Page 18 of Highland Guard
Yesenda replied, “I sensed there has been a shift in their behavior for some time. I met Bishop Odo last year and while he is ruthless, it was clear he meant me no personal harm. The other clerics were a different story altogether. One of them, Silas, almost killed me. If twas not for Iain, he would have.”
Naomi shuddered with fear of losing her closest friend. “Then you must be very careful, especially since you now have a family to protect.”
“Aye, thank you for the message. Now tell me, what errand are you to see to once you leave here?”
“I am to visit a nunnery in Perthshire and deliver a message to the prioress, then travel on to see the king.”
“What about?”
“A relic, an amulet that is supposed to hold great power. I am to protect it from theBrotherhoodwho are working with a Norman baron, Guy of Brionne. They are hell bent on stealing it.”
“Naomi, you must be very careful. These men are dangerous. Tis not safe for you to travel alone. You must have a guard.”
“Aye, Abbess Murdina has arranged it, but I dinnae like that she feels the need to protect me when I can protect myself. You trained right alongside me and ken this to be true.”
“I ken it, but I have since learned that sometimes it is good to have a little help, just in case.”
“I will take your words into consideration.”
“When do you leave?”
“I leave on the morrow. I dare not remain in one place too long lest I bring danger to others.”
“Perhaps I shall go with you.”
“No! Yesenda, you have a precious family to consider now.”
“Nonsense. Iain and Oban will come, too. He will not mind—”
“Absolutely not. Dinnae be daft. Your family comes first, Yesenda. Now stop, I will hear no more of such foolishness.”
“I ken you dinnae like him much, but Kieran is well trained and—”
“Definitely not. The hounds of hell would be preferable to thatidiota.”
“Are you sure nothing happened between you the last time you were here because you seem to become very passionate when anyone mentions him? I have never seen you behave that way towards anyone before. Tell me what it is about him that gets you so riled?”
“Naomi paused for a moment then finally confessed. There was one time...”
“Aye?”
“I almost kissed him.”
“You did what?”
“Almost ... it did not go very well.”
Yesenda gasped in surprise, but before she could say anything else in response, Sorcha Henderson came bursting through the front door and said, “You kissed Kieran? When? How? What happened?”
“Sorcha, do you ever knock?” Yesenda asked, exasperated.
“Why? The door was mostly open. So, tell us the entire story,” Sorcha said to Naomi, taking a seat and settling in. From the slight baby bump, Sorcha was expecting another child.
Yesenda just rolled her eyes and moved to the fireplace. “Well, if you’re here, I may as well brew us a warm drink.”
“Aye, thank you. A wee bit of your honey oat cakes would be nice as well,” Sorcha said with a sweet smile.
Yesenda just chuckled.
