by Johanna Maas
Lizbeth moved down the same path and around the bend and through the slight stand of trees. She held her breath as she galloped over the next rise, spying the group far in the distance and noticed they too, were galloping as if their lives depended upon it. Very quickly, they had once again crested a hill and now were no longer visible.
Lizbeth pushed her mare as quickly as she would take her as she attempted to keep the dark men within her sight. With every rise and every stand of trees she passed, the men moved further and further from her. But she would not quit and would never give up on her Cait.
As the hours passed and she continued to chase the riders, she felt the sun upon her back and with a forlorn heart, she knew to which direction they were traveling. With a grave fear, she realized they were moving in an easterly direction and towards the Macnab. For who else would have her?
Remembrances of her mother and of her own ride those many years ago coursed through her mind as Cait's fate ripped at her heart. As she gained another valley, a different memory flashed before her eyes of the map Blake had shown her only a few days before. This map revealed the surrounding clans and showed the borders of the Macnab lands.
Lizbeth concentrated and attempted to remember and envision the map while she considered the path she traveled. With a certainty, Lizbeth knew if she followed this direction, she was sure to come across the dark men who had her Cait. Or at least she would encounter her own clansmen so she could tell them of this heartbreaking news.
On and on she rode, over grassy fields and up steep inclines, continuing to keep the sun at her back and never once questioning her actions nor feeling any fear for herself. She hardened her resolve and continued on, not allowing her fatigue to bother her or the fears of the impending night. Even as the sun began to fall into the far horizon and the darkness covered the land, she continued moving forward. There was only one thing upon her mind and that was the safety of her dear sister, Cait.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Lizbeth continued to gallop into the night upon her gray mare, knowing she had long since lost the dark men's trail but hoping she was nearing the Macnab's holdings. She moved as quickly as she dared only slowing enough to ensure her and her gray mare's safety. She realized she had one goal in mind now, for she had long since abandoned the hope of ever trailing her captors for they were completely lost to her within the night. So her new plan was to find her clan and family and alert them of Cait's heart rendering fate.
She entered a new stand of oaks and immediately there was great movement all around her. She reined in her horse quickly and harshly, looking desperately around as she was circled by a grouping of Highlanders in the murky darkness. The massive horses surrounded her and closed in, the men completely armored as she heard one of them remark, "My lady? What are you doing here?"
Although Lizbeth did not recognize the rider before her who had spoken, she understood these were of her clan and a vast relief flooded through her body. In desperation, she pleaded as the men surrounded her.
"Please, my father and Macay. Where are they?"
She need not have asked for within that very moment she heard the thundering of hooves as the men parted, allowing the riders to enter. It was her father and Macay, followed by the Laird Campbell and Blake. Each had a concern upon their faces as they all dismounted and moved quickly to her side.
Her father reached up to her waist and gently lifted her from her large gray, setting her upon the ground so she could stand before them. It was he who spoke first.
"Good God, Lizbeth! What are you doing here?" He looked around in shock, not seeing anyone else accompanying her as he asked incredulously, "And you came alone?"
Lizbeth looked at her father then over to Macay as she caught her breath. "It is Cait! They have Cait! They have taken our Cait!"
There was a great pause as no one spoke, while her heart beat wildly within her breast. Did they not believe her? Why was no one reacting?
Macay asked, a slight hitch in his voice, "Slow down, Lizbeth. Who has Cait?"
"It has to be the Macnab. She was picking herbs at the back of the keep. I went to join her and the stone door that lay behind the kitchens appeared to have been forced open and stood ajar. She was nowhere in sight and I found her basket upon the ground and just outside the door. When I looked up, I could see six large riders as they disappeared over the rise and I could see Cait before one of them."
She breathed deeply as she continued, "And I followed them as long as I could before I lost sight of them. But for several hours they were moving in this direction. I remembered the map…it has to be the Macnab, for no one else's lands are near here."
Silence ensued as no one spoke, a sure anger filling the air as the men shifted uncomfortably under her frightened stare. Her eyes moved from the angered look of her father to the pained look upon Macay's face and over to lock with Blake. He looked at her without emotion, his unwavering gaze distressed as it permeated her soul. For did he blame her as much as she blamed herself for this travesty? Lizbeth removed her gaze from his and dropped her head in misery, the true gravity of the situation upon her.
The Laird Stewart took her arm and said, "You will return to the keep. I will send men to escort you this moment."
"No. I will not go. I need to be here for Cait, for I never should have left her alone!"
It was Macay who drew near, speaking to her gently, "Please, Lizbeth, you must listen to reason for this is no place for a woman. No place for you and it will most likely get dangerous. You must listen to father and return so we can concentrate upon getting her back."
Lizbeth knew his words were true and would have made sense to a logical mind, but hers was not rational at that very moment. She was so saddened and felt the guilt of it upon her heart, for this was but all her fault. Had she gone with Cait to begin with and not spent so much time tending to her own misery, it could have been she that was taken and not her poor Cait. For long moments she said nothing as a new plan formed within her mind, a way for her to make things right and a hope for Cait's safe release.
Lizbeth looked into Macay's eyes and with a weariness upon her voice she begged, "Please allow me to stay the night. I will not get in the way for I am quite fatigued. I will leave at first light as you have requested. I promise."
No one spoke nor would deny her request for she had traveled long and had brought word of the atrocity to them. Instead, Macay simply nodded as he took her hand within his and walked with her over to a tree and away from the assembled men. He laid out a blanket for her upon the ground as he assisted her down and upon it. He knelt before her and took both of her hands within his.
With a sigh, Macay said genuinely, understanding her grief and only wishing he could settle her heart. "You did good, Lizzie. Thank you for coming with the news of Cait, for you were quite brave. Though I must say you were a bit foolish…"
Lizzie. Lizbeth closed her eyes as the endearment washed over her, truly engulfing her heart. She had not heard such spoken for many years and she had nearly forgotten. And this name was one that was spoken by no other one than him. It was the name he had called her when they were alone and one that always made her feel special and loved. She breathed deeply as she fought the tears accumulating within her eyes for she did not feel special at this moment. She felt guilty, she felt so responsible for what had transpired for she had promised to watch over and protect her.
"Now rest, Lizzie. I must go and join the others."
As he began to turn from her, Lizbeth said, "Macay?"
He turned back to her briefly as she continued, "I am truly sorry, for I am most certain it was me they were after."
Lizbeth looked at her brother with a sadness and for the first time noticed a dark stain upon his plaid. She reached forward as her fingers touched the mark as she asked, "Macay? Are you injured?"
He pursed his lips as a sadness came over him as he shook his head. He knew he could not lie to her and must disclose this truth to her for this was w
ar and with it came tragedy. This was something she had a right to know and then someday to endeavor to truly understand. He attempted to control his grief and find his voice so he could explain.
"'Tis not mine. There was a bloody battle on the first day and Burk and his small party of men gained the wall. Several fell before they reached the top and we did our best to pull those to safety. But some of them did not survive."
He looked down at his hands as he continued, "A few of the men did penetrate but they were surrounded quickly and captured by the Macnab. And the Macnab never have been known to show their captives any mercy."
He looked up and into her eyes as he struggled to continue. "Lizzie, there is almost no hope any of those who entered the keep survived. And Burk was one of them…"
Lizbeth drew her breath in harshly at this news as she covered her mouth with her hand. There was an extreme pain upon her heart for the loss of her brother. Tears welled in her eyes as the grief completely encompassed her. It was a despondency much like the one she had endured just two years ago. A vision of her mother flashed before Lizbeth's eyes as a anguish coursed through her body for the brother and man she never had the opportunity to know.
*****
Lizbeth waited only minutes after the men moved away from her, their voices barely discernable in the darkness of the night. No one was near nor paying her any mind for they all were grouped together and devising a new plan to strategize for the release of Cait. A thankfulness flooded her heart for no one was watching her movements.
Slowly, she abandoned her make-shift bed and moved back further into the darkness of the trees. As she lost herself within the great oaks, she gradually and carefully moved wide and around the entire troop of her clansmen. For Lizbeth had but one destination on her mind and it was the Macnab keep.
The rear of the Macnab holding was much like the Stewart's. It sported a small door located within the great stone wall at the rear of the castle and one that was a secreted gateway to the outside world. She knew where to find it and knew it existed for she had witnessed its use several times from her vantage point of her window above the courtyard.
Lizbeth picked her way around the full stand of trees as she continued to make her way forward, knowing she would not be seen by the cover of darkness either by her clan or the Macnab. She knew she had to act quickly before the light of day if she hoped to succeed in her plan.
Lizbeth completed her wide and full circle through the darkness completely undetected and gained the back of the large stone wall at the rear of the keep. She hid herself among a slight cropping of trees that were no more than a stone's throw away from the large and imposing wall. Lizbeth stood in the murky darkness, her heavy heartbeat the only sound as she looked up intently at the great stone wall. Through the shadowy darkness, she spied a lone sentry positioned high above. With a firmness in her tone she spoke only loud enough for the clansman above her to hear.
"You! You, upon the keep's wall!"
The sentry stopped abruptly and looked down into the darkness and in her direction, ready to attack and prepared to protect. He looked into the vast darkness understanding from where the voice had come but unable to see to whom it belonged.
"I have come to make a trade. Go and retrieve the laird's son Garret. This exchange will make him pleased and I am sure he will reward you greatly."
The man continued to stare in her direction with a slight note of hesitancy about him. Just when she thought he would not do as she bid, he turned abruptly upon his heel and quickly moved from her sight. For long moments, she stood in the darkness with a fear in her heart as she listened intently for any sounds around her and desperately hoping her plan would work.
Lizbeth stood in the darkness holding her breath and within just minutes of her request noticed a great movement high upon the keep's wall. As she peered into the deep haze above her, she felt a slight bit of relief for she immediately recognized Garret by his bulk and by his air. He arrived at the top of the wall holding one of his clansmen close, clearly staying hidden behind his guard for his own obvious and selfish protection.
Lizbeth watched as she heard a gruff and known voice speaking loudly and into the night.
"Who has a trade?"
Lizbeth's fear mounted within her for just the sound of his voice, now questioning her strength to go through with it. She breathed deeply as she watched Cait's face flashing within her mind. Before she had a chance to lose her resolve, Lizbeth spoke firmly and boldly.
"It is me. Your intended."
Lizbeth observed closely as the bulky Scotsman across the murky darkness momentarily froze then stood tall as he immediately recognized her voice. He visibly relaxed as he chuckled into the night while replying to her harshly.
"And what of value would you have to trade with me?"
Lizbeth paused for a moment knowing her plan was weak but hopeful she knew this man well and understood that she had a better offering.
"The trade is me…for the red-haired woman."
Garret did not speak for long moments as he clearly contemplated his options. He knew without a doubt to whom he preferred to have back in his life, if only for one night. Her disappearance had quite angered him and retribution is what he sought most. Finally, the clansman spat to mock her sincerity.
"But what if I want to keep this one?"
Lizbeth replied, a forcefulness in her speech as she attempted to reason with the man.
"I know that it is a good match you desire with a lady who can provide you many sons, strong sons to carry on the Macnab name. With me, you can have that, for I know something of this red-haired one you do not. She is worthless and cannot produce at all, for she is barren."
Long moments went by and nothing was said as he appeared to be contemplating her words. Finally, he shouted back to her.
"And how, my lady, would you know this?"
"She has been married these last four years and has had no bairns of her own."
The clansman chuckled harshly once again into the night as he said, "Perhaps she was not bedded by a real man!"
The men upon the wall laughed harshly, along with their laird's son.
Lizbeth drew in a breath, attempting to sway him further as she replied once their mirth had subsided, "I would have thought so also, except for her husband has fathered others."
"And how am I to know this is not a trick?"
"It is not. I give you my solemn word and I promised you a trade."
As the words hung in the air, Garret of the Macnab stood upon the wall, not speaking nor moving as he stood behind his guard. As Lizbeth held her breath in hopes he would believe her, she noticed more great movement above as large numbers of Macnab clansmen appeared. They were all looking in her general direction and appearing ready to attack, if only they could see her.
Slowly, Lizbeth watched in relief as the small stone door opened and the dim light from inside spilled out upon the ground in a slight arch. Her heart raced as she spied the bottom of Cait's skirt become clearly visible through the slight opening.
Garret's voice came harshly as he shouted, "Now, my lady, come forward."
Lizbeth stared at the Highlander as she attempted to quell her growing apprehension. She was thankful to see Cait but understood her own end was near. But with a resolution, she conceded she had only one intent upon her mind and that was to make this trade.
Lizbeth took a deep breath and shouted back forcefully, "I will not come forward until you release her, for I said this was to be a trade. Now release her!"
Garret sneered into the darkness and said, "Step forward so I can see you within the light and I will release her as you have asked."
Lizbeth took a full breath and moved slowly from the protection of the trees. She was still within the darkness of the night and ever cautious but moved forward nevertheless. When she was but several paces from the door, she stopped, realizing she was within his sight and waiting for him to abide by his promise and hoping this plan of hers would
succeed. Lizbeth watched as Garret moved cautiously further out the door, still clutching Cait within his hands.
Cait had been pulled from her room within her captor's keep, unknowing of her fate with a fright upon her heart. As she stood before the large and vulgar man, she peered out into the darkness as the reality of the situation dawned upon her. For there before her stood Lizbeth in the shadows of the night. Cait began with a harsh whisper as she gazed upon her sister drawing dangerously near.
"Lizbeth, no…"
Lizbeth snarled loudly at Cait, effectively cutting off her words.
"Hold your tongue, woman. You will not speak in the presence of a lady, for you are an imposter and are not fit to wash my feet!"
Cait looked back at Lizbeth as a horror filled her heart and comprehension of her intentions struck her with its entire force. Lizbeth was attempting to trade her own life for hers. And since Cait could see no men in the distance, she could only assume Lizbeth was doing this on her own. Cait was most certain her clansmen never would have gone along with anything as futile as this. Her heart broke for the full understanding of it, for she was certain it would have a disastrous end.
Lizbeth moved cautiously and warily closer, now only a few paces away from the Macnab as he held Cait. She observed his eyes carefully and watched as he began to reach for her own arm. At the same time he grasped her, Lizbeth noted he let his grip slacken slightly upon Cait. In that briefest of moments, Lizbeth threw herself heavily into Garret's chest with all of her force, taking him completely by surprise. In that fleeting moment as he lost his footing, his grip completely loosened on Cait, allowing her to move from within his hands.
Lizbeth immediately grabbed her sister and pushed her aside, moving her behind her back and away from the clansman as she shouted, "Run, Cait!"