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The found a large boulder to sit on to break their fast and watched the sun rise in a pink sky. Gradually, swathes of green pine forests and further hills were revealed.

In the distance, beyond the forest, they glimpsed a large expanse of sparkling dark-blue water.

Maxwell squinted into the light. “I cannae tell if it’s Loch Torridon or whether it’s the sea.”

Aileen shrugged. “It doesnae matter. ‘Tis a sea loch, so whatever we’re viewing, it will take us back to sea and, eventually, across to the Isles.”

She reached for the last of her berry tarts with a smile on her face. As she bit down on the crumbly pastry shell, a squirt of juice ran down her chin. Maxwell leaned in and took his time licking it off.

“I thank ye fer taking me to heaven this morning lass. I’ll dae the same for ye as soon as I have the chance.”

Finishing off the last of her berry tart Aileen grinned. “Aye, lad. I’ll hold ye tae that promise.”

The going was harsh along the ridge, speckled as it was with boulders and rocks that made the path twist and turn.

“Methinks this is only a path for deer and wolves,” Aileen said, her feet stumbling over the rocks.

“Ye’re nae enough of a landlubber tae get yer footing. I ken the shepherds who tend their sheep and goats up this way are as nimble as any of their animals.”

She pshawed. “But at sea they’d be falling overboard in the first strong wind, or losing the contents of their bellies over the side.”

Maxwell calculated it was early afternoon by the time they’d walked the length of the ridge and begun their descent. It wasgood to get out of the wind that had swept up from the glen and slowed their progress even more.

He eyed the thickets of trees close to the track. He calculated they’d reach the shores of Loch Torridon soon after nightfall. If needed, the trees would be a good hiding place and, at a pinch, provide them a place to lay their heads for the night.

Going down was even more difficult than their climb. Where the rise had been gradual on the way up, their descent was steep. There were times when it was almost impossible to obtain a toehold and they had to clutch at the branches of bushes to keep them from sliding and crashing over rocks.

It seemed that many hours passed and the daylight was long gone before the river they’d been following reached flatter land. They followed it along the bank, traipsing through mudflats to the point where it met the sea-loch. When the flow narrowed, they waded across to the other side. There they found a path winding its way along the edge of the loch with only a glimmer of moonlight to guide them.

A smattering of lights Maxwell took to be those of the township, were far to the east. He gave a laugh of satisfaction.

“We’ve done it lass. If any of Sutherland’s men were awaiting us there, they’ll be waiting in vain.”

“Aye.” Ever practical, Aileen did not fully share his jubilation. “That may account for one lot, but, as ye’ve said yerself, they’ll also be waiting fer us along the route back tae the isles.”

He sighed. “Of course, ye’re right. But allow me this small victory.”

She took his hand and squeezed it. “Ye’ve brought us this far and I daresay ye’ll find a way through fer us.”

They walked on in the darkness hoping to find shelter. In the end, when their tired legs insisted they rest for the night, the best they could manage was a small cave just above the water line, where they could barely stretch their legs. After scrambling over rocks to find some dry grass and twigs and one or two small branches, they made a fire to warm their hands and dry off their cold feet. Soon, despite the discomfort of their resting place, they curled into each other’s arms and slept.

The sound of nearby voices woke Maxwell with a start.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Heart hammering hard against his ribcage, Maxwell silently got to his feet. If they were Sutherland’s men he was hearing, this refuge would prove to be their undoing, for there was no escape route from the small rock shelter. Aileen stirred beside him and he pressed a finger to her lips before she could speak. Making sure there was no light from the fire to betray their position, he signaled to Aileen to remain where she was while he crept out of their hiding place and looked around.

Not far off he spied a group of four men warming their hands at a fire they’d built further along the path. He heard raucous laughter and the murmur of voices, the occasional ribald shout and more laughter. Clearly, the men were enjoying a session of story-telling. Could these be the men who were tracking them? If they were, they were making enough of a ruckus to alert their quarry to their presence.

He peered closely, his eyes becoming accustomed to the darkness. It was then he realized there were two small boatspulled alongside onto the narrow stretch of shoreline. Straining his ears, he picked up enough of the conversation to understand that these rough and ready fellows were fishermen. Their conversation concerned their exploits on their fishing trip that day.

He breathed a sigh of relief and tiptoed back to where Aileen waited anxiously.

“’Tis naught tae fear, lass. These are some of the fishermen I was hoping we’d come across.”

Aileen stepped away from their hiding place and peered at the men. “Boats? They’ve got fishing boats?”

“Aye. And mayhap they’d be ready tae exchange some of yer gold fer one of the boats.”