"Ye should have told us that he sought to kill the lass too."
"Aye, I should have, Fither, but I didnae really believe it. I thought it but a taunt he used to make me act foolishly that night he attacked us. Aye, he cut her, but only when she sought to get my sword to me."
"This time t'was no mere taunt."
"Nay. Had she not suddenly moved he would have pinned her to the tree. The second arrow was also aimed at her but I pulled her out of the way. Both times I was a target it took no skill to hit. She is my wife and that is enough to draw his hate. He wants me to watch her die. He feels that will be fair payment for Catalina."
"And then you."
"Aye, and then me.” After a moment's thought Iain decided to be completely honest. “He has also mentioned taking her before my eyes, preferably as I lay dying. That too would be to pay for Catalina, for bedding her."
"There can be no softness towards the mon now,” Tavis said coldly.
"Nay. I have none. He cut all understanding from my heart when he cut Islaen that night, e'en though I had not yet come to see that he wanted her dead too. There is no reason for him to strike at her."
"There is no reason for him to strike at ye either,” Storm snapped. “Ye take upon yourself a guilt that was ne'er yours."
Iain smiled wearily. “We shall ne'er agree upon that. What matters here is that MacLennon blames me, seeks to kill me out of revenge for Catalina's death and, most important, now includes Islaen in that vengence."
"She will be watched,” Tavis stated firmly.
"As I have been?"
"I wasnae certain ye noticed."
"I nay stumble o'er them all the time but ‘tis hard not to see a constant shadow,” Iain drawled, then sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I best send word to her kin. They would cut the mon down e'en now ere they caught sight of him simply because he drew her blood, but ‘tis important they know that he seeks her death. There will be e'en more eyes searching the shadows for the mon. It cannae hurt, though t'will no doubt anger her kin that I have brought such a danger upon her."
"Did ye not say anything to them that night at court?"
"Aye, Storm, I did but then there was a reason for him to strike, as I have said."
"I will go to them, Iain,” Phelan offered. “Ere the sun rises tomorrow, I will set out."
"Go warily, Phelan. The English have raided there and may yet be causing trouble. Ye dinnae wish to find yourself in the midst of that sort of difficulty."
"Nay, although,” he smiled faintly, “there are one or two English I should not grieve to cross swords with. But, aye, I will watch. Best ye give me something to identify me without any doubt. I am not a Scot, do not sound one, and, if trouble is still brewing, it could be costly for me."
"We will send one of the men with ye as weel,” Tavis said. “Take who ye please, if we have any that can keep pace with ye, that is. And best an he speaks first. As ye said, ye are no Scot."
"Ye are certain Islaen was not badly hurt?” Storm asked. “Mayhaps I should go and see her."
"Nay, that old corbie, Meg, is with her. Islaen wasnae badly hurt."
"Not that ye would have noticed, brother,” murmured Tavis.
"I noticed."
"Went black-faced and silent, did he?"
"Aye, Storm. Sat glowering and sulking upon his horse with nary a word to the lass. Tossed me at her to chase after MacLennon, e'en though she sat there awash in her own blood."
"She wasnae awash in blood. ‘T'was naught but a flesh wound."
At that moment, Alexander arrived. “How is Islaen?"
"Fine,” snapped Iain, irritated even more by Alexander's interest.
"Where have ye been all day, Alex?"
