Page 36 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
“We leave the chargers there,” Callum advised, nodding toward a stable near the inn on the outskirts.
“Aye,” Brayden agreed, “we blend in more on foot.”
The few beginning stalls they passed demonstrated how flashy Luss was for merchants as they began hollering at them.
“Best honey in any burgh!”
“Finest fabrics from the silk road!”
Trotting past the tents, they halted in the stable yard. Callum dismounted then reached for her. As she set her hands on his shoulders, he lowered her before him.
Callum asked Brayden who approached. “If any chaos unfolds the meeting spot is…?”
“Barn near Edna’s cottage.”
“Edna?” Nella inquired.
“A charming elder, part healer, she harbors a sweet demeanor toward our Callum here.”
“Also keep watch for the Northman,” Callum reminded dryly.
Brayden’s grin returned. “Always, I will watch him right to the end of my sword if he tampers with our purpose.”
“Nella?” Her Callum was seeking a clear path for them to the docks as the stable lad bounded out from inside smelling the coin of rich patrons.
She glanced up at the sky. No lightning – yet.
Chapter 19
Callum saw Nella glance up at the sky again after they fell in step once the chargers were seen to before she tilted her head heavier. “My lady,” he murmured in the tiniest whisper, “if the task harbors too severe a cost you halt, understood?”
Her hand sought his jaw as silent answer to aye. Good. He wasn’t about to chance her.
Brayden? He glanced over his shoulder. Not anywhere visible. Well done, my friend, he thought, at blending seamlessly into the crowds who were giving off as much body fumes as opinions at the prices in various bartering.
Taking a strong hold on Nella’s hand, Callum led her toward the Spaniard’s ship. His grip tightened when she tripped slightly on a hidden root reaching up like a finger from the trampled soil beneath them. She was focusing all her strength.Guide her a path through the chaos with care. Take a left at the tent with the animal hides hanging about it. Ahh, better, a quieter stretch toward the docks for her.
“Callum.” Her tone caused a halting by his feet when she tugged on him. “We must go back. There is a lass. She is cornered by a bawdy lad four tents past who means her harm.”
He darted his eyes at where Nella mentioned as they came around the next corner. Look at that wee bastard, his jaw set; they didn’t have time for a lad who couldn’t drop his braise fast enough.
“In haste,” Nella whispered frantically.
His feet bolted over the muddied terrain as rain turned more from mist into a pour like Mother Nature’s pitcher. It was too far; they needed a quicker means in halting this disgusting display when the lass’s squeak became muffled by the lad closing his hand over her mouth while his bare arse hit the wind.Go with the arrow, not the sword.
He dropped Nella’s hand, and she halted beside him as he pulled the bow from under his cloak along with an arrow. Left or right or center straight up the arse’s hole? Left. Teach the lad a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.
The arrow flew the breeze before a howl was lost in the wind when the iron point made the mark. The attacker dropped his hold on the lass, who bolted, as he clutched his arse. That will stay with the attacker always! Turning toward Nella, she gave an approving nod before Callum stole her hand in his and they charged at a quick pace for the docks.
The stalls seemed to lead all the way to Edinburgh. Hell! How far had they come? Little over halfway. Callum tugged Nella right at the next embankment belonging to cattlemen trying to calm the herds in the dire weather, and Nella paused her step.
“Callum, he… he is here.” She blanched. “The Northman, I hear him haggling with a Scotsman four stalls beyond us on the left for ale.”Go right!He tore them into the next row away from Kolson.
Her stride widened while he pulled her hood further down when a gust tried to take it back from concealing her face. He almost yanked her arm when her feet planted the earth strong as the posts on the tented stall beside them.
“A wee lad, he has lost his way and weeps for his mother,” Nella murmured.
They must make the docks! He looked about. “Where?”
