Lara watched Bram as he cleaned, then began roasting, the rabbit and small boar. It did not take long until they were fully cooked. With the small dagger he kept tucked in his boot, he carved the meat from the bone and handed her a slice.
“How did ye catch that wit’ out a bow?” Lara asked, never seeing a man catch a boar with only his hands. Boars were very strong and quick and could jump right out of a predator’s grasp.
“I am good at hunting. When I was a lad, my father and uncle would take my brother Rory, my cousin Ewan, and me hunting wit’ out weapons. They taught us how to use the land and use what is around us to hunt and survive. In hunting, as in fighting, ye need strategy and can no’ always depend on yer weapon, fer the only weapon ye truly have is yer wit.”
“Ye dinna talk much about yer brother. Are ye close to him?”
“My brother and I are two verra different people. What about ye? Are ye close to yer brother?”
“We were close when we were young, but as he got older he grew distant.”
“If he is no’ blood to the throne, why do ye suppose he could be passed off as the King’s only successor?”
“I dinna ken. When my father lived in Norway he met my mum and married her, returning to her home in Scotland. He never talked about Norway or anything of his or her past. After the death of young Lady Margaret the Queen of the Scots, he began traveling back and forth stating that his interest in Norway was purely business. Perhaps he decided to offer John as a loyal subject, worthy of the crown.”
“Dinna ye think it odd, that ye only found out after yer father married ye off to Laird Moray?”
Lara thought hard on his question. Searching her memories, she did not recall any announcement or talks of John ever taking over the throne. What were the reasons behind waiting for her to be married off to announce such a thing? And why would they not have invited her? So many unanswered questions danced around in her head. She wondered what other secrets they had kept from her. She was almost afraid to find out.
Chapter 13
Over the next several days, Lara regaled Bram with stories about her past, and he found himself sharing bits and pieces of his as well, though leaving out certain details of his cavalier love life. The more time Bram spent with her, the more he came to want her. He had honestly never spent this much time with a woman and he certainly never had been inclined to talk to one outside of everyday conversation. But with Lara, he found himself truly listening to her. And he was enthralled by every word.
Bram was fascinated by how well educated she was. Not scholarly by any means, as she knew nothing about reading or writing, but by the world around her. She paid a great deal of attention to the art of healing, the teachings of the church, and even some matters of politics. She was a free spirit, and regardless of what had happened to her, she loved life. He was completely baffled by her.
Bram did not know how a woman could have so much resolve and determination with her history. In her situation, he would have expected the lass to be docile and submissive; she was anything but. She had a wicked tongue and was a little too opinionated for a lass. He could see why Dermot thought her to be defiant, and the thought put a mischievous smile on his face.
What he admired the most about her was her heart. The way she spoke of fond memories and of her dreams made Bram think about his own life and unfulfilled dreams. Bram found himself suddenly regretting his promise. It was not his promise to protect her; it was knowing how this journey would end.
Bram and Lara crossed the stone bridge in Aberdeen which led into the market square. People crowded the market, buying and trading their goods, while a group of minstrels played their instruments.
Suddenly Lara called out, “Watch out!”
Instantly, Bram pulled tightly on the reins causing the horse to halt. Bram felt Lara hug him tighter around the waist as she had almost been tossed off the large beast. Unexpectedly, a wee lad ran out in front of them being chased by three other lads.
“Bloody hell!” he cursed under his breath. “Ye coulda been killed ye hellions!” Bram shouted, but the lads could not hear him over the crowd’s noise.
Bram righted himself in the saddle, and directed the horse down the road.
“Have ye been here before?” Lara asked.
“Aye. ‘Tis similar to Dumfries, only the goods imported here are verra different. They come by sea from other countries such as the Orient and the Holy Land.”
“What sorts of things?”
Bram looked down at Lara. Her eyes were wide, looking at the carts as they passed by them. Bram smiled at her and her child-like expressions. She looked as if she were devouring a sweet roll with her eyes.
“Weapons, fine silks, exotic foods, and precious stones.”
“Do ye suppose the journey to Norway will take long?”
“Aye. Tis two or three days’ travel across the sea. We will follow the river to the harbor, then board a vessel that will take us there.”
Once they reached port, Lara could not contain her anticipation. She felt nervous and excited all at once. The only ships she had seen before were rowboats along the lochs. She marveled at the size of these ships.
Leaving their horse behind, Lara followed Bram up the long gangplank to the main deck of the vessel. Several other passengers followed closely behind.
Aboard was a small crew of no more than ten plus the captain. Once everyone was on board, Bram and Lara moved to the stern of the boat. Three members of the ship’s crew pulled hard on a rope, turning the yardarm high on the mast. Within moments, the sail dropped and the wind caught hold, causing the sail to flutter. The captain called out the order to bring up the anchor. When the anchor was lifted, Lara felt the waves crashing into the side of the boat as they turned, bearing north and east towards Norway.
“Lara, ye may want to hold on or sit down. The ride can be verra bumpy and it is easy to get sick from the rocking if ye are nay used to it,” Bram suggested.
“Nay, I will be fine. Thank ye.”
Peering over the side of the hull, Lara gazed into the deep blue waters. It was so different from the Firth of Clyde near Castle Foley. Darkness clouded the sea floor. The only thing she could see was her own reflection staring back at her. The water rippled as the bow cut through the surface like a sharp knife. The open ocean was like nothing she had ever seen. It looked endless. She could not tell where the ocean ended and the sky began.
As the wind blew stronger, the ship gained speed, and Lara’s hair waved wildly in the wind. She closed her eyes and felt the breeze and cool mist on her face. She thought that this must have been what a bird felt like when taking flight.
Over the next hour, Lara watched and listened to the crewmen as they told tales of pirates and selkies. Their animated expressions and dramatic gestures made the stories come to life as they acted out each scene. Once they finished with their tales, Lara turned to ask Bram whether he believed if their fables were true, but he was no longer sitting by her side. Lara looked over her shoulder in search of Bram and found him standing against the hull looking out across the sea.
Lara realized she had grown quite fond of him. She found herself smiling every time he was near. It was hard not to. He had offered her his protection, his comfort, and his friendship, and there was no denying the feelings that were developing inside her. She tried to will them away and think of him only as her escort, or like a brother; anything other than the wanton thoughts and feelings she was having about him.
Like a young lass, she found herself daydreaming of what could have been. Distracted by her wandering thoughts, she had a hard time keeping her mind in the here and now. Her heart hammered in her chest as she secretly watched him. Even though he was a beast in height and strength, he was chivalrous and steadfast, and possibly the most handsome man she had ever laid her eyes upon.