Highland Light Read Free Page B

preferable. If there was no fire then there was nothing to draw either soldiers or other unwanted guests to their camp.
    At the last of the twilight, they stopped. The horses were tied out without removing their bridles nor saddles, only the packs. It would still give the animals rest, but they would be ready to be instantly mounted for a quick leave taking. There was water from a small burn for themselves and the animals. Cadell knew the location well having used it when taking animals to the Maybole fair. They ate their cheese and oatcakes quickly and quietly. Cadell took the first watch. Ailene was to take the second and Gideon the third.
    Gideon felt he had been made the keeper of the packs containing his share of the treasure. They became his pillow after being padded out with a blanket. Each member of the party kept their weapons close to hand.
    For a short time before the light faded, he had been able to catch a quick glimpse of her face. She had high cheekbones and almond shaped eyes. Not that it had really mattered to him at this point as there was nothing to be done in any case, but she was not ugly or scarred. He thought she might have brown eyes but could not be sure, as the light was nearly gone when they stopped.
    Gideon had just lay down and covered himself when he heard her whisper to him.
    "Ye know ye will need to learn the Gaelic quickly?"
    There was a lilt to her low voice that he liked.
    "I will?"
    He whispered back.
    "Oh aye. Few of our people speak the English. So you will be needing to work hard on coming up to snuff with it."
    "Do you speak French?"
    He spoke it, but was not happy to do so, not after the trouble with the French king.
    "No well. Me fayther and I have enough words to get by but none to chatter in."
    He heard a slight rustle as she settled into her nest.
    "Well then. I will need to work hard to learn as you pointed out."
    Gideon turned toward the sound of her voice.
    "Give me the words for 'danger', 'sword' and 'wife'."
    She laughed softly in the darkness.
    "An odd combination to be sure!"
    Ailene was smiling to herself as she thought about the best way to proceed. She gave him the Gaelic form then the translation then the Gaelic again for each of the three words he had chosen. He pronounced each after her until he came fairly close. She liked the sound of his voice.
    She considered reaching out to touch him and then thought better of it. Not yet. They would be home soon enough.
    "Sleep well Ailene."
    The words were a slight whisper which told her that he was quite close to her now. She wondered what he would do if she did reach out to him. She quashed that as inappropriate in this time and place.
     
    Chapter 2
     
    They started early in the morning after a quick bite of bread and water. Gideon realized they had camped quite close to the town of Glasgow. Neither Ailene nor Cadell tarried as they made their way to the ford of the Clyde River. No one spoke as they maneuvered their horses carefully through the people and carts thronging the streets. Ailene and Cadell kept Gideon and his mount between theirs as they picked their way down into the water then up the other side.
    There was a drover waiting on the other side for several carts to ford the river before he took his flock of sheep across. They carefully skirted the sheep. Gideon watched the drover and his dog work the sheep. With hand signals and a series of whistles, the man and his dog kept the sheep bunched up until it was time to cross. There was a great deal of noise along with mud spattering everywhere as the animals milled around.
    Well before mid-day they were away from Glasgow. When they were once again alone, Gideon felt comfortable riding forward to engage Ailene in conversation. He wanted to know in which direction they were traveling. How far they were planning to travel this day and when they would reach their destination. He also wished to get to know his wife better.
    Each time he thought about her as his 'wife' he