True to the Highlander(63)

They passed a thicket of wild roses, and she made a mental note to bring a basket to gather the rose hips. The vitamin C from rose hip tea would be needed during the long winter months ahead. She looked for other useful plants along the way, her eyes searching the ground and brush they passed through.

By midmorning, she’d gutted and skinned six fat hares. They hung from a branch on the oak while she worked to scrape the fat and flesh from their hides. Her kettle of water hung over the fire from the tripod she’d made from green wood. Hunter’s job was to keep the fire fed, and he scurried through the forest to collect wood.

She felt good for the first time in days. Her efforts would contribute to the well-being of her tribe—or clan. Tonight the people she cared about would eat a stew made from the hares she’d snared. She had six furs to tan, a good start toward preparing for winter. All her snares were reset, and if they were successful, she’d have six more tomorrow.

Venison could wait. This week, hares and other small animals were the furs du jour.

Work kept her mind off her fear for Malcolm. She didn’t let the thought that he might not come back enter her thoughts. When dark feelings threatened, she forced herself to think of other things.

By late afternoon she could do no more. She and Hunter cleaned up and packed everything away for the day. She washed her hands and arms in the warm water she’d kept heated and changed back into her gown. She smothered the fire and gathered the hares. They were bound in pairs by the feet so Hunter could carry his share. “You were a great help today. Tomorrow we’ll come back and check the snares again.”

“Tomorrow I get to skin them?”

Boys and gore. She smiled at him and ruffled his short hair. “I’ll let you try. It looks easier than it is. I’ve had many years of practice.” She couldn’t help but be pleased. Hunter had shown himself to be an apt student and very eager to learn. Gathering up her share of their burden, she took his hand and started down the path to the boat.

A twig snapped behind her, and she froze. Turning slowly, she probed the shadows surrounding their camp. Hunter tugged on her hand. “What is it?” he asked.

“Probably an animal attracted by the smell of our kills.” She gave their surroundings one more look. Turning again toward the path, Alethia headed back to the island.




Liam stepped out of the forest into the clearing as True disappeared down the trail, Galen beside him. He looked about him at her handiwork with a mixture of frustration and admiration. “What the devil is she up to?”

“Does she no’ realize we can see the smoke from her fire, Liam?”

“Nay, it did no’ occur to her.” They’d known it couldn’t be an enemy’s fire. Still, the men on guard duty were puzzled by the smoke rising from the forest. None of the villagers would be out knowing they were on alert for an attack by the Comyns. Relief that they’d come to him rather than investigate on their own washed through him. “You did well to come to me, Galen.”

“Aye, I knew it could only be one of our own. We would have seen if there were strangers on our land. What was Lady True wearing? I’ve never seen the like on a lass.” Galen walked around her camp, examining everything.

“I dinna ken.” He’d averted his eyes when she’d changed back into her gown and saw to it Galen did as well. ’Twould surely send Malcolm into fits to learn any of his men had watched her disrobe thus. “They must be a garment the men of her country wear. Why does she carry such a garment with her?”

“I dinna ken.” Galen shook his head.

Liam walked over to the furs stretched inside their wooden frames. He could scarce believe it. Aye, ladies hunted, but they did not often butcher or skin their kills, nor did they tan the hides. Their clan had a tanner for such. He shook his head. “’Tis obvious she’s skilled at what she’s about, though I dinna ken the why of it. All she need do is ask for what she needs.”

“Would you?” Galen asked.

“Would I what?”

Galen rubbed the back of his neck before he spoke. “If ye were snatched from Scotia, transported to a foreign land far across the ocean, and were taken in by people you did no’ ken, would you ask for the things you need?”

“Humph, nay. I’d be anxious to prove myself an asset.” Walking over to the lean-to, he reached out to touch the faded indigo fabric of her strange trews. Heavy and coarse, he’d never felt anything like it. Their Lady True held secrets and depths he could only guess at. “Think you our Lady True seeks to prove something here?”