An innocent woman’s life depended on it.
A goodly distance away, but closer to Dare than most wise folk would wish to tread, Sir Marmaduke Strongbow reined in his steed. His face grim-set, he raised a hand. As he was staunch friend to Clan MacKenzie and respected by all, the men riding behind him followed suit, halting their mounts until nothing moved in the deeply forested glen except the thick swaths of mist curling about the trees.
Mostly great Caledonian pines and firs, save the fringe of birches along the nearby burnside, they were scarce visible, their glistening trunks little more than dark smudges hidden by fog.
The kind of fog that curled a man’s toes and lifted hairs he didn’t know he had.
Sir Marmaduke shuddered, then drew his sword and laid it across his knees.
“We’re being watched.” He slid a look at Duncan, his voice low. “I’ve felt it since —”
“Mayhap since those two riders galloped away from yon heather ridge?” Duncan glanced over his shoulder, his gaze snapping to a steep, boulder-studded rise. “They were MacRuari scouts, belike. Valdar wouldn’t be the man he is if he hadn’t posted men to watch for us. He’ll want his hall readied for our arrival.”
Sir Marmaduke shook his head. “We aren’t being observed by men. ’Tis something else. A sense of —”
“ O-ho! Something else, you say.” Duncan glowered at him. “Now you see why I’m not pleased about my daughter coming here. Why I’ve brought along half my garrison as her escort and refused to let Linnet and Arabella accompany us.”
Shoving a hand through his hair, he glanced at the scudding clouds. Low and steely-gray, they sped past, almost as if they couldn’t wait to reach the next glen. “For once you have the right of it, English. Glen Dare is filled withthings-that-aren’ t-men. Peer hard at any clump of heather or outcrop and you’ll see them.”
Sir Marmaduke adjusted his grip on his sword. “I vow I can do without the pleasure.”
Listening to them, Gelis allowed herself a none- too-discreet roll of her eyes. “If anything otherworldly dwells here, then they are moor fairies and rock sprites. I would like to see them.”
“So speaks a maid whose life was spent within the shelter of Eilean Creag’s walls.” Her father narrowed his eyes on the enclosing mist, his scowl deepening. “Would that you were still there. Fairies and sprites are the last creatures you’ll find on this tainted ground.”
“Have a care, my friend.” Sir Marmaduke pinned him with a warning stare. “You’ll frighten her.”
“I will, eh?” Duncan spluttered. “A naked army of your hump-backed, cloven-hoofed landsmen wouldn’t scare her.”
“And you should be glad of it!” Gelis flicked the end of her braid at him. “You love me best because I am fearless.”
“Humph.” Duncan shifted in his saddle. “You would be well served to have a bit of your sister’s prudence.”
Gelis laughed. “Arabella has enoughprudencefor us both. A lifetime’s worth and then some!”
“Even so,” Sir Marmaduke put in, “a touch of caution wouldn’t hurt you. I wouldn’t have believed it, but this glen truly is darker than it should be. Do not forget what we’ve told you; one word and we’ll come for you. Faster than you can blink.”
“Such a help-cry won’t be necessary.” Gelis smiled, excitement already beating through her. “I like it here. No harm will come to me, as I’ve explained.”
Duncan mumbled beneath his breath.
Gelis straightened her back and looked about, seeing not the gloom, but the fine red glow of the autumnal bracken and the sparkle of pink-and-white quartz in the scattered, mist-dampened boulders. The swift, clear-watered burn flowing beside the deer track they followed.
Heartened by the beauty around her, thepeace, she lifted her chin.
“Wild places have always called to me.” She locked stares with her father, knowing he couldn’t deny it. “You and Uncle Marmaduke don’t understand power of place. Were Glen Dare as blighted as you claim, the burn would be fouled and sluggish, those deep, rocky pools dark and stagnant.”
Beaming confidence, she waved a hand in the burn’s direction. As if smiling back at her, its bright waters tinkled and splashed, the sound delighting her ears. Just as the large raven spiraling above quickened her pulse and made her heart skitter.
Several times now, she’d seen him, catching glimpses each time the clouds and mist parted. Once, he was off to their right, gliding silently past the higher rock-faces. Now, he merely circled, watching her.
Waiting.
Eager to welcome her to his strange and wonderful home and letting her know he wanted her here.
It was him Sir Marmaduke was sensing.
Sure of it, Gelis flashed her most dazzling smile, hoping the raven would see. “I do not believe there is danger here. Though there is an ancient aura about the place. A magical air I’ve never felt anywhere else.”
