The night moved on and Olivia laid there in the dark listening to the soft sound of the snow falling outside her tent. Somehow, as if she could hear him calling to her, Olivia knew Camden was thinking of her. She longed to hear his voice and yearned to feel his touch. Olivia was burning inside with the need of having Camden by her side.
Long ago, she would have chided herself for letting feelings of the heart interfere with the impending battle but now, thoughts of Camden all but consumed her. Olivia had always been strong and could fight with the toughest of warriors. The only insecurity she had was the emotion of love between a man and a woman. Now, Olivia had recklessly abandoned her fears of love and plunged fully and completely into the depth of it.
In the distant night, Camden’s body trembled from the cold damp air around him. His head pounded with pain and the warrior knew the wounds they had given him were bleeding. While battling the eight men that attacked him, Laird Sinclair was struck over the head with a rock and it knocked him out cold. He was then tied up and taken to the MacKay holding where Malcolm was waiting for him. Upon his arrival, Camden was tossed to the ground and then welcomed with Malcolm’s fist.
After finishing the brutal beating of Laird Sinclair, Malcolm ordered his men to put him in a cell deep below the crumbling castle. He had been starved of food since his capture but Camden would not let his energy diminish. When the guards were gone, Camden exercised to keep his muscles strong and his blood warm. The warrior knew to play the weak prisoner when around his captors but he wanted to remain strong for when planned his escape. Three times Camden had been brought before Malcolm and three times, Camden denied the orders Malcolm tried to force upon him.
When Laird Sinclair stood in front of Malcolm, he could almost see the evilness move about the MacKay man like a black cloud. Anyone could clearly see that this man had chosen a dark dreary path in life and those around him had been sucked in with him. Malcolm demanded that Camden stop the army he created from attacking the MacKay men on the Sinclair land. He also wanted Camden to give him the lairdship freely in front of the Sinclair clan to show them what a weak leader he was.
Each time he had denied this unreasonable and sinister command, Camden was beaten while chained, for his defiance. Malcolm’s men gave no mercy on the laird as they punished him with each strike.
Tonight during his latest moment of rebellion, Camden made the mistake of letting his emotions prove how he felt about his wife. This made Olivia an enormous target and Camden knew it. Ian’s men had been describing to Malcolm of Lady Sinclair’s beauty and he growled at the filthy images they painted of his wife.
Malcolm’s laugh boomed across the room as he finally realized what Camden’s weakness was, a silly English woman.
“All this time we have been trying to beat you into submission and now we find out it would only take the death of your wife to change your mind,” Malcolm said wickedly.
Camden knew not to react any further to the comments from the ugly bastard that kept him prisoner. He swore to himself that he would not let anything or anyone harm Olivia. After the order was given to find Lady Sinclair, Camden became nauseous at the thought of any of those vile men even touching his most prized possession. They grabbed Camden by the hair on his head and dragged the chained laird back to his dark cell in the earth.
He lay quietly on his back trying to regain some strength and his mind wandered to thoughts of his beautiful wife. He struggled to his knees and then Camden desperately pleaded to God for mercy, as nothing seemed to be going right. Everything that had happened in the past many weeks of his life had been complete chaos, except Olivia.
She was perfection and Camden thanked the Lord for giving this gift to him. He smiled thinking of Olivia and how she would say something so innocently to him and she never knew how much if affected him. The laird always seemed to be hanging on to her every word with anticipation. Each night when he held Olivia in his arms, he was rejuvenated again and Camden knew he would be all right for one more day.
Every night since his capture, Camden’s world had been so cold and so empty that sleep was hard to come by. Tonight was no different either. After hours of lying there, the laird finally started fading in and out of dreams. He needed her now and he needed her forever. Camden realized that he had helplessly and hopelessly fallen in love with Olivia. He only wished now that he could tell her so. The Highland laird was never good with words of love like the other men but he knew what was in his heart and that was all he needed to tell her. Camden’s heated visions of her body helped to warm him from the frosty air. Please God, he prayed, let me live to tell her that I love her.
Early the next morning, Olivia woke to the crunching sound of boots stomping heavily in the snow. She changed her gown and stepped out into the chilly air, inhaling deep breaths that invigorated her entire body. Soon they would be at the Sinclair holding to end the torment of the MacKay clan. It did not take long for the camp to start buzzing with enthusiasm and Olivia was grateful for everyone’s willingness to fight for Laird Sinclair. Camden had brought them together and trained them well. Today they would bring honor to his name.
Broderick sent a signal letting Olivia know that his clan and the Sutherlands were ready to leave. Liam rode next to Olivia and led the way to meet the other clans at the ridge just before they entered the valley where Camden had grown up. Their mounts moved forward through the soft snow and Liam pointed ahead for Olivia to see a heavenly sight.
“That’s the Drummonds in the red and green plaids. The others are the Macleod clan in black and red,” Liam explained.
Olivia was speechless as she witnessed the hundreds of men, most on horses but some on foot that had traveled to risk their lives for her husband and his clan. Olivia knew her brother’s army was noble and brave but now as she stood among these Highlanders, she felt a sense of pride that could never be surpassed. The warrior woman felt truly privileged to be a part of this valiant display of honor and respect to her husband.
“I will speak to their lairds before we leave,” she commanded.
“Yes m’lady,” Keith answered.
The massive groups of warriors converged at the ridge and Olivia noticed how well they moved making themselves silent through the snow. Keith had ridden to send word to the other clans of Olivia’s request. He was not sure how well the other lairds would accept a woman leading this invasion but he would soon find out.
Before Keith could return to Olivia’s side, Laird Drummond and Laird Macleod were riding next to him. The lairds reached the small group of what was left of Camden’s elite guard including Olivia. Camden and his men had a fierce reputation throughout the Highlands and now only three of them wore the Sinclair plaid and one woman. Broderick quickly rode to be with Olivia incase the lairds gave her any trouble.
“You must be Lady Sinclair. I am Laird Drummond and word has it that you have taken your husband’s role as laird. I will not stand by and watch while a woman leads innocent men to their deaths. You will stay here during the battle and not interfere,” the older soldier ordered.
Olivia could have sworn she heard Liam gasp for air at Laird Drummonds words. She thought he must be thinking the same thing she was, how dare he think a woman could be less than a man. Olivia was grateful for all the years in the convent that had taught her patience for now was when she needed it most. The countess took a deep breath and quickly prayed to God for a grasp on her tongue.
“Laird Drummond, I will be damned if I let you speak to me in such a manner. First, everyone here speaks of their Highland blood that runs through their veins, well I can crown your boasts with the Russian blood that runs through mine. I am a descendant of the Russian nobles and just because I am a woman, makes me no less capable of going into battle. Second, I have trained with the best and I have beaten the best so if anyone will hinder us in this combat it will be the elderly,” Olivia taunted and then rushed on, “I suggest you believe my words for I surely have the devil’s spit in me and no one dar
e cross me. Last, even if I have taken my husband’s role as laird, none of his men would be here standing at my side if they did not trust me completely. They have each willingly pledged their fidelity and faithfulness to me. I am in love with my husband and that is a better reason than any other, to fight for his safety.”
The two aged lairds were stunned at this beautiful woman’s ranting and they were both left speechless. Broderick smiled as he sat on his mount next to Olivia. My Lord, he thought, if she had not been so damn passionate in her words everyone would have thought she was jesting. Broderick could see that Laird Drummond was a bit irritated and Laird Macleod looked as if he were about to laugh. The large warrior felt the need to mediate before Olivia said another word.
“Laird Drummond, I have taken this new clan under my name now and they are under my rule. Lady Sinclair is leading the Sinclair warriors,” Broderick said.
“Aye, only the three men then, ‘tis rightfully so that a woman only have three warriors to lead,” Laird Drummond replied with a smirk.
Liam, Keith and Calum were close to Olivia and she heard them all making grunting noises.
She smiled broadly at Laird Drummond. “Yes, I will only lead the three men if that pleases you. Just know that these three men are the most exceptional and fearless warriors in the Highlands, well apart from my husband, Broderick and I. No one else but a woman like me could lead them.”
Laird Macleod laughed deeply, winked at Olivia and then turned to head back to his clan. Laird Drummond stared deeply into Olivia’s eyes and then he too laughed out loud.
“God be with you Lady Sinclair,” he said.
He left them to prepare his men and as soon as the two lairds were gone, Olivia let out a huge sigh of relief.
“M’lady, I am honored to have you lead us to battle,” Calum stated.
“Aye,” Keith said.
“Aye m’lady,” Liam nodded.
Olivia bowed her head. “Men let us pray before we leave.”
Broderick and the others quickly followed her example and Olivia began to pray out loud with fervent respect.
“God in heaven above, we give thanks for thy boundless power and now we ask to receive it also. We honor thy inherent wisdom and we ask for it to be poured upon us. We cherish thy endless mercy and hope to be shown it greatly.”
Olivia’s throat began to swell as she tried to stop the tears that fell down her cheeks. The countess struggled to finish her call to God with a whisper.
“Please hold my husband in your arms and help him live. I love him with all my being. Amen.”
She looked up and her eyes were filled with tears. Olivia wished she had not shown this weakness to the giant warriors that surrounded her but she noticed they too were misty eyed.
“Let us reclaim the Sinclair land and fight the injustice that has been brought upon the clan. We will not take mercy on the MacKay clan as they have shown no mercy for the Sinclairs. We will show the evildoers of the land that they cannot take what is not theirs. We will reassure the Sinclair clan that their laird has not forgotten them. We will make the MacKay men be an example to all those who think they can harm the weak and vulnerable. God is fighting with us now!” Olivia commanded.
They rode to the cliff and with every step from their horses, Olivia knew they were getting closer to her husband’s home. The home where he had lost his mother and father and now where his sister would be buried also. Olivia glanced at the men that surrounded them atop the rocky cliff and noticed that their quilted linen coats appeared to be smeared with wax. This was obviously for protection as well as for warmth. They also wore deerskin coats under their large winter plaids.
Olivia wore Camden’s broadsword at her side and her own bow and arrows on her back. She had on a beautiful saffron colored dress under her plaid and when she had put it on this morning, it made Broderick smile. Olivia did not know that it was custom for the chief to don a “yellow coat” before battle and he felt it was an extremely appropriate choice in color for her.
Broderick had given her Camden’s targe to bring with her to battle. She was not used to carrying a shield but she did like the Highland’s version. It was round and made of wood that was covered with tough cowhide. It had a leather arm strap inside and the front was covered in rows of nail heads and ornate patterns of brass studs. Olivia found it much lighter than an iron shield and she thought the piece was very beautiful.
When Olivia looked over the mountain crest, the Sinclair Castle and village finally came into view. The seascape she witnessed was magnificent. The large castle stood next to the sea and the entire valley below was blanketed in white snow. To the left of the holding there was an incredible cliff with a thundering waterfall flowing into the sea. Olivia could see frozen water in areas that made the cliff look as if it were covered in diamonds. This place was unlike anything Olivia had ever dreamed of.
Liam was to her right and he was the first to notice the stillness of the village below.
“M’lady there is nobody visible. We have the advantage of being at higher ground but I fear they knew we were coming. I do not see any of the Sinclair clan,” he worried.
“They are here somewhere. I can feel their beating hearts waiting for us to help them. Now,” she yelled, “now we take back what belongs to Laird Sinclair.”
The hills quickly became flooded with color as hundreds of warriors descended down into the valley. Everyman yelled out loud in a cry for battle as they carried their swords and battle axes. The men on horse followed behind the men on foot and soon Olivia could see the MacKay men coming out of hiding. The laird’s wife was quickly aware that the men who fought for Camden, charged ahead with valor and the MacKay clan waited cowardly until they were attacked.
Lady Sinclair and the three men at her side rode hard and fast into the heat of the combat. Blades struck one another with fury and strength. It did not take long for Olivia to realize that they outnumbered the MacKay clan greatly and this battle would be over sooner than expected. She felt like this victory was much too easy and had an uncomfortable feeling that something was not right.
Olivia noticed movement above from the wall walks and then more from the turrets. The war on the ground was ending and the area was littered with the bodies of the MacKay men. Olivia watched as the lairds seemed relaxed at this simple conquest and she felt the eerie calm in the air that filled with her with fear. The Drummonds and others began to celebrate the effortless defeat while they checked to make sure all the MacKay men were dead.
The lone woman in the combat had never yelled a battle cry before but when she did, it was definitely effective. Everyman turned to look at Olivia and just as she pointed up to the castle walls, a hail of arrows came flying through the air towards the vulnerable men. Most were able to use their targe to shield them from the oncoming arrows but some were struck clean through. Broderick was amazed at Olivia’s perception and had she not warned them, many more would have been hit, including the older two lairds.
Liam, Keith and Calum followed Olivia as she jumped from her stallion and raced into the fortress. The warriors outside were suddenly attacked by a second group of men that had been waiting in the bailey and more that were standing by in the blockhouse. Broderick was sickened at the thought that he and the others had not been prepared for this. Of course, it was hard for him to believe that the MacKay clan would stand by watching their fellow men die without trying to help them at all.
“Liam, lead me through the holding. I don’t know which way to go,” she cried out.
“This way m’lady,” he replied.
Olivia and the others followed Liam through the hall and up a steep set of stone stairs. They went through a maze of corridors and more stairs before they reached the wall walk where the men were shooting arrows through the loops down at the battling men.
Olivia reached for her bow and began letting off arrows of her own, hitting each target she aimed for.
Liam and Keith dueled men with their swords and
it only took seconds for them to kill their enemies. Within moments of reaching those that were shooting the arrows, Olivia and her guards had ended the rain of arrows. Broderick was on the ground and he knew that the warrior woman on the castle wall had been the leader of the brave assault.
From the corner of her eye, Olivia saw a woman in a MacKay plaid, head down a staircase at the end of the aisle where they had fought the archers.
“Find Camden’s people!” She yelled to her men as she rushed off chasing the woman down the steps.
Olivia made her way through the keep and down many winding hallways searching for the MacKay woman she had seen. The countess moved quickly and then followed her up the turret and into a large solar room above the main keep. The room was round and void of any furniture but it had several windows that were covered with animal skin to keep out the cold.
Olivia stood in the arched doorframe and thought to herself, she has to be behind the door. There was no other place to hide. She slowly stepped into the room with Camden’s large sword drawn from its sheath. Olivia wanted to know who this woman was that wore the MacKay plaid. Maybe she was innocent in this evil plan and Olivia surely did not want to kill an innocent woman.
“You, behind the door, who are you?” Olivia demanded.
Lorna pushed the heavy wooden door away from herself and drew a small dagger pointing it at Olivia. She was panting heavily and seemed to have a wild look in her eyes.
“I am the widow of Donal Sinclair,” the crazed woman yelled.
“Why aren’t you wearing the Sinclair plaid then?” Olivia asked calmly.
Lorna laughed. “I would never wear a wretched plaid like that. The MacKay clan rules here and I will always don their colors.”
“I had hoped maybe you were blameless in this devious attack on the Sinclairs because I didn’t want to have to kill a woman but I can see that you are a traitor too. Did you kill Camden’s father?”
Highland Vengeance Page 12