“You, my fine Laird MacMillan and your brother and niece shall accompany me to my camp; ye will be my bait to bring forth the elusive Warrior Queen of Scotland. I will trade her for your three lives.” He grinned as he ran his hand over Isobel’s hair.
“Take our weapons, and let Isobel ride with her father and you have a deal.” Broderick spat out in disgust, his primary concern was getting Isobel away from a notorious rapist.
Kincaid’s grin broadened into a smile as signaled for his men to dismount and disarm the warriors standing before him, “So easily ye trade your lives for Elisabeth’s, I wonder what she’ll say about that Laird MacMillan.”
Broderick stood perfectly still as Kincaid’s men disarmed him of his weapons, taking with them the sword Elisabeth had given him on their wedding day. He thought of her as he watched them strip his brother of his swords and daggers as well.
Was she okay? Would she ever forgive him? God he had made a muck of his relationship with her once again, beside him his brother tensed under the stress of having his only daughter held as prisoner.
“Easy Kendrix,” he warned quietly as the Douglas warriors secured their hands behind their backs with harsh rope. He could tell Kendrix was struggling to accept the fact that Isobel was now Kincaid’s prisoner, as they all were.
“Get on your horses, I’ll hand the girl over to her father. If either of you try anything I will make you watch her die. Hurry, I have a letter to write to my dear Elisabeth,” Kincaid foretold as sat like a smug ass upon his horse.
The MacMillan brothers swung into their saddles, their reins seized by Douglas men, and brought over to Kincaid. Everything in Broderick’s soul wanted to lung out and murder Kincaid with his bare hands, something easily done, however with Isobel here, he refused to risk her life. He knew that Elisabeth had his vast army at her disposal. She would come. Even if he had broken her heart into a million pieces, The Warrior Queen of Scotland would ride upon Kincaid and his men and bring down cold death upon them.
She would come for him, she would come for Kendrix, and she would most assuredly come for her beloved niece Isobel. Broderick knew without a shadow of doubt, Kincaid’s fatal error was kidnapping Isobel. He had seen it well before he left, imagining their bond had grown stronger in his absence, Elisabeth loved Isobel dearly. She would make a deal with the devil to save her, and he counted on her wit and military training to save them all.
Broderick watched as Kincaid drew up beside him with Isobel, her eyes red from crying, with his eyes only upon his niece, he watched Kincaid easily lift Isobel into Kendrix’s saddle.
The flaming haired Douglas Laird pointed a finger at the lass and warned, “No problems child, I would hate for ye to see your Da and Uncle die because of you. Ask your Aunt Elisabeth, watching yer family die before your eyes is something no lass should see,” he taunted with a cold evil tone, “Shall we gentleman? So much to do, so much to do!” Laughing, Kincaid kicked his horse and took off, his guards following closely. The Douglas warriors secured Broderick and Kendrix’s horses to their own, and without warning, spurred their horses in chase of their master.
Broderick and Kendrix rode side by side, behind the traveling warriors he heard his younger brother trying to calm Isobel.
“Hold on to my belt, cover yer face with my tartan love, we will be okay darling.” Kendrix voice was calm and soothing to the child.
“Aunt Elisabeth will come for us Isobel.” Broderick added, low enough that only they could hear. The men before them ignoring them completely, the thundering of hooves drove out their low voices.
Seeing her bright blue eyes pierce his soul, “Promise Uncle Broderick?”
“I promise on my honor my love, Aunt Elisabeth will come, she loves you with all her heart Isobel. She will rescue us.” He vowed.
Thundering through the night, the Douglas men took them to a large camp just west of his lands, it took only hours to reach the encampment. The camp had shown signs of lengthy stay; they had been here for weeks, if not longer. Tents lined under the natural protection of a nearby mountain range, smoke rose from the numerous fires throughout camp. Broderick easily estimated Douglas numbers to reach the two hundred or more.
He and Kendrix memorized the entire layout, where weapons were stored, food and cattle as they passed through the camp. The tents of warriors encircled the largest tent of them all; he knew that is where Kincaid made his bed. In the center of the circle two large posts stood, arriving into camp the Douglas men cheered with victory seeing their Laird bring home the enemy with so few men.
Isobel shook with fear at the roar of the crowd, so young and innocent it made Broderick’s blood boil to see her so fearful.
Out of the large tent, the door opened and out stepped Siobhan. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the traitor, beside him he heard Kendrix spit as he said her name.
An eerie smile warmed her face as she saw what Kincaid had brought back to camp. Turning her gaze to Kincaid, she awaited him to dismount before walking over to him.
Broderick and Kendrix watched in disgust as Kincaid claimed Siobhan’s mouth in a sickening kiss before he turned back to them and ordered his men, “Tie them to the post, bring the lass to Siobhan, and get me a courier!”
“No!” Kendrix shouted his voice rippled through the frozen forest, refusing to give his daughter over to the vicious bitch.
“I won’t hurt her Kendrix, not unless she gives me trouble, isn’t that right Isobel?” She cautioned with a wicked grin as she eyed the child upon Kendrix’s lap.
Beside him, he heard Isobel whisper, “Tis okay Da, Aunt Elisabeth will be here soon. She willnae let Siobhan live again if she harms me. I’ll be alright Da, promise.”
Such bravery in his niece made his heart swell with pride as he listened to father and daughter; she was a true MacMillan warrior, even at the tender age of five.
Kendrix whispered back, “Remember what your Aunt has taught you my child, every single thing, make her proud.”
Clenching his jaw, Broderick tried to contain his rage towards Siobhan and Kincaid for putting his beloved family in his position. He vowed to his fallen parents, to Elisabeth’s fallen family, he would nae let Kincaid live through the night. That bastard’s black heart would be pulled from his chest by his hand.
“Dinnae hurt her Siobhan, Elisabeth has warned you twice, she willnae be so lenient again.” Kendrix decreed, his warning was evident.
The brothers watched as Siobhan’s face went white, it was apparent the threat of Elisabeth’s wrath was enough to properly warn the conniving bitch. Swallowing deeply, Siobhan walked forward and pulled Siobhan down roughly, glaring at the men the entire time. After Isobel was removed, several Douglas warriors pulled them down off their horses and jerked the large MacMillan men over to the two hefty wooden posts set in the middle of the camp.
Broderick and Kendrix did not fight as they were each tied to a pole, hands behind their backs, facing Kincaid’s tent across the snow-trampled field. Side by side they stood tall, weaponless and menacing, they waited for their Queen.
Soon enough Kincaid had wrote his missive to Elisabeth and sent it out with his fastest messenger bound for Castle MacMillan.
Night had fallen, and the MacMillan brothers were left alone in the center of the camp while the Douglas warriors warmed themselves by fires, or sought the comfort of their pallets in tents. Kincaid had taken to his tent along with Siobhan. Alone together, the brothers spoke in low tones, devising plans to ensure their safety as well as Isobel’s. They knew right were Isobel was, she was in a small tent with lady servants, hidden from them and the bone chilling wind, they were sure she was safe for the time being while they awaited Elisabeth.
“Kendrix, I must tell you a secret about Elisabeth, something only the King, I and Elisabeth know.” Broderick spoke in a soft tone, not to draw attention of any of the passing Douglas men who patrolled the area. Watching Kendrix turn his attention off the tent where his daughter was housed, he locked eyes with
his brother and continued, “Elisabeth is the hidden heir to the King of England, should he fall, she is next in line for the crown.” Close enough together, Broderick was able to make out Kendrix’s face in the dark, his brother started to laugh quietly.
“You laugh? I tell you I married the heir to the Crown, and you laugh? Elisabeth must be protected at all costs when she arrives with my army, she must survive!” Completely confused at Kendrix’s reaction, he watched his brother in astonishment. Had Kendrix gone insane?
Shaking his head and focusing on Broderick, “I laugh because Kincaid has given Elisabeth exactly what she needed; he has played into her hand perfectly.”
“Explain Kendrix, now!” His quiet voice rumbled.
Adjusting his feet and back against the rough pole, Kendrix cleared his throat and cast a watchful gaze across the empty camp before locking eyes with Broderick, “Understand this Brother, this is something your wife should be telling you, not me. Had you welcomed her properly, I imagine she would have told you this herself. I agree she shall be protected at all costs, but for an entirely different reason than being King Richards only surviving heir. Did you stop to wonder why Elisabeth lost focus tonight and became injured? Did you wonder why she was sobbing in my arms? Today, moments before you arrived in the study, she realized she would not be able to ride with us to seek vengeance upon Kincaid. Think Brother, what would cause that?” He asked quietly, watching Broderick’s face change.
Closing his eyes, Broderick’s reply was but a whisper. “She’s with child.”
“Aye, I had noticed subtle changes in her throughout the past weeks while you’ve been gone, changes I once saw in my own wife when she carried Isobel. I questioned Elisabeth during training upstairs in your study and she froze like a statue, causing me to land my blow upon her sword arm. She hadn’t yet realized she is still thin and assumed her ailments were due to missing you. I knew we would ride south upon your return; she needed to come to grips with her motherhood before we set out to seek vengeance. I didnae know when you would return, and I did not want her injuring herself during drills, the only way to stop her was to have her realize. She cried for her family, for the loss of avenging them with her own hands,” pausing he waited until Broderick looked back at him, “I say he played into her hands in truth, he gave her the only excuse viable to wage her war and be present, he took the only family she has left. She will come Broderick; she would ride through hell for you, even after how you treated her. She would make a deal with the devil himself for Isobel. She willnae let Kincaid take us from her, even with your child in her belly, your wife will come.”
“Jesu Kendrix, why didn’t you tell me before this? My wife is with child, and very well riding here with hundreds of warriors to save us! How bad did you injure her sword arm?”
“Dinnae get angry with me for not telling you sooner, it wasn’t my news to share earlier Brother, she’ll probably be furious for me telling you! Her arm is nothing compared to the damage you waged on her heart! You left her in my care Broderick, I did my job and watched over her, I love her like a sister; I would give my life for her. In the past weeks she has impressed the entire clan, castle, warriors and myself with her intelligence, compassion and Jesus, the woman is a military genius!”
Sighing deeply, he let his mind take in what Kendrix had just said. Elisabeth, his wife, the love of his life was carrying his child, “I’m sorry Kendrix, ye are right. I have no right to be angry with you.”
“Trust her Broderick, for once in your life when she comes, trust that she has a plan. I would imagine at this very moment she is planning and plotting, I’ve known no one who possesses the ability to read enemies and have such brilliant plans, not even our grandfather. Whatever happens, trust that it is all in her plan. Kincaid is no match for her; she will protect your babe with her very life, as she will do the same for the three of us prisoners. All we have to do is simply wait for her well laid plans to unfold and get her and Isobel out of here alive. I have complete faith she will save Isobel, there is no doubt in my mind. Nothing will stop her Broderick, nothing.”
The cold winter wind nipped at his face as he rested his head against the pole he was tied to, reflecting on his brother’s words “I am to be a father?”
“It appears you are the husband to the future Queen of England, and father to the heir of the MacMillan Clan. You are married to The Warrior Queen of Scotland who carries your babe in her womb; brace yourself Broderick, life just got very interesting for you Brother.” Kendrix playfully announced softly so only Broderick could hear.
“I dinnae deserve her.” Broderick admitted, ashamed for the way he had treated her. How much he wished he could take it all back, to fix his wrong doings and make it right with her this very moment. Time and time again he had reacted poorly, and every time she forgave him, would she forgive him this time?
“You will be able to spend the rest of your life proving to her that you do, get some rest Broderick, I have a feeling The Warrior Queen of Scotland rides our way, and she is very angry.”
Chapter 18
Waking to the insistent pounding upon her door, Elisabeth pushed herself off the floor of her cold solar and rubbed her face as she shouted, “Who is there?”
“Tis Rhona my lady, open the door!”
The panic in Rhona’s voice made her snap to attention, popping up off the floor she swung the bolt free and pulled the door open. Before her the elder lady was in tears holding a letter in a shaking hand.
“Broderick left hours ago Elisabeth, in search of Kendrix who had ridden out of the gates on his stallion, they think little Isobel followed them without their knowledge. They cannae be found,” reaching out she gave the letter to Elisabeth with a trembling hand, “this arrived moments ago from a Douglas messenger, my heart tells me something is wrong Elisabeth, very wrong. I can feel in me bones, just like when the boys’ parents died.”
Taking in the information Rhona shared, the time line and premonition, she pulled her dagger out and opened the letter and read the words of her most hated enemy, Kincaid.
Elisabeth,
I have what you want, all three of them.
I will trade your life for theirs.
Hurry, Isobel misses her Aunt.
Kincaid
“Fuck!” she roared as she crumbled the letter in her fist, her heart pounded in rage. How had this happened? How had he captured them?
Kincaid had taken the only family she had left. He taunted her, and he had given her exactly what she needed to avenge her family, even in her condition. Nothing could stop her from descending upon Kincaid and his men, she would raise Broderick’s army of warriors and she would rain cold death upon the Douglas clan. The man had signed his own death warrant.
“Rhona, call to Ajax, I need him to order the army up, we ride within the hour, they have my family and I want them back!” She exclaimed as she started to pull at her blood soaked tattered dress she had slept in. Jaw clenched, she saw red. The time to act was now, all the weeks, all the heartbreak led to this. Tonight she would see that man die; Kincaid would meet his maker tonight.
“Yes my lady, at once!” Rhona turned to run down the stairs. The wolfhounds came bounding up the stone stairs and ran to Elisabeth’s side. Watching Rhona disappear down the stairs, Elisabeth looked down at her shaggy hounds in despair.
“Ye are not with them? Jesu!” Turning she pulled her broadsword out of her belt and slammed it on the table, ignoring the sting in her upper arm where Kendrix had cut her earlier she focused on the task at hand, preparing for war. Ripping her shredded gown off of her she moved quickly as she selected her items to bring.
Stripping naked she looked down at her still flat stomach and ran a tentative hand over her womb, closing her eyes she prayed Broderick would understand. Kincaid had given her no choice; she could not sit by and send the warriors without a leader. Kincaid had taken three people she loved, and she would ride into hell to save them, even carrying Broderick’s child. Taking
a soothing breath, she opened her eyes and pushed aside the thought of being with child, she needed to transform into The Warrior Queen of Scotland.
The words of her brother ran in her mind, Focus on your goal, push aside fear and doubt. Calm your heart and mind, become one with your weapon and keep your eye on the prize Sister. Duncan’s words echoed within her, nodding to herself she opened her eyes and knew what she had to do. Pulling on a fresh pair of warm tights she quickly dressed, grabbing a new gown Rhona had modified for her, she smiled as she focused her body and mind.
It was a gown fit for a queen, but designed for a warrior. She had full movement in the arms and shoulders; hidden pockets were sewed in by Rhona to allow for weapons to be hidden. The dress was regal, yet it did not hinder her movements at all.
Sliding it over her shoulders, she set to the laces that were fitted down her sides, which allowed her to dress without assistance. Once secured, she lifted her skirts and slipped on her leather huntsman boots, lacing them with efficient grace she slipped several daggers into each boot. In the cold distance, she heard the signal to arms; her men would be ready and waiting soon. Lovingly placing Broderick’s tartan across her chest, it fell gracefully over her left shoulder she walked over to her armor.
Standing before her wardrobe she picked up her hand tooled leather bracers that Broderick had made and pulled them on one by one, lacing them tightly around her slim wrists. Picking up her leather belt, she strapped it securely around her waist, before her was a mass collection of weapons to choose from. She needed to prepare herself for anything, yet could not be hindered by heavy weight, hence the reason she refused to wear her chainmail. She needed her speed more than ever. Eyeing her weapons, she looked at the lethal blades Broderick had made with his own skillful hands; tears welled in her eyes as she thought about him. He had been so angry, so hurtful, and so wrong; yet, she loved him and would still give her life for him.
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