Page 77 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
“My lord would not seek for him to fall into an enemy’s grasp; slay him as well. Now, step quickly and stay silent from now till dawn, not even a sneeze or cough from any of you.”
Her temple lowered more before rustling by feet sounded the perimeter. The shuttered doorway almost seemed to mock her challenge in trying to warn Callum when the latch refused to budge.Release!The groan by hinges aired after finally giving way. Trying to shadow her face, she yanked the hood higher over her hair till it brushed the tops of her brows. She stepped out into the late-night air.Please let this disguise work at remaining hidden from Sèidrich!
“Is that Lady Fawnella?” the provisions raider asked from afar.How far and which direction?
“Nae, it must be Lord Kolson’s sister,” Sèidrich raged. The cloak worked! “Stop starin’ and move like the others!” They were northeast perhaps sixty paces at that tree line.The other would-be assassins?
A vicious whisper ground out. “Hell! I stepped on a sharp stone.” That warrior was southeast, seventy – nae, more like eighty paces away.
“Quit moanin’ and move your arse.” Those two were still together, same distance.
“Hold a moment, fuk, my boot is warm. I think it pierced the leather and my foot is bleeding.”
Would Callum know it was her?Please, my knight, realize this is not Lady Dagny Kolson.
“Scotsman,” Holger’s voice puffed from across the stable yard at Callum, “my sister is just there. Something has gone awry.”
“How do you know it is Lady Dagny?” Sir Brayden inquired.
“The cloak.”
“Nae, Northman,” Callum murmured, “’tis Nella.” Any other time she would have smiled. One look – heknew!
***
Callum heard Holger argue, “No, Scotsman, our sire gave my sister that cloak.”
“Northman, the way her hips move, ’tis Nella, I would know her anywhere,” Callum said in an iron tone. “However, you are not mistaken something is amiss.”
From their vantage the shadows about the female form came clearer as she moved closer toward the lone torch outside the open threshold. The face raised their direction; her delicate features fell into view.
“Shit,” Holger bit out, “’tis Lady Fawnella. I am seeking the abbey right now.”
Nella’s left hand raised the cloak open till her right hand was seen but oddly hidden by the drape on the cloak she held in her left grip as if she didn’t want someone else to see her give a signal toward them. What had she heard? Her right palm raised before her stomach toward them in a motion one would use to saystop.
“Northman, halt.”
“Why for fuk’s sake?”
“Lookupon Nella.”
The thick frame swung around and saw her gesture. He sat back down on the straw with a solid crunch. Nella must have heard as she nodded slightly.
“Nella, is Lady Dagny well?” Callum asked. She nodded and Holger let out a long exhale beside him. “What is amiss?”
Her palm became a wiggle motion with her arm. “What in the devil’s ass does that mean?” Holger barked quietly. “A wave?”
Callum’s brows clashed together. “Nae, slithering, same as a snake.” She nodded. Why would she make a motion for a snake? Oh, shite! “A snake hisses. The symbol, are you referring to Sèidrich?”
Somehow despite being enshrouded in complete darkness – perhaps it was the sound signature from his voice – but her eyes met his across the stable yard as she inclined her brow.
“Sèidrich is present, Nella?” She nodded. Hell, that meant MacHarris must have fallen! Or Sèidrich turned coward and ran.
Sir Brayden groaned quietly while reflecting Holger’s previous curse. “Oh, for fuk’s sake.”
Callum’s eyes searched the murky darkness. Not a damn thing! A few paces beyond the abbey it was a veil by darkness.
His gaze darted back toward the summoner. “Nella, how many warriors do you believe ride with him?”
