It had all started with a prediction made by the prophetess Giann before the twins were born. It was also the reason for their kidnapping those many years ago. Destruction to the clan was predicted if one twin did not wed. However, recently it was learned that destruction would befall the clan if both twins did not wed. When the Blackshaw and Hellewyk clans learned of this, clan members began demanding that Aliss wed soon since the prediction did not specify which clan would be affected.
Tarr was then forced to deliver the unpleasant news to Aliss, though he emphasized that she could choose her own husband, just as long as she did so quickly.
She did not wish to wed. Healing was her life and she had no time to pamper or care for a husband.
Could this abduction be a man intent on wedding her? The clan Hellewyk was known for its strength and wealth. Any number of men would find it advantageous to wed her.
The man come to a halt and stilled.
Had he heard the footfalls too? Did they concern him?
She hoped they did, for then it would mean rescue was imminent.
He moved again, but more cautiously.
Aliss tried to calm herself. She had to remain alert and ready for anything, whether it was a rescue or a chance to escape. Fearful or not, she had to do what she could to free herself, or to survive.
They came upon a small clearing and he stopped. Suddenly footsteps rushed at them and four men quickly surrounded them. She recognized not a one of them.
“No one has followed,” one said.
Fear gripped her as her abductor eased her off his shoulder and onto her feet.
“Her absence remains unknown,” said another.
Her stomach clenched. No one would know of her disappearance until morning. She was on her own.
“We must get moving. The others wait for us,” one said.
There were more of them? Why were so many men needed to capture one lone woman?
They said no more. Her abductor gave her a slight shove, a silent order for her to walk, and she did.
The clouds refused to release the moon, making it difficult to see the path they traveled. Aliss focused her attention on the trail, which gave her little time to study the men surrounding her.
But a quick assessment revealed they wore no plaids, and though the men had spoken her language, their tongues had not flowed easily. They were also very tall except for the cleric; his head only reached their shoulders.
She shivered as she realized she walked with foreigners.
Aliss stumbled several times along the way and was righted by the strong hand of one of the four men. Their concern had her wondering if they meant her no harm, until the imposter cleric spoke up.
“Keep her safe. He will have our heads if she is harmed before he has hold of her.”
Who wanted hold of her and for what reason?
“Hurry, we must break shore by sunrise.”
His words rang repeatedly in her ears as they hurried her along. They were taking her to a boat. They intended to sail off with her. Panic gripped her heart and penetrated her soul. She wanted to scream. How would Fiona follow? She was not a skilled sailor and the Hellewyk clan fished from the shores of the lochs and rivers, using a small rowboat or two now and again. They possessed no sailing ships large enough to carry a troop of warriors.
The more she fretted over her situation the more she realized she had to attempt an escape. If they sailed off with her, she would probably never set foot on Scottish soil again.
She had to be courageous and take a chance. No matter how fearful she was, she had to make certain they did not get her on the boat.
It was a couple of hours’ walk to the coastline, but with a hurried pace they were sure to arrive sooner. If she were going to attempt an escape, it would need to be soon or else she would not have the cover of the woods for protection.
Once they hit open land, there would be no place for her to hide. It was now or never. She had to take the chance and run. She could not wait.
Run!
Aliss obeyed the scream in her head and twisted to her left, startling the men around her and giving her enough time to scoot past them into the dark woods. It was unfamiliar territory to her and she counted on it being the same for the men.
She gained a distance on them and paused behind a thick tree, listening for footsteps. She heard them and they were headed straight for her. If she ran, they would certainly catch her. If she remained where she was, melted against the tree, the moon still obscured by a cloud, then they just might not notice her and pass her by.
She could then wait until she heard their footfalls no more and backtrack and begin her journey home with caution.
A sudden strong breeze swept through the woods, sending the tree’s huge drooping branches sweeping down to hug her like a protective mother.
The men shot past her and she watched their shadowy shapes fade in the distance. She waited several more minutes before she scurried around the tree and hurried off in the direction from which she had come.