Rory looked away again, and his cheeks reddened. “I dinnae think it’s right for me tae dae something like that.”
“What?” Ian exclaimed, his thick, black eyebrows rising sharply. “Ye are a young lad away from yer home. It’sexactlythe right time for something like this. The world is filled with opportunities for ye, Rory, and trust me, there are plenty of women who are looking for a good time with a strong lad like ye.”
“I just want tae focus on learning all ye can teach me.”
Ian tutted. “I’m trying that, lad, but ye keep ignoring my lessons!”
“I mean about blacksmithing. I dinnae know what ye can teach me about romance considering ye dinnae hae a wife,” Rory shot back, cocking an eyebrow in Ian’s direction. Ian took mock offense.
“That tongue of yers is gaeing tae get ye in trouble one of these days. And my personal life is none of ye business. I could get a wife whenever I wanted, if I sae wished. I just prefer my life the way it is. All wives dae is make a fuss of things.” He felt his throat tighten as he spoke the lie. The truth was that he would have very much liked someone to make his home warm, to offer companionship, but all of those things were just illusions that could be dispelled. Wanting things in this life was a risky business, and having things was even worse, for they could always be taken away. It was better not to think about it.
“Then I dinnae know why ye are trying tae help me meet a lass.”
“Because a lass is different from a wife. She can help ye learn how tae sharpen yer sword in a different way than I can,” a barking laugh rippled from Ian’s throat, and he put his hand on his side. Rory just grimaced and shook his head.
“I dinnae see how ye can be sae relaxed at a time like this.”
“A time like what? Yer problem is that ye worry tae much. Just take life as it comes, lad, naething bad is gaeing tae happen.” As Ian said this, Rory stiffened and the color drained from his cheeks. Ian followed his gaze and saw guards heading towards him. They wore dark uniforms with the Boyd sigil stitched in gold. Long swords hung from their hips, fine weapons that were just aching to draw blood.
“Evening, are ye in need of any services? My shop is just around that corner. Come by later when I am done with this delivery,” Ian said, speaking with practiced ease. He tried to glare at Rory, wishing that the boy was more comfortable with acting naturally. The guards tilted their heads as they looked between Ian and Rory.
“We dinnae need anything like that, but we could use some information. It’s a wee bit late for ye tae be making a delivery, nae?”
“Ah, unfortunately people in my line of work rarely get tae sleep, nae if we want tae keep busy,” Ian said smoothly.
“We’re looking for a fugitive,” the guard’s eyes lingered over the cart. “Hae ye seen anyone acting suspiciously around here?”
Ian pretended to think for a moment, and then shook his head. “Nae, I hae just been getting things ready for this delivery,” he patted his wagon.
“And what about ye, lad? Hae ye seen anything suspicious?” the guards turned to Rory.
“I hae nae,” he said, but his words rolled with emotion and his eyes flicked about, never meeting the guard’s gaze. He couldn’t have done a better job of acting suspiciously if he tried.
“What are ye delivering?” the other guard asked. Ian tried not to let his unease show.
“Just some supplies for a tavern, utensils and the like.”
“Show me.”
“As ye wish,” Ian said. He drew back the tarpaulin and then opened one of the crates. The guard stepped forward. Rory looked as though he was going to throw up, while Ian just smiled. He reached into the crate and pulled out a handful of utensils. They clinked together. The guard peered over and reached in himself, rooting around for a couple of moments.
“They’re good, aye? Fit for the keep. Ye know, if ye put in a good word for me, I’m sure I could arrange tae share some of the profits with ye,” Ian wore a zealous look.
“Come on, we’re just wasting our time here,” the other guard said. The one who had been inspecting the cargo gave Ian a disdainful look and then turned on his heels. The two guards marched in step with each other.
“What a miserable bunch they are,” Ian muttered as he pulled the tarpaulin back over his cargo. Rory had an amazed look on his face.
“How were ye sae relaxed? My heart was ready tae jump out of my chest!”
Ian grinned, his eyes gleaming. “Because they dinnae know what we really hae under here, and ye heard them, they were nae here for me. If ye hae nae seemed sae shifty, they probably would nae hae paid us any attention at all.”
“I’m sorry,” Rory said, hanging his head in shame. Ian walked over to him and put his hand on Rory’s shoulder.
“Dinnae be like that, lad. Ye are here tae learn, after all. Just try and relax. As long as we are careful when it matters, then we’ll be safe. But two guards looking for someone else are nae gaeing tae be bothered with searching some blacksmith’s wagon. They’re only gaeing tae be suspicious if ye give them a reason tae be. Better tae be tae friendly with them if ye ask me, because then they’re nae gaeing tae try and move on as quickly as possible. I’ve been daeing this for long enough to I know what I’m talking about. Sometimes in life ye hae tae dae whatever ye can tae make a wee bit of money. It’s nae like we’re hurting anyone, is it? We’re just breaking some silly law that hae nae reason tae exist in the first place.”
“I’d like tae hear ye tell the Laird that,” Rory teased as they got the horse moving again.
“Aye, well, if I ever stand before him, then I will. I cannae believe his advisors dinnae tell him how stupid he was being in the first place. He needs someone up there tae talk some sense intae him. I tell ye, I think everyone in that castle must hae lost their minds a long time agae. They could dae with living down here among the real people sae they understand what life is really like. But that will never happen,” when he started speaking, his tone had been light, but it soured as his face darkened.
