The longer they talked, the harder it became to think about bringing Iona back to her father. He could hardly stand the idea of her marrying another man, let alone one she did not love. And if this suitor was known for being cruel to his wives, all the more reason for Iona to stay away. But every time he had that thought, another quickly followed: Seamus and the Murray Clan couldn't afford any more enemies.
“We should find water for the horses,” he said rather abruptly. “And refill our flasks too. I dinnae ken the next time we will stop.”
She looked rather concerned over his last statement but pushed herself off the ground all the same.
Silently, they walked on foot through the forest a little ways, their horses trailing behind them, to find a stream. He knew the area well enough to know that it wouldn't be far. A few minutes later and both of their horses were wading into the stream to drink while Iona and Finn crouched over the bank and filled their flasks. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear her call his name the first time, but there was no ignoring it the second time.
“Finn, there's blood.”
He looked up at her, hand still halfway in the water.
“What?”
“There's blood. And it is fresh, from the looks of things. See?”
He rushed to her side only to find a bright red trail leading from the other side of the stream to theirs and disappearing into the woods behind them.
“A wounded animal?” she asked.
“I dinnae ken, but it is fresh. If it is an animal, we can take the meat for the rest of our journey.”
“And if it is nae?”
He didn't have an answer for her.
