Highland Deliverance (Blades of Honor Book 3)

by B. J. Scott

  “By then I’ll be dead and this farce will be over,” Ian said. “The way my wound is bleeding, I’ll be lucky to see first light.” He hung his head, darkness threatening to swamp him.

  “We’ll just see about that.” Roderick grabbed hold of the arrow and snapped off the feathered end, then shoved with all the force he could muster, the remaining wooden shaft moving through Ian’s body and exiting through his back. The task completed, he called to one of his men. “Heat a dagger in the fire then bring it to me.”

  “Right away, m’lord.” The man trotted off and returned a few minutes later with a dirk, the blade glowing red.

  Roderick snatched the weapon. “Hold him,” he ordered. Wasting no time, he plunged the blade into Ian’s wound.

  Ian’s body jerked and bucked when the hot metal touched his shoulder. The acrid odor of burnt hair and flesh assaulted his nostrils, and pain unlike anything he’d ever experienced snapped him back to consciousness. Ian cursed and clenched his teeth, but he refused to cry out. He’d not give Roderick the satisfaction.

  “That will take care of things. I’ll now have plenty of time to get what I want. Then I’ll kill you,” Roderick snarled, dropped the dirk in the dirt, and strode away.

  The next time Ian opened his eyes, he glanced skyward. Judging by the position of the moon overhead, he guessed it was after midnight. There had still been no sign of Connor or his men, and Ian was about to give up all hope, when a Morgan warrior approached from the shadows. He wore a hooded cloak to protect him from the night’s chill, but Ian recognized the sash of plaid worn by the Morgan clan.

  “Who goes there?” the guard asked the warrior.

  “I’ve come to relieve you for a few minutes,” the warrior said. “You must need to tend to your needs by now and will have the chance to get yourself something to eat and drink. But be quick about it. Lord Roderick said you could only be gone for a few minutes.”

  “Maybe I should ask him first,” the guard said.

  “Are you daft, man? You know what he’s like when he’s in his cups. Best na to rile him by questioning his orders. Just make haste.”

  The guard nodded. “Thank you. I have been holding it for about an hour and was afraid to ask permission to go relieve myself. I’ll do that now, then I’ll grab a tankard of ale and a leg of mutton. I’ll come right back.” He trotted into the woods.

  The warrior took up his position and stared straight ahead, so Ian was shocked when he spoke.

  “How do you fare, cousin?” he asked in a hushed tone.

  Ian immediately recognized the voice. “Bryce? What are you doing here dressed like a Morgan?”

  “How else was I supposed to get close enough to talk to you?” Bryce asked. “We caught a couple of Roderick’s men skulking in the woods, subdued the rogues, disarmed them, and relieved them of their clothes. There are six of us mingling amidst the Morgans as we speak.” Bryce chuckled. “Dinna talk, just listen. If they see us chatting, it will draw their attention.”

  Ian nodded and remained silent. What his cousin said made sense. But he had so many questions, holding his wheesht would not be easy.

  “We have the camp surrounded. Connor is just waiting for the right time to make his move,” Bryce said though clenched teeth. “Do you think he could reason with Roderick and get him to release you in exchange for letting his men go? He prefers na to engage Morgan in battle, but will if necessary.”

  “Not a chance. Roderick would rather die than surrender. And he doesna care what happens to any of his men,” Ian said. “Besides if Connor lets him get away, he will continue his quest to take Quinn. Like a rabid animal, he must be destroyed.

  “I said dinna talk,” Bryce chastised. “Just nod.”

  “Roslyn told us you’d been shot with an arrow, but it appears the wound has been tended. She’ll be relieved.”

  “Aye, Roderick decided to save my life so he can end it when it suits his fancy,” Ian whispered. “But how will Roslyn know? She should be long gone by now.” Ian tried to remain silent, but had to know if what Roderick suspected was true, that she was in fact still present in the area.

  “Shhh. Do you want to get us both killed?” Bryce continued to stare straight ahead.

  Ian shook his head and bit his tongue.

  “Connor tried to get her to leave with Lazarus and Quinn, but she refused to go,” Bryce explained. “She has some fool notion that she has information that will get Roderick to release you. But Connor ordered her to remain in camp with Collin where it is safe.”

  Ian’s stomach twisted with dread. He had not known Roslyn for long, but suspected Connor’s orders would hold no credence if she decided to bolt and take matters into her own hands.

  “I canna stay. The guard is returning,” Bryce murmured. “Connor wanted you to know we are watching and will get you out of this mess. Keep your head on a swivel and watch for our signal.”

  “Tell Connor na to let Roslyn out of his sight,” Ian whispered. “She canna be trusted to follow his orders. If she makes up her mind she is right, Collin will have his hands full.”

  Bryce moved away when the guard returned. “Are you finished?”

  “Aye, thank you.” The guard grasped Bryce’s forearm.

  Bryce didn’t linger to exchange pleasantries. He shook the man’s wrist, offered a curt nod, then left.

  For the first time in days, Ian held out a sliver of hope that he might get out of this mess alive, but he couldn’t help wondering if Roslyn would do as she was told or decide to sacrifice herself for him. If she did, his life would not be worth living. He had no idea what information she possessed that could make a ruthless swine like Roderick agree to an exchange, and hoped he never found out.

  As the sun crested the horizon, Roderick staggered toward Ian with a sword in hand. “I grow tired of this cat and mouse game, and it is high time we got on with it.” He cut the ties that bound Ian to the post, but left his hands cinched behind his back. He clasped him by the upper arm and dragged him to the center of the clearing.

  “Connor Fraser! I have given you more than enough time to answer my request.” Roderick shouted loud enough to wake the dead. “You have ten minutes to deliver the lad and my sister or I will follow through with my threat to slit your cousin’s throat.”

  Connor appeared at the top of the rise, standing at the edge of the forest. “Let Ian go now, and you can take your men and leave. Refuse and we will slaughter everyone in camp.”

  “Even your cousin?” Roderick asked. “Attack and he’s the first to die. I’ll see to it personally. Send me the lass and my son.”

  “Ian knew the risks. One life is na worth that of one hundred of my men,” Connor replied. “Are the lives of your men worth the price of your obstinacy? You canna have Roslyn or Quinn.”

  “Then many will die and your cousin will be first.” Roderick raised his blade in the air above Ian’s head, prepared to strike.”

  “Nay. Roderick, wait!” Roslyn shouted as she appeared beside Connor.

  Connor spun around and grabbed Roslyn by the shoulders. “Are you daft, woman? I told you to stay in camp.”

  “My brother means what he says. He’ll kill Ian if you dinna give him what he wants,” Roslyn said. “I canna let him die when I can save him.” She struggled to break free of Connor’s grasp, but he held tight.

  “Your brother has no intention of letting Ian go whether I offer you to him or na,” Connor snapped. “I’ve dealt with his kind before. He’ll promise to release Ian in exchange for you, but once he has you in his grasp, he’ll kill you both.”

  “You dinna know that,” she argued. “Please let me go, Connor, I must try.”

  “Roderick wants Quinn as well as you. He willna settle for one of you when he demanded you both be turned over to him. Once he’s gotten what he wants from you, he will continue to pursue the lad. No one will be safe.” Connor released one of her arms and motioned with a flick of his free hand for John to come forward. “Take her back to ca
mp and see where Collin is. I have no idea how she managed to get away from him, but see that it doesna happen again. Tie her hands and feet, throw her over your saddle, then ride for Fraser Castle. Dinna stop until you get there and tell Lazarus what has happened. Do you understand?”

  “Aye, Connor.” John clasped her wrist. “Come, m’lady. Leave this for the men to handle.”

  “You canna do that to me? You promised I could stay,” Roslyn argued. “I willna go.”

  “And you promised to remain in camp with Collin and na to interfere,” Connor challenged. “I’m afraid you leave me no choice, Roslyn. It’s for your own good.”

  “I’m waiting, Fraser,” Roderick shouted. “Send the lass and my son and I’ll spare your cousin. Keep me waiting and he’s dead.”

  “Dinna do it, Connor. It’s a trap. He has no intention of letting me go. If he gets his hands on Roslyn, he will kill her too. Dinna let that happen. I—”

  Roderick silenced Ian with a backhanded slap, then another. “Your time has run out, Fraser. What say you?”

  “The answer is nay, Roderick. Do what you must, then prepare to die.” Connor looked at Roslyn. “I’m sorry, m’lady, your brother left me no options.”

  “Aye, he did.” Roslyn bit John’s hand, then kneed him in the groin. When he relinquished his hold on her and dropped to his knees, she darted for the clearing.

  “Stop her, Alasdair,” Connor shouted, but it was too late. She’d already reached the flat land and was grabbed by one of Morgan’s warriors. He dragged her across the clearing, then shoved her to her knees in front of Roderick.

  Roslyn peered up at her brother, her heart full of contempt and hatred. “I’m here. Now let Ian go.”

  “I said I wanted you and the lad,” Roderick said with a scowl.

  “Quinn is gone. His father took him home to his mother where he belongs,” she informed him. “But you and I know the information I have is more important to you than anything in this world. Release Ian and we’ll talk.”

  “Nay, Roslyn, I’ll na let you do this,” Ian said. “He’ll na let either of us live. But, as long as you dinna tell him what he wants to know, you have a chance.”

  “At what price?” she asked.

  “No one asked you to speak.” Roderick raised his fist to strike Ian again.

  “Roderick. Your issue is with me, na Ian,” she said, hoping to distract him.

  “You’re wrong, sister.” Roderick slowly turned to face her. “He snuck into my keep and played me for a fool. Then he made off with my son and gave him to a rival clan. If that wasna enough, he went back into my castle and broke you out of prison. If he could be executed three times over for his crimes, it wouldna be enough.”

  “Ian wouldna have been in Morgan Castle had you not stolen Quinn from his home in the first place,” Roslyn argued. “Please, I beg of you. Let Ian go and promise to leave Quinn alone and I’ll tell you where mother hid the gems.” She lowered her gaze and crossed herself. “Forgive me, Mam,” she said softly.

  “I have no intention of releasing your lover, or you. Tell me where the treasure is hidden and I may spare your life. Lie to me or defy me, and I will cut his heart out.” Roderick pressed the tip of his sword against Ian’s chest. A small trickle of blood ran down the blade. “My hand grows tired and my patience thin, sister.”

  Roslyn’s gaze locked with Ian’s. She’d hoped she could convince Roderick to let him go, but deep down she knew it was not likely going to happen. Perhaps she was a coward, looking for the easy way out. She’d fallen in love with Ian and if he died, her life might as well be over too. A God-fearing woman, she’d never take her own life. But if Roderick ended it for her, he’d be solving her problem. Either way, she had nothing to lose.

  “Then you’ve made up your mind? You are going to kill us,” Roslyn said somberly. “There is naught I can say to get you to reconsider?”

  “Nay,” Roderick snapped. “Fraser’s death will be quick, but yours, dear sister, will be long and painful. At least until you tell me where the gems are hidden.”

  “And what about Quinn?” she asked.

  “I will get my son back, no matter what the cost. He will sit at my side and someday rule Clan Morgan. I swear, the Frasers willna have a moment of peace until Quin is returned to me, along with his mother. If she is still as comely as she was when she was young, I’d fancy another tumble with her.”

  “That’s what I feared,” Roslyn said, then lowered her gaze and whispered a prayer. She crossed herself, then smiled at Ian. “I love you. And I’m sorry.” She glared up at her brother. “And you, brother, are a disgrace to the Morgan name. I canna let you hurt Quinn or his mother.”

  Roderick laughed and moved toward her. “And what, pray tell, do you plan to do about it?”

  “This. Forgive me, Lord,” she said then let a dirk slide from the sleeve her gown, grasped it in her fist, and lurched forward, burying her blade in her brother’s chest.

  “Damn you!” Roderick staggered backward. He yanked the dagger from his chest, then covered the wound with his hand, blood oozing between his fingers.”

  “Fall, damn you,” Roslyn said as she backed away, but Roderick lumbered forward, the dirk in hand.

  “I never thought you had it in you, little sister. Now it’s your turn.” He clenched his hand around her wrist and raised the weapon.

  Roslyn closed her eyes, steeling herself for the fatal blow. She’d tried to kill her brother, but failed. She only hoped in the commotion that followed, Ian might get away.

  “You’ll na harm a hair on her head, ever again,” Ian declared as he tackled Roderick, sending them tumbling to the ground.

  As if frozen on the spot, Roslyn stared at the two men grappling in the dirt. Until someone swept her off her feet and carried her up the hill toward the Fraser camp. “Let me go,” she squealed, shocked to learn it was Ian’s cousin Bryce.

  “Ian, we must go back for him,” she said. “Put me down and let me go to him.”

  Bryce set her feet on the ground, but maintained a firm grip on her arm. “It appears Ian is holding his own.”

  She glanced over her shoulder and watched as a horde of Fraser warriors streamed down the hillside and into the clearing. She spotted Ian standing over Roderick, her brother face down in the dirt.

  Within minutes, the Fraser men had taken over the Morgan camp, and to her delight, with only three casualties.

  Connor joined Roslyn and Bryce. “If I were my cousin, I’d take you over my knee and spank you. But that will be up to him.” He caressed her shoulder. “It’s done. Your brother is dead. Go to Ian.”

  She raced into the clearing. “I’m glad you’re alive,” she sobbed and hurled herself into his arms.

  Ian hauled her against his chest and kissed her as if he were a dying man about to draw his last breath.

  “Well done.” Connor joined them and slapped Ian on the back. He smiled at Roslyn, then locked eyes with his cousin. “When is the wedding going to be?” he asked.

  “As soon as possible. If she’ll agree to be my wife.” Ian took Roslyn’s hands between his own and kissed her fingertips. “What say you, Roslyn? Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in Scotland?”

  She nodded enthusiastically. “Aye, Ian. I’ll marry you.”

  Connor offered his congratulations as did several others of the Fraser warriors who overheard the news.

  Bryce trotted up to where they stood and glanced down at Roderick’s lifeless form. “Good work, Ian. I’m glad it’s him and na you laying there.”

  Ian nodded. “Aye. Like a mad dog, he needed to be put down. There was no other choice.”

  “You did what was necessary to put an end to Roderick’s evil ways,” Connor said.

  “Aye. And he’ll na be bothering anyone ever again.” Ian looped his arm around Roslyn’s shoulder. “Let’s all go home.”

  Chapter 23

  Today was her wedding day, and Roslyn had never been so happy or felt so safe. Her bro
ther no longer posed a threat, she was marrying a wonderful man that until now existed only in her dreams, and together, they had their whole lives ahead of them.

  Roslyn languorously stretched, then slid to the edge of her bed and rose. She padded to the window and shoved open the shutters. It’s a glorious day. She closed her eyes, tilting her face toward the warm rays of sunlight.

  A soft rap on the door interrupted her musing. “Aye, who is it?” In a castle bustling with so much activity and housing so many, there was no telling who it might be. She snatched a length of plaid from a nearby chair, and after wrapping it around her shoulders, she tugged on the latch.

  “Och, I hope I dinna wake you, Roslyn.” Sheena stood in the hallway with her babe tucked in her arms. “I forget sometimes that people who dinna have wee ones get to sleep past dawn on occasion.” She giggled. “But it’s your wedding day and I figured you’ve been awake for hours.”

  “You dinna disturb my sleep.” Roslyn smoothed her hands down the front of her night rail, then combed her fingers through her tangled locks. “But you’ll have to excuse my appearance, I must look a fright.”

  “You look lovely as always,” Sheena replied. “If you’re certain I’m not disturbing you, I wish to speak with you, if I may?”

  “Of course, come in. I was hoping to talk with you in private before Ian and I were wed as well,” Roslyn said, smiling. “With the excitement of our arrival at Fraser Castle, the birth of your son, and preparing for the wedding, I’m afraid finding time to chat has been difficult.”

  “Aye. I know what you mean.” Sheena entered the chamber, then placed her son on the bed. “While a labor of love, having two bairns is a lot more work than I thought it would be. I dinna know how Cailin and Fallon manage their broods, having a dozen between them.”

  “It takes a special talent to be a good mother. Ian is already talking about bairns and we are not even married yet.” Roslyn drew back the plaid swaddling the babe. “And now you have two sons. You are very fortunate. He’s a braw lad, like his da. Is he a good babe?”