The stone cottages of Hawkwing came into view as they walked and Kaetha noticed what looked like a tree with most of its branches hacked off, standing in the green at the centre of the village. A bundle of fabric appeared to be draped over it, ragged edges caught up in the breeze.
“I wonder what they did – why they were hanged,” said Donnan.
It was only then that she realised that what she’d been straining to see was not a dead tree but a gallows and, hanging by a noose, was a body. Her insides swelling with queasiness, she turned away and didn’t look back.
“Local justice,” said Mairi. “It’s not the right way. They should take people to trial in the bigger towns. I don’t like the feeling that place gives me,” said Mairi. “Let’s not stop there.”
“But what about horses?” said Donnan. “You two can stay out of sight somewhere and I’ll go.”
“No,” said Mairi. “What if word has reached here of Macomrag’s search? Even if you got horses, you still might be followed and then they’d get to Kaetha.”
She was glad when Hawkwing was finally out of sight and they had reached the forest. A red squirrel raced ahead of them through the trees, turning once to look at Kaetha. So he’s a squirrel now, she thought, just stopping herself from laughing out loud.
They walked for hours, stopping briefly for bread and water. Mairi and Donnan walked on as Kaetha repacked her bag. She saw a small movement in the corner of her vision – a flick of a red tail. A moment later, a firm hand grabbed her arm. She stifled a gasp.
“Don’t do that,” she whispered, glaring at Tam. Donnan and Mairi were walking on, unaware of Tam’s presence.
“You’re almost at the road. If you reach it, you’ll encounter into two riders. I don’t think they’re the sort you want to take notice of this.” He pointed to the cut on her face.
She nodded. “Thank you.” Then Mairi turned and Kaetha shoved Tam, hiding him behind a tree.
“What are you doing?” Mairi asked.
“Nothing. I was just looking around. I recognise this part of the forest,” she lied. She walked on, vaguely aware of Tam’s form shrinking into that of a small creature. “We’re almost at the road. But I think we should walk parallel to it. Close enough so we don’t lose our way but not so close that we meet with other travellers.”
“Good idea,” said Mairi.
Donnan squinted at her. “How could you recognise this part of the forest? It looks just the same as all the rest.”
She pretended not to hear him. “Shh.” The riders were only a few yards away but they had plenty of cover in the trees. She stopped Donnan and Mairi, pointing to the two women on horseback.
A snatch of their conversation carried to where they were hiding. “Stop being so certain of everything. What if a witch’s curse can’t be cured?” They kept still until the women were out of sight.
Mairi sighed. “That was lucky.”
“Very.” Donnan looked at Kaetha, his brow furrowed.
That night, under a lean-to shelter, Kaetha curled up, wrapped in her blanket, thoughts of her father clinging to her waking mind. Have they hurt him? Are they feeding him? Is he scared? She pictured the hooded woman and anger gnawed at her. Why did you have to do what she wanted? What power did she have over you?
When she woke, she trembled in the cold breeze, as did the spindly twigs above her. She got up, rubbing her back where she’d slept against a tree root.
“But I heard you tossing and turning in the night,” Mairi was saying to Donnan. He turned his back on both of them and rolled up his blanket. “You can have barely slept and you’re sweating. You might have a fever.” Mairi went over to him and put her hand on his forehead but he shrugged her off, got up and stalked off through the trees.
“Where are you going?” called Kaetha but disappeared through the trees without answering.
Mairi looked taken aback. “That wasn’t like him.”
“You think he’s unwell?” she asked.
Mairi shrugged. “He’s not himself.”
They ate a little and readied themselves to set off again but, when Donnan returned, Kaetha wondered if they should. She could smell vomit even though he’d clearly made a good effort to clean himself up.
“Well, come on then,” he muttered, leading the way.
“Wait,” said Kaetha. “You’re clearly not well.”
“I’m fine.”
“I could make some healing tea from Cailean’s herbs, if I knew what ailed you.”
“Nothing ails me.” He didn’t even turn to face her. “Let’s just get moving.”
She was about to argue with him but Mairi put a hand on her arm.
“Leave it for now,” said Mairi in a low voice. Donnan walked stiffly as if he was in pain and trying to conceal it.
“I don’t know whether to pity him or punch him,” Kaetha said. “Why doesn’t he let us help him?”
Mairi shook her head.
They followed alongside the road for hours, stopping only to replenish their water supply at a stream. The light was beginning to dim when Kaetha heard a thud behind her.
“Mairi!” she called, rushing over to her stepmother who lay sprawled on the ground. “Can you hear me? Open your eyes.” Eventually, Mairi blinked at Kaetha slowly and tried to get up again. “Wait. Don’t get up yet, just take some deep breaths.” She exchanged a worried look with Donnan. When Mairi seemed to have gathered her strength, they helped her to her feet. “Over there,” she said, jerking her head in the direction of a small clearing.
Oak branches stretched out over them,
