“Alethia Grace!”
Alethia jerked in the saddle at the sound behind her, and Ikwe sidestepped in agitation. She fought for control of her horse and turned in the saddle to see Liam emerge from behind the rise.
“What the devil do you think you are doing, lass?”
His tone, a mixture of anger and exasperation, grated on her already raw nerves. “I think I am saving my husband’s life,” she snapped.
Galen appeared from the other side of the trail and snatched her horse’s bridle.
Liam stood beside her, his face a furious scowl. “God’s blood, True, you must be mad.” He put his sword back into its sheath. “Turn back. Now.”
“I won’t. Nothing you say or do will stop me. I’m going—with or without your help.”
“I could tie you to yon tree.” He nodded toward a single young oak growing nearby.
“You would risk having something happen to me while I’m tied? I’d be unable to defend myself against man or animal,” she reasoned. “We don’t have time to debate the issue. I’m coming with you, or I’m going alone.”
“My lady,” Galen pleaded. “Malcolm will feed my innards to the crows if we dinna stop ye. Please, turn back.”
“No. I have to be there.”
“Galen, you take her back. I’ll continue on.” Liam retrieved his horse from behind the hill.
“Nay, Liam. You ken as well as I ’twill take both of us to rescue your lass. Besides, ’tis our way to see that none go without another watching his back.” Galen scowled at Liam. “We stick together.”
“Aye, but we canna leave True here, and we canna take her with us. You must take her back to Moigh Hall,” Liam commanded as he glared at her. “She willna return on her own.”
She jerked Ikwe’s head up and kicked her into a canter, breaking Galen’s hold. Let them bicker; she hadn’t the time to waste.
Both men wore fierce expressions as they rode up to flank her. Neither tried to stop her. They must have concluded she’d be safer in their company than by herself. Good. That’s exactly what she’d counted on.
By late afternoon, the keep came into view. As far as castles went, the small stone edifice fell far short when compared to Moigh Hall’s imposing size.
“Castle Rait is no’ much in the way of a holding. The MacKintosh held this keep at one time. ’Twas long before my birth, or Malcolm’s.” Liam reached for her mare’s bridle, bringing them to a halt. “From now on, we use only signing. You will remain with me and Galen until we return home, True.”
“Liam, I must get to the minstrels’ gallery inside the keep. I’ll stay there until the fight is over.” He started to protest, and she placed her hand on his arm. “I had the visions for a reason. I know the outcome. I can guarantee that if I am where I’m supposed to be, all will be well. If I am not, Malcolm will die today.” She could see in his eyes the internal battle he fought. “Shall I tell you what happens? Will that convince you?”
She waited for his reply and watched as he came to a decision.
“Nay.” With a nod, he kicked his horse into a canter.
She and Galen followed suit, and the three continued on in silence.
“I will see you safe to the gallery,” Liam signed.
“She must remain with us,” Galen argued.
“I won’t remain with you, no matter what. And you two must see to Mairen.” She watched him struggle against her words, finally accepting what she knew to be inevitable.
They kept close to the brush near the surrounding forest and worked their way around to the rear of the castle. They hid, waited and learned the rhythm of the single guard walking the catwalk of the curtain wall facing them.
“The door lies just beyond the rock formation, there.” Alethia pointed. Liam and Galen nodded.
“We are to wait until the sun meets the horizon,” Liam signed.
Alethia reached into her pouch for pieces of venison jerky and handed each of the men a share of her cache. Liam passed her a skin full of water, and she drank her fill. Galen offered oatcakes, and the three shared their meal in silence.
Once the sun had reached the horizon, Liam turned to her. “I must see to the guard. Galen, you and True meet me inside the door. I’ll signal when it’s safe.” Galen nodded, and Liam left. Alethia’s stomach knotted with fear. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She knew what she had to do.
Galen tugged at her sleeve, nodding toward the catwalk. She saw Liam, just as he disappeared below the edge of the stone fortress. She and Galen crept toward the castle, moving in the shadows and scrambling around the rocks hiding the door. They reached it without incident and slipped through like shadows in the dusk.