Highlander's Kiss

Chapter 9: Elyn

Elyn was growing weary of the ride. The cold snap in the air cut through her stolen furs and thin blankets, and she had no idea how anyone in Kinfauns lived with such poor clothing. She smiled to herself as she realized how spoiled she'd already grown being with Gavin.

Katrine had been quiet for the day's ride, hardly making more than distressed groans and sighs throughout the day. The ride had been uncomfortable and ragged for Elyn, she couldn't imagine the hell that was laying on one's side and tied up in the back. She was grateful to have been asleep for most of her journey to Kinfauns.

"I suppose I canae let her die back there," Elyn said to herself. She glanced over the highlands and watched the dark clouds rolling in over the horizon. It would most likely rain soon. The wet smell of grass and foliage already started to fill the air, gracing Elyn with an almost burning sensation in her lungs. Hopefully it would rain, and not snow.

Elyn tied the reins to the seat and ducked into the back to see if she could find anything else to drape herself in. She stepped carefully over Katrine, and started digging in one of the crates. A small fur was tucked deep inside, and Elyn thought it was better than nothing. She pulled it over her shoulders and tightened the twine, making it snug.

Katrine murmured and rolled over. She had been sleeping, but Elyn's noise had woken her. "I'm hungry."

"That's a shame. I am too."

Katrine frowned and turned away from Elyn again. "There is food in one of the barrels in here... I donae know which one though."

"Oh?" Elyn knelt down and pushed a crate aside, and lifted open the top of a barrel. Buried deep inside the cavity were several loaves of bread, and a handful of vegetables. She pulled out two handfuls and threw one at Katrine. "Eat this, then."

"How am I supposed to do that when ye tied my arms behind my back?"

"You'll figure it out, I'm sure." Elyn said. She hesitated and rolled her eyes. She scooted closer to Katrine and untied her ropes, holding her wrists tight as she pulled them forward and retied the bindings. "There," Elyn said, stepping back. "Now ye can at least eat."

Katrine took a loaf and ate it greedily. Elyn found herself somewhat disgusted, feeling a twinge of sympathy for the woman. She had been feverish for food once too, not even that long ago. Elyn ate too, only taking glances out the front to see if the horses were still following the path. The reins bounced idly against their collars, the ends tied down securely against the driver's seat.

Thunder boomed across the highlands, and the hollow roar of rain followed. After a few seconds, it struck the top of the carriage and started pattering the leather stitching relentlessly.

Elyn sighed. "At least it isn't snow."

Katrine had finished eating and was silent. She seemed contemplative, but Elyn couldn't decide if it was because she regretted what was happening to her or if she sympathized with Elyn's predicament.

"Ye donae really want to marry Gavin, do ye?"

Katrine's eyes lit up at her question. "Oh, I do. I've been planning on it my whole life. Anything to escape Kinfauns and the lowlands."

Elyn frowned and stuck her tongue out in horror. "Seriously?"

Katrine wasn't listening, she continued. "Then, with me at Gavin's side, we'll take the highlands by storm, eventually taking over all the land..." Her eyes glazed over and she stared past Elyn, out into the rain and blustering winds. Elyn shook her head with some regret and stood up.

She leaned out the opening to the driver's seat and retrieved the reins, pulling them inside the covering to take shelter from the rain. The wet and slippery leather left dark mud on her fingers, and the chill of the rain felt hard and prickly. It wasn't just rain or snow, but hail.