Page 24 of A Fierce Archer

“I wish ye could come with me,” Catriona told her, meaning it.

“I have the bairn and my mother to look after,” Flora replied with a sigh. “If not, I would beg to come along.”

The trunk was soon filled, and she looked around the room only to find that all her belongings had been packed. “I certainly do not own very much. Other than clothing, I have just a few items. I must have left most of my things at my parents’ house.”

“Yer mother brought a few things,” Flora said. “It is true, ye do not have very much, which means ye will not feel out of place once settled at Ross Keep.”

“It is called Dun Airgid, Silver Fortress,” Catriona said. “It sounds like a fantasy, does it not?”

“It does,” Flora replied breathlessly. “Ye must write me and describe every single detail.”

Catriona smiled at her friend. “I will. What will ye be doing once I am gone?”

“Lady Ava has asked that I help with household management. With Lady Fraser gone, it will all fall into her hands,” Flora replied with pride. “I am looking forward to it. My son and mother are coming to live here again.”

“Thank ye for all ye have done for me. Without ye, I am not sure I would have survived this ordeal.” Catriona sniffed and hugged Flora. “I can never thank ye enough.”

Flora took a shaky breath. “I will miss ye.”

“I hope to return in a season or two. Ye will be busy with yer new duties and barely miss me by then, I am sure.”

Just then, a maid came to the doorway. “Miss Catriona, yer family is here.”

***

Catriona’s mother stared at her as if she’d grown a third eye in the center of her forehead. “Ye are traveling away from Fraser lands? No one in our family has ever left Fraser lands.”

“That is not true,” her father interjected. “I have. I went across the river once.”

“To the other Fraser lands,” her mother noted, to which her father frowned and sighed.

Her sister was too busy running after the older boys to pay much attention. Catriona smiled at noting the toddlers had attached themselves to Flora’s skirts along with her own boy. When she moved, three little ones walked alongside her as she attempted to help her sister.

Just then, Ewan walked by. “Come,” Ewan said as he motioned to the boys and they immediately stopped in their tracks to stare up at the large warrior, their mouths falling open. “I need help,” Ewan told them. “If ye have time.”

The boys nodded and ran to keep up with Ewan’s long strides out the front door.

“Where do ye think he’s taking them,” Audra asked, not seeming at all worried.

Catriona looked to the doorway. “Probably to the stables.”

“Good! They need to be put to work and tired out.”

“We will stay the night,” her mother announced, looking around the great room, no doubt to stake a place to sleep.

“Ye and father can sleep in my bedchamber. I will find Audra and the bairns a room and I will sleep in Lady Fraser’s sitting room. There is plenty of room there.”

Plans made, Catriona felt good and looked forward to a day with her mother and sister.

“Would ye like to see my gardening?” She stood.

“Let me fetch the wee ones,” Audra said, but Flora waved her away.

“Go, they seem content with me.”

Audra sighed with relief at only having to carry the sleeping youngest.

Then Flora motioned to a blanket by the hearth. “Put the wee one down. I will watch over the bairn.”