by Ria Cantrell
As if the Fates had already decided it, none other than their fearless Highland Wolf came sauntering in through the massive doors leading into the main hall. A blast of cold blew through the room, scattering the rushes that had been spread beneath the trestle tables. Liam knew all thoughts of cool headed plans would be lost when Jamie had a cohort in the likes of their brother Ruiri. Seeming to forget that Liam was beside him, Jamie greeted his brother and said, “Come on, man, we need to ride to the MacDougals. It seems they have had a bit of sport at my expense and I need to retrieve four of my ewes and their un-weaned lambs.”
Both Jamie and Liam could see Ruiri’s eyes darken at the mention of the MacDougals. Ruiri hated them almost as much as he hated the Campbells. It did not take much to provoke Ruiri into a fight, especially when it came to the enemies of their clan. Liam thought that if Ruiri hadn’t been the youngest or for that matter, the hottest headed, he would be the perfect choice as the Laird when the time came. But as it was, it seemed to be Jamie’s lot even when it was never something Jamie had hoped to gain. Ruiri nodded and said, “Aye, I will ride beside ye’, brother.”
Liam shot Jamie a look and said, “Jamie, Ruiri has been out all night. I think we need to…”
Jamie wheeled on Liam and said, “I am nay going to wait for my lambs to be slaughtered. Ye’ can ride with us or nay, Liam.”
Liam knew that he was outnumbered and if Shawn got drawn into the mix, there would be no point in trying to stop his brothers from charging head first into a fray. Oh Liam liked a fight as much as the next man, but this morn he was not quite up to it.
With a sighed resignation, he followed his brothers out to the stables and untethered his horse. It was bloody cold and he guessed by the time they made it to the MacDougal land, snow would be adding to his misery, but he was not going to let his brothers think he was a puny weakling, so he ground his teeth against the cold and led his horse out of its stall.
The sun peaking over the horizon did nothing to warm the air and Liam quietly wished he was tucked back in his bed nursing his pounding head. Pulling his fly plaid over his shoulders and with his sword securely strapped to his back, Liam jumped upon his horse and kicked it into a gallop to keep up with his brothers.
He eyed Ruiri’s sword quietly from his position at the rear of the line and he noticed what appeared to be fresh blood not yet cleaned from the blade. He could only imagine that Ruiri had taken matters into his own hands yet again and though he knew that Ruiri only took to the fight when he thought he was righting some wrong, Liam could not help but wonder what it was that had drawn Ruiri from the hall late in the night to meter out his vengeance and justice.
As the three men rode deeper into the Highlands, Liam could see Jamie’s face had been set like sculpted stone and the determination to save his charges drove him against the cold and danger that no doubt awaited them, as soon as they crossed into MacDougal territory. It would normally take at least two days ride up to breach MacDougal land, but Jamie had taken the steeper route which was more treacherous to get there quicker. Liam knew that Jamie believed he would be able to cut off the raiders before they actually had made it to MacDougal and he was pretty certain his brother knew what he was doing; even if it was putting their necks in chopping distance of MacDougal blades.
The frost covered earth leading them to higher ground showed signs of tracks and Jamie pointed to the marks with satisfaction.
“The bastards have been this way.”
“Aye, so it seems, brother.”
There was no sign or trails of blood so Jamie remained hopeful that none of his precious ovine had been harmed. Ruiri had been quiet up until that point but then he said, “Jamie, why would they only wrangle four of yer’ sheep? That would do no good for their cause. This could be a trap, lad.”
Jamie glared at Ruiri and said, “Nay, they care not what they take. It is like a game to them.”
Ruiri nodded slowly and said, “Maybe. I hate the MacDougals, t’is so, but there is something not right about this. I mean, three of MacCollum’s sons heading out to grab back four ewes; I’m just sayin’ that mayhap this is a ruse.”
“Ye’ were quick to join the fight, Ruiri. I nay twisted yer’ arm.”
“I know, but something about this feels wrong,” he repeated. He could feel it as sure as the snow was building within the fattening clouds. He had learned long ago to trust those instincts because not doing so had cost him the life of his beautiful Caitlyn. He never spoke of her, but he lived with the pain of her loss to this day. Something felt wrong that day, too, but since he was so caught up in the plans to ride to their wedding, he put the niggling feelings of peril aside. How he wished he had listened to his gut then and now it felt the same. Not ever wishing to run from a fight, Ruiri had to swallow his pride and he said, “Lad, we need to turn back. Trust me on this.”
Liam shrugged as if to say, “See, I told ye’ so,” but he kept silent. Ruiri was a better leader at times than any of his older brothers.
Not wishing to again seem like the one to disagree with Jamie, Liam just looked at his brother Ruiri and nodded. He could see something flittering behind Ruiri’s gaze and he knew that Ruiri was probably getting one of those messages that the Ancients passed upon him. Ruiri was always tied to those special gifts that many of his clan shared, but since the death of Caitlyn, he seemed to have a darkness about him that gave new meaning to the “Sight”.
Still, if Ruiri sensed danger, Liam was not one to discount it. Aye, they could fight well, the lot of them, but they were the three sons of the Laird which would only leave Shawn if they all got killed. Despite his reservations, Liam suddenly felt the warning pooling in his belly and he silently pleaded with Jamie to heed Ruiri this time. He said, “Perhaps Ruiri is right. Let’s gather our men and ride back. With our numbers strengthened, the threat of a trap would be less to their advantage.”
No sooner were the words out of Liam’s mouth than a cry went up from behind the rise. Liam heard a curse leave Ruiri’s lips and he grabbed hold of the sword from the scabbard fastened between his shoulders. Well, if he were to die this day, he would die fighting beside his brothers.
Chapter 3
~ Snow was starting to drift from the sky. She hid among the low brush that had been stripped bare as Winter claimed her rightful place. There, on the rise were countless warriors ready for the kill. The three men were surrounded and there was little chance for them to be spared. They were outnumbered by at least forty men and Sinead knew that there was nothing she could do to prevent it. She did not know who the three were, but her sense of injustice of it all made her rally for their plight. Clearly, these men had been led into some sort of trap and they would die fighting with the odds so grossly stacked against them. She had to do something, but what? She did not have a weapon. In fact, she was not even certain how she happened to be in that field in the first place. Last she remembered were the flickering lights on the train and feeling like she was going to puke.
The one in the middle stood up in his stirrups, and gave out a war cry of his own. He unlashed a monstrous looking sword from his back and began to charge forward. Sinead knew she had to warn the man and she darted out before him from the cover of the brush She screamed, “Stop, go back. You can outride them. You don’t need to try to take them all on. You won’t win.”
She caught the look of surprise in his eyes and he veered his horse a breath away from trampling her into the frozen ground. Her heart seemed to stop as she realized that she had almost gotten herself killed. Not only that, she was pretty sure the men who were hell bent on killing the three outnumbered ones now had her in their sights. She felt the buzz of something zip past her and it practically tore through her sleeve. She heard one of the men call, “Jamie, see to the girl,” and within the span of seconds she found herself scooped up by the arm of the man who had shrieked the battle cry and who had nearly run her down. She had no idea if he was a good or bad guy, but at the moment, she was glad to be ou
t of the way of the rain of arrows that had come from the top of the hill. How the hell was he holding her with one arm, while he held the massive sword with his other arm, all while guiding his horse with his knees?
The one called Jamie pulled her onto his horse and settled her in front of him. It was not comfortable but something about the way his big body hunched over her, calmed Sinead enough to let her heart start pumping again. It was protective in the midst of the most frightening event Sinead could ever imagine.~
“Lady, wake up. Lady, can you hear me.”
Sinead’s eyes flew open and she saw a young man standing before her. He seemed to be concerned. It took Sinead a moment to realize she had been dozing on the train and she looked around her. The car had emptied almost completely and the young man said, “I’m sorry, ma’am. I noticed you sleeping and I think you may have missed your stop.” Sinead looked around and sat up straight. “What stop did we just pass?”
“The one you always get off on. I ride this train a lot and I usually see you leaving when I am getting on. Then I noticed you here and….” He gave a small flourish of his hand and Sinead said, “Geez, thanks. Damn it. Now I have to double back. I think if you hadn’t woken me, I would have been far worse.”
“No problem, lady.”
Sinead grabbed her bag and empty coffee container and stood by the sliding doors of the train. She would jump out at the next stop and then have to run through the station to make it to the other side. She checked her watch and thought if she caught the next train back, she would still be on time. As the doors whooshed open, Sinead called, “Hey, thanks again.”
“No worries. Have a good day.”
She waved and hopped off the train. While she darted through the crowds on the platform to get to the other side, the memory of that dream held onto her psyche. Jesus! What was that all about? It seemed much more realistic than some of the other dreams she had been known to have in the past. She could almost still feel that guy Jamie’s arm still gripping her securely as they sped away from the dangerous battle scene about to unfold. She could almost still smell the scent of the horses as well as feel the falling snow upon her face. She needed to pull herself together. She was just off her game this morning and Sinead had to focus back to the things that were important to achieve today.
You also really need to think about dating again. If your imagination can conjure such images, it may be time to get a real boyfriend and stop fantasizing about those heroes that dwell in the pages of those steamy romance novels you’ve been devouring lately.
Sinead had decided months ago to remain selectively single when the last guy she dated turned out to be a dirt bag to the max. Sure, she had dated some nice guys and she almost married one, once, but things just hadn’t worked out. She then threw herself into her work and she had no regrets. Didn’t she, though? Why just this morning she was rather wishing that she could spend the holidays with someone nice. Well, nice would be fine. She didn’t need to find a big burly highlander to make the holidays for her. Maybe it was just the time to start dating; guys wanted to have girlfriends to do all the Christmas stuff with, too.
Sinead shook herself from her musings. If she wasn’t careful, she’d miss the return stop as well. She suddenly couldn’t wait to get out onto the street and let some cold air penetrate her muzzy brain and she once again hoped she wasn’t coming down with something.
When she got to her office, Sinead was so caught up in what needed to be accomplished before she made her way to the Cloisters that all thoughts of fantasy and boyfriends vanished in the December air. She had to get to a staff meeting and then she had to bring the manifests that she would need to log in the new acquisitions at the Cloisters. From there, it would be another subway ride up to Harlem and a good brisk walk up to Fort Tryon Park. If she was lucky, she would get there before 2 p.m. at this rate. She probably would not be able to take her lunch on that scenic spot, but the walk up through the wooded paths leading to Fort Tryon Park would be sweet enough to enjoy. She could lessen the trip by taking the M4 bus but something about today made her just want to be outside as much as she could. It was a long ride from her office at the Museum of Natural History, but it would be worth it. She would make certain that she did not fall into a sleeping stupor this time around.
⌘⌘⌘⌘⌘⌘
By the time Sinead arrived at Fort Tryon Park, soft snowflakes were beginning to flutter down as she had suspected. She turned her face up toward the falling snow and felt it melt upon her cheeks. Delicate flakes clung to her long lashes and she blinked them away as she made her climb up the stone steps leading into the park. It wasn’t bitterly cold yet, and though the sky was darkening to muted pewter, Sinead felt warm enough. Besides, the brisk walk up the meandering natural stairs kept her from feeling too much of the chill.
By the time she approached the “Castle”, though, the snow was falling more rapidly and the faux fur of her hood was completely encrusted with it. Once she found her way to the administration section of the museum, Sinead took off her coat and shook off the snow. John O’Rourke, the head of acquisitions, met her and with a smile he said, “Well if it isn’t the lovely Sinead MacDougal! I wasn’t sure you would brave the elements to visit us today.”
Sinead laughed. She liked John. He always had a smile for her and his ruddy cheeks beamed with welcome whenever Sinead visited the wonderful Cloister acquisitions office. John was one of her favorite bosses. He was in his late fifties and despite his large build, he reminded Sinead of the legendary leprechauns. He prided himself on his Irish heritage and charm.
“Not much of a snow storm, John. Besides, after I learned what you have recently gotten in your hot little hands, I think an Arctic blizzard would not have kept me away. Where are the manuscripts and scrolls?”
“Ahhh, not so fast, love. First help yourself to a hot cup of tea or cocoa and I’ll set you up in the back library to work. I really wasn’t sure you’d make it here today. All kidding aside, the snow’s supposed to get worse before the day is out and I don’t want you to get stranded.”
Sinead winked and said, “Oh horrors…imagine being stranded in a big beautiful castle while the snow covers the grounds of this gorgeous place. I rather wish it would be so.”
“No, love. Don’t be so hasty to make a wish today. You know it is nearly the Solstice and legend says that if you make a Christmas wish on the Solstice, it is more than likely to come true.”
Sinead laughed. “Now really, John. I hadn’t thought you would believe in all that hocus pocus and aren’t you mixing the two cultures up a bit? I mean the Solstice is rather a Pagan celebration and Christmas is completely different.”
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he admonished her good naturedly saying, “Never you mind about that, Love. Celtic rituals and Christian ones are not so different. Why do you think they are so close together in the calendar? They are more similar than you think.”
Shaking her head, Sinead said, “Alright John. I will be careful what I wish for today. Still, I don’t think it would be such a hardship to be stranded here. I mean, well look, the place is stocked with good coffee and hot chocolate. You just mentioned that yourself and I’m certain I could find some comfortable place to hunker down, if I must.”
“I don’t know, love. The castle is a very different place when all the tourists have gone. Though I daresay, there aren’t many tourists here on a day like this. The weathermen are calling for a full blown ‘Noreaster’ before the night is through. I plan on leaving by four. I have a long commute home to the Island and I don’t want to be stuck on the Long Island Railroad all night.”
Sinead wrinkled her nose and said, “Four o’clock? Well that only gives me like an hour or so. I won’t nearly have enough time…”
“I know, but you will just have to visit us again in the next few days.”
“Well, I don’t have the long commute you do. I wouldn’t mind locking things up for you.”
“You know, you really
should be getting home to your honey, love. On a night like this, there’s only one thing people should be doing,” John said wiggling his eyebrows which Sinead guessed was his way to be suggestive, but the look on his face was almost comical and Sinead laughed outright. She blushed at his attempt to push her toward a romantic evening. She blurted out, “No honey for me, John. I am quite happily single.”
John “tsked” loudly and said, “I call bullshit, love. A gorgeous woman such as yourself…happy to be alone on a cold winter night. Bullshit, I say. Pure unadulterated bullshit.”
“John, are you flirting with me?”
“No, love, I am not. I am speaking the truth. I mean, any man would be lucky to be with you…as for me, you know I am quite happily not single.” He wiggled his eyebrows again and Sinead just smirked.
“Alright, John. Whatever you say. Those manuscripts aren’t going to get logged in on their own, are they? Show me the way.”
“Get yourself a cuppa’ and I’ll set up the shipment for you.”
With a bodacious wink, he left her and Sinead smiled to herself. He was quite a character. She took him up on his offer for some hot chocolate, but did not want to take it too close to the precious and priceless pieces of history that awaited her in the acquisition library, so she blew on it and sipped it quickly, in order to finish it before she ventured where John was getting the items ready for her. It wouldn’t do for her to spill hot chocolate all over her work. As she gulped the last bit down, she was ready for her descent into time as she would face all those wonderful treasures.