Una for her part was blissfully happy and knew it and did not take it for granted.Cormac had not stopped being attentive since the moment she had become his wife: the bath, the sewing kit, the cart, the way he kept riding close enough that she could reach him if she needed to.She loved him for it.
Around them the road remained empty and peaceful.
Occasionally she'd spot one of the men moving through the forest, keeping pace without a sound.
She looked at the road ahead and felt the cart sway gently beneath her.
This was her life now, and she did not mind it one bit.
***
Chapter 18
Edinburgh Castle
They saw the city beforethey entered it.Edinburgh Castle sat tall and imposing upon Castle Rock, surrounded by fortified structures and tall tenement buildings.The sights and smells were different: peat smoke and river water and the press of too many people living closely together.Una had been to Edinburgh once, years ago with Bella, and she had forgotten how it hit you.The noise rose before the walls came into view, the roads thickening with carts and riders and foot traffic all competing for the same ground.
Cormac's men materialized out of the woods as they reached the city outskirts.One moment the road held only Cormac and Seumas and Ros and Tam.The next, the rest of them were simply there, riding easy, as though they had never been anywhere else.
Cormac brought his horse alongside the cart."We are nearly there.How are ye faring?"
"Well enough."Una tucked the nearly finished purse into her sewing kit."The men will stay at a tavern?"
"Aye.A good one close by.They frequent it regularly."
"Where are we staying?"She looked at the streets around them.Something simple would suit her fine.
"Leave it with me," he replied.
***
THEY WOUND UPHILL THROUGHthe old town, the streets narrowing, the buildings pressing in on both sides.Una watched the route with growing curiosity.
She knew which direction the castle lay.
They were heading directly toward it.
