Highland Rogue

by Dana D'Angelo

  “Nay, I think I’ll wait here with Alisha today,” he said.

  “All right,” Father Cormac said, looking a little crestfallen. “Once I’ve done my rounds, we can get ready tae return tae Newtonburgh.”

  “We’re going back sae soon?” Seamus asked, not bothering to hide his disappointment.

  Father Cormac detached the packhorse from the cart. “As much as the commander wishes me tae stay, I’m also needed by the townspeople.”

  Alisha waited until Father Cormac had ridden off and was well out of earshot.

  “Since when have ye ever wanted tae spend time in my company?” Alisha couldn’t help it but her tone was slightly sarcastic. She no longer felt hungry, and she took the leftover bread, wrapped it in a cloth, and attached it to her belt.

  “I had tae tell him something,” he said, scowling at her. He took the last bite of his oat bread and got up. “I havenae told Father Cormac yet, but I’ve decided tae join the Black Targe Company.”

  “The mercenary group?” A cold thread of ice formed in her veins. “Ye are too young tae join them.”

  “I’m a man now and can make my own decisions. And as of last night, I’ve decided tae take part in the war effort. I’ve already spoken tae Blane.”

  “But...”

  “I willnae hear what ye have tae say,” he said, giving a curt shake of his head. He frowned. “I’m nay longer a bairn and can make up my own mind. Tell Father Cormac that I willnae be returning with ye tae town.”

  “Why dinnae ye tell him yourself?” she challenged.

  But he stared at her, an obstinate expression on his face. He was going to join the Company, and no one was going to convince him otherwise. This knowledge left her feeling unsettled and scared. It had been many months with no sign of warfare, and even though she realized that the conflict was inevitable, she secretly hoped that the clash would be indefinitely delayed. At least then they could pretend that the impending war would never happen. She recalled that Alexander Rosstone had ordered the Black Targe Company to the new post. And Seamus was going with them. Her stomach clenched at that frightening thought, and she wanted to snatch her younger brother to her and hold him tight.

  Seamus started to move away from her, but she grabbed his shirt.

  “I cannae let ye go,” she said.

  He yanked her hand from his shirt and looked at her as if she was an annoying midge that he wanted to swat.

  “I told ye that I’m going.”

  Then before she could do anything else, he took off.

  Alisha thought about running after him, but she thought better of it. Even if she caught up with him, she couldn’t force him to return with her. While Seamus was only sixteen years old, he was taller and likely stronger too. She twisted her plaid in her fist. Her best option was to wait until Father Cormac returned. He said that he wouldn’t be long. If the priest could speak to Seamus, perhaps he could persuade her brother to change his mind. As she stayed by the cart, pacing back and forth, she rehearsed what she would say to Father Cormac.

  But as the minutes passed, she became convinced that her worst nightmare was coming true. At this rate, she had failed their mother.

  “I’m sorry mother,” she whispered.

  But no amount of pacing seemed to hasten the priest’s return, and the sorrow she felt changed to worry. Seamus would be leaving the camping ground soon, and he needed to be stopped.

  Alisha started to walk in the direction that Father Cormac had taken. An hour later, she was still wandering around the camping area by foot. A feeling of helplessness and frustration washed over her. She stood in one spot, and tipped her chin to the sky. Perhaps she thought she could find some answer from the heavens, but there was nothing.

  Letting out a long sigh, she looked around to find a boulder to sit on while she contemplated her next move. It was impossible for her to continue. This military camp was huge, and she could wander for days and never find Father Cormac. There was also the fact that she was getting tired, and she knew that it would take a while to retrace her steps back to the shelter where she had stayed. What if Father Cormac had returned to the shelter? And if he wasn’t there yet, perhaps he was heading back.

  “I need ale,” a voice croaked.

  Alisha looked over at the direction of the voice, and was startled to find that she had wandered far from the main site. In fact she was back in the area where the war council had taken place the night before. And the man calling out was none other than Donnell MacKelon. Suddenly seeing him caused her temper to surge. It didn’t matter that he was still tied to the tree. Perhaps he didn’t start the brawl last night, but he still deserved the punishment. Likely he had done many things in the past that justified his incarceration. She wished that the mercenary had never entered their lives. If Seamus hadn’t come across him at the market, then her brother would never have had the notion of wanting to join the band of mercenaries.

  She marched over and stood in front of him with her hands resting on her hips. He sensed her presence and lifted his head to glance at her briefly.

  “Ale,” he said, allowing his chin to drop to his chest. If the tree wasn’t there to support him, he would have toppled over long ago. His lips were cracked as if he hadn’t had food or drink since he was imprisoned. There was a dark bruise on one side of his cheek, and there was a small cut slightly above his right brow.

  Alisha glared at him. “’Tis all your fault,” she said furiously.

  Donnell didn’t appear nearly as intimidating now that he was tied up. Despite the fact that he was roughed up and weak from hunger and thirst, the man was still attractive. That realization made her even angrier.

  “My fault?” He looked a little dazed, and blinked as if the sun blinded him. He shook his head and leaned it against the tree trunk. The exhaustion from lack of sleep was etched on his features. “I have nay notion what ye are talking about, lass.”

  “’Tis because of ye that my brother is set tae join the Black Targe Company. Now he’s likely on his way tae the front of Bracken Ridge.”

  “What?” He stared at her. “Why are they going there? ‘Twould be suicide.”

  “Suicide?” Her heart stopped, and she searched his face, trying to detect any sign of deceit. “Why do ye say this?”

  “The terrain at the front of the Ridge is a poor place tae launch an attack,” he said, his tone a matter-of-fact. “If a large army comes across them, they’ll be destroyed.”

  Alisha could feel the blood draining from her cheeks. He stated the truth. There was a reason that the Ridge was chosen for the ambush point. Its high elevation allowed the advantage of looking down into the glen. From this view, the opposing side could be spotted miles away. But the front of the ridge was a different matter. The terrain was flatter, and the chances of being detected were much greater.

  “Ye have tae help me,” she said suddenly feeling desperate.

  Alisha could feel her throat constrict. She didn’t care that she sounded distraught. As much as she hated to admit it, she didn’t know anyone that would help her, and it was doubtful that the commander would listen to her since he was busy with matters of war. And even if she found Father Cormac, would he have any sway over Seamus?

  “I dinnae ken what help ye need,” he said. “A moment ago it appeared as if ye wanted tae murder me.”

  She shook her head, although she was unable to deny his words. The lump in her throat was getting bigger and she swallowed it back.

  “I need help with my brother.” A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. Alisha blinked, willing that no more tears would fall. She didn’t want this stranger to witness her vulnerability. But the next thing she knew, she confessed, “Seamus is all I have. And — and I just want my brother tae be safe...”

  Alisha had never thought she could lose Seamus, but it felt suddenly very real. After he recovered from his illness, he was weak and became the target of other children. He had turned quiet after the death of their parents, but then she n
oticed that he acted more withdrawn than usual.

  “What’s wrong?” Alisha had demanded.

  Seamus didn’t want to tell her, but he finally confessed that some lads tormented him.

  Alisha was furious and armed with a broomstick, she marched over to the lads, threatening to beat them if they bothered her younger brother again. They were wise to listen to her, and Seamus was free from his tormentors. She was able to help him many times but now he was heading straight into the arms of danger, and there wasn’t a thing she could do to protect him.

  The feelings that she had suppressed since the death of her parents resurfaced and began to overwhelm her. Then no longer able to hold any of it back, the tears streamed down her cheeks. She pinched at the bridge of her nose, and squeezed her eyes shut, afraid that she would see ridicule on his face. But even as she tried to hide her pain, the awful sensation rose to the top of her chest. In her heart she believed that it was dangerous and maybe foolhardy to go after her brother. And although Seamus drove her insane sometimes, she still loved him. She lifted the back of her hand and wiped it hard across her eyes. Taking in a staggering breath, she gathered her courage and looked at Donnell, meeting his piercing, silvery gaze. But instead of finding censure in his depths, she saw something that looked like sympathy.

  “Will ye help me, please?” Alisha asked again as a small flicker of hope ignited in her heart.

  Donnell watched her for a long moment, and she held her breath, afraid to release it. Then as if he finally came to a conclusion, he nodded. “All right, untie me first, and I’ll agree tae help your brother.”

  Alisha released the air that until now had been stuck at the top of her chest. “Ye will?”

  “Aye, take your dagger and cut the binds,” he said as if he were talking to a bairn. “We dinnae have all day.”

  Alisha slid her dagger out from her belt and moved quickly to cut him loose, ever mindful that he might change his mind at any moment. At least she had an ally, however unlikely. Her heart began to speed up as an idea began to take shape in her mind. She sensed that Seamus looked up to this mercenary. If Donnell told Seamus to turn back, then her brother just might listen. After that, they could return to Newtonburgh with Father Cormac and everything would go back to normal.

  “Aiya! What are ye doing, lass?”

  Alisha heard the shout in the distance just as her heart skipped a beat and her hand froze in midmotion.

  “Get away from that prisoner!” the man said, his voice coming closer.

  She gulped, suddenly realizing how terrible this looked. Donnell was placed in this prison for a reason, and she was releasing him without the commander’s permission. Fear and panic rose quickly to her gullet as the consequences of her actions flashed through her brain. She didn’t know what sort of punishment she would face, but she was certain that it would be unpleasant. And she recognized that even Father Cormac wouldn’t be able to save her.

  The heavy steps sounded just behind her.

  “Finish cutting the rope,” Donnell said through clenched teeth.

  His tight, urgent tone pierced through her cloud of fear, and with trembling hands, she hacked at the thick rope with her dagger. The warriors had made certain that they had used the strongest rope they had. It was no wonder that a brawny man like Donnell couldn’t free himself from his prison.

  Donnell no longer looked tired. In fact, he seemed clear-eyed. “Hurry up, lass,” he urged.

  Just as she tried to yank apart the partially cut rope, the guard seized her wrist. “Ye arenae supposed tae release...” the man started to say.

  But he was cut short when Donnell strained against the ragged bind, breaking it apart. The movement caught the corner of the guard’s eye and he whipped his head around to stare at Donnell. Before he could react, Donnell swung his iron fist. He made hard contact with the side of the other man’s head, and knocked him out instantly.

  Donnell let out a curse. “That hurt,” he said, twisting his wrist in the air.

  “I think ye hurt the guard more,” Alisha said, looking down at the unconscious man. Everything happened so fast that it was shocking to see the aftermath. “Will he be all right?”

  “He’ll wake up with a pounding head, but he isnae dead.” Donnell stood next to her and observed his handiwork. He sounded so assured, and then she remembered that she was dealing with a dangerous mercenary.

  “Come,” he grabbed her arm, and pulled her behind him. “We need tae get out of here before he wakes.”

  Chapter 7

  Donnell and Alisha bolted from the area, trying to get as far away as possible before the guard could sound the alarm. But then they stopped running.

  Alisha took in a deep breath, wondering why they had slowed down. They were far from leaving the camp. She started to ask him for an explanation when he doubled over and began coughing. It was obvious that the tiredness he had displayed earlier had caught up to him. Recalling that she had food tied to her belt, she unlaced her pouch and handed him the bread.

  “Take this,” she said.

  He licked his dry lips. “I dinnae want bread. I want ale.”

  It was in her best interest to assist the mercenary. After all, he was the only one who could help her get to Seamus. And as much as she disliked the idea, he was likely the only person who her brother would listen to. It was only a small thing to find him something to drink.

  Alisha looked around her and spotted a large tent. This was where many of the clansmen slept. At the moment there was no activity around the canvas structure. The usual conversation and clamor of camp life was missing. Seamus had told her that every day the men would leave their living quarters to train in the fields. There was a small chance that the occupants were still there. If luck was on her side, she still might be able to find a flask of ale.

  “Wait here by the tree,” she said, pointing to a dead oak tree. She thrust aside her guilt and hurried over to the unoccupied canvas structure.

  Alisha stood just outside the tent, listening for activity from within. But when there was nothing, she entered the darkened space. She didn’t have to search for long when she spotted a container lying next to a pallet. Running to it, she grabbed it, tucked it in her belt and hurried back to Donnell. When he saw her, he stepped away from the tree.

  “Here,” she said, handing him the stolen flask.

  He took the vessel and tipped it to his mouth, guzzling the liquid. When the last of it was finished, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

  “My thanks tae ye, lass,” he said, throwing away the leather container into the bushes.

  She expected him to lead her out of the campground, but she saw that they headed in the wrong direction.

  “Where are ye taking me?” she asked, trying to keep up with his long strides. Now that he drank some fluid, his strength returned.

  “We need a means of escape.”

  Alisha saw several warhorses in an enclosure up ahead. For some reason the owners had not taken the beasts to the training grounds. But there was still a man who guarded the animals.

  “Does this plan of escape involve stealing horses?” The anxiety she felt earlier increased tenfold. “I dinnae ride horses,” she blurted out.

  “Why nae?”

  “When I fell off one and almost got trampled,” she bit her lip as she looked worriedly at the beasts. Of course the accident had happened years ago, but since then she only felt comfortable riding in a cart, and with someone else in control of the reins. It was doubtful that Donnell would even consider hitching a cart to a warhorse.

  Donnell let out a sigh, and shook his head as if he thought she was more trouble than she was worth.

  “Perhaps ye shouldnae come with me after all.”

  Alarm shot to her chest, and Alisha whipped her head to stare at him. “Since I was the one who released ye from your prison, I’m sure I’ll get punished. And besides, ye vowed tae help my brother, and I mean tae see that ye keep your promise.”

  “Just
do as I say,” he said, letting out a defeated sigh.

  Donnell pulled her along to where the animals were quartered and stopped just at the edge where there was a cluster of stones. He moved with stealth and confidence, and it appeared that he had done this kind of thing dozens of times before. He motioned for her to crouch low so they wouldn’t be seen. They stayed concealed for several minutes as Donnell surveyed the area. There was only one man guarding the creatures. Most of the others were likely in the training grounds.

  “Ye stay here,” Donnell said.

  For some reason, she couldn’t trust him to return. She caught his sleeve. “Give me your word that ye will return.”

  She saw something flicker in his gaze. And for a sinking second, she realized that he intended to leave without saying a word. “If they catch me, I’ll be in a lot of trouble,” she reminded him.

  Alisha could tell that he understood the dire situation that she was in. Her actions would reflect poorly on Father Cormac, and there was a possibility that Alexander Rosstone would put the blame on the preacher.

  “Please,” she stared into Donnell’s eyes, pleading and hoping that he would be sympathetic to her dilemma.

  “All right,” he said, letting out a long sigh. “Ye have my word.”

  Reluctantly she released his arm. The easiest thing was to follow him into the horse pen, but the thought of being surrounded by the oversized beasts filled her with terror. She was already aware that packhorses were big, but these six steeds in the enclosure were warhorses, and even from this distance they appeared humongous.

  She could feel the tension rising to her shoulders as another consideration hit her. They were in broad daylight, and they could easily be detected by the lone warrior. At the moment he looked bored, as if he never suspected that anyone would dare rustle the steeds from under his nose. But this didn’t mean that he wouldn’t become alert as soon as he saw them. If he caught them, she would have a difficult time explaining why she lurked in the area with a prisoner.

  Alisha had no other choice but to trust the words of a stranger. She watched Donnell make his way carefully to the enclosed area. He circled around to position himself behind the unsuspecting guard. Then when the watchman leaned against the fence to rest, Donnell quickly reached over, placed his hand on the other man’s mouth to cut off his yell. Then hooking his arm around the guard’s neck, he squeezed until the man slumped to the ground. He quickly untied the charger from the compound and hurried over to where she waited.