by Kara Griffin
Alexander laughed derisively. “Aye, just like a woman. You’re wanting your reward before ye have earned it. I say Grey is a blessed man in his choice of wife. My father wanted the Gunns and Mackays united. I know not why, but my father was concerned for you and who you would marry. But the betrothal never came to pass when ye went missing. Even if you wed Gunn, there are no assurances your clans will be peaceful.”
“If it is peace you wish, sire, then we shall make it so.”
His booming laughter reverberated through the solar. “We shall see.”
Then Grey’s guard came inside. James, Sean, Greer, and Colm stood proudly before the king. None of them spoke while they were silently assessed by Alexander, awaiting word of why the king had called them.
“Have you any other men with you?”
Greer was the highest ranking within the group and he stepped forward. “Just a lad, my lord, he is outside the door. Where is our laird?”
Alexander twitched a couple of fingers at Donal who went to call forth the lad. “Your laird thought him above me. He now rests in Donal’s dungeon. Don’t be thinking to bring war to my doorstep, I only mean to keep him there until he calms down.”
Bree gave them a pleading look, but knew none of them could assist her.
Gordy arrived and stood beside Greer, in the line of warriors, awaiting the king’s command.
The king stepped next to Gordy, towering above him, as tall as he was. “You’re a mite scrawny for a Gunn. Haven’t got your brawn yet, have ye? Have ye trained yet? What name do you go by, lad?”
“Me name’s Gordy. Aye, sire. Been training for over a year now.”
“Are ye willing to go on a mission for me?”
“A mission? Aye, whatever you wish, sire.”
Bree was proud of the boy. His voice didn’t falter once when he spoke to the king. Oft she’d been unable to get a single reply from him. He always stood staring and seemed incapable of speech or stuttered, making no sense whatsoever.
“I want ye to assist Lady Mackay. She’s going on a fact gathering mission for me. If she is unable to return, I want you to come to me and none other. Do you understand?” Alexander clapped him on the back. “Now that formality is taken care of, let us to the drink and celebration. You Gunns will not leave Ross land until I give you permission.” With that, Alexander hastily left the chamber and Donal followed.
“Milady, what happened?” Greer looked back at the door after posing that question.
She quickly gave them the rundown of what had happened in the solar and all stood silent.
“I will surely die, Greer. MacHeth won’t let me leave once I enter his keep. How am I to obtain information from him?”
“Worry not, milady. We know where you are. Grey, once released, will come for you, and if he cannot, we shall.”
“Do you promise?”
Greer nodded. “Do not be afeared of MacHeth, milady. Be courageous. Show no fear. You will be a Gunn and we Gunns don’t show fear to anyone.”
Why his comment made her laugh, she wasn’t sure. “I will not be afraid, Greer.” To Gordy, she said, “We should remover our plaids, Gordy.” She handed hers to Greer as did the boy. “Do you know where MacHeth’s land is?”
Gordy nodded. “’Tis not afar, milady. They overtook the Mackay keep when they warred with them. We can be there in a few hours.”
“A few hours.” Bree began shaking at the thought. “Greer, be sure to take Grey’s sword and his belongings.” She pointed to the weapons on the floor.
Greer nodded and retrieved Grey’s sword.
“Let us be on the way then. I need to get my satchel from the tent before we leave.” Bree wanted to make haste so she could get back to Grey. Hopefully this wouldn’t take long, if she was even able to gain any information or her release when it was over.
Each of Grey’s guard hugged her, each telling her not to be afraid. They repeated their apparent motto that Gunns didn’t show fear. Their courage gave her a bit of gumption. Their words made her feel she could face anything. But deep down, she was scared to her toes. Still, she would be brave and face what she must.
Greer pulled her aside before she could leave the solar. “Here, milady, take this. ‘Tis my laird’s dagger. If you need to kill the wee-swine-cosh, use it.” He handed her an aged dagger, one that looked to have had a lot of use. Its handle was wooden, with no ornate features but a row of red jewels around the handle. “Laird had it since he was a lad. It be precious to him. Don’t lose it, milady. He’ll be wanting it back.”
She held the dagger and nodded. As she left the chamber, she said, “Thank you, Greer. If the king lets you visit Grey, please tell him not to worry for me and that I … not to fear.”
“My laird fears no one.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Apprehension filled her so completely upon seeing the MacHeth holding.
From afar it looked like an evil abode. Dark of night came and even though they carried a torch to light their way, she grew dismal at the prospect of entering such a place. The stone was old and covered with moss, and the wood blackened from smoke. No flags adorned the portcullis or entry.
The keep, from what she could tell, was not well tended and looked to have taken a lot of destruction. The glow from all the torches surrounding the walls gave it an even greater dismal appearance. Bree didn’t remember ever being at the keep, but she saddened at the thought it might have been a grand place to live at one time. Mackay land was beautiful up until she reached the outer walls of the keep itself.
A man exited the gatehouse, holding his horse’s reins which pulled a cart. He appeared bedraggled and unkempt. Once he was through the gate, the sound of the chain could be heard from where she waited. The entry was closed to outsiders.
Bree stopped her horse and dismounted, and waited for Gordy to stand next to her before speaking to him. “It looks frightening. I am not sure I can go through with this.”
“Milady, you have to. Come, don’t be afeared. Remember the plan. They won’t turn ye away.” Gordy led his horse away, and motioned for her to follow.
Walking toward the gate, she swallowed her uneasiness. Above her, a man called out. He stood on the crenellation, cupping his hands, looking down at her.
“What do ye here?”
“I have come to seek aid from Laird MacHeth.”
The man disappeared and a few minutes later, three men came to the gate. They allowed her inside and held an arm out to Gordy, stopping him.
“Who be you?” came from one of the guards.
Bree had to be brave and spoke up, “He is my servant, let him be. Show me where I can find Laird MacHeth. I am expected.” Though she lied, she tried to sound as intimidating as she could. “My servant stays with me.”
The men didn’t seem overly concerned about Gordy’s presence and bid her to follow.
The guards led her to the main keep, and she took the cracked steps and went inside. Voices sounded within the great hall and she stopped at the archway which flanked a giant room. Many stood within and conversed, most appeared to be soldiers. There weren’t any ladies attend-ing that she could see. She waited for the men to show her where to go, and gave Gordy an anxious look.
“Come, my laird is supping.”
She approached the main table where MacHeth sat. He looked up from his food and chortled when the man leaned close and spoke low.
“Who have we here, Daniel?”
“Laird, the woman said she needed to speak with ye. I knew you would not want me to turn her away.” Daniel bowed and stepped back, and the others followed him away.
“My lady, how can I be of service?” MacHeth did not rise or give any gentlemanly courtesies. His dark eyes peered at her. She watched his face, lined with wrinkles and a scruffy beard, which showed no concern for her attendance.
“Laird MacHeth, I am Albrey Mackay.” Her voice crack slightly, but she recovered. It was the first time she’d ever owned her name, but it flowed from her li
ps easily.
A hush went through those in the room and everyone stopped moving, suddenly interested in her company. Awkwardly, Bree curtsied to MacHeth, and tried not to let the stares affect her.
“How have you come to be here, lady?” His mien took on an agitated state. “Were you not taken by the Gunn’s? I suspect they did not release you.”
Bree curtseyed again and kept her face serene. “Aye, I was, but I escaped the Gunn clan and came to find you. My lord, Baron Thomas, said I was supposed to come.”
“You are tardy, mayhap too late.”
“I do apologize, my lord, but the Gunns abducted me in the woods and sent my lord’s men fleeing. I am finally here and beg for your aid. I have nowhere to go.” Bree lowered her gaze to her feet and tried to appear meek. The laird surmised her and after several minutes of silence, he motioned to a chair.
“You do resemble the lass I remember from years ago. Aye, ye got her fair hair and blue eyes. Come, sit and tell me of this miraculous escape. Fetch a trencher for my lady.”
Bree took the seat vacated by another man, and was handed a goblet of ale. Thankful for something to occupy her hands, she pretended to take a drink. Someone placed a trencher of food in front of her, but she couldn’t stomach eating as nervous as she was.
“’Twas not so miraculous, my lord. I waited until the Gunn laird was absent and was able to leave.” She set the goblet on the table and lowered her gaze.
“I heard tell ye were going to go through with the betrothal to Gunn.”
Bree scowled at the meaning of his words. If he knew of the betrothal and that she was considering wedding Grey, someone was giving him information. She didn’t remark on his comment.
After a few seconds of silence, MacHeth asked, “Where did the Gunn laird go?”
“Off to a wedding at the Ross keep, my lord. At least, that is what I overheard. I didn’t wish to go with him when he found me in the woods, but I had no choice. They forced me to go with them. The Gunns are fearsome and I was quite scared.” Bree’s words caused her stomach to flinch. Saying anything afoul of the Gunns didn’t seem right.
“Fearsome, bah. You are safe now. Know you of your childhood, my lady?”
“Aye, my father was Laird Mackay. I understand I was cared for. Why, my lord, did you take me from my home?” In all the years Bree had existed that was mayhap the one question she wanted answered.
Laird MacHeth took his time answering. After taking a drink from his goblet, he lowered it and smiled wily. “You see, that is why I abducted you. You are not the daughter of Laird Mackay.”
Bree’s vision blurred. Her world crashed around her and she tried to catch her breath. Now shaking, she couldn’t control her reaction to his words. If she meant to show the MacHeth she indeed was a docile woman, he would surely believe it now.
Bree closed her eyes and pretended to faint. She hit the floor and lay lethargically. It was the only thing she could think of doing when she suddenly needed escape. Silence met her and then she felt her body being picked up. With her eyes closed, she waited to see where she would be taken. Anywhere was far better than in the company of that heathen.
* * *
Voices brought Bree from her ruse. She blinked before being able to focus. Standing next to her, were three men, one of whom was the MacHeth.
“Are you unwell, my lady? Shall I have a healer fetched?”
“I must have … I do apologize, my lord. I never faint. Your words greatly affected me.” Bree was getting better at lying. She tried to sit up and looked around her. The chamber she’d been taken to was sparsely furnished, but clean and the bedding comfortable. She noticed Gordy standing near the door and nodded to him.
“I fear I gave ye a fright, lass, when I spoke of your birth.”
“How do you know I am not the daughter of Mackay?”
“You’re a bastard he took in. I was there the night ye were delivered to him.”
“Are you certain?” Bree couldn’t believe what he’d told her.
“Aye, very certain. We were given the task of seeing to our lord’s protection when he traveled. We heard the babe’s cries during our ride to Mackay land. My lad saw the bundle being handed over to Mackay’s wife and reported to me it was indeed a bairn.”
“I am awed by this news. Why take me? What matter if I was given to the Mackays?”
She waited for him to say something, anything, but he stood silent for a minute or so.
“Couldn’t let them use you to unite the clans,” he said, speaking with a firm voice.
“You took me because you wanted to get back at your king, so he couldn’t unite the clans?” Bree didn’t know what to think of his affirmation.
“Damned right we did. We couldn’t let the Mackays and Gunns make peace.”
“Why not? What did it matter if you let the clans unite?”
MacHeth paced before the bedding, and he stopped at the end and turned to her. “I will not speak of political matters with a woman. If ye want safety, you are welcome to stay here.” With that, he left the chamber, banging the door behind him.
Confusion riddled her with thoughts. Why had MacHeth sent for her if he cared not if she stayed? The thought that she was not a Mackay didn’t really affect her. She didn’t feel as though she belonged to the Mackay clan and it mattered not whose child she was.
Bree sat on the edge of the bedding and when Gordy tried to speak with her, she raised her finger to her lips. Best not speak, for she was certain ears were everywhere. After Gordy handed her satchel to her, she bid him to await her in the hall, and then she changed her garments. She combed her hair and slipped her feet into the slippers that matched the gown the Gunn soldier’s wife had given her. Shame she wasn’t able to wear it to the lavish event at Donal’s.
As she went to open the door, Gordy rose from the position he’d taken in front of it. He followed her to the hall. Once there, she walked to the table where MacHeth sat. She retook her seat and tried to appear submissive.
“You have returned.” MacHeth said.
“Aye, I am well enough. My lord, I do thank you for your protection. I did not mean to question you, but I have always wanted to know the truth.”
“You are welcome here, Lady Albrey. I am delighted you have finally returned. The truth is much simpler than what ye make it to be. We didn’t want the clans united and removing you was the only solution.”
“May I ask a question?” Bree mustered the courage to test him.
“Aye,” he said before taking a bit of the meat he speared with his dagger.
“What do you plan to do with me?”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Grey wished with all his heart he knew what was happening to Bree.
For hours he paced the old chamber beneath the keep envisioning the worst. He waited for someone to come, but no one had. If it took the rest of his life, he would repay Alexander for this atrocity. He couldn’t believe his king’s backstabbing deceit. Grey seethed and wanted retribution. He wanted to kill someone and that someone was Alexander.
A clank sounded on the door of the steps to the lower level. He instantly became alert and waited to see who had come. The dismal aura of the lower level lent darkness and he couldn’t see very far. A figure, dark and gray emanated from the stairs.
“Grey, ‘tis me, Donal.” As he strode forward, he cleared the murkiness of the dungeon and hesitated to move forward.
“What is happening? Did he really send Bree to MacHeth?”
Donal stood next to the bars of the cell Grey had been placed in. “Aye, she’s been gone for several hours. This is the first I’ve been able to get away unnoticed. I’m sorry, Grey. I didn’t know what Alexander intended. For I wouldn’t have asked him to come, nor insist she answer his questions if I had. We could have handled MacHeth on our own without his interference.” Donal cured a few times and then spit on the ground.
“’Tis too late for that, Donal. The lass is in dire trouble. Tell me what happened after I
was taken away.”
“He called forth your guard and bid them to stay on my land until he gave them permission to leave it. Alexander chose Gordy to go with her. He bade her to return with proof of MacHeth’s guilt.”
“Damnation! Gordy’s but a lad and can’t protect her. What in hell is he thinking? Does he not care she could be killed?”
“I know not what’s in Alexander’s mind, but I would calm down were I you.”
“Calm down? He just sent my betrothed into the lair of that daemon banshee and you expect me to be calm? I am planning my revenge, aye sweet vengeance. Aye, a good killing is in order. I vow, Donal, if I get close to Alexander, I’ll strangle him with my bare hands.”
Donal shook his head. “Ye speak treasonous. Cease your anger, Grey. If you want to be released and able to convince Alexander to save your lass, you best rethink vengeance. Mayhap he’ll change his mind and let ye go to her.”
Grey scoffed and continued to pace inside the cell. “I am worried for her.”
“I know you are.”
“She’s a delicate lass and can’t protect herself, and he sends a lad with her? It’s inconceivable. How can he put her safety above his crown?” Grey couldn’t imagine what she was going through. It killed him to be so helpless. He’d lost her once and but he vowed never to again. With his hands tied so to speak, there was nothing he could do.
“He doesn’t love Bree as you do. Now his crown, aye, he loves his crown.”
Someone was coming, and the sound of footsteps came. Grey hoped it was his guard, so he could at least assure himself they were well. If he could get word to his guard, he would give them instruction and have them ready.
“I knew I would find you here. The minute my back is turned … Damn, ye, Donal.”
“Sire, release me.” Grey gripped the iron bars and rattled them, though they barely moved. He was securely imprisoned. It was a good thing, because if he was freed at that moment, his hands would have fastened around Alexander’s neck and the king would be no more.