Courage of a Highlander

by Katy Baker

  “Hear that, lads?” Aiden said to the men gathered around him. “We’ve got it lined up. Now put yer backs into it and we’ll have this wall built by noon!”

  The eight other men groaned but set to work. They were out in the northern paddock, repairing a wall that had come down during a recent storm. It ran close to the cliff-edge and if they didn’t repair it before the winter snows set in in earnest, the rest of the wall would likely collapse and go crashing into the sea.

  The men fell into easy companionship, each man knowing what they needed to do, and exchanging good-natured banter as they worked.

  Aiden was soon puffing and sweating but found himself enjoying the work. There was something simple about working with his men to achieve a goal. No politics. No worrying about the future. They knew what they had to do and got on with it.

  “Easy, lad,” said Ceardach, standing with his hands on hips. “Ye’ve moved three of the damned things already. What are ye trying to do? Shame the rest of us into working harder?”

  Drake came up and gave a wink. “Nah, he’s hoping a certain young lady might be watching. What better way to impress her than by showing how big and strong he is?”

  The rest of the men burst into laughter and Aiden scowled. “I dinna think ye are one to talk, Drake Harris,” he said. “What did I see ye doing the other day? Following Myra around the market whilst she looked at dresses!”

  The men laughed again—at Drake’s expense this time. Aiden returned to his work. Lord, was he that obvious that even the men had noticed? He thought he’d hidden his feelings for Kara but that obviously wasn’t the case. In the last fortnight since they’d returned from the sea cave he’d just about being going out of his mind with thoughts of her. He found himself dreaming about her at night and finding excuses to bump into her during the day. In the evenings, when they all gathered in the Great Hall, he sat with her and they talked, told stories, played chess and tafl.

  But he’d been careful not to be alone with her. If he did, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to control himself. The way he’d lost control at the sea cave scared him a little. He was a warrior, trained and disciplined. He could keep calm in the chaos of battle. He could remain detached, able to make rational decisions whilst chaos raged around him. So why was he unable to think straight whenever Kara was around? Why did her presence turn his thoughts to mush and his legs to water?

  It made no sense. No sense at all.

  He lifted another stone into place under Ceardach’s careful instruction. Skilled in engineering, Ceardach was Dun Arnwick’s master builder. He eyed the newly laid stones with a quizzical eye, checking they were straight and placed correctly to bear the wall’s weight. Only when he was satisfied, did they continue.

  They worked like this for several hours and gradually the wall repairs took shape. Aiden lost himself in the work. The physical labor and the banter of the men around him meant he was able to push away his worries and live just in the moment. They’d almost finished the repairs when a figure came hurrying out of the gates of Dun Arnwick towards them.

  The figure seemed to be in a hurry and all but ran the distance to the edge of the paddock. Aiden straightened. It was Bhradain. He was out of breath and waved his arms to get their attention.

  “Come quickly,” he said, gasping. “Great Hall...now. Raiders....another attack.”

  Aiden’s heart thudded. In an instant his light mood evaporated to be replaced by a churning anger. Without a word he broke into a run for the gates, Bhradain by his side. He took the steps up to the Great Hall two at a time and hurried inside. His parents were already seated at the high table, with a group of villagers standing in front of them. His father waved for Aiden and Bhradain to join them and they took seats at the high table. Aiden sat by his father’s side, palms resting flat on the smooth oak surface. In front of the table a sorry band of survivors were telling their tale. There were only five of them, all that was left of a small community over by St. Margaret’s Bay. Everyone else had either been killed or carried off by Irish raiders who had hit the settlement that morning.

  “We hid, my lord,” an old man said, wringing his hands in his grief. “I didnae know what else to do. We hid in the cellar and by, the grace of God, they didnae find us. When we came out, they’d set the village alight and scattered whatever animals they couldnae take aboard their ships. I should have helped my people. I’m a coward, lord.”

  Andrew rose from his seat and approached the man. Laying one of his meaty hands on the man’s shoulders, he looked him in the eye. “Ye did the right thing. If ye’d have fought, ye and yer family would also likely have been killed or taken. Ye were wise to hide, there’s nay shame in that.”

  Aiden met his father’s eyes. His gaze smoldered with anger. Aiden could see the desire to ride out himself battling with the knowledge he had to stay to lead the clan.

  “Ye know what to do, son,” Andrew growled. “Find them and bring them to justice.”

  Aiden punched his hand to his heart in salute. “Aye, sir. Jamie, Drake, to me. Have the war band muster and be ready to ride within the hour. Gather in the courtyard and make sure everyone is kitted for battle.”

  Jamie and Drake ran off to do his bidding and Aiden hurried through the castle to his own chamber. Once there he pulled off his sweat-covered clothes and donned a fresh shirt and plaid. Over this went a leather hauberk, greaves and boots. He strapped a brace of daggers around his waist and deposited two into the tops of his boots. His claymore and shield lay propped against one wall. He would grab them before he left.

  As he donned his battle-gear Aiden felt his mind settle into that calm detachment he found only before battle. His thoughts retreated, his worries became something for another day. There was only this moment. This time. The next heartbeat. The next indrawn breath. The next moment that might be your last. Deep inside him a roiling anger burned. Fury that these bastards would harm his people. But his anger was distant, something he was aware of, but it did not control him. He was cold, clear-headed, ready to fight.

  There was a knock on the door. Aiden yanked it open, expecting to find one of his warriors on the other side. He went stock-still when he saw that it was Kara. She had her arms wrapped around herself as if cold and her face was pale.

  “Can I come in?”

  Aiden pulled the door wide. “Of course.”

  She strode past him and stood by the fireplace, staring down into the cold ashes. Aiden closed the door and turned to face her.

  “Is somewhat wrong, lass?”

  She whirled to face him and Aiden was shocked by the expression on her face. She looked desolate, her skin like alabaster.

  “Don’t go,” she choked out. “Please don’t go.”

  His calm detachment shattered like glass. In its place a fierce protectiveness welled up. Kara looked more vulnerable than he’d ever seen her. The brave facade was gone and instead she looked terrified. He longed to step forward and enfold her in his arms, to hold her like he never wanted to let her go. But he didn’t.

  “I must, lass,” he said gently. “It is my duty. Who else would go in my place?”

  “None of you should go!” she cried. “This is wrong. Wrong!”

  “What do ye mean? We must bring these men to justice. If we dinna—”

  “But not like this,” she interrupted. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to happen. I can feel it.” She looked at him and for a second he thought he saw shadows shifting in her eyes. He remembered a ring of standing stones high on a hillside and a shiver of unease ran down his spine.

  “Dinna worry, lass,” he said. He stepped close and put a finger under her chin, tilting her head back to look at him. “We’ve faced brigands such as these many times and each time we’ve defeated them. This will be nay different. Ye have to trust me. Ye trust me dinna ye?”

  She gazed up at him for a long moment and some of the anguish receded. “I...I....” she looked around, trying to find the words. “I just have this terrible fee
ling.” She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath before opening them again. “Promise, me,” she demanded. “Promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me you’ll come back.”

  Oh, how he longed to hold her in his arms. How he longed to bend down and kiss those lips. But he knew where that would lead and it was too dangerous. He needed to be cold, detached, focused for what was to come. So instead he raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.

  “My lady,” he said formally. “I give ye my word as a Harris that I will return.”

  She straightened and nodded. “Good. I’ll hold you to that.”

  He nodded in turn then bade her farewell, grabbed his sword and shield and walked out of the door. As he neared the end of the corridor he looked back. Through the open door of his chamber he saw Kara standing there, watching him leave.

  His heart twisted. I’ll always come back to ye, he thought to himself. Always.

  Chapter 13

  Kara didn’t watch them leave. The terrible sense of foreboding hadn’t left her but she did her best to push it to one side. Aiden was a trained soldier and had fought in many battles, just like he’d said. He had the garrison of Dun Arnwick around him to face a ragtag bunch of raiders. He would be fine. He would. She was being irrational.

  So she tried to forget what she’d sensed and busied herself around the castle. She went down to the kitchens and enquired if there was anything she could do to be helpful and was promptly sent to collect firewood from the stack by the outer pasture.

  She wrapped her cloak about herself against the cold wind and made her way out to the log pile.

  There was a wheelbarrow here for transporting the wood and Kara began filling it with logs. It was hard, heavy work, and Kara was glad of the exertion. It soon pushed her worries to the back of her mind. By the time she’d filled the barrow, she was sweating, despite the cold wind. She grabbed the handles of the barrow and was just about to start pushing it back to the kitchen when a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. She crashed to her knees, pressing her hands to her temples.

  Her vision blurred and when it cleared she didn’t see the barrow, the log pile or Dun Arnwick anymore. Instead, she saw a rocky path through a wooded valley at the base of a sharp escarpment. A group of mounted men came riding down the road and Kara’s heart leapt as she recognized Aiden in the lead. Then shouts suddenly echoed around them and men came pouring out of a cleft in the escarpment, shouting in a language Kara didn’t recognize. They ran towards Aiden’s group, weapons flashing in the sunlight.

  Then her vision shifted and she saw a ring of standing stones outlined against the sky. Voices whispered in her head. Embrace who ye are. Come to us. Ye are ours.

  A terrible, roaring pain rampaged through her skull and she clamped her fingers over her temples, trying to drown out the voices, the images. “No! Leave me alone! Thu cha toir mi!”

  Then someone was kneeling next to her and hands were gently taking her shoulders. “Kara, what is it? Kara?”

  She opened her eyes to see Lucy and Beth crouched on either side of her, their eyes wide with concern.

  “I have to see Andrew,” Kara gasped, pushing them aside and climbing to her feet. “It’s a trap. They’re riding into a trap.” She took a few steps but staggered as the dizziness returned. Lucy and Beth shared a look and then took her by the elbows.

  “All right,” Lucy said. “This way.”

  They guided her to the Great Hall where Andrew was sitting with Bhradain, going over some papers. The laird looked up in alarm when he saw his wife and daughter enter, supporting Kara between them.

  “What is it?” Andrew asked. “Kara, lass, are ye well?”

  She pushed away from Lucy and Beth’s support and faced Andrew. “Go after them,” she rasped. “Aiden and the others. You have to stop them. It’s a trap.”

  Andrew frowned. “Trap? What do ye mean, lass? However could ye know that?”

  Kara shook her head. She didn’t have time for this. She had to make them believe her. She knew, with a cold, hard certainty that the vision she’d seen was true. “I can’t tell you how I know because I don’t know myself. But I do.” She met the laird’s stern gaze, imploring him to believe her. “Please,” she said. “If you don’t go after them, Aiden is going to die.”

  Lucy gasped and Andrew stared at her in shock. “Listen, lass. I can see ye are upset by Aiden riding into danger but ye must get a hold of yerself. Ye canna go around making such claims without evidence. I suggest ye retire to yer room. Ye will feel better once ye’ve rested.”

  Kara slammed her fist down on the table, upsetting a jar of ink that spilled a black puddle across the oaken surface. “You’re not listening to me! I’m right on this—I know I am! You have to go after them! If I’m wrong, you can throw me in a cell or whatever you like, just as long as you go after them!”

  Lucy stepped up beside Kara. “Husband, I think you should listen to her. I think there’s more to this than we realize. When we found her she was shouting in Gaelic and the words she was using.” She glanced at Kara and her eyes were wide and wary. “The only person I’ve ever heard speak those words before is Irene MacAskill.”

  Andrew glanced from his wife to Kara and back again. He rubbed his chin and then finally threw up his hands. “Very well. Bhradain, summon the rest of the garrison. Leave only a skeleton command to protect Dun Arnwick. We ride out immediately.”

  Bhradain’s expression turned incredulous. “What? Ye canna be serious, my lord! Surely ye dinna give credence to such superstitious nonsense? I’m sure Lady Kara believes what she’s saying but tis nay more than silly womanish worrying!”

  Andrew turned to his foster-son. “Bhradain, if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s not to be complacent where Irene MacAskill is concerned. Now do as I bid.”

  He began striding from the hall and Kara fell into step beside him.

  “Where do ye think ye are going?” Andrew demanded, turning to her and putting his hands on his hips.

  “With you,” she replied. He opened his mouth to reply but Kara held up a hand to stop him. “You’ll have to tie me up to make me stay behind.”

  “Let her go,” Lucy said. Her voice was filled with worry. “Andrew, bring our son safe home.”

  Andrew nodded. “I will.” Then to Kara he said, “Ye will stay in the middle of the group and do exactly as I say.”

  Kara nodded. She would agree to anything as long as she got help for Aiden and the others.

  Andrew nodded tightly and together he and Kara strode from the hall.

  ***

  Aiden held up his hand for silence. Around him, the men pulled their horses to a halt and silently slid their weapons from their scabbards, eyes scanning the terrain. Aiden went perfectly still, listening. There was only silence. No call of birds, no whisper of the wind. But there was something...

  He slid from the saddle and landed lightly on the ground. Placing his hand flat against the damp earth, he closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sounds and smells wash over him. Ahead, something moved in the underbrush. Signaling for the men to wait, he drew his sword and held it in a two-handed grip. He padded silently forward, eyes trained on the patch of shadow in the undergrowth.

  Something exploded out of the bushes. He managed to fling himself to the side just as a wild boar and her family of piglets hurtled by, squealing loud enough to wake the dead. They thundered past him and disappeared into the woods to Aiden’s left. He blew out a long breath and ran his fingers through his hair, thankful there hadn’t been a male with that family otherwise it would likely have attacked rather than running.

  He returned to his horse and remounted, signaling the column on its way. The men obeyed without a word, his uncle Jamie passing him a water skin from which Aiden took a long drink. Lord above, but he wished it was whisky in there rather than water.

  He’d felt uneasy since the moment he’d ridden from Dun Arnwick. They’d thundered away from the castle, pushing the mounts to a
gallop but as they’d neared their destination Aiden had slowed them to a walk. It was likely that the enemy had scouts and pickets around their camp watching out for visitors and Aiden wanted to avoid giving their quarry any advance warning. So for the last half an hour they’d picked their way with care along a trail that wound across the steep side of a river valley. Below them the valley fell away to a dark, tangled mass of vegetation that surrounded the river and to their right rose a sheer limestone escarpment. It was along this escarpment that they made their careful way.

  He pulled up his horse and scanned the terrain ahead.

  “What is it, lad?” Jamie asked. “What do ye see?”

  “Look how the valley narrows ahead, with those two rocks sticking out on either side. If ye were a brigand where would ye position scouts?”

  Jamie studied the view. “Aye,” he said at last. “If they’d positioned scouts, then it’s likely they’ll be atop those spurs.”

  “But they’re not,” Aiden replied. “I’ve been watching those positions from the moment we arrived and there’s been nay movement up there at all. Why would they ignore the best scouting spot around here?”

  Jamie shrugged. “Perhaps they’re nay very good brigands?”

  “Maybe,” Aiden muttered. “But I dinna like it.”

  They carried on moving and after ten minutes or so the trail wound around a bend in the escarpment and Aiden found himself face to face with a rockslide. Some of the escarpment had fallen away and the trail ahead was blocked by a gigantic pile of rocks and debris. A second, smaller trail branched off from the one they were following and descended into the valley bottom, towards the river.

  Jamie stood in his stirrups and examined the rock face. “Looks recent. Maybe the recent snows dislodged it.” He glanced at the second trail. “Seems we’ve only got one path to take.”

  He nudged his horse down the second trail but Aiden held up his hand.

  “Wait.”

  The men looked at him expectantly.

  “There’s something wrong here. This doesnae feel right.”