They stopped before they reached him.
Graeme bowed his head. “Iain Mackenzie.”
“Cameron. Which of these men is the Kincaid?”
Liam stepped forward. “I am.”
The Mackenzie threw his fist out and struck his jaw. “That’s for taking my niece.”
He moaned at the pain throbbing in his face. “I did not take your niece.”
“What would you call it then?”
The man was an intimidating warrior, much more fearsome than Liam considered. He had to prove his intension was honorable and that he was worthy of his niece’s hand. “I would call it a betrothal. Lest ye forget her own father accepted the bride price my uncle paid.”
Iain scoffed. “I can very well return what was paid.”
Graeme wedged himself between them. “She found Liam, Iain, and wanted to wed him. She did so with a free heart and wasn’t coerced. I was there as witness. Will you reject their marriage, which was taken in good faith in front of a priest?” Graeme’s voice rose with his fervent speech.
Iain glared. “So ye say. How do I ken the truth?”
Liam shook his head at his friend. He didn’t want his comrade’s interference. “That is the truth. But if ye want her back you should take her. She’s got it in her bonny head to go after the man who killed her mother. It’s all she speaks of, killing. Makenna is as bloodthirsty as the soldiers hereabouts.”
The Mackenzie laird’s brows rose. “You speak falsely.”
He walked away and stood by a far-off tree. If they were going to discuss this dispute, he’d rather they do it in private. “I will be blunt and do speak the utterly vexing truth.”
Graeme, Brodin, and Heath went inside the tent, leaving him to his testy in-law.
Iain approached. “Ye won’t let her go after him, will you?”
“Of course not. I have done everything I can to ensure her safety. Och the lass is stubborn and strong-willed. I wonder where she came by those traits?”
Iain laughed. “My Makenna? Nay, she’s the sweetest, most docile lass in the land.”
“Sweet aye. Docile, my arse. She wants me to train her to use the sword so she can kill her foe. It was the one condition she demanded when I proposed we marry and honor the betrothal.”
“Glory be. What happened to her? Makenna was always soft-spoken, kindly, and has the biggest heart of any woman in my clan. Has she bespoken what took place at my keep?”
“Very little I’m afraid, and yet I ken there is sorrow in her heart. She was affected enough to seek revenge. I have vowed to enact her vengeance and will do so.”
Iain shoved his chest. “Do ye? And do you ken the name of this man?”
“Nay, but she does and I mean to get her to tell me.”
The cross man walked around the clearing, deep in thought. He turned back to him abruptly. “I have the right to kill him for the man murdered my clans’ people and ruined my keep.”
Liam shook his head. “I have the right for he hurt my wife and murdered her family.” He glared and wouldn’t concede. “It should be by my hand the man dies.”
Iain grunted in objection. “We shall make a pact. I will tell ye the man’s name and if either of us comes across him first, we shall take our justice.”
“Agreed, Laird Mackenzie. Whoever finds him first …”
“His name is Sir Jonathan Hawksberry, one of Valenci’s commanders-in-arms. About my niece …”
“I have taken her as my wife, according to the contract of the betrothal. I protect what is mine. Come, let us drink and discuss my docile wife who I’ve yet to ken.”
Iain bellowed with laughter. “I disbelieve ye, lad, for my Makenna is a gentle maiden. She is quiet and unassuming. Why, she even detests chaos and tells me so when I invite my men-at-arms to dine with me.”
Liam scoffed. “Aye? Such a maiden has eluded me.”
“I cannot find fault with ye, lad. I’m gladdened to ken you protect her. Seems to me you might love her. Do ye?”
With a groan, he turned and headed for his tent. He wouldn’t answer such absurd question. What he needed was a strong drink, one effective enough to dull his senses. And yet, he was about to concede and admit to the cantankerous man what he wouldn’t even admit to himself.
Chapter Fifteen
Motherhood agreed with her. Makenna spent her days tending to Darcy. The lass was obedient and sweet-natured. Each day they would play games and at night, Makenna would make up stories to tell her, while Darcy settled to sleep. Upon waking, she always took her to the stream to bathe. This morn they sat beside the slow meandering waters. The weather grew warmer and the water wasn’t as chilly. She dressed the child in the one tunic she had that would fit her. It reached the wee one’s feet and was too wide for her slim body, but it would have to do.
“Will my father return soon?”
“I hope so. Stay still whilst I comb out these knots.” She untangled her hair and by the time she ran the comb through a few times, some strands had dried. “I do care for you. You know that, don’t you, Darcy?”
“Aye, Momma.”
She cupped her chin and bade her to look at her. “I must leave soon and I likely won’t be able to return. I will try to return, but if I am unable I want you to know …”
“Why will you leave me, Momma?” She sniffled and Makenna caressed her face.
“The last thing I want is to do leave you, but you see … There is a bad man that I must confront. I made a promise to God and I have to keep it.”
“Will God be mad if ye don’t keep it?”
“I’m sure he would forgive me, but we must honor our pledges and vows, especially when we make them to God. Do you understand?”
Darcy nodded. “I do, Momma.”
“I wanted you to know that you are not the reason I left. I care for you and don’t want you to think you did something wrong. You didn’t.” Makenna’s heart would surely rend when she left the child, but she had to and had no choice. Her vow must be fulfilled. “Promise me, you won’t be sad?”
“I won’t, Momma. When will you leave?”
She didn’t know how to answer that because she was unsure when the time would come. Only she knew when the time did come, she would go. “Not right away. I won’t leave without saying farewell. That is my promise.”
Darcy sniffled. “Will Father be angry when you leave?”
Makenna shook her head even though he likely would be. “Come and let us to the main cave. I’m certain Annag fixed a good meal to break our fast. Are you hungry?”
She held the lass’ hand all the way to the cave. Once inside, she asked Annag to watch Darcy so she could search out Gilroy.
Makenna found him tending the stalls in the ossuary. She’d pleaded with him to train with her for a bit and after a bit of cajoling, he agreed. In the large field near the cave where she and Liam stayed, she used the tactics that Heath had been kind enough to show her.
“You are getting good with the sword, m’lady.” Gilroy sat upon the rock watching her practice. Occasionally he’d tell her what she was doing wrong. Otherwise, he remained silent.
Makenna swung the sword and chopped off several inches of the high blades of grass. She maneuvered her wrist and twirled around, sending the blade arching through the air. The swish sound came and the thwack of the grasses.
“I do feel more at ease holding it and my arm is much stronger.”
“That’s because ye chopped the wood and strengthened your muscles like Liam told you.”
She narrowed her eyes. Makenna thought Liam’s suggestion was a ruse so he wouldn’t have to train with her. “True, but the sword is not as heavy. At least I know I’ll be skilled enough when I meet with Hawk.” She continued to swing the sword and maneuvered it to go in the opposite direction.
“When will you go?”
“I promised Liam I wouldn’t leave until his return.” She swung the blade and hit the ground, sending dirt flying at her face. “What of you? Will you sta
y until the king forgives the guard as you said?”
“I will, m’lady. I cannot leave now not when the guard might need me, but when I do I shall be ready to seek my revenge.”
She lowered the sword when Liam’s pet approached. The cat rubbed against her legs. Makenna patted its head and went to join Gilroy on the rock.
“Have ye ever tried the bow? I’ve been practicing. Mayhap you’d like to give it a try?” Gilroy reached behind him, snatched his bow from the grass, and handed it to her.
“I never did try it. My sister oft joined the lads at their practice.” Thinking of her sister, especially one of the joyous memories of Roberta following her heart and practicing with the archers, made her heart lighten a tiny bit.
“Go on, m’lady. Here,” he said, and handed her a crudely made arrow.
She aimed the arrow at a tree and let it loose. The object flew fast, must quicker than she estimated. Makenna missed the target. After several minutes at trying with much difficulty, she gave up. “I fear I shall never master the bow.”
“We’ll try again later, m’lady. I am off to the village this morn if you want to come.”
Makenna considered it for a moment. “I shouldn’t leave Darcy, but she does need garments. She has but one tunic to wear and it hardly fits her. I want to visit the miller and perhaps purchase some cloth to make her a few frocks.”
Gilroy snickered. “You sew? I cannot fathom it.”
She smiled at his astound. “Before I took my vow of vengeance, I was quite the gentle maiden and did such tasks.”
He gasped mockingly. “You jest. I cannot see ye sitting around sewing.”
“There was a time when I was content to do nothing but. I shall go with you to the village. Let me ask Kerrigan to watch Darcy.” Makenna walked with Gilroy past the ossuary toward the main cave.
“I’ll meet ye here, m’lady.”
She nodded and continued on to the cave. Inside, warmth from the cooking fire heated the abode. Kerrigan had settled William on a cover on the floor near the table where she kneaded bread. Darcy sat next to Annag who fixed the leg of her dolly which had come loose.
Liam’s pet strode from the antechamber carrying something in its mouth. The women screamed and shrieked. Makenna ran forward and realized the cat caught a rat, a good sized one at that. She used the broom to get it to leave the cave. Outside, the cat took off with its prize.
“Glory be. I shan’t be too hard on Liam’s pet from now on,” Annag said.
“Indeed not, for he’ll keep the vile creatures from our domain. We should allow him free roam from now on.” Kerrigan picked up William and cuddled him. “That awful, vile thing was in our sleeping quarters.”
Makenna approached Darcy and caressed her hair. She was grateful as well for the cat. At least they wouldn’t have to worry what with him around keeping the wee ones safe. “I thought to go to the village with Gilroy if you would keep Darcy here? I want to buy cloth to make her a garment or two.”
Kerrigan looked up from William’s cooing. “Oh, that is a fair idea.” She hastened to a small box and retrieved a few coins. “I should like to make William new garments for he’s outgrown almost all of his, if you can find a suitable piece of cloth.”
“I shall be pleased to bring it back for you.” Makenna picked Darcy up from her chair. “You will be a good lass for Lady Kerrigan, and I promise to return as quickly as I can.”
“Aye, Momma. Will ye bring dolly a new tunic?”
The way she called her momma brought joy to her heart, so much that it also brought tears to her eyes knowing one day soon she’d leave her. “I will make her one to match yours.” She kissed her head and hurried to meet Gilroy.
The walk to along the lane was peaceful. Makenna enjoyed the silence. Gilroy didn’t talk much which left her to her own thoughts. Liam’s last words before he left on his mission, stuck with her. Was her quest as ridiculous as he made it sound? She’d felt such despair and heartbreak at the loss of her mother, sister, and clan. How could she not want justice? She had no choice in the matter. If her father was free, he would’ve ensured justice was served. Alas, he wasn’t free, and that left her the only member of her family to take on such a quest.
And yet perhaps it was ridiculous that she would deem to go against a war-hardened knight. Her only hope was to kill him before he got the chance to hurt her. That would have to suffice for now.
Her mind made, when Liam returned, she would say farewell. And yet her heart hurt thinking of leaving him. She admitted mayhap he’d become important to her.
With all the things he was–handsome, honorable, obstinate, sexy as all … he seemed genially concerned for her. He didn’t profess to love her, but his sincerity at wanting to keep her safe spoke of his good will. She sighed at the thought that she loved him. Love could not keep her retaliation at bay. He had to understand why she wanted the miscreant killed.
“M’lady?”
She stopped walking and turned to see what bothered the lad. “What is it? You sound troubled. Is someone near?”
“Nothing like that. ‘Tis just … it’s awful quiet. By now we should hear noise of the villagers. We’re close enough. But it is eerily quiet for midday. It’s as if none are about.”
“Do you believe there is trouble?” Makenna gazed along the lane toward the direction of the wall, but didn’t see a soul. That was strange since many used the lane to get from other locations to the village, and often it was crowded with those seeking goods from the merchants.
Gilroy pulled her from the lane into the high brush. He motioned for her to follow and spoke low, “I know not, m’lady, but it is best we enter through the back gate.”
“Lead on. If there is trouble, we shan’t go through the gate.”
The walk to the back entrance wall took longer than it would have to access the village through the main lane. Makenna followed Gilroy closely, and they stopped next to the open gate. Gilroy tilted his body to get a glimpse beyond the wall.
“I see no one.”
“Come, we shall find out what is going on.” Makenna crept forward. “It appears as though everyone fled. I wonder why?”
Gilroy stopped abruptly and pushed her behind a cottage. He held up a finger alerting her to be silent. “I ken why. The English are here. Come, we should leave.” He gripped her hand and tried to pull her back the way they’d came.
Makenna peeked around the cottage and glimpsed an Englishman throwing a torch at a nearby merchant’s stall. Memories flooded her. Screams rang in her ears. The scent of burning wood engulfed her. To abate the remembrances, she took a deep gulp of breath. Then she drew a gasp. About fifty feet from her stood the miscreant.
He laughed at a jest his comrades made. “’Tis a shame we have not time to dally. Valenci awaits us at Bothwell. We need to leave posthaste. Take what you want and meet me by the main gate in five minutes.” After giving his orders, he marched down the main lane.
Makenna pulled Gilroy’s arm and made him follow her back to the woods. When she’d gotten far enough away, she stopped.
“You need to return to the caves.”
“Without you? Nay, m’lady.”
“I must go, Gilroy. Please don’t argue with me. I saw the man I seek. He is there, near the merchant’s cottages. I cannot let him elude me.”
“You mean to go after him?”
“Aye, I do. Now return to the caves and let Lady Kerrigan know where I have gone. I have to sneak back into the village and find a sword. If only I’d brought my mine. I shall need to find a weapon.” She glanced back at the wall, and gave a shove to Gilroy’s arm. “Go and be well.”
“Nay, I cannot. I will go with you. Laird Kincaid will have my arse and would never forgive me if I leave you here, or if anything happens to ye.”
“Come then if you must, but you shan’t interfere.” Makenna crept back to the village, walking with spry steps. Her chest tightened with anxiety enmeshed with a rush of excitement. She spied the Englishmen co
nverging near the main gate, but turned back to the lad. “Where might I find a sword, Gilroy?”
“I ken where the smith’s stall is located. We’ll check there, but God help us if you find one.” Gilroy muttered as she trailed behind him and then took the lead.
Gilroy pressed her toward the nearest building. “Hasten and get inside.”
Makenna ran into the smith’s hut which fortunately was located near the back entrance. She looked around and observed the usual tools of the trade: an anvil, tongs, bellows, various size hammers … but no completed weapons. Those, daggers and swords that had been started, were in the early phase of completion and not useable.
Gilroy checked a few of the trunks and shook his head. “Nothing is here.”
As she walked behind the fire pit in the center of the cottage, she heard the thump of her foot. Most of the floor was stone except for the small area where she stood. Makenna knelt and pressed the board and it moved. She reached up and grabbed a poker and used it to pry the wood loose.
“What’s in there?” Gilroy asked, leaning over the opening.
“Steps,” she said, and took them. Gilroy was right behind her. It was dark below her and she found herself inside a small cellar of sorts. There were stacks of covered crates.
“Help me search. I’ll take this side.” She opened a crate and found pieces of iron that had yet to be worked by the smith. Two more crates of various sizes of iron bars sat inside.
“Over here, m’lady. I found what you’re looking for.”
She dropped the crate cover she held and walked around it until she reached Gilroy. He pulled a sword from a large crate. It had to be over three feet long with a plain grip. No adornments on the grip or pommel for it appeared newly made.
“Is it sharp enough?”
“Aye, but it could use a few strokes to the stone to make it sharper. There’s another.” He pulled a second sword free and it was more ornate. It had an elaborate basket of twisted iron covered in gold and a line of blue jewels set the wood of the pommel. The blade etched with an intricate pattern alongside the fuller.
“It’s the most beautiful sworn I’ve ever seen. Who do you suppose this was made for? Someone of high rank?”
Unbreakable Heart (Legend of the King's Guard Book 2) Page 17