Though she’d discovered the trials had indeed taken place, no one would discuss the convictions, nor if there were any accused who’d been spared. She held tightly to the hope that many escaped that horrible demise, her mither and sister among them.
Succumbing to the sway of the wagon and the unusually warm sun, Kenna nestled among the bags and boxes. And for the first time in days, felt safe enough to close both eyes at once.
Too soon, she sensed the wagon rumbling to a stop.
“Wake lass, ye’ve work tae do.” A not-so-gentle nudge pulled her from the remnants of a sweet dream where she’d been watching Sean sketch something. He’d smiled and begun to turn his sketch pad, so she could see.
With a sense of loss, she scurried from the wagon, struggling to get her bearings. The burly man pointed to a patch of dirt amid other people hawking their wares. “Pile it there and be quick about it. And have a care wi’ those cages.”
Kenna watched him trudge a few feet away before turning her attention to the wagon. She’d thought she’d behelpingunload it. Not doing it by herself. Even so, the ride, a few hours of rest, and the promise of food, were worth the task she faced. She supposed she could drag the bags off. All she had to do was figure out how to handle the cages.
Keeping her head down and her attention on her task, proved difficult. Ludicrous as it was, she found herself continually scanning the crowd for her family as if they’d simply be strolling through a strange village.
For such a small place, ’twas surprisingly crowded. People must have traveled from all the surrounding farms and dwellings to participate in today’s market. “What day is this?” she asked the wagon driver.
“ ’Tis the day I’m goin’ tae sell these goods, assuming ye ever stop dawdlin’ and get ’em unloaded. Ye’ve still tae pay for that ride, ye ken,” the man groused. “I’ve got tae set up, but I’ll be watchin’ ye, so be quick about it.”
She’d managed to unload all the bags and both the rabbits and pigeon’s cages, but she struggled with the weight of the peacocks. Exasperated, she grasped the cage’s frame, determined to wrestle it to the ground.
Grumbling, the driver reached over her and lifted it out. “I knew ’twas a mistake tae pick ye up. Ye’ve no’ the strength of a bairn.”
Kenna bit her tongue as she turned to him. ’Twould not do to let her temper rob her of the final prize. “The wagon is unloaded. If I can have a few oats and perhaps an onion, as ye promised, I’ll be on my way.”
“For a job half done?” His booming voice drew the attention of several people passing by.
Kenna ducked her head but not before something in the crowd caught her eye.
That woman, walking away. Hadnae she seen her before?
She couldnae remember the woman’s name but she remembered her significant limp and the unique way she swung her arms when she walked. She’d been put into the cart with Kenna and her family the night they’d been arrested, to be taken to Aberdeen.
“Please, sir,” Kenna pressed the driver, anxious to catch up with the woman. “If I can have the food, I’ll be out of yer way.”
He turned away. “I’m busy. If ye want it, ye’ll have tae wait ’til I’m done.”
She looked for the woman among the crowd, but she’d moved out of sight. Kenna had to find her. ’Twas a chance for news of her family. “Just a few oats, then. ’Twill just take a moment.”
“Ye’ll wait or ye’ll go wi’out,” the man growled.
Kenna looked longingly at the bags of food, then in the direction she’d last seen the woman. She had no choice. She ran into the crowd, weaving in and out of people, watching for any sign of her. Finally, desperate to find her, Kenna risked climbing onto a stack of boxes to get a better view. There! On the edge of the crowd. She was leaving the village.
Racing to catch her, Kenna struggled to remember her name. Earie? Elspeth? Evina! At least she thought that was it. They’d all been so frightened that night, they’d paid little attention to names.
“Evi—!” Kenna caught herself before she could finish yelling the woman’s name. What was she thinking? ’Twas risky enough climbing atop the boxes and exposing herself wi’out screaming her presence to everyone there.
Wait! Oh, please wait!Kenna cried the words in her head as she ran after the woman.
“Evina,” she called softly, as soon as they’d gained some distance from the crowd.
The woman hesitated slightly then began walking faster, though ’twas clearly difficult for her.
“Please, stop.” Kenna cried, finally catching up with her. “I need yer help,” she said breathlessly. “Do ye recognize me? I’m McKenna Kincaid. Ye were in the cart with my mither, sister and I when—”
“Hush, child!” the woman spat, grasping Kenna’s arm. “Have ye no sense?”
“Ye do know me, then?” Kenna whispered, excitedly.
Evina raised her palm to silence Kenna and pointed to a grove of trees just ahead.
