Highland Vengeance

by Saydee Bennett

  Lorna’s personal guards were attacking the Sinclairs that were in the main keep while they looked for Camden and his men. As soon as they had the new laird dead, this battle would be an easy conquest. Lorna joined her guards within minutes of murdering her new husband and together they swept the holding in search of Camden.

  “Find him!” She shouted.

  The hunt for the small group of warriors was unsuccessful. No one could find Camden or his trusted men. Lorna was livid when she heard the news, wanting the legendary defender gone forever. Her brother Malcolm would be coming tomorrow to help make sure the Sinclairs understood who their laird was now. Not only would they succumb to Lorna but also they would obey all the MacKay clan and serve them well. She knew Malcolm would be furious that Camden was not dead but she would send men to find him soon enough. Lorna wickedly grinned into the cold night air as she realized her time to rule was finally here and she had seized the valuable prized land.

  Camden and his men had grown tired of the celebration early in the evening and had left to find rest elsewhere. The new laird hated to watch people drink and he refused to let his men drink, for he believed it confused the mind. The warriors had ridden south, down the edge of the sea to a private cove they often used for training. The Sinclair land was vast and covered a large area of northern Scotland. It was rich with Highland cattle and the North Sea gave them plenty of fish during the warmer months. Camden often hunted in this private area for fresh game but tonight they just camped there to get away from the fools at the feast.

  As the early morning dawn approached, Camden rinsed off in the icy seawater and then the small group of soldiers headed back to the holding. The laird wanted to observe the newly joined clans and see what needed to be done. The seven huge men rode through the chilly morning air and the bitter cold wind stung their bare legs the faster they went.

  Within a mile from the holding, Camden knew something was gravely wrong. He slowed his stallion and silently commanded his men to spread out. The giant warrior guided his large beast without a sound through the dense trees. He was grateful there was not any snow on the ground, for the noise would have surely given him away. Camden came to a stop when the Sinclair Castle and the large village that surrounded it, were in sight. His heart sank deep into his chest as he realized what had happened.

  Smoke softly billowed from the charred remains of burned houses and he could hear the whimpering cries of the children. The laird was sickened at the sight below him. The Sinclair women and children were bundled together in the center of the village and only a few men were visible to Camden. Lying face down on the cold earth was the lifeless body of his father. It was obvious to Camden that his clan had been massacred in the night and he, their laird, was nowhere to be found. He had let them down within hours of becoming their new leader and now it was up to him to do whatever possible to redeem their trust and take back his land.

  Camden had an unnerving feeling from the moment Malcolm MacKay had offered the beautiful bride to his father. Now he was witness to the devastating consequence of their deception. It took everything in the warrior to keep silent and hidden in the hills. Quickly assessing the situation, Camden figured he and his men were outnumbered by at least thirty men to one. Even as great of a fighter as he was, the laird knew it would be nearly impossible to go to battle. He did not know how many other MacKay men were not visible to him.

  The crestfallen warrior made a soft bird call to alert his men in the surrounding area and then he hesitantly retreated away from the horrific scene. The men raced back to where they had camped the night before to keep hidden from the MacKay men that were certainly looking for them. The laird flew from his mount, raced to the sea and fell to his knees. Camden splashed cold water to his face and tried to rid the nausea that overwhelmed his body.

  He thanked God out loud as he realized his older sister Maggie and her husband Ian had traveled to the isles where Ian’s father lived. She was not on the Sinclair land and was presently safe from danger. Camden’s father was dead and he wondered exactly who had done the killing. He knew he would have to mourn for the man later because now, the giant defender needed to create a plan to save his people and secure the Sinclair land and riches once again.

  As soon as he had composed himself enough to speak, Camden ordered his men to huddle closely as he weighed all his options out loud.

  “Stephan, ride to the isles and find Maggie and Ian. You must warn them to stay far from the Sinclair land until I send word again. Tell her our father is dead,” Camden said without emotion.

  All six of Camden’s faithful men were physically built as he was and they could easily ride alone, for the sheer size of them scared most people away. They all had massive stallions to carry the mighty warriors and when they rode together behind Camden, it was truly a magnificent sight. These men were trained to fight together as a team and their bond was closer than brothers. They all nodded to one another and Stephan mounted his horse quickly to leave and fulfill his laird’s orders.

  “Laird, we need more men. We cannot fight the numbers for I fear the innocent will suffer if we do,” Keith said.

  “Aye, if we go in there, the bastards will surely start killing everyone just to distract us,” Broderick pointed out.

  “The Sutherlands will join us for sure Laird, we just need ask them,” Travis volunteered knowing his relatives would gladly help right this horrible wrong.

  “Travis your family is noble and surely they would fight but I do not think we would have enough men even with their help. I know our Laird and he would not risk the Sutherlands losing their land too,” Broderick answered the youngest warrior.

  Camden rubbed his large hands over his face and as he listened to his men. He knew of only one sure way to secure enough men and he hoped King James would agree.

  “We need to go to Edinburgh,” Camden said.

  “For what purpose Laird?” Travis questioned.

  “Aye, are you certain this is the only way? We don’t know the men,” Broderick asked.

  Camden was grateful to have a man like Broderick always by his side. The warrior was a fierce combatant and his mind was brilliant. He seemed to know exactly what Camden was thinking before any of the others and that was why he was Camden’s first in command.

  “I am not certain of anything Broderick but right now I see it as the only possibility,” the laird answered.

  “Can you tell us what you are planning?” Liam asked.

  “We need to secure the lawless men of the Highland territory that has been given to the English. We need to speak with the king,” Camden explained.

  “But the king hates the all the Highland lairds. He has been trying to stop their rule for years, why would he help us?” Calum said with confusion.

  “In truth, I don’t know that he will help us but I do know that he would help anyone that has been taken victim as our clan has. He does have some compassion and I have heard rumors that his biggest fear is the unruly men of this Highland territory that the English own. He was furious that his father had given it to the English king. If I could secure this land to my rule, I could train these men and with them, we could defeat the MacKay clan,” Camden said.

  “Are you sure you can gain their fidelity Laird?” Calum asked.

  “I fear we may be marching to our own death if we go to speak with the king, Laird. Do you trust him?” Keith questioned.

  “I am not certain of anything right now but I will die before I let the MacKay clan keep what belongs to me. I am rightfully laird and I need to help my people. This is the only way,” he said with strength in his voice.

  “Laird you know we will do anything you ask. Give us our orders now. We shall defeat the MacKay clan,” Broderick vowed.

  All of Camden’s men shouted their agreement and it fueled the fire burning in their laird’s blood. He would make this plan work at whatever cost.

  The large warriors rode hard to reach Edinburgh to speak with the king. As they pas
sed through other clan’s territories, they spread word to everyone about what the treacherous MacKay men had done to the Sinclair clan. Camden vowed to all that justice would reign supreme in the Highlands once again.

  After two days of riding their stallions to their greatest potential, Camden and his men had reached the edges of Edinburgh where King James IV resided with his much younger wife, Princess Margaret of England. Camden sent word to the king through a messenger and then waited outside the city walls for an invitation to speak with him. King James had already heard the rumors of the Sinclair massacre and he was anxious to speak with the Highland laird.

  The warriors rode down through the city and every man, woman and child seem to cower away from the massive men and their beasts. The glare Camden wore on his face could surely frighten an old man to his death. Not only did they stand out for their size but all of them continued to wear their summer plaids even though the weather was turning much colder. These plaids were shorter, barely coming inches above the knee exposing their huge thigh muscles that were toned and tight. Their powerful bare chests were open to the elements, except for the plaid that draped over their left shoulder, showing their deeply tanned skin.

  As the men reached the king’s castle, Camden quickly dismounted his horse and tossed the reins to Broderick who always rode to his right.

  “I will speak to the king alone. Watch your backs men,” Camden ordered.

  As the king’s steward led the Highland laird into the castle, the warrior silently prayed to God for help. He knew of no other way to make good of this injustice done to his people and he hoped the king would agree. Before Camden entered the large keep where the king and his wife waited, he heard his name announced.

  “Laird Camden Sinclair of the Sinclair clan.”

  It was the first time he had heard it said in that manner and he instinctively knew this was the right thing to do. He was laird of his clan and this would help his people. Camden entered the large room and walked slowly to the where the royal couple sat. There were gasps in the room as other members of the royal court caught a glimpse of the powerful handsome man. Even the king was a bit taken back by the brawn of this one man alone.

  Camden bowed his head slightly to show respect for the king who thought to rule all of Scotland but had only secured the lowlands.

  “Laird Sinclair, is the devastation as great to your clan as I have heard?” The king asked.

  “It is,” he said simply.

  “I know you have come because of this treachery from the MacKay clan but I wonder just what it is that you wish of me?” King James said.

  “I need an army to take back my land and avenge my father’s death. I wish to secure the Highland territory that is owned by the English. There are hundreds of abandoned men with no laird to rule them. They need order and leadership. I can train them and then we can conquer the MacKay clan with ease.”

  “First of all, you speak as if this land is mine to give you. Second, how do I know that you will not turn this powerful army against me and take over my rule?” The king asked.

  “You know I will not ask other clans that could lose their land also, to fight with me. I only want the men for numbers, not the land. And I can only give you my word that there is no plan to battle your army,” Camden spoke with passion now. He needed the king to comply.

  The Highland warrior watched as the young wife of the king leaned over and spoke softly to her husband. Camden was not sure but he thought the English Princess could not have been more than sixteen years. The beautiful child bride continued to talk to her husband and then slowly the king began to smile. Whatever she was saying to him had certainly made him happy.

  “Laird Camden, I have been concerned about this lawless Highland territory for some time now. Your leadership is greatly needed there and if you can somehow manage to gain their loyalty, it would serve you significantly when you take back the Sinclair land. I can’t secure the promise of this territory but my wife has informed me that it belongs to her second cousin, a young girl. It can be yours if King Henry agrees and you agree to a marriage.”

  So this was why the king had been smiling, an English bride, he thought to himself. Camden was at a loss for words and then he quickly nodded his head in agreement to the terms.

  “How quickly can this marriage be arranged?” Camden said curtly.

  “I will send word to Henry and if he agrees then you will need to go and get your bride,” King James smiled.

  “My men and I will be staying outside the city walls, please send a messenger as soon as you receive word. I thank you greatly for your compassion and once again I give you my word that there will be no attacks on Edinburgh,” Camden vowed.

  The large warrior turned and began to leave the hall when the king asked him one more question.

  “Laird Camden, after you secure the Sinclair land, what will be done with your bride’s land?” He asked.

  “My first in command, Broderick Kincaid has no family and is in need of a holding to rule. He has far surpassed being under my leadership. He will become the laird of his own clan,” Camden answered.

  He left the castle and found his men waiting exactly as he had left them. The five men were still seated atop their horses and the people surrounding them were still openly gaping at the soldiers. The night sky started to turn the fall weather even colder and the men rode swiftly out just beyond Edinburgh. They made a small camp and Camden started to explain what had happened inside the castle’s keep.

  “But Laird, an English bride?” Liam asked incredulously.

  “Was there no other way then?” Broderick asked his laird.

  “This is easier than I expected,” Camden said to his men. “I would gladly marry a little English girl in order to take back what is mine.”

  “Aye laird, this is going to be easier for us, we aren’t the ones that are gettin’ married,” Broderick smiled.

  The rest of the men enjoyed the amusement at Camden’s expense.

  “Broderick, you are coming with me to speak with the men who live in this English territory. I will need to gain their loyalty and trust. The rest of you will wait here for word from the king to find out when I can retrieve my new wife,” Camden said with a hint of laughter as it finally sank in, what seemed so humorous to his men.

  Again, the men laughed out with their thunderous voices at the thought of Camden getting married to a little timid English girl. The following morning, Camden and Broderick hurried to the Highland area that had no real laird. Since this area had been given to the English king from King James III many years ago, all that had taken place there was constant fighting. Weak men continued to try to take the position as laird but always failed in doing so and the more powerful men never could gain anyone’s trust, so it remained a lawless land.

  As the two large men crossed the border into the English territory, they wondered why King James the III had given it to the English anyway. It was a remote area and there wasn’t much land that seemed useful. The entire area had massive mountains with very few valleys in between for farming. The North Sea was the area’s east border and it bordered the clan Mackenzie to the west. Camden wasn’t sure where the north border was but the southern edge seemed to stretch across the tips of several Highland clans’ borders.

  Camden and Broderick found the first group of nomads that lived in this land and as they approached, all of them quickly disappeared from view. The closer they got to the small village, the more it looked like a camp. There were more tents than actual cottages built. They jumped from their horses and then Broderick quickly tied their mounts to a nearby tree.

  “Who is the leader here?” Camden called out.

  There was no response from the hiding people. Those that had seen the Highland warriors coming were obviously afraid of them.

  “We mean no harm, we wish to speak to all of you, please,” Camden said in a louder voice.

  Slowly, some of the men started to come out from the tent walls and surrou
nding forest area. Camden realized they were not going to come any closer and he would to have to talk to them from a distance.

  “I asked the question, who is the leader here, to see if any of you truly know. I am here to tell you who your leader is,” Camden stated.

  He had them listening now. More men came out and they moved closer to the two large men. The dysfunctional clan wondered if this was another challenge to declare laird because if that were so, the two men would surely win against all of them.

  “Do any of you know who owns this land rightfully?” He paused. “I didn’t think so. It is a young English girl, she is your leader.”

  There were murmurs and whispers among the men and a few of shouted “nay” out loud.

  “It is the truth. When King James gave it to the English, it was given to a young countess there as an inheritance. Have you ever wondered why the English have done nothing with this land? The girl probably does not even know it belongs to her. However, it will not belong to her much longer. It will belong to me. I plan to marry the English girl and therefore this will become my land. I am Laird Camden Sinclair and when I return, you will all declare your fidelity to me or die,” Camden ordered.

  “Aye my laird speaks the truth. Move about this land and tell all those around to be waiting here when we return. We will train you to fight and be the Highland warriors you were born to be,” Broderick shouted to the few dozen men.

  The crowd seemed stunned for a moment and then they burst into cheers for the two men before them. Camden watched their shouts of approval and he felt as if they had been children without a father and now someone had come to claim them. He actually wanted to help these men find the confidence that ran through their Highland blood. Camden could feel deep down inside that his plan was going to work. He would be able to take back the Sinclair land and bring vengeance to the MacKay clan.