Alana nodded, her nerves high. So much depended upon her efforts to persuade Godfrey now. Iain lifted his hand and they started down the steep western side of the ridge, traversing it upon a deer path. It was rocky, partly frozen and partly mud, and the going was slow and difficult.
It took an hour to reach the glen below, and another half an hour to begin the small ascent to Brodie’s front gates, which were barred and closed. The walls seemed empty, too. But when they were almost within calling distance of Brodie’s watchtower, her bells began to ring.
“Yer watch is poor,” Iain observed. The bells tolled loudly and shrilly now. “The watch should have remarked us well before this.”
Godfrey’s soldiers appeared on the castle walls. Iain continued on, Alana beside him, two dozen Highlanders behind them.
And then they were close enough for her to see Godfrey take up a place on the walls, amidst his men. His fair hair was unmistakable. Iain signaled his men to halt.
“I should ride forward, alone,” Alana said, removing her hood. She wanted Godfrey to recognize her.
“Ye will do no such thing,” Iain returned.
“His archers will try to strike you,” Alana said sharply with fear.
“Is he that much of a fool?” Iain asked. “I am approaching his gates with a handful of men. He does not know my army lies in wait in the forest. And I am bringing ye with me. He cannot be so stupid, Alana, as to fire the first shot without asking my business, first.”
Godfrey wasn’t a fool, and he was committed to Brodie. He would probably want to speak with Iain before taking any aggressive action that might have terrible consequences for him.
She glanced behind them. Iain’s banner was flying in the wind, but so was a white flag of truce. She was surprised. She hadn’t realized he would raise such a flag.
Iain spurred his stallion forward and Alana followed him on her red mare. She heard the strings of numerous bows being pulled taut against ready arrows, the sound sharp and high, like a violin striking the wrong note. She looked up at the archers on the walls. Every man there was aiming their arrows down at them.
And behind them, steel screamed as all of Iain’s men drew their swords.
“Do ye not see our white flag?” Iain demanded loudly, halting his horse. But he was angry, and the charger whirled nervously.
“Identify yourself!” Godfrey cried, leaning over the wall. His face was white.
“I am Iain of Islay, and yer father’s ward, Alana le Latimer, is with me. Have yer archers stand down!” Iain ordered. Lower, he said, “Stay behind me. He may be a fool after all.”
Alana ignored him. Godfrey was stunned and he seemed stricken, even indecisive, and she spurred her mare forward, past Iain. “Godfrey! We must speak!”
“Alana?” Godfrey cried, peering down at her, turning whiter.
Iain rode up to her and seized her reins, giving her a furious look. Then, to Godfrey, “Come down and parley with us. Bring three of yer knights if ye must.”
Godfrey was incredulous. Alana knew he had not heard of her treachery—and he could not comprehend why she was with Iain. He could not imagine what they wanted, either. In that moment, she felt sorry for him, and ashamed of what she must do.
“I am not leaving Brodie,” Godfrey finally said. He turned to his soldiers and archers. “No one is to fire, unless I give the command.”
The bows groaned as the tension in each weapon was released. The archers replaced their arrows in their quivers. Alana took a deep breath, hoping to never look up at so many archers ready to shoot at her again.
Iain signaled his men, and steel rang again as they sheathed their weapons.
“Alana,” Godfrey cried. “Are you all right?”
This time, she glanced at Iain for permission. He nodded, and she moved a few strides closer to the wall. “I am fine, Godfrey, considering the circumstance I find myself in.”
Godfrey stared down at her, his face taut. “You vanished from Brodie! We feared you were abducted! And then we realized you had taken a horse and ridden away with one of Seamus’s sons. Why, Alana?” His blue gaze veered wildly to Iain. “Seamus claims he does not know your affairs! He is so loyal to you!”
She trembled. “You will find out soon enough. I am with Iain now, Godfrey.”
He stared blankly at her, clearly not understanding.
“I love him,” she said. “And I am sorry.”
He cried out, shocked. “What are you speaking about? You cannot love him! You do not even know him! He freed you from the tower at Nairn—you could not have spoken with him more than a time or two. He was there but a day, not even!”
