“I took a pair of those bluidy hose the English prance around in. I figured ye might need to avoid wearing yer plaid.”
“Aye. I’ll stick out for nae wearing one, but at least nay one will ken who we are by our plaids.”
Greer reached up and tugged a lock of hair. “It’s a fine thing there are so many red-headed people in Scotland.”
Thor and Henry exchanged a few more words before the warrior guarded them while they crept to the wagon.
“Does he ken he’ll have passengers?”
“Aye. We slipped him some coin.”
“Thank ye.” Thor’s gaze swept the bailey. He noticed a few Keiths watching them, and a couple nodded their encouragement. He felt uneasy that anyone saw them, but he had to have faith none would betray them. Their people respected and liked Blaine and Rose, so he didn’t think anyone would hurt them by turning Thor and Greer over to the English or the Gunns.
Greer climbed on first, pushing aside a few bundles to make space. When Thor sat beside her, she covered them with the scratchy plants. Once they laid flat, covered almost entirely in hay, Henry pulled the tarp over them. It felt like an eternity, but it was likely just more than an hour before the wagon tilted and jostled them as the driver climbed onto the seat. The wagon lurched forward, and Greer’s hand shot out to find Thor’s arm lest she slide. Thor braced her before she could disturb the tarp. He braced himself for whatever awaited them on the other side of the portcullis.
CHAPTER17
Greer held her breath when she was certain they passed beneath the raised gate. She pictured the spikes that could skewer them falling toward the ground and trapping them. She waited for someone to raise the alarm and for hands to rip her from the wagon and Thor. But everything remained quiet until she felt the wagon hit the first rut on the path to the village. She turned her head to look at Thor, who already watched her. She gave him a jerky nod before looking up at the canvas tarp. She prayed more fervently than she ever had when sneaking out of Gunn Castle or when she made her perilous flight to Dunbeath after Edgar attacked her.
Before lying down, Thor had removed his sword from his back, so it rested beneath his right hand. He’d taken it out of the sheath, so it was ready for him to swing the moment he perceived a threat to Greer. He tried to keep his breathing calm, using all the tactics he utilized before riding into battle. But his heart raced, and his chest rose and fell far faster than it should. He hadn’t been this anxious since that first time he’d ridden out with Jamie. He didn’t want Greer to suspect his unease, but she slid her hand into his and curled her fingers between his.
They knew they passed the village as the sounds of people and animals met their ears. They waited for them to quieten, indicating they would draw closer to their waiting horses, but the wagon slowed well before then.
“You there. You’ve just come from the castle. What is in your wagon?” An English voice demanded.
“Hay for the market.”
“There’s no market today.” The Englishman’s tone rang with condescension.
“Nae in this village, but there’s one two over from here. I must go, or there’ll be nay one to buy from me.”
“We will inspect your wagon.”
“By what authority?”
“The king’s.”
“I didna realize ye kenned King David all the way in France.” The driver chuckled, and Thor and Greer heard the reins slap the horse’s back. The wagon lurched forward.
“I said stop. I will run you through.”
Thor prepared to leap up, his hand raised to grasp the canvas and pull it out of his way. The wagon picked up speed as the driver encouraged the steed to run. It was hardly a gallop, but it moved the wagon faster. More voices called out to them, but the driver ignored them. Thor felt certain the English would give chase, so he didn’t know how they would move from the wagon to horseback with people pursuing them.
“Whoa, mon. Stop yer wagon.”
Thor breathed easier, recognizing the voice. It was Keenan. He’d never been happier to hear it. The wagon slowed, and Thor wasted no time removing the tarp. He rose to his feet in one lithe move, thrusting his hand out to Greer to help her to her feet. As he re-sheathed his sword and put it on his back again, Keenan reached for Greer. She hesitated for only a moment before accepting the warrior’s help. He lifted her from the wagon and pivoted to help her onto her mount. Thor stepped onto the raised side before swinging onto Gaisgeach’s back.
“There’s food for ye in the saddlebags. Lady Rose guessed ye would need it and smuggled it to us. Blaine is arranging for birlinns to take us home if ye didna want us to ride with ye. At least the two of us could come with ye.”
Thor glanced at Greer, then at his friend. He’d planned for them to ride alone, hoping they could remain inconspicuous. But with only him to protect Greer, she remained vulnerable. Two more men could guard her other side and her back. He nodded his head. Dominic handed the reins to Keenan’s horse to him before mounting his own. Thor wheeled his horse to head west, and the others followed him.
“Thank ye.” Thor looked at the driver, who appeared ready to drive away without a word. The man gave him a single nod before encouraging his horse to continue along the path. Mounted knights without armor clattered toward them, and their warhorses had the endurance to carry the men when they wore their heavy battle armor. Without all the extra weight, the horses could ride for far longer. Thor relied on Sinclair horseflesh being superior to anything the English had. It was the only chance they had. Greer rode a gelding Thor recognized. It was Rose’s horse. He would thank his sister later, but he prayed Greer could remain astride. He didn’t know what type of mount she’d been riding on the last few years. The one he knew from eight years earlier couldn’t have kept up.
Thor spurred Gaisgeach forward, and the other horses followed its lead. Keenan fell behind to follow Greer, while Dominic rode to her right. She glanced at Thor, wondering what would happen if he had to draw his sword and she was stuck beside his sword arm. She feared he was more likely to decapitate her than defend her.
“Dinna fash, I fight with ma left hand as well as ma right. Da taught me, and Uncle Tavish loves naught more than to send ma cousins and me to run laps around the lists if we forget how. I havenae dropped it in years.” Thor saw her skeptical look as her eyes darted from his right hand to his back. She nodded and turned her attention forward.
“Thor, we need to push. They’re gaining on us.” Keenan called out as he kept checking over his shoulder.
