A Druid Stone by Kim Allred

Author:Kim Allred [Allred, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781732241190
Publisher: Storm Coast Publishing
Published: 2020-06-18T22:00:00+00:00

31

Finn and Ethan rode together for several hundred yards before multiple deer trails branched off from their path. They ducked into a dense thicket when they heard horses approach. After several long moments and the sound of voices too far away to be distinguishable, the horses took off.

"They split up." Ethan touched Maire's hands clasped tightly around him.

"Aye. Sounds like some went south following Beckworth, but the others turned east." Finn noticed Maire's stern expression and furrowed brow as she watched AJ lying motionless in his arms.

"You need to take the most direct route to the old barn." Maire turned to check the trail behind them, then peered over Ethan's shoulder at the path ahead. "Take the deer trail that heads west. Ride slow, so you don't disturb the vegetation. Ethan and I can make it look like more than one horse has traveled our path."

Finn cocked an eyebrow and glanced at Ethan, who tried not to smile. "Yes, dear sister. What would we have done without you?"

Her thoughtful expression quickly turned to irritation. "I'm only trying to help."

When they heard men call out, still some distance away, Ethan rubbed her hand. "And it's a fine plan."

Finn rolled his eyes, something he was sure he learned from AJ. He pulled his horse next to Ethan's and cupped his sister's cheek. "I've missed you, sister."

"Aye. I've missed you too. Now be gone." She touched his hand, gave it a swift kiss, then kicked their horse.

The horse took off, surprising Ethan. Seconds later, he slammed into a branch but managed to keep them mounted. Maire's tinkling laughter trailed behind them.

Finn turned his mount to a trail large enough to pass without breaking branches. Before long, more trails appeared. He changed direction often, heading north first before turning onto a random, westward trail. He kept to a slow pace, refusing to jar AJ more than necessary.

He thought about his sister. She'd been too thin, but six months in a filthy cell hadn't diminished her spirit. She was a fighter. Their parents would have been proud. He glanced down at AJ, worry creasing his brow when he noted the dark shadows under her eyes. Her soft moans stopped within minutes of separating from Ethan and Maire. He spoke to her, but she remained silent.

Twenty minutes after his last turn westward, the path edged toward a large stand of birch trees. Several yards farther, a wide, well-traveled road ran north and south. He assumed this was the main road, but he'd turned so many times to remain out of range of Dugan's men, he couldn't be sure.

He urged the horse forward and was almost out of the trees when he caught movement to his left. He paused then quickly backed up. He waited.

A horse's head, hidden within dense brush on the other side of the road, nudged a branch as it picked at the leaves. If he could see the horse, then its rider could spot him. Finn kept his horse motionless as he considered his options.

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