She did take a few steps, but then realised he wasn't following and turned back. When she saw the knife and the blue face, leering at her over Meryn's shoulder, she gave a small cry and then a second Pict emerged from the mist and clamped a hand over her mouth, stifling the scream before it could leave her throat.
Nineve struggled as a foul-tasting cloth gag was jammed into her mouth, but it did no good. Forcing her facedown onto the ground beside Meryn, a Pict knelt with his knee in her back to stop her moving, and then tied her arms back with tough hide. Meryn glanced across at her as the hide bit painfully into her flesh bringing tears but she knew there was nothing he could do. Once they were satisfied, the Picts dragged them to their feet and guided them out towards the path. They st
