Courage of a Highlander

by Katy Baker

  Aiden raised an eyebrow. “Ye never spoke a truer word, lass.” He stepped over a muddy puddle lying in their path and then cocked his head at her. “How about ye? Willnae yer family be worrying about ye by now?”

  A strange look crossed Kara’s face and she glanced away, staring out over the moorland, just as he had done. She said nothing for a long time and Aiden had begun to suspect that she wouldn’t answer at all when she finally looked back at him. There was an old, dull pain shining in her eyes.

  “No,” she breathed. “There’ll be nobody worrying about me at home. I don’t have any family. My dad died when I was ten, my mom when I was fifteen. I don’t have any brothers and sisters.”

  Aiden’s heart twisted for her. “Ah, lass,” he breathed. “I’m sorry.”

  Kara shrugged. “It’s fine. I’ve gotten used to it. What’s that? I thought you said there weren’t any crofts out here?”

  Aiden looked ahead and saw a crumbling stone wall crossing their path. It stretched to left and right for a good distance before he lost sight of it against the brown of the moorland.

  “There isnae,” Aiden replied. “And this isnae a croft but the ruins of an old keep that was abandoned long before my father’s time, when the land became too sparse to support a community. Most of it is gone, disappeared beneath the heather or else the stones robbed out for use elsewhere. Some of the walls still stand though.” He glanced up at them. Most were not much higher than Aiden’s head. “It will be a climb. Unless ye would rather go around?”

  Kara looked at him indignantly. “I can climb, thank you very much,” she said with a defiant lift of her chin.

  She strode off along the trail and soon reached the wall. It was rough, the stone broken in places, giving plenty of foot and handholds.

  Aiden looked at Kara and grinned. “Are ye sure ye wouldnae like me to carry ye over? Or is wall climbing part of the ‘City Girl Scouts training’”

  “You’d best get over this wall right now, Aiden Harris, before I do something you’ll regret!” Kara retorted, placing her hands on her hips.

  Aiden laughed then vaulted the wall and dropped down to the ground on the other side. A moment later Kara appeared atop the wall, swung her legs over the top and jumped down. As her feet touched the ground she lost her footing and stumbled. Aiden darted forward to catch her, his hands grasping her waist.

  “Easy, lass. We dinna want ye breaking an ankle now, do we?”

  Kara grabbed his forearms to steady herself. “No,” she said in a low voice. “That would certainly put a crimp on my day.”

  Their gazes locked and Kara made no move to pull away. Aiden was suddenly all too aware of how close she was, how easy it would be to pull her into his arms and kiss her.

  ***

  Kara’s thoughts scattered like leaves blown on the wind. All she could think about was how strong and reassuring Aiden’s hands felt on her waist and how he was so close she could smell his scent: pine leaves and tilled earth. It would only take the barest movement, hardly even a step, and she’d be inside the circle of his arms. All he had to do was lean down just a little and his lips would be on hers...

  Aiden cleared his throat and stepped away. He glanced at the path, then the sky, then the landscape. Anywhere but at her.

  “If we make good time we should reach Dun Arnwick by mid-afternoon,” he muttered.

  “This afternoon. Right. Great,” Kara said in a rush. “Let’s go then shall we?” She marched off, trying desperately not to let Aiden see how flustered she was. She hoped to God he didn’t notice the heat that had crept into her cheeks.

  After a moment Aiden caught up with her. Neither spoke and they marched in silence for a good half an hour. Then suddenly Aiden went very still and stared intently at the path ahead, head cocked as if listening.

  “What is it?”

  He held up a hand for silence. Kara listened and then heard it, a faint drumming getting steadily closer.

  Aiden swore and pushed Kara behind him. Grabbing his rudimentary staff with both hands, he stepped in front of her, blocking the path.

  “What is it?” Kara asked again.

  “Company,” Aiden replied, eyes fixed on the road. “Stay behind me.”

  The drumming became louder and louder and soon revealed itself to be a single horseman speeding along the road towards them. The figure was crouched low in the saddle and the chestnut horse had lather flying from its mouth. The rider made no attempt to swerve and for one horrified moment Kara thought he would ride right over Aiden but at the last minute the rider yanked his mount to the side and instead rode around her and Aiden, pulling his mount in a tight circle so it danced around them, chomping at the bit and flinging up bits of mud from its churning hooves.

  Aiden grabbed Kara and held her close behind him, turning continually to keep the circling horseman in front of them.

  “Who are ye?” Aiden demanded. “Pull up yer horse, man, or by God ye’ll regret it!”

  Finally the horseman pulled the dancing horse to a stop. The man seated in the saddle looked to be around the same age as Aiden and had similar jet black hair. But there the similarity ended. Where Aiden was broad and well-muscled, the man in the saddle was wiry and had a slightly mocking look to his handsome face.

  “Is that any way to greet an old friend, Aiden Harris?”

  Aiden’s eyes widened slightly. “Bhradain Garrick! What, by all that’s holy, were ye playing at? Ye could have trampled us!”

  Bhradain Garrick jumped lightly from the saddle. His mouth twisted into a lop-sided smile. “Do ye really think so little of my horsemanship? I’m hurt. And after I’ve ridden out here to find ye and all.”

  “Find me? What do ye mean?”

  Bhradain’s gaze flicked to Kara and back to Aiden. “Yer horse turned up rider less at Dun Arnwick and we received word that the rest of yer squad returned home days ago. Yer father has sent out scouts to scour the island for ye, fearing ye had fallen from yer horse or been attacked by brigands.” He grinned as his dark-eyed gaze roved over Kara. “Although I can now see the real reason why ye were delayed. I canna say I blame ye. Tumbling a beauty like her is mightily preferable to the tedium of clan business.”

  Aiden moved like lightning. Before Kara could even blink he’d grabbed Bhradain’s dagger from his belt and had pressed it up against the man’s windpipe.

  “If ye say anything like that again,” he growled in a low, menacing voice. “It will be the last thing ye say. This is Lady Kara Buchanan, a visitor to our lands, and ye will show her the respect she deserves.”

  Kara gasped, taken aback by this sudden show of aggression. It was clear Bhradain and Aiden knew each other and it was also clear there was no love lost between them.

  Bhradain’s grin only widened. “Lord above, but ye havenae grown a sense of humor while ye’ve been away! Canna ye take a joke? I was only teasing ye!”

  Aiden didn’t move. “Ye will apologize. Now.”

  Bhradain rolled his eyes. “Fine! I’m sorry.”

  Aiden released him, flipped the knife over, and held it out to him, hilt first. “To the lady, not me.”

  Bhradain sheathed his dagger and gave Kara a flourishing bow that had a slightly mocking edge to it. “My lady. Ye have my deepest apologies. I didnae mean any offence. I am Bhradain Garrick, ward of Laird Andrew Harris, and it is my honor to welcome ye to Dun Arnwick which lies just a few miles yonder.” He took Kara’s hand in a courtly fashion and kissed the back of it. “If I can be of service during yer stay with us ye need only speak it. I am yers to command.”

  Kara shifted uncomfortably. There was something unsettling about Bhradain. Although his voice sounded sincere there was a kind of mocking amusement dancing in his eyes as though he was privy to some joke nobody else was.

  “Um. Thanks,” she muttered.

  The drum of hoof beats filled the air once more. Bhradain held up a finger. “Ah! It seems like the rest of yer welcoming party has arrived.”

  Four
riders rode towards them. As they pulled up the leader cried, “Curse ye, Bhradain! What were ye doing riding off like that? We were supposed to be searching the coast road!”

  Bhradain spread his hands wide. “And if we’d done so we wouldnae have found our lost sheep would we?”

  The man’s eyes snapped to Kara and Aiden and widened in recognition. “Aiden! Blind my eyes, lad! Is that really you?”

  “Aye, Jamie, ye old bastard!” Aiden replied, stepping forward with a grin. “I see yer temper hasnae improved while I’ve been away!”

  “Ha!” the man cried. He jumped down from his horse and crossed the space in three strides, sweeping Aiden up into a bear-hug. He was a big man, maybe ten years older than Aiden, and had an open, friendly face.

  The two men pounded each other on the back then Aiden moved over to greet the other men as warmly. “Drake! Martin! Sam, is that ye? Ye’ve grown into a man! Where’s the wide-eyed boy I knew?”

  The three men returned Aiden’s greetings and Kara found herself smiling at the sight of Aiden with his old friends. It was obvious they held him in high regard as every one of them was grinning and slapping him on the back.

  “I’m glad we found ye,” Jamie rumbled. “I fear if we had returned home empty-handed yer mother would have had me skinned and hung out on the battlements for all to see. She’s been going out of her mind since yer horse came home rider less. Why did ye not send us word, lad?”

  Aiden shook his head. “There wasnae time.” He glanced at Kara. “Much has happened since I returned to Skye. Much that I must tell my father. And there is someone I must introduce ye to.”

  In short order Kara had been introduced to the men who all gave her respectful bows as if she was some medieval lady. Jamie—who turned out to be Aiden’s adoptive uncle he’d told her about—rubbed his chin and glanced from Kara to Aiden and back again. “I suspect ye both have quite a tale to tell. Come, let’s gets back to Dun Arnwick so ye can tell it. Drake, ride double with Martin. Aiden, Kara, ye can have Drake’s horse. We should be home within the hour.”

  In no time at all Kara found herself seated in front of Aiden on a huge black horse Drake had been riding. She’d not ridden a horse since she was eight years old.

  “My God,” she muttered. “I never realized horseback was so damned high.”

  Aiden’s arms circled her, holding the reins in front of them. “Dinna worry, lass,” he replied as he kicked the horse and they moved off at a walk. “I will keep ye safe.”

  I know you will, the thought came unbidden to her mind. I know you will.

  Chapter 7

  Kara knew she was staring like some wide-eyed idiot but she couldn’t stop herself. Little over an hour ago they had ridden over a rise and she had gotten her first look at Dun Arnwick. It perched on a headland, a towering keep of stone with high walls, many windows and pennants snapping in the breeze.

  Now, she and Aiden rode through a set of enormous gates into a large courtyard. Directly ahead a set of wide stone steps led up to the main doors of the castle and the courtyard was alive with sights, sounds, smells. Nearby a group of children were playing with a scruffy-faced puppy that was yapping excitedly as they threw it a leather ball. Over the far side several horses were tied to a post while boys brushed out their coats. Up on the walls a handful of eagle-eyed men with tall halberds kept watch over it all. It was full of sound and color and smells. It was so...so....alive.

  Aiden swung easily out of the saddle and dropped to the ground. His eyes raked over his childhood home and rather than any joy at coming home, his eyes seemed troubled. He helped Kara down and the other men dismounted around them.

  Bhradain sauntered over, a small smile on his face. “Well?” he asked Aiden. “Still remember the old place, eh? Although I’m sure it must seem very small and colloquial to someone of yer...standing.”

  Aiden ignored him. He was busy staring up at the doors, a slight frown marring his face.

  “Come, lad,” Jamie said, “I dinna know about ye but I’m just about ready for a jug of ale or three!”

  Jamie took the steps two at a time. Kara made to follow but a sudden wave of dizziness overcame her and she stumbled. She suddenly felt very cold. Aiden was at her side in an instant.

  “Are ye well, lass?” he said, taking her arm.

  Kara nodded. “I’m fine.”

  Aiden escorted her up the steps and through the doors of the keep into an enormous chamber. Kara had seen enough movies to know this must be the Great Hall. A vaulted ceiling soared high overhead and the flagstone floor was covered with thick, colorful rugs. Rows of wooden tables marched down the hall’s length and a huge fire burned in a fireplace at one end.

  “Ho!” Jamie bellowed. “Look what I found! Our lost sheep!”

  At the sound of his voice, a man and a woman rose from a table by the fire, turning to face them. They were both somewhere around middle age. The woman was beautiful, slim and with glossy hair cascading over her shoulders. The man had raven-dark hair like Aiden’s and the two of them were so alike that Kara knew this must be his father.

  There was a moment of stunned silence and then his parents were striding down the hall. His father slammed into Aiden, throwing his arms around him and slapping him on the back just as Jamie had done. Aiden grinned, returning his father’s affection, before turning to his mother. Kara shifted uncomfortably, feeling out of place in this show of familial affection.

  “You will be the death of me, Aiden Harris!” his mother cried, throwing her arms around him. “You couldn’t have sent a letter? I’ve been going out of my mind with worry!”

  Aiden smiled apologetically. “I couldnae, Mother. Ye have my apologies for worrying ye but I was unavoidably detained.” He stepped aside. “Mother, Father, this is Kara Buchanan. Kara, I’d like ye to meet my parents, Andrew and Lucy Harris.”

  “I...I’m very pleased to meet you,” Kara said, stepping forward and giving them a nervous smile.

  Their reaction wasn’t what she’d expected. As Kara spoke, a sudden look of shock crossed both their faces. They shared a long glance then Lucy turned to her son.

  “How?”

  Aiden flicked a glance behind to check nobody was in earshot then said in a low voice. “Irene MacAskill has been meddling again.”

  Lucy’s eyes went wide. “Irene? After all this time?” She stepped forward and took Kara’s hands. “I’m sorry, my dear. Your accent shocked me for a moment. I haven’t heard it in many years. You must tell us everything.”

  Kara’s jaw dropped as she finally puzzled out something that had been bugging her since she’d first heard Lucy speak. “Your accent,” she stammered. “You’re from America!”

  Lucy smiled and nodded. “Of course. Did Aiden not tell you? I’m from the twenty-first century too.”

  Kara stared. “But...but...” Her brain whirled with questions. “How did you get here? Did Irene MacAskill bring you? How long have you been here? Do you know a way home?”

  “I’ll answer all of your questions, I promise. But might I suggest you go change first? Those pajamas don’t look very warm.”

  Kara glanced down. What must she look like standing here in her pajamas, coat and boots, dirty and disheveled? As if summoned by her thoughts another fit of shivering took her. Aiden held out a hand to steady her.

  “I’m fine,” she muttered. “Just a bit cold.”

  An icy wind blew through the stones, running freezing fingers along Kara’s skin. Whispering voices. Ye are ours!

  Kara blinked away the strange sensation. Aiden’s face had gone blurry. The sounds in the hall shifted, becoming muted, as though heard from far away. Then suddenly she was falling, the floor rushing up. Aiden caught her before she could hit the ground. He lifted her easily, as if she weighed no more than a doll.

  “Take her to one of the guest rooms,” Lucy said.

  Then Kara was being carried, Aiden’s strong arms holding her close to his chest. She felt woozy, barely able to lift her head, so
she rested it against Aiden’s hard chest, fighting against a sudden weakness that washed through her body like freezing water. A door opened and closed then she was laid on something soft, a blanket pulled up around her.

  Dimly she heard Aiden’s voice. “Nay, I willnae leave her side.”

  “She’ll be safe here, I’ll call ye as soon as she wakes.”

  No, she thought groggily. Don’t go.

  She heard receding footsteps and a door closing. Kara tried to call him back but the lassitude was spreading, reaching through her body, and pulling her under into darkness.

  ***

  Kara dreamed. In it, she was running, running. Men chased her, men with no faces and guns pointed at her back. She zig-zagged, trying to dodge, but no matter how she ran they were always behind. A man beckoned to her. “This way, darling, you’ll be safe.” It was her father. Kara ran towards him but as she got closer a gunshot sounded and suddenly a bright red stain erupted on her father’s shirt. The vision shifted and now she heard Irene MacAskill saying, “Yer destiny, my dear. Ye cannot escape it.” Then dark stones, cold fingers and voices whispering, whispering, “Embrace who ye are. Ye are ours!”

  “No!” Kara cried, bolting upright in bed.

  She looked around wildly, heart thumping. She found herself in a large, lavish bed chamber. The bed was large enough for several people and piled high with brocaded covers and cushions. Directly opposite a large window gave a spectacular view of the churning, wind-lashed sea stretching to the horizon. A fire burned in the hearth, making the room deliciously warm.

  “Ah, curse it!” a voice said. “I almost had it then and ye’ve gone and moved.”

  Kara blinked. A young woman, around Kara’s age, was sitting in a chair by the bed holding a sketchpad and charcoal in one hand.

  Kara stared, trying to clear her thoughts. “I’m sorry?”

  “Oh, dinna be,” the young woman said, waving her hand. “I got some others while ye were asleep. I find sleeping people make good subjects. Dinna ye reckon?”