I placed my hand on the place where I felt pain and noticed that there was an acute elevation in my skin. I made a face when I felt my stomach growl.
- Jesus! I'm starving to death! - I exclaimed. - I need some roast beef, honey and a piece of radish pie.
Bruce made a face.
- Roast meat with honey? Radish pie?
He's got a vomit-craving look on his face. Why did everyone make that face when I wanted to eat roast beef with honey?
- But it's tasty!
- I do!
Bruce left the room and came back with Wally shortly after. He rolled his eyes as he watched me eat voraciously. Wally smiled with satisfaction at every bite of mine. After eating, I asked Elaine to help me change my clothes. I was determined to go to Inverness and rescue Alistair. I traded my dress for a pair of Alistair pants. They were so big, I had to squeeze them tight. I put on one of her white shirts and tied her hair to a coke tightly attached to the top of her head. I put on my riding boots and put a cape on my shoulders with the hood down. Bruce entered the room accompanied by Wally who had come to get the trays and bring me some tea. He frowned on my robes.
- Where are you going dressed like this?
- I'm going to Inverness to rescue Alistair. - I answered decisively.
- Rescue Alistair?
- Bruce, I know my mother locked him in the dungeon and the army is far away to rescue him. - I fired. - There's no point in trying to lie. I heard Elaine and Adam this morning.
Bruce took a deep breath and then approached me.
- I wouldn't lie. I was just gonna say I was ready to go after him in Inverness.
- Oh, great! Then we'll go together!
I left the room, went down the stairs and headed straight for the stable. Adam was scared when I came in dressed as a man.
- Adam, prepare Chimera, my sword and my daggers!
- Wait! - Bruce took my arm causing me to turn to face him. - You can't go to Inverness like this.
- Bruce, I'm fine! - said smiling. - It's just fainting from worrying about Alistair and me not eating for a while. There's nothing to worry about.
I slapped him on the shoulder and turned around smiling at Adam who was coming with Chimera.
- You don't understand, do you? - he said smiling. - Aideen, didn't you realize you were pregnant?
I stopped frowning.
- What's that? What's that?
- Wally confirmed what I suspected. - Bruce said approaching. - When she told me about the things she was eating, I had a slight suspicion, so Wally talked about her fainting spells and said she was sure she was pregnant.
I held my breath for a few moments. It's been two months since my rules came. I hadn't noticed because of everything that had been going on. I put my hand over my belly and smiled.
- Is that possible? - I whispered.
- Everything indicates so! - said Bruce stopping in front of me. - That's why I don't want you to go to Inverness. It could be dangerous for you and you drink it. Besides, she doesn't know the way there and, with the pardon of the word, she's a terrible rider.
My eyes shone when I remembered all the instructions Alistair gave me when he taught me how to ride.
- Alistair taught me how to ride through the forest. - I said proud. - I can get there without help and I can take any way, including the open field.
- How do you know about the field?
- Like I said... - I paused smiling and slapped him on the shoulder. - Alistair taught me.
I rode Chimera, while Bruce stood still, staring at me in an astonishing way.
- That's another reason why I should go after my husband. - I said holding the reins of Chimera. - Try to stop me if you like, but I warn you that I have a sword and some daggers, which do not usually miss their targets. I'm not afraid to use them.
Bruce kept looking at me without believing what I was doing. He stared at the handle of the sword attached to the saddle and my belt with the daggers, which I fastened at my waist next to the pie that I put under the cloak.
- Wait! - He said entering the stable and coming back with Esperanza. - I'll go with you.
- That was a great decision! - said smiling ironically.
Bruce organized a small entourage and then we left for Inverness. When Chimera reached the forest, I began a silent prayer asking God to protect Alistair.
- Hang in there, my love! - I whispered. - I'm coming!
Chapter 19
Alistair
I woke up confused and then I looked around. He was trapped in a stone cell, probably underneath the Inverness fortress. I couldn't believe I was caught in an ambush. Luckily, one of my men got away. I believe he'll be in Dunhill by then. I made a face putting my hand on the back of my head. The blow I received when I crossed the entrance to the castle caused a cut on my head and was bleeding. The castle was apparently empty. I was surprised by the silence when I got to the courtyard. There wasn't a living soul around the little fief. Only the houses
