He felt breathless. Laird Dickson’s voice echoed in his head.
“So many people misunderstand sacrifice. They don’t understand that a sacrifice must be… well, a sacrifice. Men like ye and I, lad, we sacrifice our souls for our duty. Anything else is a weakness.”
Closing his eyes, Struan felt his own weakness heavy in his chest—love for Kyla, respect for the Abbess, and… something deep for Una, too.
She will be the death of me.
But it didn’t matter. None of it mattered, because he was a Dickson heir, the Laird’s only son. He was the hammer of the clans, their greatest weapon. A hammer couldn’t grow soft. Whatuse would it be? It was clear to him that the price of his duty was his soul, and he’d already decided that he was going to have to pay it.
Chapter 13
No News Is Good News
Struan didn’t come to breakfast. He’d never joined them in the feast hall before, but Una had let herself hope that today would be different. After yesterday, surelyeverythingwas different.
She’d felt as though she were walking on clouds all day, even though she never had the opportunity to see Struan again after they’d left the training fields. She told herself that it wasn’t his fault. Of course he had to go where his guards wanted. Of course he was confined to his cell more often than not. Had she thought they’d go skipping in to supper together, hand in hand?
I don’t even want that,she told herself furiously.That was never part of the plan.
She flinched when Kai slapped something down on the table in front of her. In fact, she jumped so hard she sent porridge flicking away down the table. She glared up at her brother.
“What was that for?”
He grinned. “Ye were away with the fae, lassie.”
“I was thinking. Ye should try it sometime.”
“Uh-huh. There’s a letter for ye. A messenger arrived just now.”
Una frowned. “Where from?”
Kai hesitated, just for an instant. “From the convent.”
Una’s blood ran cold. “That can’t be good.”
“I’m sure it’s good news,” Kai managed, but there was something insincere in his voice.
He had other letters in his hand, which he tucked behind his back as if she might demand to see them, too.
“No news is good news,” Una muttered, but her brother was already walking away.
Her heart thudded when she picked up the letter. Sure enough, her name was scrawled hastily on the front. She recognized the handwriting, too.
Senga,Una thought, swallowing back cold fear. Shoving her bowl of porridge aside, she dove on the letter, tearing it open. Hardly daring to breathe, she began to read.
My Dear Una,
I hope you are well. I’m writing this in a hurry, so please forgive the bad handwriting. The plain fact is that we’re in an uproar here at the convent. They’re calling it an evacuation, but I can’t help but think that it’s something worse.
We’re running away.
Dickson troops are here. They began with frequent, bloody raids on the outskirts of town, and the last band roamed right into the center of town. The townsfolk are terrified. Many of Thomas’ troops have moved on to join either the Kenneth or Grahame armies in preparation for some battle or other, but those that remain have come back to the convent to protect us. It’s a great sacrifice on their part, but it’s too little, too late. The Abbess has learned that a whole Dickson army is hiding in the Mont Valley, only a few miles to the east. It’s clear that they’ve come for us.
The priory can survive a siege, or so the Abbess thinks, but the majority of us are being sent away. I begged to stay, but the Abbess would not hear of it. All of us are going. I am writing this in my room at the moment, having packed up everything I can carry. There’s been a great flurry about the books. If they’re left, they’ll be burned for sure if the Dickson troops take over the convent. However, how can we transport all of those books? I’ve let the others worry about that. At least Kyla is spared that worry.
We are bringing food to ease the burden on Keep Grahame, which is where we’re going. Freya will shelter us, I know that. Still, I can’t help but worry. Are we to be paupers, homeless and penniless, shunted around, unwanted? If things get difficult, the Keep might not be able to feed us.
The Abbess isn’t coming with us. She insisted upon staying, and a few sisters have stayed with her. Sister Rosemary was one. Most of them are made to leave, though. The sick and wounded in the infirmaries are being sent home, without exception. I think Sister Abigail was upset to leave all her patients behind, but for once, the Abbess overruled her. She’s coming with us to Keep Grahame, and I daresay we’ll soon have use for a talented healer like her.
