Highland Island (Book 6)

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Moira stepped closer to Gilbarta, "Do we run as well?" There was hope mixing and clashing with fear in her voice, though she managed to hold the tremble from her voice.

"Nay, we stay where we are." Isla was the one who spoke, Gilbarta rose her eyebrows at the tart response. Moira only nodded as if now someone had made the decision she would go with it. Gilbarta looked towards the crashing sounds and suddenly dropped into a seated position. Arranging her skirts into a more genteel flow around her. Without looking up, she spoke in a low tone, "Well, they can either find us looking suspicious and about to run, or enjoying a moment free from work in a sun dappled clearing. I know which I would prefer they find."

Within moment Isla and Moira had dropped to complete the trio of genteel skirts and outwardly relaxed positions. Whilst on the inside, it was as if a trapped bird was within Isla chest, fluttering to find an exit. Sure that as serene as Gilbarta looked, she was sure they would not see the deception in herself and Moira. The latter was shifting from hip to hip as if there were rocky ground beneath her instead of a springy grass.

Closing her eyes, Isla leant her head back and let the sunlight filter through her lids as she breathed deep of the softly scented summer breeze. The crashing of the men heading straight for them was at such odds with the moment it jarred her heart into a faster beat. She had no idea if this was going to work, but she hoped Moira knew what she was doing.

"Over here, I think I see them." The nasal voice of one of the sentries wound its way through the clearing. Finding its way to the women who sat in nervous expectation. They had no way of knowing how they would be received. All they could do is wait, their words and behaviour from this moment on could mean a death sentence for themselves. They were now traitors to the clan for having helped those the clan thought wished them harm. It was going to be a life-long secret. But only if they could keep it, or that life-long secret would not need to be kept for very long at all.

As the guards came crashing through, all three of them glanced over, all Isla could hope is that her face held the right amount of shock and disbelief. For if not, it could be over right now. She wanted to turn the other way, check that there was no sign of the two males who had had to flee. Her loyalty with them and not those before her that she had known since birth. It was as if she stared at strangers whilst her heart ran in the opposite direction. She no longer knew the life she lived.

"Darach! Someone tell Darach we have the lasses." Nasal voice turned out to be Gerald, a lowly sentry that was a kindly lad, but needed too many instructions to ever make it any higher than his current position.

Moira moaned quietly at the sound of her father's name being called. "I had hoped I would not have to face my father until we returned to the clan." Gilbarta shot her a look, which was only concealed by the fact Moira was behind her and therefore Gilbarta had to turn away from the approaching guards to show her displeasure. As Isla was still, however, watching the treeline. It was her turn to quietly moan next. Her whispered words loud enough only to carry to her friends. "It seems we get no respite from your brother either."

"Half-brother." Was the whispered whip of a retort that Isla received. A shared smirk all they could give to the old response. Gilbarta ignoring the both of them now, especially with the footsteps that were bringing the guards closer and closer. Donald looking down his nose at all of them it seemed. Strutting along behind the others, as if he was being escorted forward.

"Moira." Whilst not shouting Donald's arrogance carried regardless. "Father will be so disappointed to find you have disobeyed his instructions." A pointed pause. "Again." He tugged at the bottom of his jacket. "I do hope you will have information that will prove worth his while." A smile that was all teeth.