*
Finally, Threcher entered the forest. It was going to be dark soon and it was much slower going as Threcher made his way through the trees. Rachel was exhausted and wondered how long it actually took to starve to death, but she was determined to keep going, even if it killed her.
As soon as it got dark, Connor removed the doors and stepped through the secret place in the wall. He was supposed to swim the moat, let the Camerons know all was well, and take the long way around to keep from being discovered. What he wanted to do was look for Rachel again, but Kevin said no and no it would be. Kevin wanted to know if the Fergusons were ready to attack and that was all.
There were always signs when one clan was preparing to attack another. Horses were gathered and waiting, the sounds of men sharpening their swords could be heard, and women often cried out loud.
It was pitch black and he was about to slip into the moat when he suddenly felt someone near. He drew his sword and swung to his left with murder in his eyes.
"Tell Kevin they will attack at dawn," the woman said in English.
"Rachel?"
"Nay, I am Catherin's sister."
He began to breathe again, but he did not let down his guard for fear the woman was not alone. "Are they watching us?"
"Nay, they want you to think they are not interested."
"Do you need sanctuary?"
"They plan to starve you out."
He felt the woman leave and then heard her arms softly splash the water as she swam away. With his heart racing, Connor slipped into the wall and pulled the outside door back in place. Then he exited the tunnel, shoved the inside door closed and burst into the cottage. "They will attack at dawn," he told Justin.
*
Rachel rode hour after hour, half-asleep, and half-awake. At first, she was careful to dodge low branches, but soon she simply laid her head down against the horse's neck. Only her fear of arriving too late kept her from sliding off. She was too exhausted and hungry to think about Connor.
Her back was aching, the inside of her thighs had to be bruised and her bottom was taking a beating, but she kept going. At last, Rachel had to sit up again. She couldn't stand the pain in her lower back another moment.
Suddenly, a hand went over her mouth and someone was pulling her off the horse. She tried to fight, flailing her arms out, hitting him with her fists and kicking as hard as she could. Someone was whispering her name, but her eyes were wild with fear and it took several moments to actually see the face of the man who had her. As soon as she finally realized it was Connor, she was so happy to see him, she threw her arms around his neck.