Page 56

As the sun rose high on this, the tenth day after they had left the lands of the MacLaren, Gwyn found herself yet again upon her steed and heading in a northerly direction.

With ever step they took, she became a bit more fearful.

It was obvious they were now upon turbulent ground.

Time and again they found themselves hiding themselves from small bands of clansmen who were fully armed.

Luckily for their small party, they had been successful in remaining hidden or deemed not important enough to pursue.

They also avoided the main roads which slowed them down considerably. And Enya. The poor dear's leg was still quite swollen and it was obvious it pained her even while seated upon her mare. Gwyn was proud of her because she never complained and bore the misery in silence.

As Gwyn moved her steed behind that of her sister's, she was pulled from her thoughts as the horse directly behind her whinnied unexpectedly.

"Damnation!"

Gwyn pulled heavily upon her reins as she stared at Kamden who rode behind her.

"My horse has just lost his footing upon the path…he seems to have pulled up lame!"

Gwyn watched as he quickly dismounted from his beast and moved to stand next the rear flank of his steed. Slowly, he bent over as he felt of its leg. She watched as the clansman rose with anger upon his face as he slowly began collecting his belongings from its back.

"I will ride behind the young lass."

As quickly as she could, Gwyn slid down from the back of her steed and landed upon the ground before Kamden.

"Take my beast and I will ride with Enya."

It was Ennis who spoke out next.

"I am not so certain that is such a good idea."

Gwyn immediately turned and backed herself before her sister's horse and in the path of Kamden. She spoke her words with conviction, even though she felt none of it inside. But for her Enya, she would do anything.

"Touch her even once and you will pay dearly, Kamden. And I do not care if it is only upon this horse. Trust in my words. Besides, what can two who sit the same beast do, especially one who is clearly injured and the other who is in my condition?"

The silence that hung in the air was charged with the heated look from Gwyn.

'I will protect you, Enya. I have promised Donnan and until I draw my final breath, I will not falter in my convictions.'

Of course, she did not speak the words aloud but they echoed endlessly within her mind.

'And you are a fool, Ennis, if you do not think this also provides me with an opportunity. When you least expect it, I will not hesitate to save us both!'

Gwyn still had hope. She had to.

The small party of six who were now upon five steeds, continued to move through the dangerous lands of the Highlands and kept pressing northward. However, it was Gwyn who took the reins and Enya who sat behind her and not Kamden. For this small win, Gwyn was extremely thankful.

Soon, the dusk had descended and it was in that murky darkness where sudden movement was felt all around them. Too late, the small party realized they were not alone on the trail.

"Bloody hell, Ennis!"

Gwyn hissed her words into the darkness. Quickly, she moved her steed next to her uncle's as she shouted at him in dismay, now not really caring who would hear. She had grave fear because the hardened warriors of unknown origin were now surrounding them.

"My sword! For God's sake, Ennis, do not leave me unarmed! Allow me to protect myself and Enya!"

Ennis looked at her sideways in the murkiness and barely hesitated as he quickly unbuckled the weapon from his side.

In that moment, Gwyn learned all she needed to know because it was apparent those who were near were unknown by her uncle.

A fear began to grow within her breast as she quickly grasped the weapon and prepared herself for what she had feared the most. Death.

She hoped her Enya did not suffer and Iver and Donnan would forgive her for her inability to lay claim to the only duty that now mattered.

Gwyn watched in horror as the filthy men before her who were twice their number began to move threateningly around them. She had never been so afraid. God help her, she was terrified.