Page 41 of Fearless Heart
Chapter Twelve
The trek to his home was froth with frustration. Heath had his hands full keeping Lillia’s brothers from wandering when they stopped to rest, which unfortunately was too frequent for his liking. Not only was he concerned about keeping them from getting lost, he worried that the Comyns would send men after them. And when they crossed paths with James and his band of barbarians, Heath had a hard time keeping the brothers from getting too close to him. James was the last person who could know where Lillia was, and the lads were young. Who knew if they would keep her secret?
Lillia’s brothers heard of James Douglas’ battle victories. The youngsters sat in rapt as James told them of the most gruesome battles. Heath had never spent much time around children except when he was young himself. The story James related was enough to give the wee ones nightmares well past a fortnight.
“Come, lads, time to settle down. We’ll set out early on the morrow, best get rest.” Heath glared at James, but his surly comrade laughed.
“What, I was just telling them a story.”
“An improper one,” Heath said, indicating his ire with a tone that his comrade wouldn’t mistake.
Once the brothers settled, he turned and punched James square in the jaw. The blighter barely moved with the force of his strike. “Speak not of such things. Stay away from them.”
James had the gall to mock him with a laugh. “Och the lads need to ken what their future beholds. Aye, for they’ll be soldiers for their clan and country. Why ye be hostile, Heath?”
He glared. “I don’t know why you insisted you come along. We don’t need you to travel with us. We protect them and will ensure they get back to their clan.”
“I told you, the king found out about the Hunter lass. Robert’s spies tortured the Comyn follower and he spilled his guts. Aye, we learned of her. We finally know who she is and where she might be. The king sent me to speak with Laird Hunter and retrieve the lass, Lillia. Now I find you traveling in that direction … with her brothers. I’m mighty suspicious of ye.”
Graeme pulled him back and motioned for him to stand afar. “James, the king is wrong. Hunter’s daughter cannot be Alexander’s kin. Heath’s clan was there when the Hunter lass was born. We were hired to retrieve the lads and we’ve done so.”
Heath maintained an unaffected attitude; certain James would pick up his attachment to Lillia or her family. Graeme lied through his teeth and he was grateful. “Aye, you’re wrong, James.”
“I will question Laird Hunter myself and if I feel she’s the one then I shall take her to Robert as planned. You ken she’ll not be safe. The Comyns will use her to their will and discard her once they get what they want. Our king will protect her.”
But Heath knew that protection would cost Lillia her freedom. Aye, she’d be placed in the king’s most secure castle and hidden from all probably for the remainder of her days. He wouldn’t retort and neither did his comrades. There was no reasoning with James. And the fact that Lillia was safe for now back at the caves lessened his anguish.
“Tell me again how ye came to be with Laird Hunter’s sons?” James scowled and his stance intimidated.
Liam cleared his throat and drew James’ regard, “We told ye all ready. Heath’s father is a good ally of Hunter’s. He hired the king’s guard to retrieve his sons. Which we did, and are now returning Hunter’s sons to their home.”
“And what was your payment? Surely ye didn’t take on this mission without recompense?” When none of them answered, James scoffed. “You speak falsely for you wouldn’t take the charge unless you were compensated.”
Damn him, Heath thought. James knew them well. Heath wanted to take his fists to his smug face. “I told my da we wouldn’t accept payment and neither would we. The Hunters are an ally of my clan, more than allies, akin to family. It was the least we could do to give aid. They’re just lads for God’s sake and were to be used as barter. We mean to return them to their father as a favor to my da.”
James smoothed back the locks of his black hair. “Ah, but ye mean to give the lads to your father and not Laird Hunter. I ken where you are headed.”
Heath growled low in his throat at the agitation of deal with James. “You damned well know why we can’t take them to their home. The king deems we’ve sided with the Comyns. We cannot be seen. Taking them to the Hunter clan would jeopardize our mission.”
James muttered something to which none of them could distinguish. “Ah, aye, the mission to protect the king at all costs. This favor … does little to help Robert. Och you’re all acting suspicious. I suppose I should let you ken the lad that revealed the Guardian’s plot also spoke of Comyn’s lies about you, the king’s guard.”
Graeme relaxed his stance. “So Robert knows we never went against him?”
“Aye, and he was pleased to find out you didn’t side with the Comyns. Yet he said noting of pardoning you. If you’re against him in retrieving the lass, it might be the final blow in settling Robert’s affront. He will be wrathful and decide to reaffirm the price on your heads.”
Heath scrunched his eyes in disbelief. Their comrade wasn’t being truthful either. Somehow he needed to ensure James and Robert didn’t find out about Lillia. James said no more but settled to rest with his men. He spoke low, but Heath couldn’t discern their discussion. There was nothing to do but get rest himself, and Heath settled next to the brothers with his sword at the ready.
In the morning, Heath woke to find Lillia’s brothers up and about. He grumbled and tried to abate his drowsiness by rubbing his face. The lads left their bedrolls, and he set off to locate them before they might cause trouble. As children, he and Roderick rarely caused his parent’s grief. Laird Hunter and his wife had their hands full for these lads were too rambunctious.
With tired and bleary eyes, he sought the brothers and spotted one in a nearby tree. He wasn’t sure which brother it was, but he hung from his legs and swung gleefully. Heath reached for him and helped him down.
“Where’s your brother?”
“Miles is over there.” He pointed toward the horses.
Heath turned his gaze and noticed James speaking with the lad. They spoke low and James’ face turned disagreeable as he pitched forward to listen.
“Damnation,” Heath muttered. “Miles, come. We need to leave posthaste.”