Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander

by Connie C. Scharon

  “An excellent plan, Milord,” Draco said.

  Rannoch turned to his men. “I want Katie alive. Kill all the rest.” The men raised their sword and cried out their support. Rannoch smiled. “You outnumber them two to one. Show no mercy.”

  Chapter 19

  Ian raised his hand for the group to slow their pace. They were just about to enter the narrow pass that would take them to the inn. “Fergus and Hamish ride ahead and check the trail.”

  The two men headed out as the others dismounted for a short rest near the overhanging cliffs. Katie walked over to Ian. “Why do we stop?”

  “We must check the pass before we enter. It grows dark and more treacherous by the hour.”

  She came close and put her hand on his chest. “Every moment counts. I dinna ken what Rannoch may be doing to my family as we speak.”

  “Aye, Katie, but we can do them no good if we dinna succeed.”

  “We shall have to be careful then.”

  “Aye, we’ll wait for Fergus and Hamish to return before we go further. I canna risk the lives of my clansmen to appease your fears. I dinna think Rannoch will harm your kin, at least not until he is assured of the reward he seeks. Besides, Rannoch is probably out tracking us by now not lurking about the castle to torment your family.”

  “You trifle with their lives!” Katie stiffened and turned her back to him.

  Ian put his hands on her shoulders. She tried to shake them off, but he held her tight. “I dinna want any harm to come to them.”

  “Then we must go through the pass this evening.”

  He turned her to face him. “We will discuss it when our scouts return. Now come over and have something to eat. Father brought provisions for our journey and I ken you havena eaten in hours, perchance not at all today.” With a heavy sigh, she nodded and went with him to get a small repast.

  The sun had set by the time the scouts return. “We saw nothin’ out of place. I do have that eerie feelin’ like somethin’ is afoot,” Hamish said.

  “As do I,” said Ian. He looked at his father. “Camp or go forward?” Ian asked. Angus started to answer, but at just that moment, Ian looked behind them. “We have company,” he said pointing to the cluster of riders coming up on them fast. “Ride!”

  The group mounted and took off at a furious pace riding toward the ever-narrowing pass. Suddenly a hail of arrows rained down on them from the cliffs above.

  “It’s a trap,” Ian cried. He searched the way ahead for further signs of Rannoch’s men. A line of fire burst across the pass in front of them. Surrounded, Ian cried out to his men. “Dismount!” The men obeyed as Ian dragged Katie with him behind a massive boulder near the cliff’s edge. “Stay here,” he ordered. Giving her a quick kiss, he ran into the fray.

  Katie watched in horror. When the mounted attackers came, Ian and his kin slashed the horse’s necks and chests forcing the riders to the ground. Hand to hand combat ensued as Draco and a company of men came from the other side of the valley. The clash of swords echoed through the air. Katie shuddered when the first man fell. Rannoch’s men swarmed over the Innes clan striking down man after man by virtue of their number.

  The love of her life stood covered in the blood of his attackers. She watched Ian kill four men. Rannoch remained on his prancing horse doing more to direct the battle than to participate. Now that most of the Innes clansmen lay at his feet, he circled the area repeatedly. She knew he searched for her.

  Soon only three men remained. Ian, Angus, and Erland formed a triangle with their backs to each other. Draco and a band of men surrounded them slashing and slicing. The sound of steel hitting steel rang across the valley. When Erland stepped forward to protect his laird from Draco’s blade, Draco ran his sword straight through the man and into Angus. Erland and Angus fell to the ground. Ian let out a cry of rage and went after Draco. One of Draco’s companions struck Ian hard with a mace. He fell over on top of his wounded father, blood seeping from his head.

  Katie screamed. Rannoch rode toward her, but she did not try to flee. She had caused this and now they all lay dead for trying to help her. Let him kill her. Let him do whatever he wished with her. She deserved any punishment he gave.

  Rannoch’s hand slapped hard across her face. “Stop screaming!” he ordered. The blow knocked her to the ground. Her mouth filled with dirt as she pushed herself back to her feet. She hadn’t even realized she was still screaming and now the whole earth spun with every step she took. Rannoch grabbed hold of her and pulled her onto his horse in front him. “See the carnage you wrought with your stupid plan? This is your doing. Tell me, Katie, will you be able to live with all this blood on your hands?”

  Her head throbbed. Rannoch continued to rant. His voice got dimmer and dimmer. Death surrounded her. Ian and his kinsmen were dead. Her chest ached with unshed tears. Finally, sweet darkness overtook her.

  Jamie woke naked in his bed. Sorcha had vanished, but not the burning memories of his first sexual experience. She stayed with him through the afternoon and into the night. How many times had he taken her? He lost count as she found new ways to make him ready with her touch, her ripe body, and her sweet mouth. He stretched and drew in a deep breath. Katie would not be pleased about his encounter with the Red Witch. He had no regrets. Now he felt like a man.

  A light knock drew him to the door. “Milord, I would speak with you.” Sorcha’s voice called. “May I come in?”

  “Please,” Jamie answered. She walked into the room, closed the door, and bolted it. He smiled at her from the bed. “Are you here to pleasure me again?”

  “My rutting stag,” she said softly as she sat on the bed beside him. “I take it I pleased you.” She brushed his hair from his face as he tried to pull her down on top of him. “Please, Milord, there is other pressing business we must discuss.”

  Jamie propped up in the bed. He ran the back of his hand over her cheek. “What is so important it interrupts an opportunity for pleasure?”

  “Your sister captured Ian Innes and held him captive in your father’s dungeon. Rannoch found out and Katie escaped with Ian. Rannoch went after them and returned to the keep late last night with your sister. They say he killed Ian Innes and all the Innes clansmen who aided them.”

  A cold fear congealed in Jamie’s chest. “Why do you tell me this?”

  “I dinna wish any harm to come to your family. Rannoch brought Katie to the tower where I keep my cures. She looks, but does not see. I think she is in shock from witnessing the bloodbath. Katie has not regained her senses. Now she is in my care.” She fluttered her dark lashes. “Jamie, I thought you might want to see her. Rannoch says she can have no visitors until I cure her, but I could sneak you in.”

  “How do I ken this is not one of Rannoch’s tricks? Perchance he used you to soften me up so I would fall into his trap.” He ran his hand over her breast. “You did a good job. You gave me every young man’s dream all in one night. So now you think I will do whatever you wish.”

  She raised a dark eyebrow and looked into his eyes. “I enjoyed every moment I spent with you. Innocence is preferable to perversion any day.”

  “Rannoch….”

  “He has unusual tastes and I am forced to humor him.”

  Jamie nodded. “If that is so, why did you come to Duntaigh Castle?”

  “He saved me from a worse fate. The things I do for him are less foul than what I would have had to do to survive where he found me.” She looked away from him with a single tear streaking down her cheek.

  Jamie pulled her close and kissed it away. “How can I help?”

  “There is nothing you can do for me, at least not yet. A time may come when I ask for your assistance. For now, Rannoch doesna interfere with our pleasure.” She brushed his lips with a soft kiss then stood. “Only you can decide what to do about visiting Katie. I will be in the tower tending your sister. Do as you see fit.”

  “Sorcha….”

  “Have a care Jamie, I dinna ken what Rannoch is pla
nning. If Katie’s rescuers lie dead, it does not bode well for any of you.” He watched her breasts rise and fall as she drew a deep breath. “You could hide in my tower and Rannoch would think you escaped.”

  “Why do you help me?”

  “Because I choose to,” she said. With that, she unlocked the door to his chamber and left, blowing him a kiss from the doorway.

  Jamie dressed and went to check on his sisters, the image of Sorcha still scorched across his brain. Should he trust her? He needed to check on Katie, but not until he knew what was going on. Brianna seemed smitten with the man Katie swore sought to ruin them all. Maybe he should see Tessa first. If she really did have foresight, he could surely use it now.

  He found his younger sister in their father’s chamber. She sat by their father’s bed smiling and wiping his brown intermittently. Tessa rose when he entered the room. “We are alone,” she said softly. “Sorcha came in briefly to give him her potion, then left. I havena seen Rannoch at all.”

  “How is father?”

  “Jamie,” his father called. “You were to go to Angus. Why are you still here?”

  “Da, you can speak.”

  Tessa smiled. “He is much better, but ‘tis our little secret. Sorcha had already cut the dose on her potion. I switched it out for water. Now father grows better by the hour.”

  “Come closer, Son. I still can barely move my limbs. I fear some of my losses may be permanent.”

  Jamie went to the bed and hugged his father. “Da, Rannoch caught me leaving the keep. He confined me to my chamber. He told me if I attempted to leave again, he would hurt Tessa and Brianna. I didna get to go to Angus. I gave Rannoch my word I would stay here.”

  “What of Katie? I havena seen her in days.”

  “Rannoch caught her with Ian Innes and imprisoned them both.”

  “In the dungeon?” Brian asked.

  “Only Ian. He secured Katie in her chamber, but there is more….”

  “And I helped her escape,” Tessa interrupted. “Last time I saw her she planned to free Ian and go for help.”

  “They escaped,” Jamie said. “Or so I am told.”

  His father sighed. “Tess, you are too young to risk so much. If you dinna cross Rannoch, he wilna harm you.” With a moan, Brian Blackburn sank back into his bed. “I canna help you. You must find a way to stay safe until we can figure a way out of this. If Katie and Ian did escape, they are seeking assistance now.”

  Jamie dropped his gaze to the floor then looked at his father. “I heard this morning that Rannoch came back to the keep late last night. He claimed he slaughtered Angus, Ian, and their men. Rannoch brought Katie back. She is in Sorcha’s tower. According to Sorcha, Katie is in shock from watching the bloodbath. She hasna come to her senses.”

  His father’s eyebrow rose. “Why would Sorcha confide in you? She is in Rannoch’s inner circle.”

  “They want us to think there is no hope,” Tessa suggested. “They ken Jamie will report the news to the family. Perchance not all Laird Innes’ men died. We dinna ken what the real truth is.” She shot Jamie a knowing smile that almost made him lose his footing.

  “Ah… ah…. Could be Tessa is right, Father,” Jamie stammered straightening his stance. “Sorcha made a point of telling me this. She even suggested I come and see Katie in the tower.”

  “I am sure this is the reason,” Tessa said a little too quickly.

  “See if you can speak with Katie. She may ken the truth, but have a care. I dinna trust Sorcha Blaine. The witch has been poisoning me for months.” Their father broke into a coughing fit and Tessa got him some water. He sipped from the cup until he could speak again. “Once we ken what has transpired, we will devise a plan.”

  Jamie shifted his weight. “Father, there is one more thing.”

  “Brianna?” his father asked.

  “Aye, I am not sure we can trust her to keep our secrets. She hangs on Rannoch’s every word and swoons if he gives her the slightest notice.”

  “I havena spoken to Brianna. I dinna trust her either. She is young and enamored with Rannoch. He is a clever man. She is jealous of Katie and he uses this.”

  “Jealous of Katie?”

  “Son, they are close in age and rivals for attention. Katie has gotten most of it because she is the eldest and easily turns heads. Brianna is beautiful in her own right, but when Katie is in the room, no one notices. This has caused a rivalry, if only in Brianna’s mind. Rannoch uses this to keep Brianna on his side.”

  “Should I speak to her? It could be that she can get more information from Rannoch if we pretend to trust her.” Jamie sighed. “I love Brianna and I dinna like leaving her out of everything. Right now, I fear she is being controlled by that evil man.”

  “Aye, so,” his father agreed. “Go to her, but dinna reveal the state of my health. Tell her what you heard from Sorcha and ask if Brianna can find the truth. This will make her feel important and not endanger our cause.”

  “As you wish, Father.”

  Tessa grabbed Jamie’s arm. “Da, Jamie and I will leave now and let you rest,” she said almost dragging Jamie from the chamber.

  “May God be with you,” their father called as they left the room.

  “Tessa, what is it?”

  “Come to the courtyard with me. We need to talk. In the open where we can assure no one overhears us. There are too many spy holes in this castle to assume our chambers are safe.” Smiling, she led him down the passage.

  They walked into the brisk air. The clouds obscured the sun and the breeze whirled around to all the corners of the stone-walled space. It was empty save for them.

  They found a seat on one of the benches and she took his hand. “I dinna think all the Innes clansmen are dead. I believe that Ian still lives. I canna explain it. ‘Tis just a feeling.”

  “Ah, your special gift.” Jamie snorted. “Convince me with some other fact and perchance I will believe.”

  Tessa shook her blond locks. “Very well, I ken what happened between you and Sorcha.”

  “What? How could you?”

  “Always you doubt my abilities. I saw you in my mind’s eye. I ken she found her way into your bed and that she used her body to win your confidence.”

  Jamie felt his face flush. His wee sister sat happily telling him she had seen what he did with Sorcha. Could the child really have such gifts? “I… I…. How could this be?”

  “In time you will all believe in my gift. If you canna accept it now, I will be patient. But will you at least admit that I am right?”

  Her white-blonde hair blew in the breeze and her startling, blue-violet eyes seemed to reach into his very soul. “Tessa, I am ashamed. I couldna resist her charms.”

  “And it was a satisfying experience.”

  He stood and paced the courtyard. “I canna discuss this with you. You are a child.”

  “Not an ordinary one,” she countered. “I dinna wish to ken the details, only that what I saw in my mind’s eye was correct.”

  “You befuddle me.”

  “Do you trust her? Or do you think Rannoch sent her?”

  “I think Rannoch sent her. I couldna resist her and he was aware of that.”

  “Can you use her to suit our cause?”

  “How?”

  “I dinna ken. Always when I see Sorcha in a vision her loyalty is unclear.” Tessa pushed her hair back from her face and sighed. “For some reason I see her as helping Ian against Rannoch, yet this does not make sense.”

  He walked over, sat down close beside Tessa, and hugged her. “Little one, your special talent frightens us all. We canna fathom how you could see these things.”

  She pushed back from him and looked up into his eyes. “Jamie, ‘tis as natural for me as breathing. At first ‘twas frightening, but I seem to have had it as far back as I can remember. Each time I had a thought or dream or vision that came true, my confidence grew. I am at peace with my gift.”

  “I will go to see Brianna first,” he c
onfided. “I will try to do what father asked of me. Then I will brave Sorcha’s tower and check on Katie.”

  “You fear Sorcha?”

  “I fear the weakness I now have for Sorcha.” He looked away from Tessa’s innocent face. “I fear I will be tempted to taste her fruit again if I go to the tower. I ken she would welcome it.”

  A spritely laugh bubbled out of his little sister. “She has made you a man of experience. I dinna think this is uncommon for someone of your age. Often laird’s pay whores to acquaint their sons in the ways of the bed chamber. Da might have done this for you himself if he were well.”

  “Tessa!”

  “I will leave off this conversation as I see it makes you uncomfortable.” She stood and straightened her skirt. “’Tis chilly out here. I think it is time for you to see Brianna.”

  Jamie got off the bench and grabbed her face with both hands. “My little seer, will you warn me if some hint of danger enters your lovely head?”

  “Of course, Jamie, nothing means more to me than my family.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Aye, so,” he agreed. Releasing her, he took her hand. “Walk with me. Perchance you could look into your mind’s eye and tell me where I might find Brianna.”

  She laughed. “Brianna is in her chamber preparing for an audience with Rannoch. If you hurry you can catch her before she sees him.”

  “How?” He grunted in frustration.

  “’Tis not my gift. Maura told me Rannoch requested an audience with Brianna. He has invited her to dine privately with him at the noon repast. Surely this would mean that Brianna will spend the whole morning in her chamber preparing.”

  “I love you, Tess,” he said.

  “And I you,” she assured him. “Come and talk to me after you have seen Brianna.”

  “I will.”