Page 73 of Leila’s Legacy

“Then we all ride to Werrick together,” Leila insisted. “We can outrun them.”

He cast a regretful glance in the distance where the rumbling grew louder. “Get on the horse with Brodie and Bonnie, or we’ll all die.”

Niall mounted Brodie’s smaller horse as Leila grudgingly climbed between Brodie and Bonnie. With a cry from Niall, they tore off through the forest, abandoning the cottage and making their way to Werrick Castle. Home.

The wooded area was tight with trees and the branches snapped and scratched at them as the horses raced onward. Though the sun shone bright overhead, the wind still carried an iciness to it that stung Leila’s cheeks. A chill started within her, reminiscent of the day before, and rattled through her body.

Even over the sound of their own horses’ hoofbeats, Leila could make out the rumble of the men behind them as the riders came closer. She chanced a glance behind her. Men on horseback raced after them. A group of mayhap twelve men, led by a man she recognized all too well.

Alban.

Niall’s horse rounded abruptly. He shouted something Leila could not make out. But then, it had not been meant for her. Brodie gave a stiff nod and hugged his arms close to her and Bonnie with determination.

“Stop,” Leila gasped. “Niall is turning around.”

“Nay,” Brodie said sharply. “He is the only one they want. I’m to keep ye safe no matter the sacrifice.”

Leila’s heart caught in her throat. “Nay, please. I can help.”

But it was too late. The English border loomed in the distance and not much farther would be Werrick Castle. If she flung herself from the horse, she would surely die from the impact and Bonnie may end up injured as well.

“They would stop at the English border,” Leila cried over the thundering hooves.

“Alban willna care about the border,” Brodie said from behind Leila.

He was right, of course, no matter how awful the truth of it was. Leila twisted in the saddle, helpless as she looked over her shoulder. Niall sat proud and tall on Brodie’s horse, disappearing into the distance as he faced down their foe completely on his own.

He was a strong fighter, but against twelve men… Thirteen, including Alban.

All too soon, Niall was gone, lost in the distance. Why had she not seen this future? How could she not have known this was coming?

She choked back a cry of frustration and held tight to Bonnie’s small frame as they raced even faster across the countryside. Werrick Castle rose like a beacon on the horizon, a sight that would have been welcome earlier, but was now a symbol of what she had lost.

The portcullis raised as they approached. Brodie did not slow the destrier until they were in the bailey of Werrick Castle where Peter, the Master of the Horse, ran to see to the steed.

Leila slid from her horse on weak knees, along with Brodie and Bonnie.

“We left him.” The words echoed in the void within Leila’s chest.

“We had to,” Brodie said. “’Tis what he asked me to do.”

An excited shout rose from the castle, pulling Leila’s attention to her four blonde sisters rushing from the castle’s arched entryway toward her, each one dexterous and graceful, one with a bow slung over her back.

A mixture of emotions flew through Leila in rapid succession: joy to see those she loved again for the first time, fear at the risk of their travel through the pestilence-laden land and hope that she might have help. That they might all be able to save Niall.

Anice reached her first, face flushed. “Leila. Thanks be to God you are safe.”

Leila reached for Anice’s hand. “We must go to him. Please. He’ll die.”

“What are you talking about, Lamb?” Anice stroked the hair from Leila’s face in a motion she recalled well from her childhood. “What’s happened?”

“Niall,” Leila said. “The Lion.”

Marin pulled Leila into her arms in an encompassing hug that smelled of lavender and comfort. “The Lion? Leila…”

“I met him,” Leila said. “We have to go after him. To save him.”

Ella and Catriona were both there suddenly, embracing Leila. It was then Leila noticed Brodie and Bonnie standing there.