Page 19 of A Fearless Rebel

Keithen considered their conversation for a moment. “She rides to the village on Chisholm lands to purchase tarts. Perhaps that is a place to look. Ava seemed very familiar with the roads there and back.”

When the men rode off, Keithen remained standing for a long while, considering what to do next.

He went to the guard who’d come for him. “The man remembers me from an archery competition. He seems intent on competing again.”

The guard grinned. “No doubt, he has been practicing since ye beat him.”

“Aye,” Keithen replied and headed back inside. The sooner he took care of what the people needed, the faster he could go and try to help find Ava. Not to mention, there was still the matter of revenge. Three men remained. If only he’d not been thwarted by the masked idiot, there would be only two. The two men he killed that night were not the men he was searching for.

Then again, there was the possibility he’d be dead.

Chapter Six

The wind managed to make it through the gaps in the walls of the small abandoned cottage. When it had begun to rain, Ava had managed to find shelter there the night before.

Shivering, Ava pulled her cloak tightly around herself and wondered what to do next. She’d ridden south for several hours until she’d become lost.

Deciding to wait until sunrise to get her bearings, she was annoyed when the day was much too cloudy and dreary, making it impossible to figure out where the sun was. It would not do to remain somewhere that could be on enemy lands. She got up from the small cot and stalked out.

After gathering some kindling and a few branches, she returned inside and started a fire in the tiny hearth. The cottage must have belonged to a family displaced by her father, as many of their wares remained.

It was sad that his lust for power affected so many, Ava considered as she picked up a broom and began sweeping away months of dirt and dust. Moving about and doing something always helped her think.

An hour later, the tiny space was cleaner and warmer. She boiled water in a pot over the fire and added a few of her horse’s oats, which she’d share with him until she was able to purchase food somewhere along her travels.

The plan was to go to a large village where no one knew her. Pretending to be a poor widow, she could join a community. Although she had no trade, she was an efficient weaver and could make nice blankets and shawls.

With the coin she’d brought with her, it would be more than enough to establish herself somewhere and never have to be a Mackenzie again.

It was much later that day when Ava went out to check on her steed. The animal seemed content enough under the small shelter attached to the cottage. After fetching water and feeding him, she walked around in an effort to familiarize herself with the surroundings. Rather than head in a direction she was not sure of, Ava decided to remain there. She’d have to spend another night, so it was best to know if anyone lived nearby.

After walking just a few minutes, the sounds of horses caught her attention and she fell to the ground to keep from being seen.

A group of eight men on horseback patrolled. They wore clan colors and were obviously guardsmen. Ava immediately recognized the tartan and she blew out a breath. She’d gone in the wrong direction because the men were definitely Frasers.

It was not the best situation to be on Fraser lands. If she were found alone, the men would not hesitate to assault her.

Heart thundering, she remained flat on the ground, praying they did not notice any smoke coming from the cottage.

Her worst fears materialized when one of the men stopped and looked around. He seemed to sense something was amiss. Head down, Ava remained frozen in place, unable to breathe.

Just then, a horseman appeared and neared the guardsmen. She didn’t dare lift her head to see who it was. Instead, she listened intently.

Moments later, all the men rode away. Ava couldn’t believe her luck. Ever so slowly, she crept backward then stood and hurried to the cottage.

Once inside, she doused what was left of the fire and lowered to a chair. It was imperative to figure out where she was. With a twig, she began drawing a map from memory. There was no sound of water outside, therefore she’d missed the river’s edge. Instead of going directly south to MacBean lands as had been her plan, she’d diverted southwest and straight into Fraser territory.

She would have to take a chance and go back outside to try to gauge where, exactly, she was. There was no other way to figure it out. Thankfully, the clouds had begun to dissipate and, soon, she’d be able to track the sun’s descent.

Letting out a sigh, she stood and went to the window and peered out. There didn’t seem to be anyone about. As much as she wanted to go outside, terror kept her from reaching for the door. There wasn’t any choice, she could not remain there. Sooner rather than later, she’d be found out and the consequences could prove horrific.

The horse made a sound and Ava wondered if someone was out there. She hurried to the back of the cottage and leaned on the wall, hoping to hear better. But the animal settled and was silent.

Everything was going wrong. It was as if fate wanted her to be in a horrible situation, married to someone who detested her and her family, albeit with good reason.

Knowing there was no choice but to go out and scout, Ava hurried to the door. After a sharp breath, she opened it to find that a man blocked her way out.

Ava shrieked and stumbled backward. She would have fallen if not for the strong hands gripping hers and pulling her upright.