Dark Sword 05: Shadow Highlander

by Donna Grant

  “Trust me,” Galen urged. “I will see you to safety. I give you my vow.”

  He left then, knowing it was futile to speak more of it. Mairi would make up her mind, and whatever she decided, nothing could change it.

  And as much as he didn’t want to, he knew he needed to speak to Nessa as well. He was on his way there when he heard the scream.

  By the time Galen reached Nessa’s cottage, Logan was there and Druids were gathered around the doorway. Galen took hold of Odara’s frail shoulders and pulled her away from the door to peer inside.

  “Why?” Odara wailed and covered her hands with her face.

  Galen took one look at Nessa and the two elderly couples slumped on the floor and sighed.

  “What happened?” Mairi demanded as she pushed through the crowd.

  “They killed themselves,” Odara answered.

  Mairi pulled Odara into her arms, their tears mingling. Mairi’s gaze lifted to Galen’s, and she gave him a nod.

  Galen closed the door to the cottage and walked away. He couldn’t believe Nessa and the two couples had despised him so much that they would rather take their own lives than trust him.

  “I gather Mairi is coming with us,” Logan said as he caught up with Galen.

  “It appears so.”

  Logan halted and blew out a breath. “They must have hated and feared us tremendously to take their own lives.”

  “Doona think on it. Soon we will be on our way back to the castle.”

  “Without the artifact.” Logan crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow.

  Galen nodded. “There’s nothing we can do about it. I’m hoping that since Mairi is now coming with us, she will bring it, and once at MacLeod Castle the others can talk her into handing it over.”

  “Our travel is going to be slow. Too slow. It willna take that rider you saw long to return to Deirdre and gather more wyrran.”

  “Let’s hope he has to return to Cairn Toul to do that. We will be with the MacLeods by the time he finds us.” He cursed and ground his teeth together. “I should have gone after him.”

  “Nay. You did the right thing,” Logan said. “As it was, the wyrran nearly got away with Braden. I should have known they’d go after the lad first.”

  Galen rubbed his hand over the whiskers on his cheek. “I’d have chased them all the way to Cairn Toul if I’d had to. I willna allow them to take any Druid, much less a child.”

  They turned as one to the small group of Druids. The group was down to eighteen, but still a large enough crew that another Warrior would have been helpful.

  “Do you think when the wyrran return they will bring Warriors?” Logan whispered.

  Galen hid his scowl. “Pray they don’t. We’ll have our hands full if they do.”

  “Then we need to get moving.”

  Galen couldn’t agree more. He walked to the Druids and looked at their expectant, fearful faces. “The pace we set is going to be swift. We’ll rest as often as we can, but understand that we need to get as far away from this area as possible before nightfall.”

  “We will do the best we can,” Odara promised. Her eyes were red, and tears still coursed down her wrinkled face.

  He gave her a nod. “Either Logan or I will be in the lead and the other behind you. We need to stay in a tight group. The wyrran move fast, so if there’s another attack, Logan and I need to be able to fight around you.”

  “Like this morn,” Braden called out.

  Galen smiled at the eager lad. “Aye, like this morn. If you become too tired and begin to lag behind, let us know so we can take a break.”

  “How long is the journey?” Mairi asked.

  Logan shrugged and looked helplessly at Galen. Galen also shrugged. “As Warriors, we are able to run fast. That is how we came here, so I have no idea how long it will take to walk.”

  “Do any of you talk to trees?” Logan questioned. “We have a Druid who can hear and speak to them. We could send her a message so other Warriors from MacLeod Castle could meet us along the way.”

  Odara looked around and shook her head. “None of us have such a gift.”

  Galen glanced at Reaghan, wondering if with all her magic she could somehow do it. “Then let’s be on our way.”

  He led the small group beneath the ancient stones, his senses alert for any out-of-the-ordinary movement, anything that might be wyrran or someone sent by Deirdre.

  How he wished Fallon were with them. Fallon could have used his power and had them all back at the castle in less than a blink. Instead, they were going to have to make the long, treacherous journey themselves.

  He paused beside a steep drop. The Druids would have a difficult time descending it without help. If he called Logan to him, they would think he didn’t want to touch them. How could he tell them he could read their minds with the barest of contact? They were half afraid of him now, and if they knew that, they would never go with them to MacLeod Castle.

  Galen took a deep breath and approached the drop. He held out his hand to the first Druid. “Keep going. Follow the loch,” he told them, trying his best—and failing miserably—to block their thoughts.

  Even the brief time they touched him he saw their anxiety, their panic, their hopes, their dreams, and the terror which filled each and every one of them.

  Each emotion filled him as if it were his own. It suffocated him until the touch was gone. He barely had time for a breath before someone else reached for his hand.

  A few hesitated to touch him, but in the end they accepted his assistance. Reaghan was the last, and Galen almost sighed when he saw her. His head ached from all the thoughts he’d intercepted from the Druids.

  Reaghan looked into his eyes and took his hand. There were so many questions swimming in her gray eyes, questions he couldn’t run away from.

  But no thoughts filled his head. He wanted to hold on to her forever and never let her go. He didn’t know what was different about her, why he couldn’t see into her mind. He was just grateful for the relief.

  “Galen,” she whispered.

  “I know,” he said. “Later.”

  “Promise?”

  Her demand surprised him. He held her hand long after she was down the slope. “Aye.”

  A small smile pulled at her lips. “I will hold you to that, Warrior.”

  For the first time since his god had been loosened inside him, he liked the sound of being called a Warrior.

  THIRTEEN

  Reaghan’s entire body ached as she crumbled to the ground after the many hours they had traveled. Galen and Logan hadn’t been jesting when they said the pace would be quick. She was amazed at the distance they had covered since leaving the loch, taking only short breaks. Their noon meal had been eaten so quickly Reaghan hadn’t tasted it.

  But that’s what happened when you ran from evil.

  She looked over her shoulder, and in the distance she could make out the mountains which surrounded the loch. Her home was slowly fading into the distance. Sadness filled her. When she had been leaving, it was fear that propelled her forward.

  Now, as she looked back, she thought of the years she had spent in the safety of the beautiful loch. She hoped one day she could return, but if she couldn’t, she would keep her memories close.

  Their respite was nearly finished. She could see Galen and Logan as they spoke quietly to one another, their heads close together. They kept away from the group unless they were walking. It was as if the Warriors knew how ill at ease they made the Druids.

  It angered Reaghan that so many still doubted Logan and Galen’s motives. The Warriors had saved them, but if it wasn’t for the fear of losing their lives, Reaghan was sure many of the Druids would have ignored the men’s urging to leave.

  Reaghan thought of the man who had seen her at the loch, the man who had made her skin crawl. Galen had said he was from Deirdre. She didn’t doubt Galen. There had been evil in the man’s eyes.

  Her thoughts then turned to Galen. She
had been surprised to see he was a Warrior, but thinking back to what he had said, she should have known. There had always been something that set Galen apart from other men. Now she knew it was because of the god inside him.

  Galen had said he would answer her questions, but Reaghan didn’t want to wait any longer. As if he felt her gaze on him, he turned his head and looked at her.

  Even from a distance, the connection that held them, wrapped them in its grip, tugged at her. She wanted to go to Galen, to have his arms envelop her and hold her tight against his hard body. She wanted to hear him say everything was going to be all right.

  Even when she knew it probably wouldn’t be.

  All she had to do was observe how Galen and Logan studied the terrain, and how they kept the Druids in a tight group, to know they expected another attack.

  Reaghan shivered as she recalled how easily Galen had killed the wyrran. Despite her fear, or maybe because of it, she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off him as he had battled the wyrran in the village.

  He had been magnificent, utterly lethal with his claws and body. She had glimpsed the fangs in his mouth when he had roared, and she had been spellbound. Everything about Galen in his Warrior form intrigued her, entranced her.

  With him, she knew she was secure. When he had snatched Braden from the wyrran, Reaghan had known Galen would’ve done anything to keep the boy away from the creatures.

  How could anyone ever think Galen or Logan was evil? They had proven themselves without a doubt. The others, however, wouldn’t be so easy to convince.

  “Time to go,” Logan called as he took the lead.

  Reaghan bit back her groan as she rose to her feet. The rolling landscape was beautiful to behold, but becoming more and more difficult for them to cross because of their fatigue.

  The sun was steadily sinking in the sky. It wouldn’t be long before they stopped for the night, but it wouldn’t come quickly enough for her. Reaghan looked forward to a decent meal and somewhere she could sleep.

  A smile pulled at her lips when she saw Logan lift a weary Braden in his arms. Logan said something to Fiona, and then he lifted Braden over his head and settled the lad atop his shoulders.

  “You seem surprised.”

  Reaghan jumped and turned her head to find Galen behind her. “I’m surprised Fiona allowed Logan to take Braden.”

  “Who better to protect the lad than a Warrior?” he asked, his cobalt gaze holding hers.

  “Exactly. None of us could have carried Braden for long. I’m glad Logan has him.”

  “How are you holding up?”

  She shrugged and fell into step as they continued. Their pace had slowed but still it was quicker than she would have liked. She couldn’t feel her feet anymore, and her legs felt as heavy as tree trunks. “I’m doing better than most. It’s the older ones I worry about.”

  “Odara,” Galen murmured.

  Reaghan nodded. “None of us are used to this.”

  “I wish we could slow the pace, but I fear we willna reach MacLeod Castle before the wyrran attack again.”

  “Are all the men at MacLeod Castle Warriors?”

  “All but one,” he answered. “His name is Malcolm Monroe. He helped one of us, and in return, Deirdre sent Warriors to kill him. Broc found them and rescued Malcolm, but the damage had already been done.”

  Intrigued, she asked, “What happened?”

  “Sonya used her healing magic, but she couldn’t mend his arm. He lost the use of his right arm. Malcolm was to be laird of his clan.”

  “So he stays at the castle?”

  “Aye. Fallon, our leader, made him welcome.”

  She lifted her skirts as they started up another hill. “Why would Malcolm help you if he knew the danger?”

  “His cousin Larena. She’s the only female Warrior we know of, and she’s helping us. Deirdre tried to take her, but Larena is Fallon’s, and he wasn’t about to give up the woman he loves.”

  Reaghan smiled and took a deep breath. “I cannot wait to meet Fallon and especially Larena. A female Warrior. Amazing.”

  “Aye. We all thought the same thing.” Galen chuckled. “Woman or not, Larena can hold her own in battle.”

  “The stories of the ancient Celts and Romans are ones we hear continuously. The idea that the mies would align with the droughs is almost impossible to believe.”

  “Yet they did it for Britain. For all of us.”

  “Ah,” she said with a grin. “The tales say the gods, though bound, passed through the bloodline.”

  Galen let out a long breath. “They did. To the strongest warrior of each generation.”

  “Which you were. Some say the men who hope to become Warriors find Deirdre.”

  “Maybe. I didna.”

  His voice was low, rage laced in every syllable. “I’m sorry, Galen. I didn’t mean to imply you had gone to Deirdre.”

  “I know,” he said before she could trip over more of her words.

  Reaghan looked at the ground and bit her lip. She hadn’t meant to make him angry. Whatever had happened to turn him into a Warrior wasn’t pleasant. And if he hadn’t gone to Deirdre, then how had he become a Warrior?

  She was thankful he stayed beside her. He didn’t speak again, but at least he hadn’t moved away. On they walked, the clouds building above them and the loch fading behind them. Galen made sure no one followed, but always he was at her side.

  It comforted Reaghan in ways she couldn’t begin to explain. She felt as if she belonged with Galen, as if she had been waiting her entire life for him.

  * * *

  As soon as Galen spotted the grove of trees nestled in the valley, he knew it was the perfect place to stop for the night. The hills would hide their fire, and the night would consume the smoke.

  Galen hesitated to build a fire, but the Druids needed to eat to sustain their strength. Just a little over half a day’s travel and they were so exhausted they could barely stand.

  Logan had stayed to guard the camp while Galen tracked and killed a deer. Each Druid carried a satchel of food, but Galen feared it wouldn’t be enough to get them to the castle. Which meant they would have to stop more often to hunt.

  The women quickly skinned the animal and began to cook it. The delicious aroma of meat roasting over the fire made Galen’s mouth water. He hadn’t taken food from the Druids during the noon meal, but he would take it now. He and Logan’s strength would not be compromised by missing a few meals, but they couldn’t miss many.

  As soon as the meat was declared cooked, Galen and Logan distributed the portions.

  Logan turned his back to the Druids and the fire and faced his companion. “We’re no’ going to make it, Galen.”

  “We have to. Any one of them could hold the artifact. We cannot allow any of them to be taken.”

  “We need more Warriors.”

  “Which we doona have,” Galen stated. He clenched his jaw, determined to see every Druid arrive at MacLeod Castle. “We can do this.”

  Logan turned his head, his hazel eyes meeting Galen’s. “It’s no’ you I doubt.”

  Before Galen could ask what he meant, Logan faded into the shadows. Galen knew he wouldn’t go far. Logan would scout the area and make sure they wouldn’t be surprised by visitors.

  Galen’s gaze was constantly drawn to Reaghan. In spite of her own fatigue, she moved from Druid to Druid offering water and making sure they had all they needed. She spent extra time with Braden, making the lad smile as he ate.

  Soon he would have to give Reaghan the answers she sought and speak of things he would rather forget. He could lie to her, but the attraction between them was too great to even consider lying.

  He would give her the truth, regardless of how much it pained him. He had gotten angry earlier, but the thought of any man going to Deirdre willingly made his stomach sour.

  Galen sat and leaned against a tree while they finished eating. To his surprise, Reaghan sat beside him. She offered him a smile then tur
ned her gaze to the fire.

  He took two bites of his dinner before he got up the courage to begin. He kept his voice low so others wouldn’t hear. “I was out hunting when the wyrran came. They surrounded me before I could blink. And then I saw the Warrior. His skin was the darkest shade of purple, and he struck me unconscious with one blow to my head.”

  “You don’t have to tell me,” she said.

  “Aye, Reaghan, I do.” Galen swallowed his food. “I awoke in Deirdre’s mountain, locked in a prison. I could hear others. Their screams of agony, their cries of misery. I knew I would die there.”

  “Except you didn’t, did you?”

  “I did, in a way. The Galen I was before died. Once Deirdre unbound my god, I became who you see now. I knew there was nothing Deirdre could do that would make me align with her. Others cautioned me that she had used their families against them. She asked countless times about my family, insulting my mother so she could get a response.”

  Reaghan took a bite of her meal and asked, “Did you? Respond as she wanted?”

  “Nay. I told her my family meant nothing to me, and I proved it by ignoring everything she said and threatened to do to them. All the while I prayed they were safe. I was in Cairn Toul for twenty years. She never broke me, though she tried many times.”

  “How did you get out?”

  Galen finished his portion of food and leaned his head against the tree. “Others had escaped. I knew there was a way. I just had to find it. When she summoned me to her chambers to entice me to her bed, I knew my chance had come. She thought I was content, so she didn’t use another Warrior to escort me. Instead, she used her servants. It was nothing to get past them and away to freedom.”

  Reagan’s eyes were huge with wonder. “Didn’t she chase you?”

  “Deirdre doesn’t leave her mountain. She sent others, but I managed to get away.”

  “And your family?”

  “I let them think me dead.” He swallowed past the painful lump those words evoked. “I looked in on them when I was free. It was a chance I shouldn’t have taken. Deirdre could have gone there first and killed them just to spite me. Fortunately, she didna.”