I sat back down and adjusted the now less damp linen tunic, so it was flat under me with no wrinkles. I sighed. “That feels better.”
“Good, I will stop at the first place we find, but twill likely be a couple of hours.”
I sighed. “This is boring.”
He pointed over the tree tops.
I followed the line. “What’s that? Is that a castle?”
“Aye, tis Dee castle, the Gordons’ hold on the river. Its tower keeps watch over the road — nae cattle thief can pass unseen. Tis why we are keepin’ a distance — they would ask about the blood spilt at the croft, and I hae nae wish tae answer.”
9
LEXI
1558 - HEADED SOUTH
The shifting and rocking rhythm of the horse lulled me. Before I knew it, I had leaned back against Torin’s chest and fallen asleep in his arms again. I was flat exhausted.
A little while later when I woke up, I wasn’t startled. No drool, either. I just enjoyed the warmth and comfort of his arm as awareness settled in. Then I sat up straight so I wasn’t lounging on him any more.
“Good afternoon, Princess.”
“Good afternoon, Torin. Will we get there soon?” Ahead of us a cart creaked along, and to our right were a cluster of buildings.
“The village is just ahead, I daena ken if it has an inn, but there are a great many travelers about.”
I groaned, “Oh man, have we been passing fellow travelers while I was sleeping? That’s embarrassing.”
“While ye were snorin’,thatis the embarrassin’ part. But it daena matter, they were more lookin’ at yer odd shoes.”
I glanced down at my rainboots, covered in bright flowers. “Yes, I suppose they did.”
“We will find ye some clothes. Skirts long enough tae cover them.”
I nodded. “Of course, we might be out of here by the end of the day.”
“Aye, I am hopeful.”
The horse plodded on, the other trailing quietly behind.
“Is Dude still in the pack?”
“Aye, he is sleepin’.”
“Is the inn going to be pet friendly?”
“What dost ye mean?”
“In the modern world some hotels don’t take pets, some do.”
He chuckled, low in his chest. “We winna ask, tis better tae let Dude introduce himself. People are generally wary of cats, but he can be verra persuasive.”
I laughed. “I’ve never carried him anywhere in a bag before, it’s wild that he’s just going along with it.”
“Anythin’ tae be near ye,” Torin said quietly.
I sighed. “That’s just… such a charming thing to say, do you always say charming things like that to people?”
