Page 22 of Highland Steel

“What is it?” asked Rhoswen, still clinging to Logan’s arm, trying to keep her distance from the wolf.

“Let’s see what ye’ve got there, Jack.” Logan hunkered down and Rhoswen released her hold on his arm. “Och, it’s only a rat.” He held the rodent up by the tail for all to see.

“Trapper’s got one, too,” said Ethan from the other side of the cave.

“A rat?” Suddenly, Rhoswen didn’t want to stay here. She envisioned herself being gnawed on by rats as she slept.

“It’s nothin’ to worry about,” Logan told her, giving the rat back to the wolf. “Go on, enjoy yer dinner, Jack.” The wolf ran out of the cave, along with Trapper to eat their feasts. Logan wiped off his hands on his plaid. “I’m glad it wasna an adder.”

“An adder?” gasped Rhoswen. “Do you think there are snakes in here as well?”

“Naw, I wouldna worry,” said Logan, with a swish of his hand through the air. “Adders willna bite unless provoked. And they dinna usually come into caves. They like the sun.”

“Enough of the clishmaclaver,” said Ethan. “I’m starved. What have we got to eat?”

“Just bread, dried beef, and a little cheese,” Logan answered.

“Mayhap ye can go hunt us a rabbit or squirrel or somethin’,” complained Ethan.

“No’ tonight,” said Hawke. “It’s better if we all stay out of this storm.”

“I agree,” said Logan. “We’ll share the food and drink we have. We’ll dry off by the fire and as soon as the rain lets up, we’ll be back on the road.”

“Good,” said Rhoswen, feeling drained and fatigued. All she wanted to do was to get back to her old life. But thanks to her father, that was never going to happen again.

* * *

An hour later, Logan stood looking out of the mouth of the cave as the rain continued to fall. They’d shared what little food and drink they had. Logan even gave up his share to make sure the women and the boy had enough to eat. He felt sorry for them. This was no way for nobles to live. He had all he could do to convince Rhoswen and her sister to change out of their wet gowns so he could dry them by the fire. They only had two blankets between them. Newell said he didn’t mind being wet, but Logan had seen the boy shivering. Hopefully, the fire would keep them warm and dry their clothes.

“They’re asleep,” said Hawke, coming to join the men who gathered around the mouth of the cave. Caleb held his wet pine marten against his chest. The men had taken off their wet plaids and walked around in only their leines. Trapper and Jack lay at the mouth of the cave keeping watch, not even bothered with the rain.

“Logan, what are ye thinkin’ bringin’ them back to camp?” asked Ethan, obviously still concerned.

“They have nowhere else to go,” Logan explained. “I guess I feel sorry for them.”

“They can go back to England where they belong,” said Caleb. “Those Sassenachs shouldna be here.”

“I agree they shouldna be here, but they are,” said Logan. “So all we can do is deal with it.”

Ethan and Caleb walked away, mumbling, sitting down by the fire as well.

“We’re goin’ to need more wood before mornin’ or the fire will die,” Hawke told him. “I’ll go out and try to find some.”

“Nay,” said Logan, stopping him. “It was my idea to bring them here. I’ll do it.”

Logan ventured out into the rain, his wolf following him everywhere he went. The rain was letting up, and a shimmer of moonlight broke through the clouds. He made his way to a spot where there was an overhang of the rock. He figured mayhap there he could find some twigs or perhaps some dry moss to burn. But then his wolf growled and his foot hit something with a thud.

“What is it, Jack?” he asked, hunkering down feeling something that felt like wool. To his surprise, he found a dead body lying on the ground at his feet.

Chapter 8

“Everyone up! We’re leavin’ now.”

Rhoswen was woken by Logan’s bellow. She had just drifted off to sleep and the fire was finally starting to warm her. “What’s going on?” she asked with a yawn.

“Men, ready the horses. We’re leavin’.”

“What in the clootie are ye talkin’ about?” asked Caleb, yawning as well. “I thought we decided to stay here for the night.”