- Get hurt? - Elaine said in a confusing voice.
- Yes. Aideen is a terrible horsewoman and will certainly get lost in the forest or end up getting hurt. I need to find her fast. - I answered by sealing the Sovereign. - Tell Rose I'll kill her when I find her and that was her last warning. To get her ready to leave the castle.
- But why is that?
- Just tell her that!
Taking my bow and sword, I rode on the horse and left in a shot following in the same direction as Aideen. I had to find her before night fell and then I'd kill Rose with my bare hands.
- Ah! This time I'll kill her! - ...I've stirred up.
Chapter 12
Aideen
- Not so fast, Chimera! - I asked for it by hitting the mare's flanks.
I had grown fond of the animal as soon as I saw it. Pick her up and leave without a certain destination was a big mistake. I was not used to riding often and had become a horrible horsewoman. Everything that Aila and my grandfather had taught me had been lost with the cloistered time, but I still had some tricks up my sleeve. I was just praying to get to Inverness alive. Then I'd cross from there to Edinburgh and then I'd go to Gretna Green. The troops were in Edinburgh, I believe it will be safe to cut there. Problem is, I didn't know how to get there.
When I was little, my sister had taught me how to track and walk without being seen, but the only one who had become good at it was Annabel. From an early age it had been proven that my sense of direction was ridiculous. In fact, everything about me was ridiculous. Maybe that's why she was always being cheated and used. I only knew how to get to Inverness, because I'd been on the road a few weeks ago.
- Aideen stop! You're going the wrong way! - I heard Alistair's voice as soon as I entered the forest. - Aideen!
- No wrong direction! - I whispered before I ignored him.
Taking the direction of a denser part, I tried to lose Alistair and I think I managed, because I looked back and I didn't see him anymore. Smiling I continued with the gallop trying to be as careful as possible, because the forest was beginning to close.
- Damn it! I don't remember that way. - I said in a desperate voice.
Suddenly Chimera whinnyed frightened and pushing me to the ground. The action was so fast, I didn't see what had scared her.
- Chimera! - I grumbled by passing my hands through my arms and getting on my knees.
I had fallen under a part of the ground that was earthy and scratched my arms, because my dress had no sleeves. Wiping my arms, I looked in the direction the mare had gone and shook my head putting my hands on my waist.
- Wonderful! - I grumbled. - Stupid animal!
I let out a scream of dread when a huge hand grabbed the top of my head, pulling hard on my hair and making me stand up.
- Let go of me! - I screamed scared.
- Look what we got here! If it isn't Mrs. MacCalister! - the man who was staring at me said with a dark smile. - I don't believe it! I've been camping for several days trying to figure out a way to get it and then you came to me. How lucky!
I looked at him terrified, for he was very ugly and frightening. He had, in one of his eyes, a scar through it. She was thin, but very deep. The color of the iris was blue, so I assumed you were blinded by that view. He was tall and wore battle clothes. He pulled my face up to his and spoke in a cold voice.
- Scream! - he whispered. - I love it when women scream.
- What are you? What do you want? - I asked, in a terrified voice. - If you want money, know I don't have any quarters here with me. I don't have anything, really. Not even food.
- We don't want your money! - he said coldly. - We're here to take you.
- Us? I asked with my eyes wide open.
He nodded and went when I saw another man coming out from behind a tree bringing Chimera down the reins. He was exactly the same as the other, except for the scar on his eye, which he did not have.
- I see you're really very beautiful, as we've been told.
Another man came up from behind a tree and smiled contentedly. He ran his index finger through the skin of my arm and smiled. I closed my eyes hard, disgusted by his touch and almost threw up.
- We're in no hurry to deliver it, are we? - he asked the other guy who still held me by my hair.
Not even my fingernails stuck in his skin would get him to let me go.
- No, but we have instructions not to touch it. - the other answered with a grumbling. - Try to keep your pants on or she'll kill us.
- But she's beautiful! No one will know! - the other responded.
I widened my eyes when I realized what they were arguing about. I took advantage of their distraction and
