Scotland- 804 AD 

Under the cover of darkness, Tualla crept out from behind the granary and checked her surroundings. Nothing out of the ordinary and no sign of any watchman. Her heart began to race as she stared at the wooden palisade ahead. Not because she feared getting caught, but because she wasn’t sure of what today would bring. 

Taking a steadying breath, Tualla made the last dash to their old meeting place beside the village fence.  She kept to the shadows as she searched for any sign of him.

He may not even show up.

She ignored that niggling thought which terrified her just as much.

They'd been children the last time they were alone together and they hadn't spoken since his return— at least not until he invited her to meet him. 

“You’re late.” The male voice belonging to Aedan startled her. She followed the direction of his voice to discover he’d already made it to the other side. Through the gaps in the wood, she could make out a vague outline.

“It's still dark isn't it?" she said, looking for her usual foothold, but couldn't find it. "Sunrise is still a while off yet.”

Assessing a new way up, she removed her weapons and threw them over before climbing up. Peering over the top, she could see him clearly. His blonde hair appeared ashen under the dim moonlight. Even if she didn't want to admit it, she preferred his new longer hair. He favoured a loose braid which hung down his back. And a well-trimmed beard made him look like a warrior.

“Hey," Aedan said without looking up. "Did you bring snacks?”

Instead of answering, she removed her satchel and dropped it over where he stood, smiling to herself when it hit her target.

“Ouch! What did you do that for?”

"Still always thinking of food I see?" she said, hooking one leg over the top. This side of the fence had always been higher, but looking at the drop now, well, that was a long way down. 

"You're not scared are you?" Aedan said. He held his arms open, sporting a huge grin. "I can catch you if you want?"  

Ignoring him, she reminded herself that she'd done this jump plenty of times before. Taking a deep breath, she made the leap. She tucked her legs in, straightening them before her feet hit the ground and curled into a roll. 

Feeling his gaze on her, Tualla walked by without so much as a glance in his direction and gathered her belongings.

“Don’t be like that, Tully. You know I’m teasing.” He chuckled to himself and she fought the urge to hit him. Instead, she opted to stick her tongue out. She may have been acting childish, but Aedan had always brought out that side of her. 

In truth, she wasn't sure how to act. For the past three years, Aedan had been working as a mercenary for other clan chiefs. That had to change a person. But there were other changes too. His physique now belonged to a man; tall, lean and strong. And on occasions, when she'd caught him glancing her way, something deep stirred inside her which she found impossible to ignore.

Positioning the sword under her belt and slinging the rest over her shoulder, she walked a few steps before noticing Aedan wasn't following. "Aren't we going?" 

"I've missed this," he said, looking out across the horizon before turning to Tualla. "I don't think I could ever get tired of this view." 

Unsure of his meaning, Tualla took a moment to appreciate the sight, trying to ignore the heat rising in her cheeks. Hills stretched for miles in every direction, streams meandered through the valleys and patches of forest scattered between. But most of all, she loved to see the stars. "Well it's almost sunrise and we'll get caught if we're still here." 

“We best get moving then.” He smiled, walking away with Tualla at his side. 

The two made their way downhill towards a thicket of trees. The first of the sun’s rays peaked through the thick canopy, bathing the area in a hue of oranges and reds. 

As they approached a stream, Tualla held a finger to her lips, telling Aedan to be quiet. She pointed towards a hare grazing on the banking. Reaching over her shoulder, she took her bow and notched an arrow. Her attention focused on her prey, as she took aim and drew the arrow back. Before she could release, another arrow pierced the hare’s chest. 

Furious, she glared at a smug Aedan who moved to claim his win. “That was my kill!”

“You should have been faster,” he said with a shrug, removing the arrow and tying the hind feet together. 

“I won’t have to be if I shoot you first.”

Still angry, Tualla refused to speak as they followed the brook upstream. Eventually, they came to a small clearing, enclosed by dense foliage. A steep rock face stood ahead of them, water gushing over the edge, feeding the stream they’d followed. They sat on a fallen tree, Tualla crossed her arms and looked anywhere other than Aedan. 

“You’re too stubborn for your own good,” Aedan said. “I don’t want you to be mad at me when we may not get another chance to sneak away like this.” Aedan sighed, leaning forward and rested his forearms on his thighs. “We’re not children anymore.”

She hated what he didn’t say out loud— that they would both be expected to settle down and marry soon. Unlike others, she didn’t feel the need to rush into adulthood, but the pressure and expectation was there.  

Aedan stood and made a small turn around the clearing. “This place hasn’t changed much.” He stopped by a shrub and stared up at an oak tree. “Other than a few new bushes and the tree’s being taller, it’s still the same.” He glanced at Tualla, trying to provoke some sort of reaction, but she kept her arms crossed and her face straight, even if she did want to shake off her pettiness and laugh at him. 

Maybe he could see her resolve wavering because he continued to press. “Do you remember the games we used to play here? You liked to pretend you were Boudicca fighting the Romans. And just like her, you always lost.”

Now he had her attention. She struggled to stop a smile creeping over her face. He still knew how to coax out her competitive nature.

Stepping in front of her, his stance defensive, he drew his sword, pointing it at her chest. “Pick up your weapon and let us do what we came here to do.”

Knowing he’d won her over, Aedan moved back, giving her space to get into position. 

“I hope you’re looking forward to losing,” Tualla said, unsheathing her sword.

“You’ve never beaten me before.”

Tualla wanted to knock the cheeky grin from his face as they began to circle each other. “Don’t get too cocky. There’s a first time for everything.” Hoping to take him by surprise, Tualla lunged. Aedan moved left and countered. Tualla blocked his blow but lost her footing. Pressing his advantage, Aedan grabbed her wrist, spinning her body into his and held his sword against her neck. 

“Is that all you got?” he asked, withdrawing his blade. "I don't think you've practiced at all while I've been gone." 

She shrugged him away and got back into position. “I’m just warming up.”

“In battle…” He lurched forward and she blocked. “…there’s no time to warm up. You mess up, you’re dead.”

They sparred for the next hour. He taught her some new moves and techniques and even let her win a few times. As Tualla’s arm began to tire, she made more and more mistakes, so when Aedan barged her, knocking her sword out of her hand, she lost her balance. She gripped onto him as she stumbled, pulling him down on top of her. 

Air rushed from her lungs and not because of the fall.

Aedan’s heart pounded against her chest, his thumb gently traced her hairline and brushed over her cheek. But the way he looked at her— a way he never had before— caused a fluttering sensation to erupt in her stomach. Her lips trembled as his blue eyes bored into hers. Her pulse sped up as he leaned closer, her eyes closing as she anticipated his kiss. Their lips pressed together, his tongue coaxing her mouth open with the gentlest of pressure. When his tongue brushed against hers, her body melted in his arms. 

He pulled away too soon and it took her a few moments to gather herself. Aedan smiled at her before getting to his feet and strolling over to the fallen tree. He returned a moment later with her satchel, and handed her one of the oatcakes. Still flustered, Tualla took it from him but now she felt more confused than ever. Would this change things between them?

As she went to take a bite, a sudden humming sensation made her hairs prickle. “Aedan,” she whispered. “Do you feel that?” 

Aedan cocked his head to one side and wore his cheeky grin. “Well that was a pretty good kiss.”

Shaking her head at him, she slowly climbed to her feet being extra vigilant. Everything seemed quieter, even the gushing of the waterfall as she strained to listen.

“Tully, there’s nothing there.” Aedan took her hand and tried to sit her back down.

As if from out of nowhere, a crow flew into the clearing, screeching as it dived for Tualla, forcing her to duck. The crow circled up high before diving again. With her arms over her head, she ran for cover under a low hanging branch of a pine tree. The bird made another lap of the area before landing on the tallest tree— an oak. Cawing and flapping its wings, Tualla had never seen an animal act so strange.

Aedan darted for his bow, quickly notching an arrow. 

"No! Don't," Tualla screamed, running out and pushing his aim down. "I think it's trying to tell us something." 

A burst of laughter erupted from Aedan. "What would a crow want to show us?" 

Scowling, Tualla snatched his bow away and cautiously walked towards the oak tree. Before she reached it, the crow spread its wings, cawing as it flew to the top of the waterfall.

Tualla followed, looking for a way up. Grabbing a jagged piece of rock, she pushed herself up, but something jerked her back. 

"What are you doing?" Aedan asked, setting her down on the grass.

"What does it look like?" 

"It looks like you're going to get yourself killed. That rock is too slippery to climb." 

"I'm going up there," Tualla said, jutting out her jaw in her most defiant way.

"Because of some dumb bird?" 

"I don't care if you don't believe me, but that 'dumb bird' is trying to tell me something." She couldn't explain how she knew, but the feeling overwhelmed her.

Aedan mulled it over a moment. "Okay. But I'm going with you." 

"Really? That's it? You're not going to argue with me?" 

"No."

"Why?" She put her hands on her hips, unconvinced.

Aedan took her hand, his eyes soft and genuine. "Your mother was a great seer. My guess is that her daughter will have that gift too, so I'm trusting your intuition." A cocky smile replaced his sincerity. "But just so you know, if we die, I'm holding you responsible." 

***

Cold and drenched through, the pair made it to the top, despite having a few near slips. As they caught their breath, the crow circled above them before flying off. Tualla hoped she was right and she hadn’t just risked their lives over a stupid whim. Aedan would never let her hear the end of it.

Like most places nearby, the view was spectacular; miles upon miles of hilly terrain and wilderness. Tualla’s gaze followed the crow's flight and her heart sank. 

“Isn’t that Dunlaid?” Aedan asked.

Tualla nodded, unable to take her eyes off the dark plume of smoke rising from the hilltop fort. Without thinking, she hopped across the rocks, chasing the crow.

“Tully? Where are you going now?”

“To investigate.”

Authors note-

Thank you for reading this far and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed working on Aedan and Tualla's playful and competitive relationship.

If you did enjoy it, please consider leaving a vote at the end of this chapter.

If animal sacrifice wasn't enough to put you off, the next chapter is about to get darker!