by B. J. Scott
“Do you think it is the Campbell’s men?” Ian asked.
“I dinna know, but whoever it is, they are coming fast in our direction.” Bryce drew his sword and ordered his men to do the same.
They waited as the thunder of hooves drew nearer. It wasn’t until Connor and six of his men rounded the bend that they could relax.
“Where are you going in such an all-fired hurry?” Connor slowed his horse to a walk, then approached Bryce.
“Two of the Campbell’s men took Arya, and we are trying to catch up with them before they reach the castle,” Bryce said. “I know you said to keep an eye on her and protect her. I told her not to leave Fraser Castle until you had arrived with the pardon, but the thrawn lass refused to listen. I should have put a guard on her door.”
Connor shook his head. “I arrived home not long after you left. Cailin told me what happened. It isna your fault. Our sister is a spirited, headstrong, hellion if nothing more.”
“Scotia?” Connor asked.
Bryce shook his head. “She’s gone.”
Connor crossed himself. “I’m sorry to hear that. Did Arya get to say goodbye?”
“Aye.” Garrett replied.
“Then I suppose I won’t cut you from stem to stern for taking my sister from my castle and putting her in harm’s way.”
“I appreciate that, but if we dally here talking, we will never intercept the Campbell’s men,” Garrett replied.
“How much of a head start do they have?” Connor shifted in his saddle.
“Half-an-hour, maybe less. Did you get the pardon?” Bryce asked.
“Aye. I have it right here.” Connor patted a satchel attached to his saddle. “Best we ride.”
Chapter 22
Arya stood before the execution platform with her hands still bound behind her back and flanked by two heavily armed guards. The Campbell was taking no chances she’d escape again. The minute they arrived at the castle, he ordered her brought directly to him, her punishment to commence immediately.
She sucked in a fortifying breath, then climbed the steps, her gaze darting around a bailey, desperately searching for Garrett or someone who might come to her aid. If possible, more onlookers assembled today to witness her death than had turned out the first time she faced execution.
“Kneel, wench. Show your respect for the Lord of Argyll,” one of the guard commanded, then shoved her to her knees.
“A man canna demand respect, he must earn it. Something your laird has failed to do,” Arya mumbled. They could force her to her knees, and take her life, but she refused to pay homage to a man she detested.
“You led us on quite a chase, woman, and avoided punishment far too long. But you willna make a fool of me again.” Laird Campbell motioned with a wave of his arm to a man standing in the shadows. “It is time. Let’s get this over and done before we have any more interruptions.”
The man cracked a whip at his side, striking the ground with a loud snap. “Aye, m’lord.” He lunged forward, dragging Arya to her feet. “You heard the laird. Time to pay for your crimes.”
She swallowed hard. The last time she faced the executioner, he wore a hood, hiding his identity. To her relief, it had turned out to be Alasdair come to rescue her, not harm her. But this bastard wore nothing to cloak his identity. There was to be no miraculous reprieve today.
Arya squared her shoulders and raised her chin. “Get your filthy hands off me. I will show you no resistance.” She twisted free of the exexcutioner’s grasp, approached the flogging post on her own, then knelt before it.
“She is a feisty one. I’ll take great pleasure in showing her some manners,” the executioner said as he removed the ropes binding her hands behind her back, then retied them to the post in front of her.
“This flogging is not for your amusement,” Laird Campbell snapped. “She has committed crimes against Clan Campbell and an example must be set.” He faced those gathered before him, then raised his arm. “Silence.”
“Do you punish me, Laird Campbell, or the memory of my father? I know the two of you despised each other.” Arya glared up at him. When he offered no reply, she had her answer. His obsession with seeing her reprimanded stemmed as much, if not more, from the hatred he harbored for her father than it did for her part in the raid.
A hush fell over the crowd, everyone focusing on the laird. Arya stared at a sea of unfriendly faces, none of which she recognized. She was all alone.
“As you are all aware, Arya MacEachan was found guilty of thievery and murder. She was sentenced to twenty lashes, followed by drowning, but managed to avoid her castigation until today. If anyone can show good reason this punishment shouldna take place, speak up now.”
Arya bowed her head and prayed the Lord would show mercy and let her die quickly.
“I have a very good reason,” someone yelled.
Gasps and shouts of anger erupted from the crowd as Connor strode forward with Bryce and Garrett accompanying him.
“Guards! Arrest these men and take them to the dungeon at once. I suspected you had something to do with her escape, Fraser, but this gives me all the proof I need. Once we finish here, I will deal with the rest of you.” As several of his warriors rushed toward Connor, Campbell turned to the executioner. “Do it. Now. Then toss her worthless arse into the pit of water.”
The three men stood back to back in a circle and drew their weapons. “Hold,” Connor shouted when the executioner raised the whip above his head. “Harm one hair on the lass, and you will answer to me. There will be no execution today.”
“What right do you have to interfere and give orders in my keep?” Campbell challenged.
Connor waved a piece of parchment in the air. “By virtue of this decree from Robert the Bruce. Now release my sister at once.”
“What trickery is this? You have no such decree, and I willna release her. My patience wears thin, Connor. I am warning you.”
Connor approached the platform, but a guard blocked the steps. “Order this buffoon to move and you can read the message for yourself. Robert has pardoned Arya, and if you harm her in any way, you will be the one on trial. For treason.” Connor replied.
“Let him pass.” Campbell took a step back as Connor approached.
Connor showed Roderick the Royal wax seal on the missive before he removed it, then read the decree aloud. “I, Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, pardon Arya MacEachan of all accusations brought forth by Roderick Campbell, the Lord of Argyll. I deem her actions justified given the deplorable conditions under which she and her clan have been forced to live, and hereby order him to drop all charges.”
“Rubbish! There is no excuse for breaking into my castle with the intent of robbing me, or for killing my men.”
“There is more.” Connor raised the parchment and continued to read. “Given the Lord of Argyll has seen fit to inflict unfair hardship on Clan MacEachan, I am also returning a portion of the land once owned by the Clans MacDougall. The town of Oban and all land from that point east, leading to the sea will revert to the MacEachans immediately.”
“I dinna believe you. Why would Robert give my land to those English-loving swine?” Campbell’s face reddened, then contorted with anger.
“It is written here, Roderick. And I canna believe you would dare ask why. You were given the land following the war as a reward for your service to the king and Scotland. However, you were not within your right to withhold the necessities of life and force the displaced clans to starve. For that reason alone, and I am sure there are many others, Robert has reversed his decision and has returned that portion of the confiscated land to the MacEachan and MacDougall clans. And you are also to see they have what they need in the way of food and supplies to get them through winter.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Yo
u will have all of your holdings taken and be at Robert’s mercy.” Connor moved to Arya, untied her hands, then helped her to her feet. “Are you all right?” he whispered.
Arya nodded. “I am now. Thank you.” She kissed his cheek, then spotted Garrett mounting the steps and raced toward him. “I knew you would come for me.” She threw her arms around his neck, then captured his mouth.
“I am never letting you out of my sight again,” Garrett mumbled against her lips, then returned her kiss with equal passion.
Connor faced the Campbell. “What say you, Roderick? Will you honor King Bruce’s decree willingly, or by force?” He waved his arm, and Ian led the large garrison of Fraser warriors into the bailey. “As you can see, I dinna come alone this time. And we are not leaving without Arya, and your oath that you will willna pursue her again.”
Left with little choice, Roderick cursed, then threw his hands in the air. “Take the bitch and get the hell off my land.”
“And you will call your men out of Oban and see that they dinna bother the MacEachan clan in future?”
“Aye, damn it. Now leave.” The Campbell spun around and stormed into his castle.
Connor placed his hand on Arya’s back, interrupting her reunion with Garrett. “I know you are happy to see each other, but it is time we got you home.”
“Again, I owe you my life. I am sorry if my carelessness put you and the others at risk. I dinna mean to—”
“Shh.” Connor pressed two fingers to her lips. “You did nothing to put anyone in danger, except perhaps yourself. We came because we wanted to. And given all you’ve endured and the loss of your mother, it is understandable for you to be upset and perhaps not thinking clearly. I am just glad we learned the truth about you and could set thing to right. You are a brave lass, not a selfish one, and I am proud to call you my sister.”
Arya remained quiet the entire journey home, reflecting on everything Connor said and on what her future might hold. But as they neared Scotia’s croft, her stomach sank, and her chest tightened. She swallowed hard against the lump of emotion blocking her throat. She still had to face the grim task of burying her mother. And saying goodbye forever would not be easy.
They halted at the edge of the clearing leading into their camp. Garrett jumped down from his horse, rounded Ayra’s mount, then grasped her waist. “Let me help you down.”
“Thank you. My legs are a bit shaky.” Exhausted both mentally and physically, she heard the strain in her own voice, when she spoke. The fact she accepted Garrett’s help must have shocked him. But right now, all she could think about was her mother and how she would never have a chance to make amends for the cross words they’d exchanged before she left for Fraser Castle.
When her feet touched the ground, Arya glanced up at Connor. “I’d like a few moments alone with my mother if you dinna mind.”
“I understand. Take all the time you need. Let us know when you are ready to bury her. We will wait out here until you send for us.” Connor climbed off his horse.
When Arya entered the croft, Isla hurried to her side, then clutched her hand. “I am so happy you are home and safe. I feared the worst.”
“Everything is fine. We no longer need to fear the Campbell’s wrath, and the bairns willna go hungry this winter. None of us will.”
“But how?”
“Robert the Bruce has returned a portion of our land and has forbidden the Campbell to trespass upon it. He also instructed him to provide our clan with enough food and supplies to see us through till the spring when we can plant our crops and raise livestock again. We can hunt and fish without fear of arrest.”
“Praise the Lord.” Isla glanced at the bed, then lowered her gaze. “I hope you dinna mind, but I took the liberty of preparing your mother for burial. It is tradition to inter the departed before sundown so their spirit can be piped to the other side. I wasna sure if you’d return in time. Even though, I prayed you would.”
“I am grateful for all you have done. You were a wonderful friend to my mother and me, and I will never forget your kindness.” Arya withdrew her hand and moved closer to the bed.
She lightly stroked her fingers across her mother’s brow. “For the first time in months, she looks at peace. As if release from her pain and worry have set her spirit free.” Arya lifted her mother’s icy hand.
Isla sniffled and wiped a tear from her cheek. “Aye. Scotia was a brave woman, never once complaining. But she is now at rest. Your da will be waiting to welcome her on the other side.”
“I only wish I’d returned sooner, that we’d had more time to spend together in her final hours. There was so much I wished to tell her. I wanted to apologize for some of the cruel things I said when she told me about my father.”
“Scotia understood and dinna blame you for being upset. When you left, she was relieved you were safe. Nothing you ever said or did could change how much she loved you.” Isla rested her hand on Arya’s shoulder. “Now that she is gone, what will you do? Will you stay here or go back to Fraser Castle?”
“I havena thought that far ahead. Right now I need to see to my mother and will decide later. If you could give us a moment alone, I would appreciate it. Please tell Connor I am ready to go ahead with the burial.”
Isla nodded. “I’ll tell him right now.” She left the croft.
After saying her final goodbye, Arya stepped outside and drew in a slow, deep breath. “I’m ready,” she said, then walked toward the freshly dug grave Bryce and Garrett were finishing.
“I thought she might like to be laid to rest beneath this tree,” Garrett said. “I know when she was well, she’d sit her for hours sewing or reading.”
“I couldna have chosen a more perfect spot.” Arya glanced toward the croft, then watched as Connor carried the shroud-covered body of her mother toward them.
He laid her in the grave, then stepped back and took Arya’s hand. “I dinna know her very long, but from what I can tell, she was a fine lady. No wonder my father fell in love with her.”
“You dinna know that for certain,” Arya whispered. “My mother was desperate to save me from the Campbell and myself. Bryce was right. She might have said anything to see that happen. But I guess I will always be left wondering.” Arya bowed her head and scrubbed away tears. “Before we left for Fraser Castle I accused her of lying about my father. I wish I had given her the benefit of the doubt. But it is too late. She will never know how sorry I am and I willna know if what she claimed was true.”
“You’re wrong.” Connor handed her a leather-bound book.
“What is this?”
“A journal kept by my father. Our father. After I had spoken with Scotia, I got to thinking about the things she said. And I had to admit, Da did seem happier a few months before his death. He went on more trips than usual, and I remembered entering his room one night, not long before we left for Berwick, and I saw him writing in this book. I asked about it, and he told me that sometimes a man needs to express what is in his heart, but canna do it with spoken words. I never thought about it again until I was on my way to see Robert.”
Arya opened the book and began to read. When finished, she glanced up at Connor and smiled. “He really did love my mother and planned to marry her.”
Connor nodded. “Aye. He obviously loved her very much. And I have no doubt in my mind, you are my sister.”
Arya clutched the book to her chest. “Thank you for sharing this with me.” She wanted to say more, but as the realization she had a family, brothers, sister-by-marriage, nieces and nephews sank in, she was swamped by a mix of emotions and suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
The confirmation of ones parentage for many would be joyous event, but Arya found the news bittersweet. On one hand, she had a huge family, was not, and never would be alone again. But on the other hand, she was
in no way related to the clan she loved or the man she adored and called father. She closed her eyes, remembering the wonderful times she’d shared with her da and how much she adored and admired him. No matter who sired her, Ronald MacEachan would always hold a special place in her heart.
Connor gently squeezed Arya’s shoulder. “I’m glad I found the journal. When I got back to Fraser Castle, I went straight to where I’d last seen him writing in it. I searched the room until I found a loose cornerstone on the hearth. He’d hidden it there. I guess he worried people would think him a sentimental fool for writing such things. If you’d like, you can keep it.”
Arya stared at the book, then placed it in the grave with Scotia. “If you dinna mind, I think my mother should have it.”
“A fitting place.” Bryce moved to where his sister and brother stood. “It is almost dark. We will finish here and meet you inside. We should all try and get a good night’s sleep, then be away at first light. I’ll have the men set up camp.”
“Away?” Arya gave her head a shake. “Of course, you will want to get home to your wives and bairns.”
“We were hoping you’d be coming with us. Now you know the truth, your place is at Fraser Castle,” Bryce said. “We got off to a very shaky start, but I hope you understand and can forgive me for being such horse’s arse.” He offered his hand.
Arya smiled. “Apology accepted. But keep in mind, you may be my older brother, but that doesna mean you can order me around.” She laughed, then instead of clasping his wrist, she kissed Bryce’s cheek. “Fallon is right. You can be quite sweet when you set your mind to it.”
“You’ll have to tell her that when we get back to Fraser Castle,” Bryce replied.
