held the sword and did not let up when begged. She owned the space she occupied in a way he had never seen. When Angus listened to her words, he was awed.

“I think you come from Lord Donald Blake’s Manor house. Is that so?”

“No. We are weary travelers who took a rest before conquering Black Cairn Hill. We have no business with those who dwell in the manor. If that were true what would bring us beyond the fortress that is meant to protect us?” Angus looked deep in her eyes, in a way that made her uncomfortable.”

“It is not for me to answer your questions. What I know, is that you stand little chance of making past the Tay to get to the other side. If you are, travelers then what are you travelling for?

“We are on a quest,” Rufus chimed in. Angus shot him a harsh glance, as he was the one to do the talking.

The woman’s eyes sparkled as she spoke and she used hand gestures, made with elegant hands and slender forearms. Fat wrist or fat ankles were a sign that one’s background was that of a laborer or commoner. She was strong but delicate.

“I don’t believe a word coming out of your mouth except perhaps that you are not from Lord Donald Blake’s estate. You have dirt under your fingernails and carry nothing of worth except for that sword I see sitting against the cave wall. It looks like it has sapphire gems on the handle.” She fingered Angus’ sword, which he named Evangeline. His sister Maisie gave it a name when she was young and he had no reason to change it. She looked at the dazzling handle, which did not come close in splendor to the violet shade of her eyes. He thought that even the finest amethyst would not come close.

“We are from near the estate and we are on a quest to find my sister who has been taken by the Tay.” As Angus told his lies, Rufus stood still as he anticipated his role. “I am Ewan and this is my,” Angus hesitated for a moment as he knew he couldn’t say Rufus was his servant. “Brother Buff.”

“Yup that’s me his brother Buff.” Rufus was sure to mess up the names and forget that he wasn’t a servant. He wished Angus did not have to tell such a confusing story. The strange woman seemed good enough to be a wife. He should simply drag her back to the estate and call it done.

Again came her melodic voice and the first nugget of information about her, which Angus had been craving. “I am Maighreed MacKnabb from Newburgh of the MacDuff Clan. Most call me Mai; I suppose you can too. I have not seen a taken woman who might be your sister. I would notice someone held against their will and lend my hand to any such woman in need.”

Mai was alone, which wasn’t an often sight. A man especially in the case of a beautiful woman like Mai often accompanied ladies.