Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Hannah pulled the bonnet down over Blair's head, tying it under her chin. She pulled her cloak together, slipping a small brown wrapped package into her hands. "Just some bread and cheese fer yer ride. In case ye get hungry. The guards tend to ride through lunches. They don't like the road beyond the lands much."

Blair smiled kindly at Hannah. "Thank ye. Take care of yerself."

"Of course," Hannah whispered, her eyes teary.

Hannah lunged in and hugged Blair tightly before turning and running back off into the castle. It warmed Blair's heart to know that there were still those in the castle willing to risk danger in her cousin's hands to keep her safe. She hoped, now that she would be gone, she could rely on them to do the same for her sisters.

Turning toward the front doors, two servants opened the large double doors and nodded at Blair, as she made her way down the steps and to the front, where four guards sat upon horses, and a carriage sat at the back. Her uncle stood proud, his face stern. He didn't look at Blair for more than a second. Blair scanned her surroundings, thankful that her cousin hadn't found it important enough to torture her one last time before leaving. Then again, he tended not to, in the presence of his father.

"Thank you fer this honor," Blair said to her uncle, curtsying. "And fer takin' care of my sisters in my absence. I have spoken to them directly, and I ensure ye they won't be of any trouble to ye. Ye didnae have to go to the trouble of a carriage. I could have ridden my horse."

"Nonsense," the Laird replied, his eyes staring straight ahead. "Yer horse will be with ye, but ye cannot arrive at the McFerguson lands on the back of a horse. Times have changed, and I hope ye remember to represent my kindness well with the Laird. My generosity toward yer sisters will follow suit if ye do."

"Of course," Blair replied.

He nodded toward the carriage. "Go on, then. Git. Ye have four of my guards to deliver ye to yer new husband. My best man, James, will be leadin' the bunch. If ye need anything along the way, ye let him know. He has taken an oath to deliver ye safe and sound."

Blair swallowed hard, glancing up at James. He was staring down at his hands, sitting tall on his horse, holding the reins to hers. She had never been happier to see James. She knew that once she left, the nerves would begin to rattle her. She was on her way to a place foreign to her, and having James there to at least get her settled was a relief. That and she would hopefully find the time to say a proper goodbye to him, before he left her at the new castle.

Glancing at her uncle one last time, Blair had to refrain herself from asking him every lingering question she had ever had. She wanted to know what her and her sisters had done to him. She wanted to know what happened to her father. She wanted to know why he was shipping her off to another clan without her sisters. Blair wanted to drop to her knees and beg the Laird for her sisters' protection, but she already knew his response would be less than kind. Instead, she nodded and headed to the carriage, taking the servant's hand as she stepped up inside. When the door shut, she stared straight ahead, not wanting to make any wrong moves in the last brief moments she had before pulling off.

Tears burned in the corners of her eyes as the horse began to move. She was leaving her home behind, and though she was determined to get her sisters to safety, she wasn't sure she would ever see that place again. Then again, she wasn't sure if she ever wanted to. The only things she had left there besides her sisters were memories and nightmares, the ghost of a life past, lingering in the empty cold hallways of the castle.

James held his breath for what seemed like forever, making sure they had put enough space between them and the castle as possible, before relaxing his shoulders. Having made the bend away from the castle, James circled around and came up behind the carriage, keeping an eye on the rear. He wanted to speak to Blair so desperately, but he hadn't even begun to feel out the other guards that were making the trip.

The men the Laird had sent weren't the best of the guards. They were older, and all three had served Blair's father before serving in her uncle's guard. They were seasoned, had fought battles in their time, and were content with duties like taking Blair to the McFergusons, as it was a lighter kind of duty. Part of him had a feeling that though they were loyal to the clan, they too wanted to ensure that Blair got to her destination safely. There was always a lingering feeling of loyalty to Blair's father, even if it was never spoken out loud.

As they trotted along, James kept his eyes out, looking for the edge of the clan's land where the stream trickled, just a few hundred yards from the forest line. Regardless of what the men thought, he wanted to stop and ensure that Blair was keeping it together, breathing, despite being ripped away from her home and her sisters. He wanted to wait until they were off clan land, though, safe from any possible following eyes.

Trotting up next to the door of the carriage, he glanced over at Blair, but she had the hood of her cloak up, and her head down. While she didn't make a sound, he could tell she was taking her moment of mourning. Though her sisters were still very much alive, it was likely she might never see them again. James knew they were in danger, but he also knew that Blair had cared for the girls as if they were her own children, shielding them from as much as she possibly could. It was a burden that no sister should have to endure, especially not one who was the blood of the Laird.

Up ahead, the guards began to chat, two on horses, the other driving the carriage, but James paid them no mind. He kept his eyes on the woodline, waiting and watching for the edge of the land. It took nearly two hours, but he finally spotted it. As the carriage rolled along the muddy road, James hurried up to the guards.

"If ye don't mind, I'd like to stop fer a moment and make sure the Lady is alright. We can at least show her that kindness. Introduce ourselves to her in case she finds herself in need during the trip."

The other guards, having learned to always be weary, glanced at each other before nodding to James. He turned to the guard driving the carriage and put his hand up, signaling for them to come to a stop. James rode over to the carriage and opened the door to see Blair quickly wiping her cheeks and glancing up at him.

"I figured ye might want to meet the guards and take a moment now that ye're outside of clan land."

Her eyes shifted from James' to the forest behind him. She reached up, holding onto the frame of the carriage door, as she lifted her skirts and cloak, stepping out of the carriage. Her eyes were wide and curious as she glanced nervously around.

"I know ye haven't been this far from clan lands in quite a long time," the guard on the carriage said. "My name is Bain, and I'll be drivin' the carriage, tendin' to the horses, and such."

James watched Blair as she quietly gave him a nod. The other two guards circled their horses around and stopped in front of her. The eldest of the men, sitting tall and strong on his horse, rubbed his hand through his red peppered beard, giving her a nod. "Aye, and my name is Callum. This 'ere is Daley. We'll be ensurin' ye get to yer new home safely and on time."

Blair nodded at them carefully and then glanced at James, but quickly looked away. She pulled the hood of her cloak down and untied her bonnet, pulling it off. She took in a deep breath with her eyes closed and stood there for several moments in silence. Daley and Callum looked at James anxiously.

Callum shifted on his saddle. "If ye don't mind. We want to make some good time today, so we can make sure we're not sprintin' the horses to the McFerguson lands on the last day. Ye can tap the carriage door if ye need us to stop."

Blair stared at him for a moment and then turned, silently, walking past James and to the carriage. She opened the door and tossed her bonnet inside. To James and the others' surprise, though, she shut the door again. The men watched as she walked over and took her horse's reins, which were tied to James' side bag. She clicked her tongue at her horse and petted its nose before walking around and hoisting herself onto its back.

"Ma' Lady," Callum said carefully. "We've been instructed by the Laird…"

Blair looked quickly up at them. "We're not on the Laird's land anymore, are we? From here on out, I am the future Lady to the McFerguson clan. I'll ride the carriage once we reach his lands, but until then, I stay on my horse. The carriage is far too closed in, and it's suffocatin' me."

"Of course," James replied, glaring over at Callum who shrugged and turned his horse back to the road ahead.

James was itching to ask Blair if she was alright, but they didn't exchange any further words. As the caravan pulled back out again, James glanced over at Blair, catching her eyes for just a moment. She pulled her hood up and nodded, clicking her tongue at her horse. James watched as she rode ahead, falling in line behind Callum and Daley, in front of the carriage. It took everything in him not to smile. He had always been entranced by her strong will and fearlessness. Riding along the path to her future was no exception.

James was starting to realize that he had more fear of the end of the journey than she did. At least he knew what he was walking into. Blair had no idea, and James wasn't going to let anything happen to her. He just had to keep his eyes on the road and not give anything away to the other guardsmen on the way. He would put his life on the line for Blair, but in order to even have the chance, he had to play the part he had been pretending at for many years.

But it was only for a little longer…