“Not for my sister and me?”
“You will do, or so the prophecy says.”
“I am getting tired of this Giann and her foolish prophecies—”
“They are not foolish,” Odo snapped. “They are wise and they have alerted me to the possible destruction of my clan.”
“Did the prophecy have to do with why you wanted us gone?” Fiona asked, fishing for answers.
“Actually, the opposite.”
“You wanted us around?”
“Aye, so that I could make certain the prophecy never saw fruition,” Odo admitted. “Shona abducted you, why I still cannot understand, and ruined everything. I had no choice but to search and pray that you had not survived.”
“Then you did plan on killing us.”
“I thought only one would need to die, but I was not certain whom,” he said.
“Yet you made an attempt on both our lives. Tell me, did you fire the arrow that hit Aliss?”
“My men are faithful and do what I ask of them.”
She shook her head. “No wonder we found no tracks after Aliss was hit. You covered your own when you volunteered to search for the offender.”
“I do what is necessary to protect my clan.”
“Tell me of this prophecy that predicts doom and gloom for the clan.”
“No one heard it but me,” Odo whispered, his eyes darting in all directions to see that his men did not ride too close and hear the dire words. “Giann whispered them over your mother as she slept. I was in the shadows. She did not see me, but I heard her.”
“What did you hear?” Fiona asked impatiently.
Odo gave another anxious glance around before reciting the prophecy. “On a full moon two babes are born; and with their birth sounds the horn; eyes of green; hair of red; destruction comes when the first one weds.”
A chill ran up her spine, though she refused to shiver, she simply shrugged. “My marriage unites two fine and powerful clans. It does not cause destruction.”
“According to the prophecy it does.”
“And you believe such nonsense?”
“I believe the truth,” he said harshly. “You and your sister were born on a full moon, the horn sounded from a distant village, you had green eyes and a thatch of red hair. The rest was sure to prove true. It was yours or your sister’s life or the clan’s demise. There was no other choice left to me.”
“And what choice do you have now? You have betrayed one of your own. You will be hunted and punished.”
He laughed. “I am no fool. You were seen freely leaving Hellewyk land with me. You did not protest or scream that I was abducting you. We rode off together in a common cause. And if you should die in pursuit of that cause?”—he shrugged—“heroes are born from less.”
Her green eyes glistened with a tangible fury and she raised her tied wrists, shook her fisted hands at him. “You will bring destruction.”
“Blackshaw clan will gladly unite with the clan Hellewyk and seek revenge against the Wolf clan,” Odo said with pride. “Of course, if Tarr should die in battle the Hellewyk clan would have no leader; my nephew being a strong chieftain and following my wise opinions, would take leadership and unite the two clans.”
“It will never happen. Tarr is no fool, he will not believe you.”
“My brother, his wife, and my nephew Raynor would never doubt me. They know I serve the clan with honor.”
“Your own deceit will be your defeat. Tarr knows I would not ride off without first—”
“What makes you think Tarr will live to hear an explanation of your sudden disappearance?”
She glared at him, gritting her teeth to prevent spewing oaths at him.
“I know he follows; I counted on it.” He pounded his chest. “It does my heart good to see that young men remain foolish when it comes to love.”
“Raynor will know you are traitor to your people when you murder Tarr.”
“I will raise no weapon against him.”
His intentions dawned on her and fueled her already boiling anger. “You plan to make the Wolf clan look responsible for his death—”
“Do not forget yours,” he chuckled. “Between both your deaths, there will be no man, woman, or child of the Hellewyk clan who would refuse to battle the Wolf clan. Add the Blackshaw warriors to the mix and victory is guaranteed.”
Fiona wanted to shout, scream, cry out her rage but that would only please him, instead she chose words that would strike doubt in him.
“You forget one thing.”
“I forget nothing; it will all come to pass.”
She snickered to herself, pleased that she was about to land a solid blow to his confidence. “Will it? You forget the prophecy.”
“Why would Odo take Fiona to the land of the Wolf?” Aliss asked, pulling the hood of her wool cloak up on her head, the wind having whipped it off for the third time.
“Perhaps he learned something that would help us to—”
“You refuse to believe your uncle a traitor,” Tarr accused.
“He could be protecting Fiona.”
“Why not tell us his intentions?” Tarr asked, appearing as unsettled as his stallion that snorted and pawed the ground. “Why did he not seek our help? Why sneak off without a word?”
Raynor remained firm in defense of his uncle. “I am sure he will have a good answer when we confront him.”
“Can you tell how far they are from us?” Aliss asked.
“If we keep a swift pace, we may be able to meet up with them by midday.”
“They will be expecting us,” Tarr said.
“There you have answered Odo’s intentions yourself,” Raynor claimed. “He does not hide from us; his trail was easy to follow.”
“For you his nephew.”
Raynor reared up in his saddle. “You accuse me?”
“I take no chances with Fiona’s life.”
“You think I do?”
“By refusing to admit that your uncle may be culpable for your sisters’ abduction then, yes, you take a dangerous chance. You risk your sister’s life.”
“Tarr is right, Raynor,” Aliss said. “We must assume and prepare for the worst, and if we are wrong we hurt no one, but if we are right—”
“We rescue Fiona and finally bring an end to this madness,” Raynor finished.
“You stand with us or against. I need to know,” Tarr demanded.
“I would die to keep my sister safe.”
“You may get that chance,” Tarr said. “I have a feeling Odo has planned well and I think he involves the Wolf clan.”
“We should hurry,” Aliss urged. “The weather does not bode well for us. We must attempt to beat the approaching storm.”
Tarr’s dark eyes narrowed. “I will unleash a storm far more destructive than you have ever seen if Odo hurts Fiona in any way. Let us go. I grow tired of the hunt; it is time to attack.”
Fiona had worked the leather ties loose that bound her wrists without anyone being the wiser. She would be able to slip her hands free when she was ready. She took stock of her situation. Only two men rode with Odo, a third always out scouting the area.
She slipped her cloak over her hands when she saw that Odo approached on his horse.
“You watch, wait, and plan. I admire your warrior skills, so unusual in a woman. I think it is time to put them to a test. Give me your hands.”
She obliged him and he laughed when he saw the loosened ties.
“Finish ridding yourself of them, your attempt to free yourself has set for a better scene.”
She worked her way out of the ties and tossed them to the ground.
“Dismount.”
She slipped off her mare giving her rump a pat, letting her know she was to stay close by. She watched with curiosity for Odo’s next move.
“Tarr cannot be far behind, so we have little time—and I do want your body found on his land. He will be livid when he thinks the Wolf clan invaded his property and killed
his bride-to-be on their wedding day.”
“Your plan is flawed. Even if you manage to kill Tarr and me, there is still my sister to deal with. She will demand answers—”
He snickered. “I have plans for Aliss.”
That did it, now she was going to have to kill him. There was no doubt about it.
“You do know I am going to take great pleasure in gutting you.”
“You will be too busy fighting the Wolf clan.” He gave a wave and out of the woods stepped several men garbed in wolf skin, the head and face of the wolf forming a helmet of sorts and concealing their faces.
She counted six as they formed a half-circle in front of her.
“Do I get a weapon to defend myself?”
“You expect me to make it easy for the warrior twin? Be grateful I give you a chance to run before the wolves descend on you. Worry not about Tarr, he will follow you into death.” He laughed. “Now run. Run for your life.”
Fiona sprinted into the woods, her first thought to put distance between her and her enemy, time later to fashion a weapon. She heard the crack of a branch a distance behind her. The wolves had been let lose; she had no time to spare for thought. She put all her effort into running.
Raynor had dismounted a few feet ahead of the column of men and examined the ground when suddenly he jerked his head up.
Tarr caught his abrupt reaction and rode over to him; Aliss close behind him.
“What is it?” He asked dismounting.
“Someone is close by.”
Tarr signaled his men for attack when suddenly one of Odo’s men ran out of the woods, blood dripping from his head, and dropped on the ground in front of Raynor.
Aliss dismounted, prepared to go to his aid but Tarr stopped her, shoving her behind him. Another wave of his hand had his men off their horses and spreading in a protective circle around them.
“Odo needs help.” The man took deep breaths, grasping for air. “The Wolf clan attacked.”
“Fiona?” Tarr demanded.
“Odo saw her safely to the woods and ordered her to run,” he gulped for another breath.
“What brought Odo here?” Raynor asked.
“I follow orders, I know not his plans.”
“Take us to where he fights,” Raynor instructed.
“The woods,” the man said with a wave of his hand. “The wolves give chase through the woods.”
A scream pierced the cold air.
“Fiona!” Aliss yelled and took off, bursting through the circle of warriors before she could be stopped.
Tarr followed in quick pursuit along with several of his men.
Aliss was far lighter on her feet and was soon out of sight, fearing not that they would lose her trail. Besides, if she could reach her sister sooner it might make all the difference.
She sprinted over fallen trees, ducked beneath branches, and avoided holes that could tear at the ankles until in the distance she spotted her sister’s green wool cloak on the ground. She was traveling in the right direction. She picked up speed.
Fiona knew the man was almost on top of her. He would catch her soon; she had only one choice. She dropped like a felled branch to the ground. Her pursuer could not halt soon enough; he tripped over her hitting the ground hard. Fiona picked up a thick rock with both hands and, with a shrilling screech, brought it down with a heavy thud on his head, knocking him out cold.
She hoped her painful scream would convince at least one or two of her pursuers that she had met her demise and they would wait for the victor’s return. By then, she would have put farther distance between them.
She got up to run and caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned, and there in front of a boulder stood a man draped in wolf fur. His large size warned her he would not go down easily.
Her only chance against him was to keep her distance and flee if she could, though she had the dreadful feeling this man would not be easy to outrun.
Another sudden flash of movement caught her attention that for a moment Fiona thought was a giant bat descending on the man. Until she realized it was her sister, her dark green cloak spreading out like wings as she jumped off the top of the boulder, landing directly on the wolf below.
She hit her mark, sending his head flying back against the boulder; he hit the ground with a solid thud.
Fiona helped a dazed Aliss up and as soon as she saw the unconscious man, her eyes turned wide.
“Yes, you did that to him and, no, you are not going to see if he is all right,” Fiona said. “There are more of them and we need to get out of here.”
Aliss nodded, her breath short.
“Are you all right? Is Tarr close by?”
Aliss nodded and pointed in the direction she had left them.
“He could not keep up with you, could he?”
Aliss shook her head.
“I should have warned him that you are light and fast on your feet. I do not suppose you thought to bring a weapon?”
Aliss’s eyes rounded.
“I did not think so.”
Aliss looked around her and pointed to large stones.
“Their weight will slow us down and we need to reach Tarr as fast as we can. Odo plans to kill him.”
Aliss made ready to sprint but Fiona grabbed her arm.
“Do not outrun me; we need to remain together and keep alert. There are more wolves around.”
Aliss nodded and they took off.
They had barely set a pace when suddenly Odo stepped from behind two trees that had entwined and grown into one large one.
“How lucky, I now have both twins.”
Fiona pushed her sister behind her. “You will never get us both.”
“How touching, you give your life for your sister, but you only delay her death. You cannot prevent it.”
Fiona bared her teeth and let out a blood-curdling scream as she charged at Odo full force, lowering her head at the last moment to ram him in the stomach.
Her speed was her ally; he had no time to react and she took him down fast. Her fists pummeled him in rapid succession, and Aliss wasted no time in joining in.
When he regained his breath and wits, he made short work of Aliss, tossing her off him.
“Run, Aliss, run,” Fiona screamed, and took a blow to her chin that sent her flying.
Aliss was about to charge him again when out of nowhere Tarr sprung and charged at Odo like a raging bull, nostrils flaring and teeth gritted.
They locked in battle and Aliss hurried to get Fiona out of the way before the fighting men trampled her.
The two men tore at each other like wild beasts claiming their territory. Fists smashed again and again against flesh and bone, and blood spewed forth, raining down on both of them.
Several of Tarr’s men emerged from the woods and cheered their leader on.
Fiona got to her feet, refusing to let her sister tend her jaw that was deepening in color. She would watch the man she loved fight, for he fought for her.
Cheers sounded every time Tarr landed a blow and there was no doubt who would emerge the victor.
Raynor finally arrived in time to see Tarr deliver the final blow that ended the melee.
Tarr turned, blood pouring from the corner of his mouth, his cheek and eye swelling, blood covering his shirt, and he spread his arms out to Fiona.
She ran into them and hugged him tight.
Chapter 37
Snow fell softly outside as Tarr and Fiona exchanged wedding vows before the roaring fire in the great hall. The room was overflowing with Hellewyk and Blackshaw clan members alike. They came to celebrate, to rejoice, to praise the joining of the two people who would lead their clans.
Fiona made a beautiful bride in her deep purple wool dress, her bruised jaw matching perfectly in color.
Tarr’s bruised eye, swollen lip and jaw did not detract from his handsome features, and he looked every bit the powerful chieftain in his newly stitched shirt and his green and black plaid.
After their return to the keep, Odo was quickly dispatched to the dungeons until a fitting punishment could be determined for him.
Tarr refused to be denied his wedding day and demanded that the ceremony take place as planned. So they were wed, just a little later than expected, and the celebration followed.
Tarr and Fiona managed to slip away from the festivities early on in the evening. They climbed the stairs slowly, pains and aches grabbing hold of them here and there, reminding them of the recent battle for their lives.
Fiona sighed, relieved when Tarr closed and latched the door behind them. They would not be disturbed tonight. Tonight was theirs and theirs alone and she was grateful.
“How I have longed for this moment, just you and me,” she said, and stretched her hand out to him.
He grabbed hold with a strength that let Fiona know he never intended to let go, and that was fine with her for she had no intentions of ever letting him out of her sight. She squeezed his hand tightly as they drifted up against each other.
“I meant to kiss every inch of your body tonight.” He laughed and it was followed by a wince. “This swollen lip will not let me do that, but I will see you pleased on this special night.”
She smiled, lucky to have wed a man with such a loving heart.
Tarr tenderly stroked the bruise on her chin. “I have felt rage before, but nothing like I felt when I saw Odo strike you. I wanted to rip him apart piece by piece.”
“You almost did.”
“He deserved it. It pains me to know that you were not safe in your own home.”
“It pains me to have been so foolish. Odo was so convincing, telling me how my sister begged for me. His words wrenched at my heart and all I could think about was Aliss, though I did want to tell you and have you go with us. Odo ordered one of his men to inform you of our absence, convincing me there was not a minute to spare. He also claimed that you would catch up with us in no time, and knowing you I had no doubt you would, that was if you were aware of our departure.”
“When did you grow suspicious?”
“When we entered the woods and I attempted to turn my mare around, it finally dawned on me that I had erred terribly. His men attacked and had my wrists tied in no time.”
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