“My thanks. How many men did she leave with?”
“Three, milord.”
Roderick went to find Duncan.
“I’m going after Siena,” Roderick told Duncan and his brother, Angus.
“Wait. We can send men with ye.”
“Nay. I can travel faster by myself. This is something that I must do. I will meet ye back at Black Dawn.”
Chapter 19
They journeyed along the tree-covered road with the only sounds being that of the horses’ hoofs hitting the ground and the birds in the trees.
Siena was riding lead. So far, she had managed to keep their pace slow in hopes that Roderick would come after her. He’d saved her once before. Would he do so now?
However, on the second day, her hopes were dimming. Once he had his son back, he really didn’t need her anymore. She felt that Roderick cared for her, but he’d never said that he loved her.
Now she had to think for herself and not depend on anyone rescuing her.
She was lucky that Lord Malcolm had chosen only two soldiers to ride with them for protection. What would happen once she led them to the Holy Grail? She wasn’t sure.
She glanced back at Lord Malcolm. He hadn’t missed many meals. His middle was wide, his eyes were beady, reminding her of a big, fat rat that no one could trust. So far, he hadn’t mistreated her, but she knew that he could tell his men to deal with her at any moment.
She had her magic but if she were too slow to react there was no telling what they could do to her. There was the possibility that she could disappear and be back at Black Dawn. That would be easy, but her father and Lord Malcolm would still seek to find her to satisfy their greed. Wasn’t that the reason she was taking them to the Grail in the first place? She was protecting all the Scott clan, not wanting any of them to die for her.
Lord Malcolm rode up beside her. “How much farther?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps midday tomorrow.”
“Are you sure we are going the correct way? We are nearing Edinburgh.”
“Aye. The place is a little past Edinburgh,” she said glancing uneasily over her shoulder.
“The Scots are none too fond of us,” Malcolm’s voice, though quiet, had an ominous sound. “You haven’t set a trap with your so-called husband? It would be a shame to have to kill him.”
“I assure you that Roderick would be very hard to kill, however, my husband has no idea where I am, so you can ease your worries. Tell me, why is the Holy Grail important to you?”
“What a foolish question.” Malcolm had a hard-cold-eyed smile. “It promises everlasting life and no man can ever conquer you, so I’ll have all the power of any man living.” Malcolm glanced around. “We have ridden far enough today. We’ll make camp here tonight and tomorrow you had better fulfill your promise.”
It was a long night with fitful sleep for Siena. She dreamed of her husband, wanting to see him and hold him. What if she never saw him again? Tears streamed down her cheeks at the very thought. She dozed off and on the rest of the night.
She needed a plan to get herself out of this mess.
* * *
The next day around noon,they entered Roslin Glen with its lush green foliage. They passed the old abandoned church, which was once grand, but no more as half of its walls had fallen.
As they rode past the structure, oak, elm, and ash trees surrounded them. The trees and ground had lots of flora, so they had to leave their horses behind to enter the forest.
“Why do we leave the horses?” one of the soldiers asked.
“Because the pathway we travel will be small and tangled with foliage. It will be easier and faster on foot. You two …” Siena pointed to the knights. “You will have to clear the way with your swords or you could give me a sword and I can do it.”
“Not a chance,” Malcolm said.
The knights nodded and started to swing their blades to make a path through the woods.
