Gavin was quick, but so were the apprentices.
And Murdoch quickly realized that they knew Kinfairlie village as Gavin did not.
Still the boy used his advantage well. Gavin reached the main square and flung a barrel at the closest of the smith’s apprentices. That boy was flattened by the impact, though the second leapt over the barrel to continue the chase across the square.
Murdoch coaxed the stallion to gallop after them. It leapt over apprentice and barrel with powerful ease, snorting and tossing its head as it ran after the boys. Villagers took one look and retreated into their homes, which was by far the safer option. Isabella, to Murdoch’s pride, did not cower but held fast and watched avidly.
Gavin pushed carts and tipped bins of grain as he fled across the square, trying to obst
