“Are ye goin’ after him? He might have reinforcements close by. And we–”
“We have to return tae the clan for fortification,” Duncan completed. He thought about the closer path that would lead straight to Clan Hays. And then another that was farther away. He watched the men gathering their things. Most of them were wounded and tired from the battle. They longed to return home to the people they loved. Every night, the drinking and the singing got wilder.
He knew that if he ordered them to face the enemies, they would. But he could not bear the guilt that would cause him. Withholding a sigh, Duncan pointed toward the south east.
“There’s an alternative route we can travel. Did ye lay false trails fer him?”
Craig scoffed, “tis nae me first day.”
“Dinnae be alarmed,” Duncan turned to Jo. “This is a common occurrence. Although, I dinnae expect it, it can still happen.”
“I’m nae concerned,” Jo informed him, her voice confident, bestowing on him, more trust and belief than he’d ever received. “I’m with ye.”
That damned smile shoved its way over his lips once more. Duncan was mesmerized by her simple ability to floor him. Just by simple things like infusing such confidence in him with just a few words. It made his heart grew stronger.
He would not worry about leading the English to their clan, endangering everyone. He would rather focus on the task of getting everybody home safely. Soon, the camp was on the move with Duncan in the lead. He rode with Jo, so if they were attacked, he could protect her better.
“Any idea why they are trailin’ us?” Bryce asked beside them.
“We won the battle, tis natural that they seek revenge. An’ afore I forget, ye should send messengers tae yer clan. If I’m followed, ye should expect the same.”
Bryce’s face sharpened, he pulled his horse back and rode toward the end of the line, hollering for messengers. The anxiety shrouding the journey partially distracted Duncan from the woman. However, his mind would flit to the events of the night now and again and he would shift uncomfortably.
Once they put a long distance between them and the enemy, Duncan relaxed his shoulders. They’d ridden till the sun had sunk below the horizon. The sky was now coated with dusty clouds but they’d not yet found a place to rest.
“I jus’ remembered the lake we use to bathe in as young lads. Dae ye remember?”
“Where ye almost drowned tryin’ tae hide from that lass?”
Bryce slapped his shoulder and Duncan felt Jo shudder with silent laughter.
“Tis around ‘ere. I remember that oak. Ye rammed yer face in it laughin’ like an idiot.”
Duncan glanced about and felt the waft of cool air. Now that Bryce had mentioned it, it made sense.
“Aye, tis nae far. We can rest by the fields and we’d have water.”
“I will inform the men,” Bryce said.
“Ye share such special closeness with him,” Jo remarked. “I envy that.”
“He’s a good man, we grew up together. And he’s head over heels about me sister.”
Jo turned slightly, “he is?”
“Aye, despite what his appearance might lead ye tae believe, he is quite the romantic.”
“He’s ye friend, so ye must be same.”
Duncan faked a gag and she laughed. He cherished that sound. “Nae, I am nae. Ye ken, he has attempted tae…” he trailed off again. He weighed if he should tell her about Emily. After all, he was still not clear about Bryce’s reason for visiting his clan this urgently.
If it were for Sheena, Duncan’s sister, he would ensure that he’d come bearing gifts and that his appearance lacked nothing.
“And wait… Ye have a sister?” Jo interrupted.
“I thought I had mentioned her afore now.”
“Must’ve been when I was bound. How could I pay attention?” Guilt twitched inside Duncan.
