Highlander Oath Of The Beast

by Donna Fletcher

  “He’s on foreign soil,” Raven finished. “Not knowing the land and its people can prove disastrous.”

  “You know this—”

  “From experience and from what Charles taught me,” she finished again. “Even when on your own soil, people, customs, languages are different in various areas of the country. To learn other tongues, at least some words, could prove beneficial.”

  Wolf stopped, his glance curious. “What other tongues do you know?”

  She shrugged as if it didn’t matter any longer that he knew. “George taught me Latin and French. Brod is well-versed, knowing Latin and French as well, but he taught me your language and some Germanic.”

  “You know more tongues than me. You’ll have to teach me,” he said, giving her hand a light tug to continue walking. “Don’t let anyone know how many different tongues you speak.”

  “I would say you do that because you are jealous, but since I know you so well, I know that’s not the reason.”

  He turned a smile on her. “I assumed you would understand.”

  “You want it kept a secret thinking someday it might prove beneficial when dealing with someone who doesn’t know I understand their language.” She grinned. “A secret weapon of sorts.”

  Seeing her husband’s smile vanish when his eyes left hers briefly had her following where he looked. Detta stood in the doorway of the longhouse, with her arms pressed tightly against her chest, and he hurried Raven along to reach the woman.

  “Are you hurt?’ Wolf asked, releasing Raven’s hand and going to Detta.

  “No, and it’s all thanks to Raven,” Detta said with a nod toward her. “I suffered no injury at all, but I am concerned for others.”

  Wolf hurried to reassure her. “We suffered no casualties or injures, not so the men who thought to harm us.”

  Raven watched the caring exchange with interest. Her husband had been unable to contain his worry for the old woman. She also had taken more notice of late how Detta looked at Wolf with more than caring eyes. There was also the way Gorm treated her, as if she was more than a mere servant. And in all the time Raven had been here, she hadn’t once seen Detta serve anyone.

  It struck her then and the thought seemed more than plausible. It actually made sense and explained a few things. She decided the only way to confirm it was to test her sudden thought.

  She approached her husband and Detta. “Let’s go inside and have a hot brew, then you can explain, husband, why you haven’t told me that Detta is your grandmother.”

  Detta smiled and hooked her arm around Wolf’s. “I warned you she would figure it out.”

  Wolf waited until they were seated at one of the tables before he asked, “How long have you known?”

  “I’ve been suspicious of her since we met, but truthfully, the thought only struck me after seeing how worried you were for her.” Raven looked from her husband to Detta. “If I had looked more closely, I would have seen the resemblance.”

  “He gets his fine features from his grandfather,” Detta said with a loving glance at Wolf. “And also his concern and rage when someone he loves is harmed.” She turned to Raven, her words a challenge to her to deny them. “Wolf is a good, honorable man.”

  Raven had no trouble responding, “I’m learning that and more about him, but I’m more curious as to how so many could keep your secret?”

  “They understood the importance of holding their tongues until told otherwise,” Detta said.

  Raven thought of her friend. “And was it just as important you not say anything to Oria, your granddaughter, in the five years she lived here?”

  Sorrow filled Detta’s eyes. “A regrettable but necessary situation, which I plan to rectify when she visits next, though I am grateful for the time I got to spend with her. She is a brave woman and has a kind heart and soul.”

  Anger sparked in Raven. “Your intent to reclaim your land caused my family to suffer loss, heartache, and almost destroyed them, including Oria.”

  “Land and titles are constantly being manipulated, given and taken, in the name of power or greed, or to benefit those already in power. My mother’s family occupied this land and surrounding land, including the area you claim as home, for over a hundred years and her mother before her and her mother before her and so on. It has been passed down through women, strong women who made sure the land remained ours. It was my fault the land was lost. I fell in love with a Northman. My father disavowed me when he discovered I was carrying a Northman’s bairn. He made sure my heirs would never get what was rightfully theirs by rewarding pieces of my family’s land to other clans in return for favors and benefits or simply for what wealth they could surrender until only Learmonth was left for any heir of mine to claim. I had to sneak into my home when my mother laid dying. I promised her then that I would see our land returned to us. I couldn’t fail her. I couldn’t lose what so many women before me sacrificed and fought to keep.”

  Raven thought of her own promise to her brothers and the things she had done to keep it. How could she blame Detta for keeping her promise when she had done the same?

  “You know as well as I do that only the strong survive the harsh dictates of this land and those who rule it,” Detta said. “I was proud to see my granddaughter, Oria, do what endless women in my family have done before her, fight to survive, and unlike other women in my family who had no choice, Oria kept hope and love alive for the man promised to her, the man she loved. She reclaimed what rightfully belonged to her without ever knowing it.”

  “You must have been pleased when she wed Burnell,” Raven said.

  “Not at all.” Detta shook her head. “That wasn’t part of the plan, though the man she claims as her father showed how much he loved his daughter by marrying her to Burnell to keep her safe. I wasn’t happy that Burnell saw it done before I could stop it. Both men protected her well.” After a short pause, she continued to explain. “Burnell was a distant cousin of mine on my father’s side. He was never a strong man. When his two marriages bore him no heirs, I approached him and reminded him that Wolf was the true heir to Learmonth.”

  “So you left him little choice,” Raven said.

  “I left him to right a wrong,” Detta corrected. “I am truly sorry for what happened to your brothers and father and others in your clan. It was never meant to go that way. Needless bloodshed was never intended.”

  She believed the woman, though she might not have if Wolf hadn’t told her that Scotland’s King had gotten involved in his plan, insisting men be taken to fight for him. In return, he voiced no opposition to Wolf’s plans.

  “It took you five years to return to your home, your family, and your friends,” Detta said. “It took me over fifty years to see my home and land returned to my family. We’re both home now and I hope peace can exist between us all.”

  Raven stood. “I’ll think about it.” She turned and walked out of the common room.

  “Let her be for now,” Detta cautioned, seeing the concern on her grandson’s pinched face. “She needs some time to digest it all.”

  Wolf would have preferred to go to his wife, but his grandmother was right. Raven needed time alone to think. He’d be better off waiting until tonight when they were alone in their bedchamber to discuss this with her.

  “I see love in your eyes for your wife,” Detta said, placing a gentle hand on her grandson’s arm. “And I am more than pleased that I see love in her eyes for you as well. You make a good pair, both stubborn and brave. She is a good wife for you. You will do well together.”

  “Something I never anticipated,” Wolf admitted.

  Detta’s aging eyes softened with memories. “I didn’t care much for your grandfather when I first met him.”

  “You never mentioned that.”

  “It was trivial to what came soon after, a love that still wraps me in its warmth and strength to this day. A love I’ll always be grateful to have found.”

  “I never thought I’d be grateful to have
Raven as my wife, but now,” —he shook his head— “I don’t know what I’d do without her in my life. It’s as if she’s become an essential part of me, that without her…” He shook his head again. “I don’t want to think about life without her.”

  “You don’t have to. You belong to each other now and your love will grow along with a family, and peace among families will grow as well. All will finally be good.”

  His grandmother’s strong, confident words had always reassured him through the years and he was always glad to hear them. This time, however, there was one thing that cast a doubt on her forecast.

  “Brynjar,” Wolf said in a whisper and his grandmother shivered beside him.

  Wolf stood at the top of the hill looking down over the village. He was proud of what he had established here and he hoped in time to see it all grow along with the many children he and Raven would have. The thought brought a smile to his face. His grandmother was right. Life was going to be good and Raven had a lot to do with that.

  Having deposited his grandmother safely in the keep, it was time to find his wife. Halfway down the hill, he spotted Iver and he hurried his steps, glad to see he had returned and eager to hear what he had learned. Raven would want to hear it as well and he glanced around hoping to spot her.

  Iver hurried his steps to Wolf when he neared the bottom of the hill. “You need to speak with Brother Noble. He returned here with me, but has little time to spare. He’s on a mission for Abbott Thomas. He waits for you where you usually meet.”

  Wolf nodded. “Find Raven and wait in the common room for me.”

  Iver bobbed his head and took off.

  Wolf called out when he reached the wooded area where he usually met the leper. “Brother Noble.”

  A raspy cough sounded before the familiar brown-robed figure stepped partially out from behind a large pine tree.

  “You are well?” Wolf asked.

  “As well as can be expected,” the leper said, though his rough cough stated otherwise.

  “These missions are too much for you,” Wolf cautioned.

  “The end will come soon enough and I will know peace at last.”

  Wolf didn’t want to think of losing the man who had become a trusted friend to him, but he supposed death was welcoming to one who suffered greatly. “I am here for you, if you need anything, my friend.”

  “You are appreciated, Wolf, but I have little time and must be off soon. Some information has come to light that you should know about. King David and the Earls of Orkney vassals to your King have continued their bitter disputes over the Orkney Isles, leaving them little time to care what happened between you and Raven.”

  “Are you saying they had nothing to do with forcing a marriage between me and Raven?” His remark implausible to his own ears.

  “I am, though they were quick to agree to it, each thinking it could benefit them in some way now or in the future. King David made no complaint about releasing the prisoners he had demanded from you, his foreign exploits not going well and costing far more than he expected.”

  Wolf rubbed at his beard, his brow pinching tightly. “That would mean someone manipulated both kings into agreeing to the marriage.” He shook his head. “But who would have such power to present such a proposal?”

  “Or courage,” Brother Noble suggested.

  “Or who would benefit from such a union?” Wolf shook his head again. “Raven would be the only one to benefit, since our union freed her brothers and others from not only her clan but other clans as well. But she denies she had any part of the proposal.”

  “Do you believe her?’ the leper asked.

  Wolf gave no thought to his response, he needed none. He knew his wife. “I do. She has no reason to lie about it.”

  “She’s been truthful with you?”

  “We both have. I trust her explicitly,” Wolf said, not a shred of doubt in his voice.

  “Then you are blessed with a good union.”

  “I am blessed with a woman who is brave enough to love her foe,” Wolf said, thinking on his own words.

  “Perhaps she is brave enough to forgive her foe and to recognize that there is always more to situations than what can be seen.”

  “Raven is brave,” Wolf agreed. “She is also a wise woman and foolish as well, stubborn and strong, and beyond beautiful.” The last of his words drifted off in a whisper on the cold wind.

  “Your heart is filled with love for your wife.”

  Wolf grinned. “It overflows with it.”

  “She feels as strongly?”

  “She has shown how strongly she loves by what she did for her brothers and to reunite her family, but for how strong her love is for me, I can’t truly say. I think it is strong, I wish it so, and sometimes, when we come together as one, I believe I can feel it’s depth and strength. One day perhaps I’ll know for sure, but what does it matter when my love is strong enough for us both.” A ragged cough had Wolf take a step forward. “Are you all right?”

  “Stay back,” Brother Noble warned. “I am fine and it is time for me to go. You do well, my son. I am happy for you and, if I do not see you again, I want you to know that I am truly grateful for your friendship and the time we got to spend together.”

  “You are a trusted friend, Brother Noble.”

  “Always remember that, Wolf,” the leper said and disappeared from view.

  Wolf remained where he was for a few minutes, thinking how he would miss talking with the leper. They had had good conversations since he had come to know him, intelligent, thoughtful, and informative conversations. He would miss the man very much.

  He turned and made his way back to the village, eager to see his wife and hear what Iver had to say. He was delayed several times by people stopping him with concerns, some he could rectify right away and others that would take time while other people, mostly those from the Clan Learmonth, simply needed reassurance. His tribe needed no such reassurance.

  Gorm caused him more delay, but it was necessary, letting him know all that had been done and that nothing of any consequence had been found, though searches continued.

  He was glad when he finally entered the common room, but not happy at what he found.

  His wife wasn’t there, but her men were and they looked concerned.

  Chapter 24

  Wolf and Raven’s men combed the area by the men’s cottages where Raven had last been seen, but nothing was found.

  “Maybe she went into the woods,” Lars suggested, having joined the men while several warriors searched throughout the village for her.

  Wolf shook his head. “She gave me her word she wouldn’t go into the woods alone.”

  “And she would keep her word—” Fyn’s sudden pause had everyone staring at him. “Unless she spotted something suspicious and had no time to alert anyone.”

  “I’ll see if I can find any tracks,” Iver said and took off not waiting for permission.

  Wolf thought what had to be on all their minds… someone had taken her. But Raven would not go quietly, unless she had been silenced. He fought against the anger that was building in him. He didn’t need it exploding. He had to keep his head clear, his mind focused.

  “Who was to follow her today?” Wolf asked.

  Her men looked from one to the other.

  “It got a bit mixed today,” Fyn said.

  Wolf’s hand fisted, itching to punch someone. “Or was it that my wife requested to be left alone?”

  “With being here in the village and so many about, we didn’t think there was anything to worry about,” Fyn admitted.

  “Why would you?” Lars asked as if the question was foolish. “From what I’ve seen of Raven, she can protect herself.”

  Gorm hurried toward them. “No one has seen her so far and she’s not at the keep.”

  Wolf’s worry grew as time seemed to rush by with no signs of her. “We don’t stop looking even when it grows dark,” he ordered.

  “I’ll see torches are
prepared and ready for use,” Gorm said and left them.

  Wolf was at a loss, something he wasn’t used to. He couldn’t go charging off in any direction when he had no idea where she might be. Until something could be found as to where she might have gone, he could do nothing but wait. He wasn’t good at that and he didn’t like feeling helpless. The last time he felt that way was when he was young and his sister had been abducted, and she hadn’t been found until twenty plus years later. He would not see that happen with Raven.

  “TRACKS! I found tracks,” Iver called out.

  Wolf ran and followed behind Iver and what they found a few feet ahead stilled them all.

  There near a tree lay Brother Noble collapsed in the snow.

  Iver went to rush toward him.

  Wolf grabbed his arm, yanking him back. “No, you can’t touch him.”

  “BROTHER NOBLE! BROTHER NOBLE!” Iver called out frantically.

  Fyn stepped forward as well and joined Iver in calling out to the leper.

  “He’s dead,” George said in a worried whisper.

  “BROTHER NOBLE!” Iver called out again and the leper stirred. “Brother Noble, it’s Iver, are you hurt?”

  The leper struggled to sit up, then finally managed to get himself braced against the tree.

  “Have you seen Raven?” Wolf shouted.

  The leper struggled to speak, his voice raspier than usual. “I saw a cloaked figure before darkness claimed me, in that direction.” He lifted his arm with effort and pointed.

  “I’ll stay with the leper to make sure he’s all right,” George said.

  “See if you can get him to the cottage where he last stayed so he can rest,” Wolf said and hurried past the others to follow behind Iver, who had taken the lead.

  Iver stopped and pointed to the ground. “Blood.”