Mora just shook her head as the two men laughed. It was still nice that, for the moment, there was at least one spot where it was peaceful. It was probably a good thing that Sigimor and his clan were three days away, she thought, and laughed softly.
“What has ye laughing?” Gybbon asked.
“It was an unkind thought.”
“Then I must hear it.”
“It was just that I thought how nice it was that it was such a peaceful moment. I then thought suddenly that it was probably good that Sir Sigimor and his clan are about three days away.” She smiled when both men laughed heartily.
“He does love to poke and poke until something bursts open,” said Nicolas, and then looked at Gybbon. “Harcourt would have come with us, but he injured his foot and has been told, most firmly, that he best nay mount a horse for a while. And he had no wish to greet ye while in a cart.”
Gybbon laughed again and shook his head. “How did he hurt it so bad?”
“Fell off the stable roof.” Nicolas looked behind them and frowned. “Some of your men rode off a while ago.”
“Aye, I sent them to look for Robert.”
“Weel, they are coming back at a good speed. Might just be hungry for a gallop after plodding along with a cart for a few days.”
Gybbon hoped that was the case, but the minute Ned reined in near him, he knew it was not. “What is wrong?”
“Weel, Robert hasnae left. He got far behind us because he was waiting. He was just joined by a force of armed men and it appeared by the greetings that they were from his clan. Mayhap a dozen but, e’en as we left, a few more rode up. Robert and the head of that wee group started having an argument.”
As they all began to ride on toward Gormfuerach, Gybbon grimaced. “Probably the sheriff and a few of his men.”
“I am sorry,” murmured Mora, knowing she was the reason the men were there.
“Ye have naught to be sorry about,” said Gybbon firmly. “Ye did naught to the mon. ’Tis his greed bringing him here.”
“I ken it. I am nay e’en sure just handing him the house and land would stop him.”
“Nay, because she refused to give him what he wanted.”
“Like a spoiled child,” she murmured, and she felt Gybbon nod before turning his attention to riding with the other men.
Gybbon signaled some of his men to keep a close watch on Robert and turned his full attention to getting to Gormfeurach. The mon was going to keep pushing for what he wanted until he got himself killed. Gybbon began to think over what he needed to say to Harcourt to make him understand that.
Just as she grew weary of riding the horse, despite the pleasure of being so close to Gybbon, Mora saw the walls of Gormfeurach. She could see the men high up on the walls and felt her fear of what she might be bringing to the keep ease a little. Once behind those walls, it would be nearly impossible for Robert to get to anyone since she did not believe he had gained the power to order his whole clan into the field to fight.
They rode in through the gates once they were opened. For a while there was an organized confusion as everyone dismounted, the horses were led away, and the cart unpacked. Mora hurried to grab her bag and make sure Freya was secure. As they walked toward the steps she saw that a small woman stood waiting for them, her blood-red hair in a long, thick braid pulled forward over her shoulder. When Mora got closer she realized the woman had dark green eyes.
“Greetings,” the woman said, and held out her hand. “I am the Lady of Gormfeurach, Lady Annys Murray. Welcome to our home.”
Mora shook the woman’s hand and smiled. “’Tis a fine keep, m’lady.”
“Oh, please, call me Annys. I have ne’er gotten used to all the ‘m’lady this and that.’ Come in. Ye too, Gybbon. We have baths ready for ye and there will be a meal soon.”
The promise of a bath got Mora moving right along with Lady Annys. She desperately wanted to wash away the dust of her travels. Although she was listening carefully to what Lady Annys said as they went up the stairs, a lot of her mind was fixed firmly on getting her dusty gown off and sitting in a bath. Then she suddenly realized Andrew was not at her side.
“Where did Andrew go?” she asked Gybbon.
“Oh,” replied Annys, “the boy has gone off with my son Benet and my maid’s boys so that they can show him where he can clean up. Is that all right?”
“Of course. I was just startled as we have been kept close for the whole journey and then he was gone.”
Annys nodded and pointed to the room for Gybbon, who thanked her and hurried inside. To Mora’s surprise the woman then led her into the room right next to his. A slightly older, more buxom woman was just setting down a bucket of water next to a large wooden tub.
“Joan, this is Lady Mora Ogilvy, just arrived from Sigimor’s manor with Gybbon.”
