Page 201 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"Come, lass, I will ride to find him!" said Malcolm, his eyes flashing in the dim light. But Ainslee did not stir.

Then, she clutched at him.

"Nae," she chided, almost pulling him down. He had stood fully up, from the step on the tavern, and had been about to mount his waiting horse, when Ainslee suddenly shushed him.

Pulling her finger to her mouth, she held him, urging him to stay close.

A sweet, if frozen moment tingled; Ainslee right beside him, almost on his knee. A strange rush ran through Malcolm.

She was so close...

But then, a faint tapping pulled him upwards. From the glance she sent him, it was clear she had heard it first. Slowly, it grew louder; horse steps, coming close.

"Hark," said Ainslee, although he already heard. Somewhere on the distance, a rider was approaching.

Instinctively, he was on his guard. Malcolm drew his sword, as the horseman came close.

"Nae," said Ainslee, holding him down. "Stay oot o' sight..."

Malcolm pushed her away. He had no intention of staying out of sight. But as a precaution, he put away his sword, and instead reached for his slingshot, tucked into the saddlebag.

"Malcolm!" Ainslee hissed, but Malcolm held her tight, pulling her backwards, out of the sight of the rider, as he came towards them.

There was no time to mount their horses, instead, Malcolm pushed them quickly around the side of the tavern. Taking aim with the sling shot, he prepared his mark.

By now, his heart was pumping double time. The stranger on the horse was before them, but his face was hidden from light.

Ainslee peeked gingerly at Malcolm, but he shooed her down. Staring across the darkened vista, he could hear and see nothing.

Glancing at Ainslee to stay down, Malcolm wasted no time. Pulling the sling to his shoulder, he fired the shot, it soared across the sky for what felt like forever, before landing with a searing smack.

Then, silence.

Malcolm cleared his throat "Halt, who goes there?"

* * *

"Ye killed him!"

Ainslee's voice rang high and light, reverberating around the night skies. Inside she felt elated - a heady combination of fright and lack of sleep. Heart thumping, her eyes strained to see more closely, but across the town, there was nothing to see.

It was too dark.

This did not stop Ainslee's mounting hysteria.

"Ye killed him! Malcolm! Och crivvens!"

Malcolm cast his eyes around. But it was dark, and he couldn't see well. Neither of them could see where the stranger had gone.

"Och, keep the heid!" tutted Malcolm, irritably. But Ainslee was not to be sated.

"Ye killed him! The man on the horse...we dinnae ken who he was... he might have been a villager!"

She stared at him desperately. Malcolm walked towards where the man had been standing. There was nothing; not even his horse. Ainslee felt the hairs on the back of her neck prick up.

"Nae fash," murmured Malcolm, squeezing her hand. Ainslee froze to the spot where she stood, refusing to go any further. Not noticing, Malcolm tugged her. "C'mon lass..."

"Mal," Ainslee said in a quiet voice. Malcolm looked around, behind them, a low moaning sound had started. Glimpsing her eyes through the hazy moonlight, Malcolm could see her fear.