Highlander's Promise Read Free

hurry to get anywhere. When they were actually desperate to reach their destination and find a way to free Cree.
    ~~~
    Dusk was just beginning to settle when Dawn and Old Mary approached the gatehouse. Both women stared at the high gray stone walls sounding the town and the wall walk where several sentries stood.
    Old Mary’s words came back to Dawn. It will not be an easy task.
    Old Mary brought the cart to a stop at the gate. Two guards of fair size approached them, each carrying a spear and neither looking too pleased to see them.
    “What is your purpose in coming to Loudon?” the one asked and took a step back after getting a whiff of them. The other guard followed suit.
    “A day or two of rest, if you please, before we move on,” Old Mary said, nodding as she spoke.
    “What happened to her?” the other guard asked, pointing the spear at Dawn.
    “Her husband took a knife to her for talking too much and now she cannot talk at all, so he threw her out,” Old Mary said.
    “If she cannot talk, how do you know that is what happened to her?” the one guard demanded.
    “She is my granddaughter and I got tossed out with her.”
    The guard on Dawn’s side stepped closer, wrinkling is nose against the foul odor, and pointed his spear at her. “Raise your chin.”
    Dawn did as told.
    The guard used the tip of his spear to tug the cloth down, revealing the wound that began to bleed from his weapon roughly tugging the cloth away from it. He cringed and shook his head. “Disgusting and probably well-deserved. Take the path on the right to the end, and you are not to stay for more than a day or two. We need the room for those who soon will be arriving and are willing to pay to see the execution,” the guard said and waved them through.
    “As you say, kind sir,” Old Mary said and drove the cart through, the gate closing shut for the night behind them.
    Dawn gripped the sides of her skirt. Execution? Who was being executed? And why had Old Mary not asked.
    As if reading her thoughts, the old woman whispered, “The less interest we show the better. Now pay attention. We need to know our surroundings.”
    The village was quiet, but then autumn had arrived with a chill, chasing many inside their cottages once night fell. Dawn took in all she could, though it was difficult not to take her eyes off the castle in the distance as the cart ambled down the path. It rose like a mighty beast, the narrow windows more like eyes that spied on all and somewhere deep in its bowels was her husband.
    “Do not stare,” Old Mary whispered.
    Dawn quickly lowered her head, fighting against the tears that threatened her eyes. She forced them away since tears would not help save her husband.
    Old Mary kept her voice low. “Those in need are not the only ones to seek shelter here for the night. Thieves pick on the most vulnerable and the soldiers here care little if they do. We must stay watchful.”
    Dawn nodded.
    Old Mary brought the cart to a stop at the far end of the village, where other travelers were already camped. Some were asleep under their wagons and some lingered by the campfires they had lit, eating what meager food they possessed. A few men cast curious glances their way, one man blatantly rubbing himself when his eyes settled on Dawn.
    She ignored him and was grateful for the dagger she carried in her boot. She hurried off the cart, then went to help Old Mary down.
    “Away with your hands,” Old Mary snapped loudly. “It is bad enough your husband threw you out and me along with you. I will not see my skin rot as yours does beneath your garments.”
    Dawn lowered her head and scratched at her arms as she backed away, understanding Old Mary’s intentions. No man would touch Dawn if he believed he would be left with rotting flesh.
    “See to the horse,” Old Mary ordered.
    Dawn hurried to tend the animal and after that she got a small fire going, worried that the night chill would cause Old Mary’s bones to ache. They ate