Part 30 (1/2)
”Yes. It's deceiving, but we'll get to a well-formed trail shortly.”
Gradually, a trail began to form in the forest, getting more p.r.o.nounced as they continued. It seemed that whoever took this route tended to fan out before joining the road south so as to leave no traces. After a while the path cut north and then followed the River Gryfe on its westerly course to its source.
At noon they hid in a coppice and ate the rest of the food Rose had prepared for them. They let their horses graze, holding on to their reins to prevent them from straying out of the protection of the bushes and trees.
Both had been unusually quiet since leaving the ferry. They had restricted any talking to pa.s.sing information. Helen found it difficult to come to terms with what happened on that crossing, and Andrew didn't seem to notice, too intent on finding the secret path. She was replaying the scene on the boat, when Andrew's question brought her back to the present.
”Helen, is anything wrong? You're so quiet.”
She hesitated, looking at him pensively, not knowing how to say it.
”Are you upset about what happened on the ferry? That your father is still after us?”
”Yes and no... I'm troubled, but not that father is still after us. I knew that he wouldn't give up. No. What disturbs me is how I misjudged you so completely.”
”I don't understand.”
”I knew you were brave, even if my father always said you were a coward because you didn't join either side in the rebellion. Still, I didn't see you as physically strong. Compared to the MacGregor men, you're slight. You've none of their bulk. It was almost as if you had awakened in me a motherly instinct to protect you. So, when Robert came after you, I thought you stood no chance. I was ready to throw myself between you two.”
”I know, that's why I called out to hold on to the leads.”
”Yes, it stopped me from acting immediately on my impulse, and a moment later, that big lad lay on the deck. He didn't even have a chance to lay hands on you. Everything happened so fast, and you were so ruthless. It didn't sink in right away.”
Andrew said nothing. Just the trace of a smile lit up his eyes.
”And when you put the knife under his chin and cut him, and I saw him reduced to a whimpering boy, I got a bit afraid myself. I felt that you enjoyed humiliating him. I didn't know that you had a vicious streak in you.”
”Yes, I got some satisfaction in showing him up. But, Helen, do you believe me that I would never turn that vicious streak, as you call it, against you?”
She moved closer to him, putting a hand on his shoulders, leaning against him. ”I do, Andrew. I just have to readjust my image of you.”
”Are you not a bit proud of me?”
”Oh, yes, Andrew. I am...proud, even a bit awed.”
A quiet happy smile covered his face.
”You told me that you were good with a knife. Yet I had no idea what this really meant. I didn't even see you pull it, and suddenly it stuck in Robert's arm. Nor did you tell me that you're equally good with your fists. One blow and he lay on the deck.”
”Two!”
”I only saw one. You were so fast!”
His smile broadened. ”Speed is crucial. It gives your opponent no time to parry. But knocking a man out isn't difficult, especially a fool like Robert who only relies on his superior strength. You only have to know where to hit.”
She kissed his cheek. ”I'm not yet used to this new Andrew that I didn't know existed behind your innocent face.”
”You still love me?”
”Oh, you silly man, I do.”
”As much as before? I need to hear it.”
She hesitated for a moment and then broke into a big smile. ”I got you frightened for a second, didn't I? Yes, even more.”
He reached out to hug her, just as their horses pulled in different directions and separated them. Both let go of the reins and rushed into each other's arms.
”Where did you learn how to fight like this?”
”At the University in Edinburgh. Initially when I got there, I was often picked upon because of my size, until my mathematics teacher showed me how to use my fists. After that, n.o.body bothered me anymore. He had also been in Italy and learned how to throw daggers. He taught me.” He pulled out his dagger. ”This is a gift from him.”
Helen took the narrow blade and touched its sharp point cautiously. ”This is useless as a knife, except for spearing... Is it only for fighting?”
”For defense. Only for defense. I've never used it otherwise.”
”Robert isn't the first?”
”No, in Greece somebody wanted to rob me, and in France I got into a fight.”
”Did you kill anybody?”
”No.”
”I'm glad.”
By early afternoon they reached the ridge above Port Glasgow. They could just make out the road into town along the sh.o.r.e, pa.s.sing in front of Newark Castle. This was familiar territory for Andrew. Shortly afterward they came across ancient ruins. Helen reined her horse and exclaimed: ”Look, Andrew, a lord must have built his castle up here. What a marvelous view! Let's rest for a short while.”
”Yes, let's!” he replied and dismounted. ”These ruins are actually the remains of old Roman fortifications. A guard tower, I think. You know, the Romans build a wall all the way across from the Firth of Clyde to the Firth of Forth. In a few parts it still stands.”
He lowered himself into the gra.s.s and Helen joined him.
”How long ago was that?”
”Sixteen, seventeen hundred years ago.”
”You're so learned. I envy you. I would have liked to go to school. It's so unfair that girls are kept away from schools.”
”Yes, they probably would be the more serious students... But, Helen, you know most of what I learned, you can easily study yourself from books.”
”Will you help me?”
”Oh, gladly. Then we can discuss it. I would love that.”
”Like we talked about books that summer?”
He smiled. ”Yes, like that summer.”