by K. E. Saxon
*
Bao walked his mount along the trail the villain was leaving, not wanting to announce too early his presence. He dimly heard the harsh whacking sounds the whip was making on the mare’s hide, followed by an angry neigh. The man spewed out several loud curses and Bao was glad the mare was giving him trouble. Deciding the chase had gone on long enough, Bao spurred his horse to catch up to his prey.
*
Maryn Donald’s mare stubbornly refused to go another step, no matter how harsh Clyde’s beating became. “You will do as I say!” He flayed her again three more times until bloody welts formed on her hide, but still she would not move. He saw fury in her eyes as she screamed at him and bucked hard. He kept his grip on her, however, kicking her in the ribs with his heels. In the next second, she was up on her hind legs, flailing her front hooves and tossing her head. Clyde’s grip slipped and he fell from her back.
She lunged at him then, taking a bite out of his shoulder. As he screamed in agony, she took his neck between her strong jaws and slung him around, causing his spine to crack. “Arrrghh!” he yelled, thrashing his arms. When she finally released him, tossing him to the ground, Clyde was too disoriented to do more than throw his arms over his head and curl into a fetal position as she trampled him with her front hooves.
*
Bao heard the commotion and raced to reach the mare, thinking the man was killing her. He pulled sharply on his reins when he came upon the grisly scene. The mare was blowing hard, her reins dangling and a wild look in her eyes. She was standing next to the crumpled, bloody mass of bone and flesh that had been her tormenter. The man’s head was crushed. Red and grey foaming brain tissue oozed from its opening and into the long dark hair splayed on the ground around it. His face was no more, now only a bloody stew of cartilage, skin, bone and hair. His limbs were broken and twisted into unnatural positions and his chest cavity was caved in.
A just end, Bao thought.
Speaking to the mare in soothingly low tones, he slowly edged his mount toward her, worried he’d frighten her into a run if he moved too quickly. “Here, my beauty, let me take your reins and we’ll go home. You’ll get a good rub down and a big bucket of oats for your valor this day.” Bao took another look at the dead man as he passed. “Maryn will be pleased with your handiwork, as well, I trow.”
The mare calmed a bit when she heard her mistress’s name and Bao was then able to get hold of her reins. His stallion bumped into her injured side and she neighed, trying hard to jerk free, but Bao somehow managed to retain his grip on the leather straps.
Hearing the cry of a vulture, he looked up. ‘Twas perched high in the pine above him and he knew its intent. That, too, seemed just to him. Tho’ he assumed Daniel would want the man’s body retrieved and done away with properly. But for now, he’d let the bird enjoy its feast.
CHAPTER 19
In the distance, the bells of sext sounded, tripping through the window of their bedchamber and Daniel roused from his doze at the side of their bed, his eyes immediately going to his too still, too quiet, deeply slumbering wife. The tincture he’d given her upon their arrival home—dribbled down her throat and forced to swallow—had seemed to help, giving color to her cheeks, but she’d not made a sound nor lifted a lid in the two hours since.
A scratch came on the door and Daniel called out an assent to enter.
“She still sleeps, then?” his grandmother asked, coming up behind him and placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Aye.” He turned his gaze up to hers. “I cannot lose her, Grandmother. What if I lose her?” And our babe. He swallowed convulsively.
“’Twill not come to that.”
“From this day forward, not another stranger will pass through these portals. I’ve given this decree to Derek and now I give it to you as well. I mean it, grandmother. Not one tinker, journeyman, or traveling player will enter here ever again.”
“But Daniel, my dear—”
“Nay!” He swung his gaze back to his wife and settled his palm over her small, chilled hand. “If she dies, ‘twill be my punishment for not keeping her safe, as I should have. But I’ve learned my lesson.”
“’Tis foolish talk I’m hearing! You are not to blame for this, how can you think such?”
Between clenched teeth, he said, “I should have thought of the possibility that the marshal might return to exact revenge.”
“Daniel! You cannot blame yourself for this. Why, if anyone should have thought of the possibility of the marshal returning to reap revenge, ‘tis I, for I knew the man lo’ these many years.”
“Aye, but I am Maryn’s husband; I am the laird of this keep. ‘Tis my first priority as such to keep my wife, my family, and all on the holding safe from harm. Grandmother, he stayed on this land and spied on us in our home, without my knowledge.”
“Aye, but you’d never met the man—how is this your fault? He tricked us all. His looks were much changed—no one recognized him, not even the stablemen who had worked with him day after day and were here for the festivities.”
“I have failed in my most important duty.”
“Drivel! You are not the sole person responsible that the marshal was not discovered before he could perpetrate his evil plot! And, you are not the sole person responsible for your wife’s, or anyone else’s safety! For, ‘tis impossible for you to be at our sides each hour of the day and night in order to protect us from harm. Do you not see that?” She gave his shoulder a shake. “If only your grandfather were here to tell you just that.”
He snorted. “Aye, my grandfather. Who died a vile death while I whistled a merry tune and dallied by the banks of the loch.”
His grandmother sighed, then she leaned down and kissed him on his temple. “’Tis not your fault,” she said, giving his shoulder a squeeze before she turned away and quietly left the room.
*
A whisper of gentle fingers touched Daniel on the cheek a few hours later and he jerked awake, his heart pounding. “Maryn?”
“Could I have a drink of water?”
Her eyes looked groggy, but she had color in her cheeks. “Praise be to God. You’re awake!” He sat next to her and helped her prop herself up by wrapping his arm around her back and then tipped the metal cup to her lips. “Not too much. Small sips, all right?”
She nodded and did as he instructed. After a moment she pushed his hand away and said, “My thanks.” Tho’ her lids blinked over her eyes in slow sweeps, she seemed lucid, which brought another wave of relief crashing through Daniel.
“Do you remember what happened to you Maryn?”
She looked confused. “Nay.” Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her stomach. “Is it the babe? Is the babe all right?”
“I do not know, but there is hope, for your body has not purged the babe and that is a good sign. You were kidnapped by the horse marshal. He beat you severely.”
She sucked in a breath. “Aye. I remember some of it now: He told me my father was hurt and took me to an old ruin. He was drinking and raging. He tied me up. But…but that’s all I remember.”
He placed his hand over hers. “We found you before he killed you, but the babe has yet to move. You’ve been in a stunned slumber for nigh on four hours now.”
“Oh God, Daniel. What if I lose our bairn?”
“Shhh, love, do not fret so. Mayhap the babe sleeps. Let us not borrow trouble.”
She gasped and he tensed, his hand lifting automatically toward her belly, but it halted in midair when a beatific smile came over her countenance. She grabbed his hand and placed it on her abdomen. “Our babe lives!”
Daniel felt the fluttering movement under his palm and grinned. “Praise be.”
*
In the next instant, Maryn slumped back on her pillow, feeling her heart crack with the burden of her guilt. “I was reckless with my babe’s life. I should never have been out on that road unescorted. I see that now. And what is more, I should never have gone with him. I should have gone
directly to the keep to get aid.”
Her husband sighed and rubbed his eyelid. “He’d never have allowed it. For the man was intent on his purpose. And you were not reckless, only stubborn in your belief that you were right and I was wrong.”
Maryn shrugged and turned her head away from him, her gaze fixed ahead but her sight turned inward to the awful images of the morn. “He said he’d killed a maid, Daniel. I think ‘twas that red-haired lass we saw with the players when they first arrived. Remember?”
“Aye,” Daniel said, his tone grim. “My men found her grave when they were searching for you. I’ve sent a man to track down the players and find out whether she has family that must be informed of her death. I should know within a few days.”
Maryn nodded. “How did I survive?”
Daniel pressed the base of his palms against his eyes. “By mere chance, naught more. If I hadn’t gone looking for you the moment I got back, you would be dead in that ruin now.” He rolled onto his back and stared up at the dark expanse of canopy. Between clenched teeth, he said, “But this I swear: No one, no one, will get that close to you again.” He turned his gaze on her. “’Tis my fault. I am to blame, but I have put measures into place that will keep you safe forevermore.”
A heavy dread pressed on her chest. “Measures? What mean you?”
“You’ll list for me each day where you will be and at what time. You will never again be without escort, even within this keep. And neither will our bairns. And, no longer will we abide strangers in our midst.”
“So we are to be your prisoners?”
“Nay, ‘tis not a prison I make, but a fortress against evil.”
*
Daniel met Bao at the stables later that day. “Did my men dispose of the body as I requested?”
“Aye, what was left of it,” Bao answered with a wry look. “The vultures had devoured most of the carcass by the time we arrived. And they were not too pleased that we were taking the remainder from them. I seriously feared for my life at one point when hundreds of them swooped down around our heads and tried to tear us apart with those long talons of theirs.”
Daniel grinned. His brother clearly had a knack for amplifying the truth. With a wide-eyed, feigned look of awe on his face, he said dryly, “Aye, I do wonder how you ever survived it.”
Bao laughed and shook his head at the good-natured ribbing.
Daniel walked over to Fia’s stall then and patted her neck. She nickered and nuzzled his hair. “That’s a good lass,” he said with a smile. She was much calmer now than she’d been when she’d first arrived. He’d prepared a poultice for her abraded hide, and he was pleased to see the stableman had put it on properly. “I’m still amazed by the tale you gave me,” he said to Bao. “She actually pummeled the man to shreds? She clearly has a temper much like my wife’s.”
“Aye. Do not ever cross her or you’ll be vulture victuals in no time.”
“Cross who? Fia or my wife?”
Bao roared. “Both, I’d wager.”
Daniel chuckled and nodded his head. Sobering, he stroked Fia’s forelock a moment. “The babe lives.”
“That is very good to hear, brother.” Bao walked over to him and grasped his shoulder, giving it a rough shake.
“Aye, we’re both relieved. For, it could so easily have been otherwise.” He gave Bao an intent look. “My thanks for your help.”
His answer was a short nod. Then he turned the subject. “Have you told your wife and our grandmother of Callum’s marriage?”
“Nay, not yet. I’ll tell them this eve at supper. Grandmother is going to be very displeased that the ceremony took place without her.” Daniel began walking toward the entrance and motioned for Bao to walk out of the stable with him.
“It could not be helped,” Bao replied. “The Gordons insisted that the ceremony take place forthwith or the peace treaty would be void.”
“Grandmother missed her daughter’s wedding a couple of moons ago—she had a tumble and bruised her hip—and she’s still grumbling about not being able to attend. And now, she shall no doubt flay me alive for allowing Callum to wed without her in audience.”
Bao quirked an eyebrow. “Mayhap I’ll eat at the soldiers’ table this eve,” he said.
“Nay, brother, you must take the bitter with the sweet. Just be glad ‘twill not be you who gives such tidings to her.”
Bao sat next to Daniel on the edge of the well. “The lass he married was quite pretty, at least. And Callum’s having been promised the MacGregor lairdship in return for his sacrifice certainly sweetened the pot.”
“Aye. He’s grown more seasoned in the past moons since I first met him. I think, with the right instruction, he shall make a fine laird for that clan. And his fighting skills are excellent.”
*
The two sat in companionable silence awhile, enjoying the peaceful late afternoon sounds of tools being stored away for the day and distant voices making plans for the morrow.
“I’ll be leaving in a sennight’s time, as we agreed,” Bao said at last.
“Aye,” Daniel replied with a nod. “But I wish you’d reconsider my offer to stay on as my lieutenant. Tho’ ‘twould mean displacing Derek, he understands that blood ties hold more weight in the clan and would willingly step aside.”
Bao crossed his arms over his chest and looked off into the distance, enjoying the muted orange tones and the play of shadow and light on the walls of the keep as the setting sun sent down its last beams. “Nay, I’ve been away from my duties too long as it is. My purpose for coming has been accomplished—and I’ve gained a brother in the bargain.”
“And a sister-in-law, cousin, aunt, and grandmother, lest you forget,” Daniel replied.
Bao grinned and nodded his head. “Aye. ‘Tis a blessing, that.”
“You may not think so on the morrow. I dread the scene that is sure to ensue.”
“‘The bitter with the sweet.’ Those were your words, were they not, brother?”
Daniel sighed. “Aye, and unfortunately, I have a huge sweet tooth.”
Bao laughed. “And I, as well!”
Daniel threw back his head and laughed, clapping Bao on the back.
*
Near to a sennight later in her bedchamber, Maryn traded gowns and cloaks with Jesslyn. “This will be a bit long for you, but if you do not tarry long with any who might speak to you on the way out, then all will go as planned. Your father’s man awaits you at my cottage. Make haste and I will stall Daniel as long as I am able. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
Maryn growled. “Aye, very sure. I cannot live this way, with him shadowing me night and day, never allowing me to have a moment alone! I’ve swallowed all the anger I can swallow. It cannot be good for my babe, and he must be my first priority.”
“Daniel will be livid when he realizes ‘tis I posing as you in your bed resting.”
Her lips thinned. “Aye, no doubt. But he’s gone too far. Even Grandmother Maclean has said so. This keep is under a gloom I’ve never seen the likes of before, not even while Callum was laird. I shall not raise my babe under this pall. I shall not.”
“Aye, he’s changed since your kidnapping and near murder. He was always concerned about guarding against attack on the MacLaurin holding—and who could blame him after what happened there at his father’s hands?—but this new ferocity and fervor has gone beyond all bounds.” They heard footfalls outside the door and their heads swung in that direction. “You must leave now! Daniel will be back to insure that you slumber in only a few minutes more.”
Maryn nodded and gave Jesslyn a hard hug before covering her face with Jesslyn’s dark veil and scurrying out the door. Jesslyn heard the low murmur of voices and she knew that the guard which Daniel had posted outside the chamber had spoken to Maryn, believing her to be Jesslyn. When she heard naught further, she quickly covered her hair with Maryn’s veil and slipped under the covers with her back to the door to wait for Daniel’s quick inspect
ion. Maryn had sworn that she’d set everything into play the past two days so that Daniel would not disturb her rest for the babe’s sake. Jesslyn prayed ‘twould be true.
*
“Bring my wife to me, or I vow, I’ll tear this fortress down stone by stone, beam by beam!” Daniel hollered to his stepfather across the expanse of the drawbridge several hours later. Bao and seventy-five of Daniel’s best fighting men brought up the rear.
Laird Donald, mounted and with his own soldiers at the ready behind him, stood firm. “I did not give my daughter into your care for you to make her a prisoner in her own home. She needs a safe haven where she may be content and loved while she carries this babe, not a gaoler who cares naught for her own feelings, but presses his own dictates upon her.”
“This is not the same circumstance as before, old man. There will be no annulment, no separation now that she carries my child in her belly. She is mine, the babe is mine, and I will do what I must to get her back where she belongs. Including war, if need be.”
“So be it. Raise the drawbridge! We go to war!”
“I’ll give you until dawn on the morrow before I lay siege to think on this and change your mind.” With that, Daniel turned and waved his sword in the air, indicating that his men should make camp at the base of the rise.
*
“Is this the best tactic, going to war with your own father-in-law?” Bao asked Daniel an hour later as they sat watching the campfire lick and spit in front of them.
“Nay, mayhap not. But I know no other way of getting her back. And I must get her back. I love her.”
“So, bloody battle ‘twill be.”
“Aye, but I hope ‘twill not come to that.”
A rustle sounded and they looked up. “’Twill not,” Maryn said. “I yield.”
*
“Will you have some fruit comfit?” Daniel asked her later as they shared a late supper together in the great hall.
“Nay.”
“You barely touched your mutton—was it dry?”
“’Twas fine. I ate what I wanted.”