CHAPTER 1
Megan breathed out slowly,sighting along the shaft of her arrow. The key to a good shot was to stay relaxed. It was something that new archers struggled with, relaxing their bodies and minds. They often forgot about their minds.
There was no sense in expecting an arrow to hit its target when the archer’s mind was in turmoil. It had taken Megan years to learn how to calm her mind, but now that she’d learned it, it was an invaluable skill.
There was nothing quite like the peace just before releasing an arrow. Today’s practice was easy as well. She knew she could hit the marker in the distance oak.
Thunk.
The arrow flew out of her bow, embedding itself deeply in the center of the chalked circle. Megan lowered her bow, allowing herself a brief grin.
What do ye think, Ma?She thought, sending up a quick prayer to her mother. Maybe her mother could hear.The best archer in the highlands, eh?
Maybe.
She drew another arrow, taking her time in aiming. There was no rush. She wasn’t overly keen on getting back home. The house where they’d all lived as children had seemed to shrink as they grew older, and now there didn’t seem to be quite enough room for everybody.
The forest pressed in tightly around the house, and for Megan, that meant safety. After all, nobody could find their home unless they already knew it was there. Times were dangerous, and trusting other people was a mistake; everybody knew that.
At that thought, the forest seemed to press in a little closer. In the silence before Megan released her second arrow, she quite clearly heard a twig crack somewhere in the undergrowth.
Her body tensed. Swallowing hard, Megan kept her grip on the arrow, even though the string shivered with tension and her arm muscles began to sting.
What was that? What wasthat?
She fought not to react. If she were being watched, then reacting would trigger an attack sooner. If they thought she was distracted…
She glanced around, using her peripheral vision to try to scout out the greenery around her. Abruptly, a nearby shrub began to shiver. Something was moving inside it.
Breathing in, Megan carefully moved the point of her arrow until it pointed at the bush.
“Come on,” she whispered under her breath. “Make me day.”
The bush quivered and shook, the leaves rattling…
And then a small, sand-colored rabbit jumped out. It watched her, faintly curious.
Exhaling, Megan turned the arrow back to the tree and released it.
Thunk. This time, the arrow landed about an inch away from the first. It was still a good shot, but not her best. The rabbit began to clean its ears.
“Nicely done, bunny,” Megan sighed, raking a hand through her hair, which was fighting its way loose from her braid, as usual. “I nearly shot ye.”
The rabbit did not seem to care.
And then a scream split the air, making Megan flinch. The rabbit startled, stamped twice, and vanished into the undergrowth.
Megan was running before she knew what she was doing, following the rough deer path that led to their cabin.
That sounded like Lily,she thought grimly, reaching back to pull an arrow from her quiver. She fitted it on the bow. Even the roughest, most fearless thieves might think twice with an arrow pointed at their eyes.
She burst through into the clearing, arrow ready, body tensed.
Lily stood at the front of the house, where a neat kitchen garden had been set up and maintained by Brigid all those years ago. They each had a section to keep. Brigid grew beautiful flowers, while Valerie grew fruit and vegetables. Lily’s section was right at the end, where herbs grew thickly—medicinal herbs, mostly, but some for cooking, too.
Megan’s section was somewhat overgrown. She’d have to see to that.
Lily was leaning back against the house, one hand on her rounding belly, and pointed a shaking hand at the bottom of the garden.
