“You’re not—? You’re not looking for Morwena Trylenn?”
Shock thrilled through her and Lossie shifted about nervously as she tightened her grip on the reins.
“I tried to help her,” he said.
Kaetha saw the long knife at his belt and wondered if the man was lying. He might have caused Morwena harm. However, the grief etched into his features suggested otherwise.
“There was nothing I could do, I’m so sorry,” he said.
“You mean she’s—”
He nodded. “But we must get away from here. Now.”
“You just left her?”
“I had to. They were coming back – armed horsemen. They won’t hesitate to capture anyone they find in this wood tonight. We must go. Now.”
It took a fraction of a moment for her to decide to trust him. She nodded, turned Lossie and threaded her way back through the woods, followed by the stranger. She heard movement far off amongst the trees and thrust her torch to the ground, snuffing it out, not wanting to draw attention to them.
As they followed the foot of the hill and crossed the stream, Kaetha scanned the area for any sign of Gwyn, willing for her to be safe. She drew Lossie to a halt. Gwyn might be in the woods even now, having taken another path.
“What are you doing?” said the man.
“I think I should go back.”
“Into the woods? That’s madness!”
She didn’t see them coming. Lossie snorted and jolted her. Then she heard the horses. Horsemen were closing in from across the field. Sharing a look of alarm with the man beside her, she kicked Lossie’s sides and bolted forwards.
“You’re coming with us,” called a rasping voice. They were almost upon them.
Soon they were surrounded by about half a dozen horsemen, torchlight flashing on helmets and swords.
“I remember a small copse at the end of this field,” her companion said, keeping his voice low so that only she could hear him.
“Aye,” she said. “It leads to the road.”
“If we ride in a half circle, you can slip through into the cover of the trees and I’ll lead them off.”
“You can’t give yourself up to them!”
“It would be worse if both of us were caught. Quick now. Trust me.”
“Fast now, lass,” she said to Lossie as she raced ahead. She was almost at the gathering of pines, the trees opening out their prickly branches like welcoming arms. She might just get away. But what about him?
The terrible thudding of hooves drew closer. Too close.
“Go!” he urged.
She steered Lossie into the trees but stopped, looking back. Metal scraped – a sword being drawn. A horseman was charging, ready to strike and a look of resignation came over her companion’s face, sending a chill through her. As she edged into the deeper darkness of the trees, icy claws of fear clutched at her, but whether she was more afraid for herself or for him, she couldn’t tell. He’s not going to fight back, he’s not going to flee, she thought, realising now how tired he looked, how ready to give up.
“No!” she shouted, defying the urge to escape. She didn’t think about what she was doing, nor did she know where this fierce loyalty sprang from, she simply knew that she couldn’t abandon this man who had given himself up to save her. Her mind became foggy as instinct took over and all she was aware of was that her fear was turning to ash, burning up in a blaze of fury. More armed men crowded in, torchlight casting menacing shadows on their faces. The sword was a monstrous tooth ready to bite into her companion’s flesh.
Kicking Lossie, she charged forward, one arm outstretched. “NO!” she yelled again, and the flames of the torches swelled, bursting into a flurry of sparks, fire spreading, leaping into the air, encircling Kaetha and the man who had tried to save her. Horses whinnied and men shouted in alarm.
“What the—” her companion breathed, his eyes widening in terror at the fire, still fearful as he looked into her eyes, a look that made her tremble. The flames bathed them in heat.
She didn’t know how she had done this, neither did she know how to make it stop. “I don’t know what I—”
“That lass did this! Did you see?” yelled a voice.
“She’s a witch,” said another. “We should retreat!”
“Coward,” cried a third.
She gasped as the point of a sword appeared through the flames, darting towards her chest. She heard the clang of metal before she saw her companion’s knife and realised that he had saved her.
“Get back!” she cried. She thrust out her hand and, in response, flames billowed in the direction the sword had come from. There was a scream and a thud as the attacker fell from his horse. She heard the others backing off, glimpsing them through gaps in the swirling flames.
They had to get away. She covered Lossie’s eyes with her cloak and encouraged her to move forwards. “We have to dash through it quickly,” she said. However, the fire ahead of them thinned as she approached it, opening out like an archway. They rode through it, still shielded from their pursuers behind them, flaming banners unfurling as they rode away.
FOUR
Something Hidden
It was windy on the rugged hills north of the fields, the air a shock of cold against Kaetha’s face. Finally, she stopped and looked back. All was dark but for the kiss of moonlight on a distant patch of smoky haze. There was no sound of pursuit but she knew better than to think they were out of danger.
“I don’t want to lead them to Feodail Hall,” she said.
The man
