Osred came to stand beside Glenna. “Glenna is right, but Lady Asilinn deserves a trial.”
Garrick pushed his way to the front of the mob. “I'll hear no more of this talk,” he warned. “You speak of treason against your laird.”
“How is it treason if I only seek to protect him from his evil wife? I tell you she is in league with the devil! What of her gift? Who can see into the future without the aid of the necromancer?” Glenna argued.
“Silence,” Garrick ordered. “Lady Asilinn is not a witch nor is she evil. What has she done? She has saved lives and tried to warn our laird of impending danger. If she has a gift, it is most certainly from God! Now go about your business and leave off this terrible gossip.”
As the crowd moved off, Garrick turned to Osred. “I know Glenna is jealous of Lady Asilinn. What is your excuse counselor? Do you plot against Laird Jared?”
Osred shifted uneasily. “I think you are blind not to at least consider the mounting evidence against Lady Asilinn. There is something abnormal about her. Mark my words!” He turned and hurried off in the direction of Friar Hogan's cottage. Garrick frowned.
Asilinn leaned against the stone wall behind her, her heart in her mouth. The people were being inflamed to come after her again and her only protector would be gone for days. Trembling she tried to force her legs to action. Shakily she began the hike back to the safety of the inner sanctum of the castle her task abandoned.
“Look! She hides herself among us to spy,” a voice accused. Asilinn spun and faced a portly, middle-aged man.
“I dinna hide,” she responded. “I only go about an errand.”
A few others moved over to join the man but suddenly they looked over her shoulder and dispersed without another word. Asilinn turned to see Liam approaching, a dark scowl marring his handsome face.
“It seems I am forever doomed to see you safely back,” he said with a slight bow.
“Thank you.” Asilinn walked beside him towards the castle. “They hate me. What am I to do?”
“Only a few who are fearful of your so called magic hate you,” he told her. “If you are steadfast, you'll win them over, but my cousin is remiss in not leaving you better protected.”
“I fear he is the one who needs protection.”
“Are you sure Jared is in danger?”
“Aye,” she replied in a whisper.
Chapter Sixteen
Jared and his men reached the designated place at the appointed time. Laird Innes and a small group of men were already there waiting. Ian had fared well during the arduous ride. They had moved at a slower pace so the young man did not suffer a setback from his travels.
The meeting was being held on the lands of a neutral clan that lay in a buffer zone between the Innes and MacLean holdings. Telling his men to hold back, Jared rode forward with Ian.
Laird Innes eyed Jared when he came closer. His expression was unreadable until he gazed lovingly at Ian. Embracing his son, Angus looked back at Jared. “Why have you done this? You could have held Ian hostage as you hold my daughter.”
“Your daughter is my wife,” Jared pointed out. “Ian is my brother-in-law, and you, whether you like it or not, are my father-in-law. I am serious about my peace plan. Doesn't this prove the truth of my words?”
“I wonder, Laird of Dunbocan, could your plan be so straightforward?”
“Both sides have much to gain by this peace.”
“Mayhaps you have more to gain than we know. Do you seek peace because a rebellion within your own ranks threatens to rise up and destroy you? You have already admitted some of the masked riders are traitors among your own men.”
Jared took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I had no rebellion I knew of until I announced my plan to kidnap Asilinn and make her my wife. You know discontent rises and falls from time to time. I assure you I am in no jeopardy of being replaced.”
“Why seek peace now?”
“I decided on a plan I thought would work and our king was in favor of it.”
“Taking Asilinn for your wife?” Jared nodded and Angus scowled. “‘Tis a trick,” he accused.
“My holdings outnumber yours two to one. Do you honestly believe I could not have defeated you already if I chose to mount an all out attack? I prefer to work through peace and treaties but I have no fear of war when it is necessary.”
Angus shifted in his saddle. “Your peace plan seems fair. I am urging my council to consider it carefully.”
“Good,” Jared said with a smile. “Now I'll hurry back to my wife who begged me not to come on this expedition.” Jared turned Ailleagian back towards his men.
“Wait! Why did Asilinn ask you not to come?”
“She had a vision of my death at the hand of the masked riders.”
“I wouldna see her a widow this soon. Come back to my camp and eat with me. I have a gift which may offset the treachery.”
Jared was puzzled but he rode back to Morven and told his clansmen to wait for him then rode alone to the Innes encampment.
Laird Angus Innes set forth a bountiful table for a man on the road. They ate and discussed various aspects of the peace plan Jared had suggested in his letter. Eventually Laird Innes dismissed all others except Ian and Jared.
“Tell me what my daughter said about her vision.”
“She foresaw my death by ambush on the trail. She was not specific about the manner of the attack but she said I was alone. I ride with ten of my best men. If it is a true vision, I think it is further in the future than Asilinn seems to believe.”
“She has an instinct about these things,” Angus said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Do you remember the battle at Bone Cross? It was Asilinn's vision that predicted the manner in which my forces would defeat you. And at Crathie last year, she foresaw our defeat and begged me not to go. Dinna take her words lightly.”
“It must be a terrible curse for her.”
“I know you are anxious to return to Dunbocan, so I give you this gift.” Angus opened a large leather pouch and yanked out a chain mail vest. “Wear this beneath you shirt and tell no one,” he advised. “If any in your party are among the traitors, I wouldna see them warned. If you are attacked, as Asilinn has predicted, this armor will cover your vitals well. You may survive to punish those who rise against you.”
Jared eyed his father-in-law curiously. “Could it be you dinna find me such an objectionable son-in-law?”
“Think what you will,” Angus said gruffly. “Go now before I change my mind and run you through myself.” With that, he rose and left Jared alone with Ian.
“He has just paid you a great tribute,” Ian said. “This chain mail was a gift to him from Robert the Bruce. Use it and go with God.” Ian stood and shook Jared's hand. “I owe you my life. Know I will work for the peace when I return to Cairngorm.”
Putting on the vest, Jared thanked him and headed back to his men. They had eaten and were anxiously awaiting his return.
“I was about to come after you,” Morven declared. “What did the old goat want?”
“He wished to talk of his daughter. Let's get moving. I'm ready to go home. We have a few hours of light left.” Jared wheeled Ailleagian and started for Dunbocan Castle. The men fell in quickly. Jared pushed them forward well into the evening.
At length Morven approached him. “Laird, are we to ride straight through the night?”
“Getting a bit soft in your old age,” Jared teased. “No, we'll make camp. We can easily make Dunbocan tomorrow if we get an early start.”
Morven had the men set up camp and soon they all slept beneath the stars. Jared's dreams were full of sapphire eyes and golden hair. He should be more wary of her but her fair face and passionate response to his touch were making his guard slip. A beautiful woman could be a curse to a man.
They rose early and set out, striking through Burnum Woods in the late afternoon. Soon they reached an area thick with Mountain Ash and pines. Jared felt the hair on the back of his
neck prickle. Something was amiss. He could feel it in the air. Pulling up, he sent several men to circle around and check the trail ahead. The horses shifted restlessly beneath their riders while they awaited word. But none came.
Half an hour passed in uneasy silence. Jared grew tired of waiting. “Come, let's see what has happened,” he said, leading the way up the trail. Suddenly a force of a dozen masked riders swooped down on them. For a brief period the air was thick with the clash of swords and battle cries and then the assailants retreated abruptly, disappearing as quickly as they had come.
Jared gathered his men. “Scatter and find them!” he ordered. “Go in twos. No man is to be alone.” Morven started to join him but Jared waved him off. “Go with Ross! I'll take Malcolm.”
Jared and Malcolm flew down the narrow trail to the dense thicket. The area was full of hoof prints in the soft earth. Pulling up, Jared dismounted and studied them. He was about to remount when five riders bore down on them. Malcolm was surprised and knocked from his horse with the first blow.
Jared ran toward the oncoming men sword at the ready. With his first swing, he pierced the chest of the rider nearest him. He swung again and unseated a second rider but the other three now surrounded Malcolm. Jared jumped up on Ailleagian and went to his friend's aid. Malcolm was severely wounded and the three men sought to finish their job.
Grabbing his crossbow Jared took aim at one of Malcolm's attackers. Ailleagian jumped and the arrow misfired. One of the men knocked the crossbow from his grip. Enraged, Jared attacked like a madman with his sword, temporarily disabling one of the masked marauders. Malcolm managed to pull himself on the back of his horse while Jared kept the other two occupied.
“Ride,” Jared ordered. With a pained look, Malcolm slumped in the saddle and kneed his horse to retreat.
Jared took off in the opposite direction hoping to keep the attackers from pursuing Malcolm. Ailleagian raced deeper into Burnum Woods with the masked men in hot pursuit.
Three of the men raced after Jared. For a fleeting instant, he thought of Asilinn's vision. Was this how he was to die? He glanced over his shoulder. Only two riders were in sight. Whirling back around he was forced to slow his pace because of the difficult rocky path that dropped away on one side. Rounding a bend, he came face to face with the third rider. Ailleagian reared when the masked man jumped into the trail.
The other two riders ran headlong into the fray. There was no room to maneuver. Jared engaged one man and turned sharply to ward off a blow from behind but the third man took advantage and toppled Jared from the horse with a glancing blow.
The three men jumped to the ground stabbing and kicking at Jared. It was impossible for him to get up. A few of the jabs penetrated the chain mail Angus had given him but most bounced off only bruising the flesh below. Unable to see the armor beneath his shirt, the men seemed frightened by the way their swords failed to kill Jared.
Finally managing to struggle to his feet, Jared was hit in the jaw with the butt of a sword. Stumbling backward he lost his balance falling down the embankment and rolling into the dense underbrush at the bottom of the ravine.
“He's dead,” the tallest man said. “Not even Laird Jared MacLean could survive that fall.” The three men turned and fled. Jared watched them leave just before he lost consciousness. His last thoughts were of Asilinn.
***
Asilinn paled when she watched the somber procession entering the gates of Dunbocan Castle. Morven was first leading Ailleagian. He rode up to her, his face a steel mask. “Milady, we have not yet found the body, but I fear Laird Jared has been killed. Ailleagian would never leave Laird Jared of his own accord. We searched until it grew dark and came back for fresh supplies and more men. Tomorrow we will return… but I fear the worst.”
Wynne caught Asilinn when she fell backward. Her legs were suddenly unsteady beneath her and her head was spinning. Through the dim haze, Asilinn felt someone lift her and her world went black.
Morven was sitting beside her bed when she awakened. Sitting up, she stared at him teary-eyed. “He cannot be dead,” she whispered, thinking of the life growing within her. Morven misinterpreted her fear as grief and clasped her to his chest.
“I fear he is, Milady, and now we must see to your welfare. Jared would have wanted that.”
Asilinn pulled away from him. “I wilna believe Jared is dead until I've seen his body.”
Morven's face turned grim. “Lady Asilinn, it is not as easy as you think. The woods are large and dense with thick underbrush. A man could wander lost for days in certain sections. We have no idea where Jared was when he was attacked. We only found his horse wandering. You must face the fact we may never find him.”
“Then he is not dead,” Asilinn insisted. “And I will not have you proclaiming it otherwise without proof.”
Morven scowled. “You dinna know what you're saying. I'm afraid this situation will only come clearer in the morning,” he said slowly. He got up and started for the door brushing past Skye, who stood behind him dry-eyed.
As soon as the door closed, she rushed over to the bed. “Asilinn, you must use your gift to find him. I'm sure he isna dead. I canna explain why. I just know.”
“If he is what will become of our child?”
Skye plopped down on the bed blinking back tears. Brushing Skye's dark hair from her face, Asilinn embraced her. Asilinn felt weepy herself though she could not fathom why the death of the man who had held her captive and coerced her body into serving his every desire should leave her distraught. She told herself it was because of the babe.
“Please tell me you know it is a lie,” Skye begged. “Look into the future and tell me.”
“I cannot. All my dreams and visions come unbidden. I have no control over them.”
“Can I stay here with you tonight?” Skye asked. Asilinn nodded.
They sat up for hours alternating between tears and hope but finally exhaustion overtook them and they fell asleep.
Hours later Asilinn awoke with a start and sat bolt upright in bed. Her vivid premonition was still racing through her mind. “He lives!” she cried. Skye stirred and sat up rubbing her eyes.
“What?”
“He lives,” Asilinn said. “He lives and you and I are going to find him. In my dream Ailleagian leads us to him.”
Skye scrambled to her feet. “Let's go.” She stopped and stared questioningly at Asilinn. “Are we to go now?”
“I feel we must go now, but ‘tis purely intuition. The only glimpse I saw was you and me pulling aside some brush and finding him. Since we do not know whom to trust, I'm afraid we must go alone. We'll need to dress like men. It will be safer that way.”
Skye headed for the door. “I'll get the clothes and be back in no time.”
Asilinn paced the floor until Skye returned. They quickly camouflaged their identities in the raggedy clothes and tucked their braids under a pair of old hats. Asilinn appraised their disguises. “Probably sufficient in the dark,” she mused. “Do you know the way?”
“Aye,” Skye assured her.
Using the secret passage, they made their way to the stables. “I'll ride Ailleagian and you ride Faileas,” Asilinn instructed.
The stable was quiet as a tomb when they entered. Ailleagian looked up and nuzzled Asilinn while she arranged his tack. She was just about to mount when a tall figure loomed in the doorway.
“What are you two doing?” a voice rasped. A lantern was thrust into Asilinn's face as a strong hand ripped off her hat, sending her single golden braid snaking down her back.
“Liam,” she breathed. Her heart pounded in her ears.
“Lady Asilinn, Skye, what are you doing?”
Asilinn knew a moment of indecision. Was he the traitor? Should she trust him? She had little recourse now and something in the back of her brain told her time was of the essence. Offering a silent prayer to the heavens, she made her decision.
“I had a vision about Jared. I believe he's still alive but
wounded. Skye and I are going to find him.”
“Out of the question, it is too dangerous.”
“You are not my laird, Liam. I will go,” Asilinn insisted. “Tomorrow may be too late. He is not dead but he is badly hurt.”
Liam looked back and forth between Skye and Asilinn. “I'll go with you.”
Giving Asilinn a questioning glance, Skye said, “Liam, what are you doing in the stable in the middle of the night? Perhaps you are the traitor my brother seeks. Maybe you were going out to find him and finish him off.”
“Under the circumstances I suppose you'll have to trust me,” Liam replied, saddling his horse. “Lady Asilinn and I have already had this discussion. There is no time now to stand talking if what Asilinn sees is true.”
Skye looked at Asilinn and shrugged. They mounted and Liam led them out of Dunbocan by a little-used exit.
Pushing the horses, they were able to make Burnum Woods before dawn. Once on the dark trails Asilinn gave Ailleagian his head.
“Find Jared,” she urged, talking to the huge stallion. He seemed to wander aimlessly at first and then took off at a good clip through the dense woods.
When they reached the site of the attack, dawn was just coloring the sky. Ailleagian danced nervously on the narrow path. Suddenly without hesitation, he plunged over the embankment. Asilinn was almost unseated when he lurched forward down the steep slope. Once at the bottom he seemed confused and walked in circles.
“Dismount and search the bushes,” Asilinn ordered. Liam and Skye obeyed without question.
Skye pulled back some brush. She saw her brother’s body lying bloody and bruised on the cold ground.
Asilinn rushed over. Jared's shoulder twisted in an awkward position and dirt and blood covered his clothing. Stooping over him, Asilinn ripped off the leather jerkin covering his shirt. The shirt peeled away next and Skye gasped.
“He's wearing a chain mail vest!”
Asilinn smiled when she recognized the armor. “His breath is shallow but there are only two places where the armor has been pierced. They do not look too deep.” She studied the angle of his shoulder and looked up at Liam. “Jared’s shoulder is dislocated. The longer it is out of line, the worse it will be. You must pull it back into position. I dinna have the strength required.”
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