“May I hold it?” She held out her hand.

He pushed it forward, and she took it from him. Her hand waned from the weight of it. Its height almost reached her chest, as long as it was.

“I’ve only a short sword. It was the only sword my father would allow me to practice with. This is a well-made sword, James.”

“Aye. We’ve a master who toils and makes the best in all the Highlands. He takes many a week to craft one, especially the more ornate. Mine is plain in comparison to some he makes.” James had been specific when he’d commissioned his sword made. “I wanted a broadsword with a downward sloping guard. The center inset is thinner than what most swords its size has, hence the heaviness of it. But it is effective when a foe needs his head dispatched. I didn’t want an ornate handle and insisted the pommel be plain and flat. I wrapped a piece of leather on the hilt which keeps it from slipping, especially when it is bloodied. I’ve had to replace the leather five times since it was made.”

She looked at him in awe and didn’t seem to want to hand it back. He gently pried it from her fingers.

“One day I shall have such a sword.”

“Mayhap. I’ll get your satchel.” James left before he burst forth with laughter. He’d gone into detail and tried to make his sword seem more daunting, but his speech had the opposite effect. The lass was in rapt of his words.

On his walk toward the stable, he ran into Grey and Duff.

“James, as soon as we can call you home, I’ll send word,” Grey said.

“Here.” Duff pulled a long thin dirk from his boot. This always brought me good fortune. Keep it with you.”

He shook his head and tried to hand it back. “I cannot take it.”

“I’ll be wanting it back when you return. For I wish to give it to my son.” Duff’s voice grew thick with his admission.

James nodded firmly. “Mayhap I’ll give it to him and be his champion.”

“I’d like that, James. Hopefully it won’t see any action. Keep the lass safe.”

“I will.” James grew somber then. Both his laird and comrade slapped his back. “Are you returning home?”

Grey walked beside him. “Nay, Donal wants us here when Alexander comes. We’ll ensure he believes our tale. Duff is staying with me.”

Colm, Kenneth, and Sean stood next to his horse’s stall. James clasped Colm’s hand.

“Ye look rested, James. Did you have a relaxing eve?” Colm chuckled.

“What do you think?” James chuckled and shoved his friend’s shoulder.

“Keep your eyes peeled for dangers and not on milady’s bonny face.”

“I will, Colm.”

Kenneth pulled him into a bear-hug. “I don’t know when next I’ll see you.”

Sean leaned against the wooden enclosure and looked downright miserable.

“We all knew this day approached.” James couldn’t look Sean in the eyes, for he’d been his closest comrade and he’d miss him the most.

Grey smirked. “Nay, I always thought you’d all stay on Gunn land. And that we’d grow old and cranky men together.”

They shared a laugh over that.

“I’ll be returning to Gunn land, Laird, that I promise you. And I shall see you all again. Don’t be so sullen. I am not dead and there’s no reason to mourn.”

Sean stepped away from the stall. “Keep your arse safe, James. I swear if anything happens to you …”

“I’ll try.” James watched their staid gazes. He grew tense; not knowing what was to come. He wasn’t about to make any promises for he knew the danger ahead.

Grey and Duff walked off, toward the keep. Kenneth and Colm mounted their horses. He would have ridden a ways with them, but they were heading west. Sean too was riding south toward the border of England, in the opposite direction of him. James pulled the reins of his horse and looked at Emlyn’s horse. He shouted to Grey. His laird turned and rode back to him.

“Take this home with you.” He rummaged through the satchel and removed the weapons and added the elaborate gown and jewels.

“She won’t need these on this journey.”

“Do you deem this is wise? Mayhap you should allow her some weapon.”

“Nay.” He stood firm on the issue. “Take the satchel and leave it on my bunk. She’ll get it when she comes with me to your keep.”

Grey grunted when he hefted the heavy satchel.

James led their horses away and took the trail toward Henry’s cottage. He untied her satchel and walked into the one-roomed domain. Emlyn lay with her eyes closed.

He slapped her arse soundly, but not with enough vigor to harm her. The flesh jostled a wee bit, and he found himself grinning. He’d have to pay more attention to that sweet part of her in the near future.

Emlyn rolled over and took her satchel. She began dressing and emptied the bag onto the bed. After pulling on a pair of loose breeches, she held up a gray tunic. “What is this?”

“I know not. It is not one of mine. Mayhap Adeline put it in there. It looks to fit you. Wear it.”

She shrugged her shoulder and pulled it over her head. “She also put a good amount of foodstuffs wrapped in cloth. There’s no room for the gown. I’ll have to leave it behind.”

“You should keep one of the gowns,” he said, and was about to offer her space in his satchel.

“I’ll take the green gown.”

He remembered it from her farewell feast. James knew she wished to be back home, joining the soldiers in their daily training sessions. A gloomy gaze crossed her face when she looked at the garment.

“My friend, Branwyn gave it to me and I cherish it. Besides it fits better than the other.”

Emlyn, now completely covered, pulled on a small pair of boots. She shoved the delicate slippers she’d worn with the gown into her satchel, and tied the laces of her tunic.

“There’s no room for my cloak.”

“Wear it. It is chilly this day and will probably get colder as the day goes.”

She set it over her arm. “Shall we?”

James held the door to the cottage for her and closed it.

“We should’ve cleaned up the cottage.”

He nodded. “Aye, but Henry has a few lasses who come each day to clean it. They’re vying for his hand.”

Emlyn chuckled. “I wish I could’ve met him. Oh, mayhap I should’ve taken the gown. It is going to give the wrong impression.”

James guffawed and turned to peer back at the cottage. “Aye, I deem Henry will either have an amorous night on his return or one beset with turmoil.”

“We shouldn’t put him in that position.”

“Aye, we should.” James helped her onto her horse. “Stay as close to me as you can on the ride. We only have about a day and mayhap another half to ride, depending on the weather.”

“I will, James. Worry not.”

“I do not worry, I take action.” But he couldn’t help worrying for he didn’t like riding alone even if they were on their ally’s land. Who knew what dangers lurked along the trail to Gunn land. As soon as they rode through the gates, the sounds of the Ross clan retreated. The quiet and stillness of the adjacent woods met them.

When Emlyn tried to speak to him, he held up his hand for her to be silent. They’d ridden for two hours and he got a sense they were being followed. James rode in a haphazard way, and circled back around. Their pursuers were not quiet. Several men rode their horses in the direction they’d taken.

James stopped and held a finger to his mouth, signaling Emlyn’s not to speak. She looked aback at her satchel and scrunched her eyes. Thankfully she remained quiet.

Throughout the rest of the day, James had to track back to ensure the pursuers were ahead of them. When he couldn’t locate them, he suspected something was amiss. He stopped his horse and dismounted. Emlyn did the same.

“What happened to my other satchel?”

“I gave it to Grey. You’ll get it back when we go home.”

She shoved his chest. “Your home, not mine. How dare you give my belongings to him without telling me? What if I have need of my sword?”

James walked around the clearing, near the safety of the trees, trying to assess where their pursuers were.