Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  He nodded. “Come, let us return to the dining hall. You should finish eating.”

  Kate agreed and returned to the now silent dinning hall. Many had vacated it after the earlier commotion. As soon as they arrived, the king lowered his goblet and placed it on the table.

  “Come, Hawk, my lady, we will discuss this dilemma.”

  “What know you of this Brendan MacKinnon, Henry? Is he a worthy man as my Kate affirms?” Hawk accepted the goblet of wine, given to him by a servant.

  “You will not find a fiercer fighter or a more noble man. I am related to his sister-in-law, Julianna. The MacKinnons are a peaceful clan, but they are a clan to be reckoned with if it so warrants.”

  “Has he fortune? Security of an army? What has he to offer my daughter?”

  “I know not of any fortune, but none are needed there. These people live a simpler life, not as we do with our courts, entertainments, and wealth.”

  “So they’re poor?”

  “That depends on what you would call poor. Colin, Brendan’s brother, is the laird. His clan prospers with crops, and he’s been an adviser to Alexander on occasion.”

  “Alexander, their King?”

  “Aye, so it might seem to you and I that they might be poor, but our kind of wealth is not important to them.”

  Colin entered the chamber and joined them.

  Kate greeted him and asked him to sit next to her. She needed his presence, but wished Brendan would return. Her father didn’t show his disgruntlement, at least, not until he had eaten. As he ate, he watched her. Kate couldn’t eat a bite. She was so relieved when Brendan finally appeared. He sat beside her, and held her hand under the table, soothing her by rubbing his thumb over the top of her hand. His touch calmed her.

  “Don’t let him upset you. We will get through this, Katie. Smile. Let us celebrate our union.” Brendan spoke low so only she could hear.

  “How can I celebrate when he is being unreasonable? I must go, Brendan. I’ll retire to our chamber.” Kate pulled her hand from his and stood.

  Brendan watched her leave then looked at her father. He observed him for a good length of time, but Hawk didn’t take notice. He continued eating, and grunted at the king’s words.

  Colin tapped Brendan’s shoulder to gain his attention. “He’s as surely as you are. Kate’s wed a man akin to her father. No wonder she liked ye.”

  “Cosh, Colin, keep your insults to yourself, otherwise, I just might shove my fist in your mouth.”

  “Hell, Brendan, you are irritable. Go and let your wife sooth your testiness. I’ll see to your father-in-law,” Colin jested.

  “Aye, I’m for that.” Brendan couldn’t leave fast enough.

  He walked quickly to their chamber, and found Kate crying, lying on a heap of coverings. He sat on the bed, and took her in his arms.

  “Love, it is not that bad, your father will come around.”

  “I don’t want to talk about him. I need you.”

  Brendan found himself smiling at her plea. It was easy for him to dispel the strife as her words sent his body into a fever. She seemed to need the release too, and let the carnal sensations overtake her body. He wanted to forget her father, and everyone outside their door.

  Brendan was as gentle as he could be, but she wouldn’t let him. She urged him into a climatic state and was just as forceful, stroking his body roughly. Their lovemaking became bold with each reaching the heightened sensations at the same time.

  Afterward, as he lay watching her, his heart beat frantically inside his chest, he knew he would never let her go. Her father would have to understand that. She clung to him, and wouldn’t release his arms, so Brendan let her have her way.

  The room darkened into blackness as the night wore on. Still, she wouldn’t let him go. He thought her asleep because she didn’t move or speak.

  “I love you, Katie,” he admitted aloud to her.

  Kate bolted up into a sitting position and turned to look at him. “What did you say?”

  Brendan frowned at her, but she couldn’t see it. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she leaned closer. “Say it again.”

  “I love you.”

  “You’ve done it now, Brendan,” she mumbled.

  “What?” he asked as he pulled her back into his arms.

  “Are you just saying that because …”

  Brendan cradled her face, nudging her chin up so he could look into her face. “Katie, how could I not love you? You have loved me since you had your vision. I’ll not deny it, but you will not weaken me, love, do you hear?”

  She giggled, lowered her head to kiss his mouth. “Nay, I won’t weaken you, Brendan, I promise.”

  “And I won’t be a farmer, Katie, do you hear me?”

  She nodded against his chest. “Somehow, I can’t see you tending the fields, Brendan. I am not of a mind to change you. I like you just as you are, my scowling warrior.”

  He smiled at that.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Henry grew frustrated with the mood in his court. He suggested a hunting party for the men so he could get some exercise and get away from the cross men in the hall. The elder, sat with his arms folded over his chest, glaring at anyone who chanced a look at him, the younger, paced about the hall like a caged lion, watching the door, probably searching for his wife.

  “That is a wonderful idea, Henry. I’ll assemble men, and we’ll go in a few minutes,” Colin said.

  As the men walked outside into the cool midmorning grayness, light rain began to fall. “Mayhap we will go on the morrow.” Henry looked up at the sky.

  “Nay, it’ll stop soon, Henry. The day will turn brighter, the clouds are not that thick.”

  Henry turned to see Hawk mount his horse, and Brendan led his giant white stallion toward them. Henry shook his head. “They’re not coming with us, are they?”

  Colin laughed at his disgruntlement. “Aye, they wished to do so.”

  “Damn me, I thought to escape them.”

  Colin laughed harder, gaining looks from his men. They were silent as they forged through the thick overgrown forest, bordering the castle walls. The king’s hunting grounds didn’t have much of a selection of animals to hunt, and Henry became as bored and aggravated as he had been in the hall.

  As Brendan led the procession, he gazed from one side of the trees to the other, and pulled his mount to a stop. Colin and his warriors slowed their horses and looked at him.

  “There are men camped ahead, mayhap three hundred feet or so. I can hear them.”

  “You heard them?” Henry asked incredulously.

  Hawk moved forward so he could hear their discussion.

  “Do you think it could be Richard?” Colin asked.

  “Could we be that fortunate?” Brendan countered.

  “Advance in our usual formation, men,” Colin ordered. “Let us prepare.”

  Excitement rose within Henry. He had never been involved in fighting before, and he looked forward to seeing the highland warriors in battle. His own soldiers flanked him and he smiled at their gesture of protection, and thought to tell them it wasn’t needed, but decided not to insult his soldiers.

  “Sire, stay here, where you will be safe,” Colin directed.

  “Nay, I shall go forth with you. My men will see to my safety.”

  Colin nodded, he wouldn’t gainsay the king. The MacKinnon warriors jumped from their mounts and readied for the fight. They assisted in covering themselves with the dark painted symbols, and pulled out daggers, and their favorite weapons, broad swords. All held long the swords meant to inflict grave injuries, serving its purpose by killing their foes.

  Impressed by their prowess, Henry wanted to be included in their ritualistic ceremony. He wouldn’t dare, but all the same, he was awed by their powerful mien. He knew Colin and his men could prepare for a battle in minutes. Brendan drew his notice then, he walked back and forth, holding his massive sword in a rigid manner.

  The afternoon became dismal
as the clouds thickened, the forest floor overlay with a dense mist. The mist didn’t stir as the warriors stalked toward their enemy. Colin demanded again that Henry stay with a few of his soldiers, away from the conflict, but he wouldn’t hear of it, and walked behind Colin’s men.

  Lord Hawk wouldn’t stay behind either, and he marched behind them. When the last warrior settled himself on the large branches of the trees above the camp, a bird took flight, fluttering its wings, diving toward the ground for cover.

  *****

  Richard de Morris watched the bird’s decent and dismissed it. He was more concerned with his security. “Be on alert, men,” he commanded. He walked to the fire, and suddenly turned back to see where the bird landed. He couldn’t see it as it was now encased by the mist that floated on the base of the ground. The graying mist rolled toward them, swallowing up the view of the ground.

  “The day grows eerie,” Richard said, more to himself than to his men. Two of his soldiers squabbled over a chunk of bread. He clipped them both on the sides of their heads and took the bread. “You’ll get nothing now. Settle down to rest, men, we’ll get an early start. I want to regain my possession by the morrow and be gone before the king becomes the wiser.”

  As the camp quieted, Richard stood watching his guards. They were positioned so that if anyone advanced on them, they would know in enough time. He relaxed his rigid stance, and began eating the bread he had taken from his men.

  How had he ended here, in the chilled mist of Londontown? If only he had obtained the medallion sooner, he would likely have reached Egypt by now, and would be in possession of the treasure. Instead, he hid out in a damned damp forest trying to locate the object. Disgruntled at himself for allowing Kaitlin’s get away, he swore he wouldn’t give up. He should have known the girl wouldn’t show up. Then Harry turned his back on him, he couldn’t allow him to live after he demanded he leave.

  As his thoughts raced in his mind, Richard turned and glanced at the darkened space between the trees. He thought he’d heard something, but perhaps he was wrong. He returned his attention to finishing the bread. Someone grabbed him from behind and caused him to choke. He swallowed quickly then struggled against his attacker, but he was held firmly with his arms behind his back.

  “To arms,” Richard shouted, “To arms.”

  His men jumped to attention, hearing his shout. They were indeed too late, as the highland warriors appeared from the trees above. Though Richard’s men outnumbered the warriors, the soldiers threw down their weapons, and looked at their leader. It didn’t appear he would be released. Richard scoffed and turned to see who held him.

  “Release me. I am Lord Richard de Morris. My men will cut you down at my command.”

  Colin frowned at him in disbelief. “I don’t think so, de Morris, your men have all ready surrendered.”

  “Release me, I said.”

  Colin threw him to the ground and watched him hurry to his feet. Brendan positioned his sword an inch from his chest, making Richard still.

  “I will tell you why I want to kill you, Lord Richard, you dastardly swine,” Colin declared heatedly.

  “You dare insult me?” Richard yelled.

  “You took my child from the king’s castle and kept her in that pigsty you call a home. For that you will face death this day.” Colin moved forward, and held his own sword at the ready.

  “Let me do the honor, Colin. He hurt Katie and tried to kill her father. I should be the one to end his life,” Brendan said.

  Richard stepped back a few steps, and pulled his sword out, holding it at his aggressors.

  Colin eyed him for a moment before responding to his brother’s request. “Aye, Brendan, the honor should be yours.”

  Brendan wanted a fair fight, so he signaled to the warriors to move back. “Did you act alone, Richard?”

  “Alone in what? Capturing the child? ‘Twas easy,” he boasted. “The king wouldn’t care about a heathen child, nor about Stanhope’s daughter. Why would he? It doesn’t matter now, I’ve lost the medallion, the child, and here I am facing you.”

  “It does matter, greatly. The child is the king’s cousin, and Lady Stanhope is my wife. Did it make you feel like a man forcing her to submit to you? Then you hurt her, stabbing her and leaving her for dead in the forest. You feed on the innocent and weaker. You’re the devil’s kin.”

  Brendan noticed that Richard raised his sword, ready for the attack which was sure to come. He also noted Richard’s scornful glance at his kinsmen standing aside, but when Richard saw the king’s liveried soldiers standing beyond them, and the king looking at him with a cold-blooded look, Richard’s face whitened.

  Brendan detected his immoveable stance, and saw his eyes widen. Richard grew lax for a moment then repositioned himself. So he was ready, was he? Brendan swung his sword in an arch, meaning to slice him in the middle, but Richard sidestepped too quickly and he missed. Richard retaliated by jabbing the thinner, lighter sword, hoping to slice his stomach, but he was too quick on his feet, easily dodging each thrust. Richard grew frustrated and ran at him.

  Richard stopped short seeing Stanhope. “Hawk?” He raised the sword, and a fearless mien overrode his caution. A harrowing look replaced the fierceness.

  Brendan didn’t lower his sword. He retained his position, and waited to see what Richard would do.

  “Richard,” Hawk muttered with disgust. “You are a deviant daemon!” Then he shocked them all when he spit on Richard. “That’s for trying to hurt my daughter.”

  “You live,” Richard said in awe.

  Hawk frowned ferociously. “I was fortunate an Arab saved me. All this trouble, Richard, for a piece of scrap parchment and an unknown treasure?”

  “The treasure will be mine,” Richard yelled. “I shall have it, no one will stop me.”

  Brendan stood silent, and as everyone watched the deranged man. The forest stilled and became silent.

  “‘Twas all for naught, Richard, there is no treasure. The medallion and map are not valid, but an artifice made by the Templar Knights. The map leads to a demolished monastery here in England. Perhaps the medallion is worth something, being that it is gold. Mayhap if you melted it down,” Hawk said mockingly.

  “Naught but a demolished monastery? You lie.” Richard gazed around, but still wouldn’t admit his jeopardy. “I shall be rich, richer than you, richer than the king.”

  “Richer than me, Richard?” Henry asked.

  Richard’s eyes widened when Henry stepped forward. He must have forgotten that the king attended their scuffle.

  “There was never a treasure. You gain only your death with your greed.”

  “Nay, nay, it’s impossible, Hawk. I will not let you have the treasure. You lie.” Richard raised his sword and ran at Hawk.

  Brendan held his ground, and shoved Hawk behind him. He let Richard come at him, but at the last second, he pointed his sword in Richard’s direction. He pierced his side then Brendan’s sword dropped to the ground. He left it there. Richard bumped into him, and tried to stab him with his sword, but the length didn’t allow an easy target. Brendan grabbed at his sword’s handle, and threw it into the air, away from him.

  Richard’s breath heavy now, sent forth its steam in the cold air, and his exertion evident in his slumped form. Brendan stood glaring at him, but then Richard threw his body at him, and they both ended up on the mist covered ground.

  The men stood watching the mist moving and swirling around the fighters beneath. No one moved; they watched and waited for the victor to rise. Finally, Brendan had enough of the fight, he pulled a dagger from his boot. He punched Richard in the face, knocking him off his own chest. As Richard rolled back, Brendan took aim, and shoved his dagger into his heart. Richard didn’t make a sound, just stared widely at the gray mist surrounding him.

  Brendan lay for a moment, catching his breath before gaining his feet. When the warriors saw that it was he who had risen from the cloaked mist, they cheered.

 
Colin clapped him on the back. “Well done, Brendan.”

  He nodded and went to retrieve his dagger. His steps stirred the mist, and he yanked his dagger from Richard’s chest. He made certain Richard was dead before walking away, going to fetch his sword.

  “Collect your leader,” Colin said angrily to Richard’s soldiers.

  The Englishmen nodded, and hurried to recover his body before the Scotsmen changed their minds about releasing them.

  “Finally, justice is served,” Colin said, feeling vindicated by Richard’s death.

  Brendan, too, was pleased he was dead. “At last, the devil is dead,” he clipped heatedly.

  Hawk approached, stood between the brothers, and clapped them both on the shoulder. “You fight well, lads. I owe you a great debt as you saved me from Richard’s sword.”

  “Nay, you owe me no debt,” Brendan retorted and walked away.

  *****

  Colin turned and strode away. “Come, let us return to the keep.”

  Hawk watched Brendan leaving, and turned to ask, “Where is he going?”

  “He is going to calm the hell down. After fighting, he usually goes to the cliffs at home. I don’t know where he’ll go here, but he’ll return later.”

  Hawk followed along silently as they rode back to the castle. When they reached the stone walls of Whitehall, he went in search of his daughter. He quickly knocked on her chamber door.

  Kate opened it, and seeing him, she left it open and moved back. She kept her face serene, and waited for him to speak.

  “Fairy, I need to speak to you.”

  “Father, please, there is nothing more to say.” Kate moved into the room, but turned when she reached the window.

  “Aye there is. I was wrong. I will grant that you married a strong man, but will he be able to provide for you?”

  Kate looked up and saw his smile. “Oh, he will, he’s very resourceful.”

  “You have my approval, Kate. I know you must love him, for you to go against my wishes. I will not stand in the way of your happiness.”