“And what are ye goin’ to do, dear sister?” she asked Ceana.
With wary eyes, she eyed Alina. “And what can I do?” she asked. “Nothin’. I am utterly useless.”
“Nae,” Alina said, tears beginning to fill her eyes. “Do ye remember all those days we spent together as tots?” she asked, with a sad smile. “We would get into our own scrapes, but none of it mattered. Do ye ken why?”
Ceana wiped her eyes in futility. “We had each other,” she answered. “And together, we could do anythin’.”
Alina nodded. “I love ye, more than life itself, and I want ye happy. We had all these plans,” she took Ceana’s hands and squeezed. “We would grow old and live close to each other, and our children would be friends, would they nae?”
Ceana laughed despite herself. That would not happen. She didn’t want anyone’s children except Torcall’s.
“Ye are my closest friend, and I couldnae imagine me life without ye,” Alina paused. “But even though I have ye, if ye are nae happy, if ye lose the only person ye love, ye wouldnae be me Ceana again, would ye?” she smiled sadly.
Ceana didn’t understand what her sister was saying. “Alina?”
“Nay, I have to tell ye this. Before I change me mind.” She wiped her own tears away. “Ye must break Torcall out of that prison.”
Ceana’s heart dropped. “‘Tis nae possible. The clan suspects that he might want to escape. They do nae even guard the prisons and much as they guard the gates. They want to catch him and make the people hate him even more. ‘Tis a fool’s venture. He would ne’er make it past the gate, and that is the only way in or out of the clan.”
“‘Tis nae,” Alina said silently.
“‘Tis nae?” Ceana asked, certain that she hadn’t heard her sister.
“Nay. ‘Tis nae.”
Ceana stared at her sister then laughed. “The single gate into the clan is in the stories of our clan. Anyone young or old kens that ‘tis true.”
“I will tell ye a story, and ye must listen because we do nae have time. Years ago, when the clan had no borders or gates and could be entered through multiple routes, there was an attack--”
Ceana caught on. “Aye. And Faither saved the life of the clan chief and his son. ‘Tis why he was promoted. After the incident, all the entrances to the clan were closed except one--the main gate. Walls were built, and barricades that cannae be passed. I ken all of this--”
“Aye. Ye are impatient. Listen. When Faither rescued the clan chief, he began to trust Faither with his life, for Faither had risked his life for him. There was a meeting, and all the important members of the clan were there. Faither was also invited. It was there that they agreed to close up the clan. After the meeting, everyone left, but our Chief requested that da wait.
“He reminded Da that if there was only one entrance, there was only one escape and that it was as dangerous as it was safe. He suggested that there would be a hidden route that wouldnae be blocked in the plan given to the workers. They would locate it at the clan's southern area, and only our Chief would ken it. If there was ever an attack, Da could come to his aid, and he would escape through the hidden passage.”
Ceana’s jaw dropped. “How do ye ken this?”
“That day, I had gone to the keep with Da. Da had just saved the clan chief and was a hero, so everyone was happy to see his daughter and nae a soul questioned me presence. I was looking for Arran.”
“The Laird’s son?” Ceana asked in shock.
Alina straightened like a poker. “Aye, Arran. It was then that I overheard.”
Shock filled Ceana. “If what you are saying is true, thenI can break Torcall out.
“Aye, ye can. Ye will be there this night, and ye will follow the route that I tell ye. But ken this: ye must ne’er come back to the clan.”
The reality of her sister’s words dawned, and Ceana froze. She would have to leave the only life she had ever known. She would have to leave her sister, and she would have to leave her clan. She turned to Alina with her eyes filled with tears. “I do nae want to leave ye.”
Alina hugged her, tears spilling from her eyes. “I have ne’er imagined livin’ me life without ye, but ye love him, and he must nae die for the crimes of another.”
“But if only Da kens the route, will they nae suspect him after I leave?”
“Nay. Nae if ye do exactly as I will tell ye.”
Alina reached into her bosom beneath her dress and produced a small sachet.
“What is this?” Ceana asked her sister.
