So she stayed in the tree until dawn approached, and there were no other sightings of Malcolm before she climbed out and continued her trek.
It wasn’t long before she moved closer to the road. It would benefit her to find a traveler that would be willing to help her cover the distance so that she could get to her family sooner.
It seemed that the gods were smiling upon her because it wasn’t long before Edna heard the rumble of a wagon and the familiar hum of a Scottish ballad. She moved off the road to spy on the traveler as he passed first, making certain that it wasn’t a wagon full of guards from either Irvine’s clan or Neacal’s, and when she saw that it was an elder Scot, she smiled. He had a wagon full of corn husks, likely going to the nearest village to sell. Some liked to stuff their mattresses with them, while others used them as feed for their animals.
Either way, he was likely safe to ask.
Edna stepped back onto the road and caught up with the traveler, who slowed his wagon the moment he saw her. “Are ye alright, lass?” he called out, concern on his weathered face.
“Aye,” she said, giving him a friendly smile. “Mah horse came up lame, though, and I was hoping ye could give me a ride.”
“Aye, of course.” He grinned, patting the seat beside him. “I would enjoy the company. I’m heading tae McGregor land. Where are ye going?”
“The same,” Edna breathed. That was even better. She could be home before the morning.
He stretched out his hand to her. “I’m Angus.”
“Edna,” she answered, shaking his hand. “And I am vera thankful that ye came along.”
Angus released her hand and patted the seat again. “Come then, lass. Let us get tae McGregor land.”
Edna did as he asked, and they rode on throughout the morning, even sharing in Angus’s meager fare he had with him, including the cool waterskin. Edna allowed herself to relax a bit as she listened to Angus tell her about his family, though she didn’t give much information about herself. The older Scot didn’t seem to care so much, refraining from asking questions once he realized she wasn’t going to answer them.
Edna ended up in the back amongst the husks, stretching her weary body so that she could get some rest. With her cloak wrapped around her, Edna found herself easily dozing off in the warm sun. In her dreams, she found James again, his handsome face smiling at her as she tried to join him in their meadow again.
This time, however, Malcolm was also there, and before Edna could reach James, Malcolm was running him through with a sword, a smirk on his face.
Edna woke with a start, and for a moment, her heart thudded in her ears. Would she always be plagued by James but also Malcolm’s betrayal?
Would she ever find her true happiness in her life?
By midafternoon, they had reached the outskirts of the village that Edna knew so well. Angus drew the wagon to a stop, and Edna gave him a kind smile.
“Thank ye for allowing me tae travel with ye,” she said.
“Of course, lass,” the elder Scot replied. “I can give ye lodging if ye need it.”
Edna’s eyes drew to the keep sitting on the hill and to the manor that wasn’t far from the keep’s grounds, her heart wrenching her chest. She had missed her parents so much, her family that was desperately trying to keep her safe, but now it was time that she found the strength within to deal with what was going to be her fate.
“Nay, I will leave from here. I have somewhere tae be.”
“Then let the gods go with ye,” Angus called out as Edna scrambled from the wagon, ensuring that her cloak and hood were in place. She didn’t want Neacal to know that she was within reach until she decided to reveal herself.
After waving goodbye to her travel companion, Edna started out on foot toward the keep. As she passed, Edna realized there were guards she didn’t recognize, wearing colors of the Belshes clan.
Neacal is here.
A lump formed in her throat at the thought. She had come all this way, ran away from her safety, to save her clan and her family.
She couldn’t give up now.
So Edna moved on until she was at the gates that surrounded the keep.
“Wot is yer business?” the guard grumbled, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Drawing in a breath, Edna removed her hood. “I’m Edna McGregor, and I demand an audience with Laird McGregor.”
The guard’s eyes rounded, and he looked around quickly before moving toward her. “Lass, they have been looking for ye everywhere! Ye’re wanted for murder!”
