Chapter Twenty-Six
Beneath an ancientoak tree, Ailis dismounted and surveyed the horizon. The ominous clouds above caused unease.
“We’re in for a storm,” Alisdair remarked to the group, lingering on Lachlan.
Brodie spotted a cliffside cave and pointed it out as their refuge. Lachlan guided everyone toward the cave with haste as rain began. Once inside, the air was damp and heavy compared to the charged atmosphere outdoors, but at least the entire party was out of the rain.
“We’ll weather the storm here. It won’t be comfortable, but we’ll be dry,” Alisdair said.
Ailis smiled to herself as she realized they would need to huddle together for warmth, and that meant she could seek out Lachlan’s embrace and no one could say a thing. For the first time in her life, she was happy for a storm.
While they waited, time seemed to crawl as they talked about the revelations discovered on their last night on Gordon land. They’d been rude to leave the way they had, but Lachlan had feared they wouldn’t be allowed to leave if anyone had known their plans.
Clyde Stewart’s plot to control the highlands weighed on their minds. “I worry about what will become of the Highlands if Stewart has his way.” Ailis voiced their concerns. “It won’t feel like the same place.”
Ailis listened intently to Alisdair talk about what he was thinking about the enemies’ scheme. “We must do all we can to stop such treachery,” he declared.
Fiona nodded, while Moira grappled with the enormity of their task.
“We must decide which clans we can trust to stand with us, and which ones we dare not explain the problem to,” Lachlan said. “I worry that word will get out to the wrong people, and it will get back to the Stewarts. We’re already targets, but that would paint a big bullseye on our backs.” He shook his head. “But word will get out as we gather our allies. I wish there was a simple answer.”
“We must stand united,” Ailis whispered.
As the storm subsided the following afternoon, Ailis stepped outside into the sunlight. The world appeared lush, but she knew the ground was wet, and the rest of their trip must be taken more slowly.
“We must be careful as we move on.” She surveyed the muddy ground that threatened each step. They resumed their journey cautiously.
*
Dusk settled onthe Highlands, painting the sky in shades of lavender and rose. Ailis bid farewell to Lachlan, as he headed for McClain land with Brodie, while the rest of them moved on toward McAfee land. She fought to hold back her emotions, knowing tears were an unaffordable luxury.
“Be ever watchful, Lachlan,” Ailis whispered, holding him tightly. She took in his scent—pine and earth.
“Ye ken I will, Ailis.” His reply was soft but firm, his eyes reflecting an enduring promise. “And we shall join ye in McAfee territory just as quickly as we are able.” Disregarding the peoplewatching, Lachlan kissed Ailis softly, holding her close. They were forced to part, and he wanted to remember the feel of her in his arms.
Brodie stood by silently, his gaze heavy with the weight of parting. He offered a reassuring nod before the brothers turned, disappearing down the path that led them back to the McClains.
As night fell, McAfee soldiers emerged from the woods. The captain approached Ailis, concern laced in his voice. “Ailis, why has it taken ye so long to return? Yer father sent us out to search two days past.” He was obviously worried.
With a steady voice, Ailis recounted their harrowing journey and the crucial information that united them. “We must get home to gather our allies for the coming battle. They will know we left because we know the plan.”
The soldiers apparently understood as a sense of determination flooded through the group.
“Then let us make haste toward home,” declared the captain. Four volunteered to carry word to allied clans and disappeared into the night like windborne whispers.
The journey continued under a starlit sky, the soldiers’ presence a comforting shield against uncertainties. Home called with its promise of warmth and safety, yet Ailis knew respite would be fleeting.
*
Alisdair’s steed carriedhim onto McAfee lands, leaving the wilds behind. With the agility of a warrior, he dismounted and surveyed the familiar battlements.
“Alisdair,” Duncan McAfee greeted. “What tidings? We expected ye days ago!”
“Grave news,” Alisdair replied, describing whispers of treachery from the Stewart who threatened Scotland’s unity.“They would not let us speak to one another and kept Ailis and Moira busy by providing three of the lairds’ sons to sit with them at meals and dance with them.”
Duncan furrowed his brow. “A Stewart? Our queen must not know. Queen Mary would be angered by the betrayal of her kin.” He appeared disgusted that a member of someone’s family could betray them in such a way.
“She still resides in France. She will not ken what is happening here.”
