Excerpt copyright @ 2019 Kara Griffin
A small enclosed carriage awaited them. It was barely roomy
enough to fit the five of them inside. The king’s wife sat on the opposite side
with his sisters and Kerrigan sat between the king’s daughter and their guest,
Lady MacDuff Comyn. Marjorie said not a word and kept her own council about
where they were going. She hoped to recognize the route they took so she might
abscond close to Dumfries, but all the women were remarkably closed-mouthed.
When the perfect moment arose, she would flee and make her
way back to Graeme. She considered how to get away and decided to reason it
when the opportunity arose.
Niall Bruce rode next to the carriage. He inclined his head
and appeared to want to speak with her. But she gazed at her lap and pretended
to study the fabric of her overdress. She would have to avoid the king’s
brother for he appeared enamored. He stared at her longer than what was proper.
They rode for two days, stopping at a tavern for supper and
at inns to refresh the horses. Kerrigan didn’t find an opportunity to flee yet,
and she grew daunted for she had to do so soon. They neared Balmaclellan which
she realized to be northwest of Dumfries. She heard the queen say they would
continue to Edinburgh. Kerrigan thought it was risky, traveling far south and
so close to the border. But since she planned to escape long before they
reached their destination, their plans didn’t concern her.
Along the trail on the third day, the carriage jolted. The
ladies screamed when it pitched to the side. Niall opened the door.
“Come, we have a broken wheel, ladies. We’ll repair it
whilst you rest by yonder trees.”
Kerrigan walked next to Marjorie and when she reached the
spot they were told to wait at, she made excuses.
“I need to seek a bush. I shall return soon.” She tried to
hasten away, but Marjorie claimed she too needed to relieve herself.
Kerrigan waited for Marjorie to pick a spot. She walked past
her and hid behind a thick pine tree. After a few minutes, enough time passed.
“I will meet you back,” she said, cupping her mouth and calling out. She walked
hastily into the woods farther away from the group. No sooner had she gotten
into the denser woods, she heard the strike of swords.
The clanging rang out. Kerrigan ran and revered around the
thick trunks before her. The pursuers rode hard, for their horse’s hooves
stomped the ground. Marjorie screamed and must have been captured. Fearful, she
ran fast, knowing she couldn’t get caught. Kerrigan slipped on a soft patch of
ground and tumbled down a slope.
She lost her footing and twisted her leg. The pain caused
her to gasp and pant. She stuck out her arm, trying to grasp branches as she
continued to tumble, but she wasn’t able to catch one. One branch stuck out and
sliced her upper arm. Blood soaked her sleeve. She gasped and couldn’t stop
herself from falling.
Sticks and rocks scraped and pierced her as she continued to
plummet. She heard the sound of rushing water and cried out knowing she was
about to die. Her body plunged through the air and she sank and hit the water
below, making a big splash. Kerrigan drew a breath and closed her mouth before
she went under. She came up sputtering, spitting out water, but then swallowed
more when she went under again.
The current moved swiftly, making it impossible to stand or
catch hold of anything in the water. Held by the stream of flowing waters, she
hastily was swept down river. Ahead several large rocks rose above the water.
Kerrigan couldn’t control her arms or legs for they’d numbed by the frigid
water. She tried to avert herself from hitting the large rock, but failed. Her
head smacked the rock, and she gasped when her body sunk beneath the water.
Kerrigan opened her eyes and felt weightless. Her body
floated in the calmer waters beyond the large rock. She felt like an angel
flying in the sky. The water was deep, and she knew not how to swim. Her feet
dangled beneath her and she couldn’t stand. Even if she knew how to swim, her
arms and legs stilled.
This was the end of her being. Like Annag said, she
shouldn’t be sad for she’d had a great love. She released her breath, closed
her eyes and gave in to the tugging and lure of darkness.
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