Page 367 of Wicked Highland Heroes

He gestured with his hand and the handful of men and women that had accompanied them dismounted as he stepped from his horse. Victoria allowed him to lift her from the saddle, then went to stand at the water’s edge.

The pool was little more than a deep puddle. Barely six feet across, it was fed by water that splashed down a cascade of stones, each one jutting out to form a tiny waterfall. A woman bent, cupped the cool water in her hand, and drank. It had been a relief when Iain granted an open invitation for any who wished to journey with them to the village. Originally, half a dozen warriors had been assigned to accompany him, but a dozen more men, six women, and even a child joined the group for what was clearly considered a holiday.

Victoria caught Iain looking in her direction and she quickly knelt beside the woman.

“The truth beneath the surface, eh?” the woman said.

Victoria gave her a puzzled look.

“The water.” The woman pointed to the pool.

“’Tis a veil between this world and worlds beyond.

Through its magic we learn the wisdom of the

Otherworld.”

A shadow fell across them. Victoria looked up at

Iain. “Shall we go, my lord?”

“If it pleases you.”

Ten minutes later, they looked down on turf and timber cottages scattered in the valley below. The territory through which they traveled had grown barren. Still, green moss covered the rocky mountainside, softening the harsh Grampians surrounding the village.

The cottages drew closer together the nearer they came to the village. Gardens ripe for the picking flourished in between the homes while laundry flapped from ropes strung between trees. Open doors revealed lathes in the process of making, chests, ambries, and stools. Victoria frowned at what looked like a trestle-table in one of the barns, but before she could identify the unusual table her attention riveted onto grubby children racing between the horses as they rode down the main street. She breathed deep and surveyed the crowd gathered on the side of the road. Iain said their party was to lodge the night in the village. God willing, it would be enough time.