Page 62 of Bound to a Warrior
“A few more feet past these woods and we leave Pict land.”
She shook her head. “I thought we would have another night of peace.”
“I hadn’t realized we covered as much of a distance as we did, for I thought the same.”
“Beyond, we are once again vulnerable to the king’s soldiers?”
“Aye, the possibility exists once more.”
“How far to your land?” she asked.
“If we kept a good pace we could possibly reach it by nightfall.”
Her slim fingers tightened around his. “What if we remained on Pict land for one more night?”
“As much as I’d like that, there is a chance that being this close to the border, the king’s soldiers might venture across. And while I have no doubt the Picts are watching, I would not feel as safe as we did at the cottage.”
She nodded. “You’re right, I but hoped.”
“Once home we’ll need not worry about it any longer.”
She looked up at him. “And the chain will come off.”
He nodded, though he knew in his heart that while free of the shackles, their love forever chained them together and he liked the thought.
“Let’s be done with this,” she said bravely.
“We will finish this, so that you and I can begin.”
He didn’t like that she didn’t smile or verbally agree with him, she simply nodded.
They continued on, drawing ever closer to the border until finally Duncan stopped.
“Not far ahead we leave Pict land. The forest grows thicker, which means more places for the soldiers to hide, and more places for us to take cover. We will need to remain silent and alert, and watch our steps.”
“Much like we did before.”
“Only this time we are a stone’s throw away from my land. Once on it and spotted by the sentinels we should be safe.”
“I’m ready.”
She sounded to him as she did the day they had jumped off the cliff together, confident even though fearful.
“We’ll make it,” he assured her.
She smiled then. “I have no doubt.”
Her smile and belief in him was reassuring and their next steps began the end of one journey and the beginning of another.
It had been several hours since they had left Pict land and Mercy could feel the difference. The air had chilled considerably and apprehension hung heavy around them. Every crack, squawk and rustle had them stopping to listen and observe, which slowed their pace. But it couldn’t be helped. They needed to be more cautious than ever. They were much too close to being free to make a foolish mistake now.
Duncan tugged at her hand signaling her to stop. He crouched down and she followed. He quietly cleared a small patch of earth with his hand, then with a small twig drew a map of sorts. He was attempting to show her the distance until they reached his land.
It wasn’t far off and she assumed that he felt that this was the area that they could be most vulnerable to attack.
She nodded her understanding and they once again were on the move.
Mercy silently prayed for their speedy departure from the area to safe ground as she kept keen eyes on the surrounding forest and the path they traveled. Talk wasn’t possible even without the danger of being heard. The rough terrain demanded complete attention.
