During his time with the powerful ruler, he was updated on the current most happenings the king had privy to. King Richard asked his opinion on many matters in both England and Scotland. It was a very insightful and intriguing week he spent with his liege. Eventually King Richard gave him permission to head north to Castle MacMillan. He had now been away a full fortnight before finally preparing his men for the trip north to his lands.
Broderick and his men bid farewell to King Richard and rode hard out of Inverness and into the frozen abyss towards Castle MacMillan. All were ready to be home, none more than Broderick.
Chapter 15
Elisbeth had felt Broderick’s absence take a toll on her. She was lethargic and moody, something she had never experienced before. Her emotions had begun to run rampant as she worried about her husband. The lack of sleep was apparent on her face. Everyone was worried about her, which irritated her even more. She had never felt so unlike a warrior in her life. Warriors’ dinnae cry this often.
Kendrix had continually assured her that the earliest he expected Broderick home would be within the week. It seemed like forever to her. No messenger had arrived to tell her Broderick had gotten to Inverness safely, surely Broderick would have sent a messenger? Kendrix once again assured her that Broderick had never had to send notice back to his castle, he was used to traveling with anyone he needed to converse with. He continually calmed her upset as each day passed. She was sure Kendrix was going quite annoyed with her daily hysterics, even though he did tend to laugh at her more than he ought. Always in fun, he had begun to tease her like a normal older brother would.
Waking up early as usual from a restless night of sleep, Elisabeth prepared to take the hounds outside so they could relieve themselves and run before she trained with the warriors. She hadn’t felt well the past week; a wave of dizziness rocked her as she walked towards the door. Clinging to the doorframe, the room spun as she blinked, shaking her head she gave herself time to adjust. Sighing, she walked over to her wardrobe slowly and donned fresh tights, a warm gown and wrapped her fur securely around her shoulders. Stepping into her new boots that required no lacing, she called the hounds and unlocked the door before throwing it wide.
Walking out of her door, she noticed a letter lying on the cold stone floor in the hallway outside her door. The hounds ran past her down the stairs as she bent down to pick up the letter, curious who left the letter there. Tucking it in her belt, she followed after the hounds, shutting and locking her door behind her.
Since Broderick’s absence, she made a habit to lock their rooms when away.
The letter had no name upon the front; searching for Kendrix she opened the front doors and let the hounds run around the bailey. The cold winter air greeted her as it did every morning. The courtyard glistened with a fresh layer of ice from the night storm. Walking down the front stairs she made her way to the stables, it was where Kendrix could normally be found before early morning drills.
The castle bailey was still quiet, the sun had just risen and many were still asleep. Crossing the snow covered courtyard she gingerly made her way to the busy stable yard. Her arms wrapped around her for warmth. She watched as her burly hounds ran and played with each other, thoroughly enjoying their morning run. Spying Kendrix talking to the patrol guards, she waved to him as he spotted her as she drew near.
“Good morrow Sister, what pray tell brings you out so early this cold winter morning?”
Pulling the letter from her belt, she held it up for Kendrix to see with a questioning glance, “This letter was outside my door, do you have any knowledge of this?” She asked.
“Nae Sister, shall we see what it says?” Crossing his arms, his face turned serious as he realized someone had delivered her another missive. She heard him sigh in discontent as she lowered her eyes to the letter. Breaking the seal, Elisabeth opened the missive and recognized the familiar script once again. Kincaid struck again.
“Tis from Kincaid.” She muttered as she read his vile words.
“How and the hell does he get his communications through our defenses? What are we missing? What does the letter say Elisabeth?” Kendrix asked, around them the stable hands continued to work.
“Another threat, he knows Broderick isn’t here. He’s trying to scare me. How did this happen again?” She asked, looking up at Kendrix, the paper shaking in her hand.
“I know not Sister, but I will find out, never fear.” Snatching the letter from her hands, Kendrix read the missive.
Elisabeth,
I am coming for you.
Kincaid
Watching Kendrix’s face distort in anger, she quickly proposed, “Have the guards doubled, I will go speak with Rhona to see if she saw anyone traveling the tower stairs, I’ll go check on Isobel. I’ll see you in a while for drills.” Turning to go, she heard him ask a question that stopped her dead in her tracks.
“Are you okay Elisabeth? You do not look well.”
Turning, attempting a brave smile she nodded, “I miss your brother, I have not slept well since he’s been gone.”
Kendrix simply nodded at his little sister and watched her walk back to the castle. The past week she had greatly deteriorated, however it wasn’t all impart to his brother being gone. He would bet his life that she was with child. She had the same signs his late wife had when pregnant with Isobel. He had yet to ask her, he wasn’t sure she was even aware. Before Broderick left, he had divulged to Kendrix that he thought Elisabeth might be with child. He had asked Kendrix to keep watch for the signs, and if necessary, prevent her from getting hurt. He knew she couldn’t have been very far along, as her stomach was still as flat as the day he first met her, but her fatigue was most apparent. True, she probably did have sleepless nights without Broderick, but he had noticed subtle changes in her through the past weeks. She was off, nothing substantial, but to the trained eye, he saw the difference in her.
Each day, Kendrix waited for Elisabeth to realize she was with child, and as each day came, so it went. He could tell she was clueless of her condition, Rhona refused to say anything. Which left the task to him, within the following weeks they would ride to Douglas land, with Elisabeth carrying the heir to Clan MacMillan, she would be forbidden to ride. The sooner she came to terms with it the better.
Days later he saw The Warrior Queen reemerge from her docile state.
On his way to Broderick’s study in the north tower he heard a commotion ensuing in the kitchens, screams could be heard echoing the cold halls. Women yelling, and a blood-curdling scream penetrated the walls of the castle.
Running towards the screaming, he stopped dead in his tracks as he ran into the kitchen, Elisabeth had her lethally sharp dagger held to Siobhan’s neck as Isobel was holding her eye crying. Pinning Siobhan against the wall of the kitchen, Elisabeth’s voice rang with imminent danger. Watching the scene before him, he took quick stock of the situation.
“You were warned you bloody bitch, how dare you hit my niece!” Elisabeth’s voice was eerily calm as she held her dagger upon Siobhan’s throbbing neck.
“She’s not innocent, she’s a brat! Get that damn knife away from me ye whore!” Siobhan shrieked, desperately trying to move from Elisabeth’s vice like grip with little results.
“YOU DID WHAT?” Kendrix’s voice boomed throughout the small kitchen, demanding everyone’s attention.
Turning her head to see Kendrix, Elisabeth offered bitterly, “I walked in to see her backhanding your daughter!” She continued to keep her blade pressed against Siobhan’s throat as she watched the younger MacMillan brother approach.
Walking across the stone floor, Kendrix eyed the women as he came up flush with Elisabeth, “Gather your belongings Siobhan, you are officially exiled from this clan. Go find a new home, you are no longer welcome here!”
Gasping at the harsh punishment, “You cannae do that Kendrix, this is my home! Only the Laird can banish me!” She explained righteously struggling against Elisabeth’s tight grip.
Turning around to eye his sniffling young daughter, “Isobel, go find Rhona and stay with her until I find you, now!” He barked, watching her flee at his order. Elisabeth still held her dagger securely against Siobhan’s throat waiting for Kendrix’s next order.
“Slit her throat Elisabeth, if she willnae leave, she will die.” His voice was ice cold as he made his point very clear.
“I will go, Jesu, I will go Kendrix! Dinnae kill me!” She started to sob as Elisabeth pressed her sharp dagger closer to the pulsing vein in her neck.
Upon hearing Siobhan’s surrender, Elisabeth lowered her weapon, sheathing it in her belt and took a step back. “You have less than an hour to vacate my lands, if you are ever seen here again, death will be swiftly delivered, am I understood Siobhan?” Elisabeth questioned, her voice matched Kendrix tone perfectly. In Broderick’s absence, she made the punishment for returning to these lands significant enough so there was no mistake.
Squinting her eyes in hatred, Siobhan spat a bitter rebuttal, “These are not your lands you bitch. You will pay for what you have done! You will pay!” She screamed the last part as she ran off towards the exit.
Elisabeth was certain Siobhan had been behind the poisoning, and the delivery of Kincaid’s letters, she just didn’t have solid proof. Her senses prickled every time that woman was around. Seeing her smack Isobel earlier had made her see red, before she knew it she had crossed the room and had Siobhan by the throat. Siobhan was very lucky she wasn’t dead; she wanted nothing more than to end her life.
Beside her she heard Kendrix’s deep voice, “I will see that she is gone within the hour Sister, thank you for protecting my daughter once again. I am happy to see that evil bitch leave these lands, our drills will be pushed back so that I can see her off these lands personally.”
Elisabeth had never seen Kendrix so riled before. He gave no quarter to Siobhan; she had been dealt with accordingly. Siobhan’s exile suited Elisabeth perfectly, the woman was a snake, and she was pleased with Kendrix’s decision.
Sighing deeply she turned to leave, “I will go find Rhona and Isobel. Please make sure that Siobhan’s family understands why their daughter is being exiled. I want no problems with them, if they take issue, they can leave along with their wicked daughter.” She locked eyes with Kendrix, silently wondering if he would challenge her decree.
“Agreed Sister, I will see it done.” He nodded and turned in search of the newly exiled Siobhan.
The exile of Siobhan swept through the clan like wildfire, within the hour the entire MacMillan clan had heard the story of Siobhan striking Kendrix’s daughter. All were appalled. Not one person, even Siobhan’s family spoke on her behalf, it was clear that Siobhan was barely tolerated on these lands for years. Over the passing weeks, Siobhan’s treatment of anyone in her path was abhorrent. The elders of the clan had scorned her time and time again, yet he snubbed her nose at them. She had cause chaos whenever she could, she was toxic, and the MacMillan clan was elated to see her finally be gone.
It didn’t take long for the bailey to become filled with hundreds upon hundreds of kilted clans people to watch the exile of Siobhan Murray. Standing next to Kendrix on the castle stairs, Elisabeth’s stomach was rolling. The thought of sending an unprotected woman into the wintery abyss made her sick. With the winter still upon them, Siobhan would have to ride for days upon days before she found another living soul to beg shelter. Elisabeth reminded herself of the grievous assaults that Siobhan had taken on her, and Isobel. She knew in her heart that Siobhan was the one communicating with Kincaid.
Once again she had turmoil inside her heart, the lady her mother raised with compassion, battled with the warrior her brother had trained, no mercy.
In Broderick’s absence, both she and Kendrix would be in charge of the formal exile of Siobhan. She felt the clan’s eyes upon her as she stood next to Kendrix, god she missed Broderick. She missed the comfort of his arm, the nearness of his body and the security he wrapped her in. Kendrix was a mighty warrior indeed, but she wanted her husband home. She needed his strength right now, thinking of some of his last words to her, how he reminded her that she was The Warrior Queen, she stood a little taller and prepared herself for the exile.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Siobhan exit her hut, wrapped in winter furs, carrying her belongings neatly in a bag. Keeping her eyes on the vile woman, she watched Siobhan like a hawk, she had no doubt the woman was capable of violence. With her weapons secured in place, Elisabeth watched the tall brunette slowly walk across the bailey in front of the entire clan as they scorned her.
With her head held high, Siobhan gracefully walked across the yard and made her way to the front of the castle stairs. Stopping directly in front of Kendrix and Elisabeth, Siobhan dropped her bag to the ground and looked up at them with hatred in her eyes.
Hundreds gathered closer to witness the event, in centuries no one had been exiled from the MacMillan lands. Today was a rare event, one that everyone would talk about and remember for the rest of their lives.
As the guard began to read the official decree of exile to Siobhan, the woman did not cry or beg forgiveness; she simply stared at Elisabeth with contempt and hatred. The cold winter breeze cut through the bailey, bringing a bitter chill to all those it touched.
Refusing to back down to Siobhan’s intimidation attempt, Elisabeth refused to look away. She stood tall beside Kendrix and met Siobhan’s gaze with her own venomous delivery. In her heart, Elisabeth knew that Siobhan was responsible for her poisoning, for the letters from Kincaid, and most assuredly abusing Isobel.
With the decree and banishment from these lands completed, Kendrix asked, “Have you anything to say Siobhan Murray?”
“Nae.” Her voice chilly and crisp.
“It is time for you to leave MacMillan lands Siobhan, you are never to return.” Kendrix ordered, pointing towards the horse waiting by the lowered gate. The crowd parted to allow Siobhan passage to the drawbridge.
Elisabeth watched carefully as Siobhan bent down to retrieve her bag and slowly straighten her shoulders before the vile woman spoke again. “I’ll be seeing you soon Elisabeth, very soon.” The words floated on a whisper so that only the few standing close enough could hear.
Gracefully smiling as she moved her fur to reveal her large broadsword attached to her hip she replied in earnest, “Until then, Siobhan… until then.”
Siobhan gave her a malicious look as she turned on her booted foot and marched towards the gate. No one followed, only watched. Words of shame and scorn followed the exiled woman as she walked through the angry crowd. Soon enough the wicked woman was on her horse and over the lowered drawbridge, hundreds of eyes watched as she disappeared into the frozen forest.
Elisabeth jumped when Kendrix shouted for the drawbridge to be pulled up. Her nerves were shot. With her hand over her heart, she looked up at her new brother and shook her head. He was so like Broderick, yet so different.
“I will not be at drills today Kendrix, and if you could, either step in for me with the wee one’s training or cancel my session today, I need to lay down. I do not feel well Brother.” She spoke softly so only he could hear.
Beside her, she heard him sigh deeply, “You need to rest Elisabeth, don’t worry about drills or the archery lessons, I’ll see to them. Go upstairs old girl, today has been most taxing. I’ll send Isobel to collect you for dinner.”
Nodding, “Thank you.” She murmured as she walked back into the warm castle. Slowly she walked up to her solar, her hounds following closely behind her. She had noticed they had begun to hover closer to her side recently, more than normal. Maybe they too felt the stress she was feeling.
Patting their heads, she walked up the stone stairs to her solar, with Broderick gone, their bedroom seemed too empty without him. She had found herself avoiding the bedroom until it was time to sleep at night. She had grown to prefer her solar during the day. Arriving at her solar door, she swung it open and let the warmth of
the room bring a smile to her face. Walking directly over to her chair by the fire, she slumped down into the cozy leather chair with a sigh. Her hounds settled in at her feet. Closing her eyes she sighed in pleasure as the heat radiated through her cold bones.
This morning had been bitter cold; she had begun to allow the hounds to sleep on the bed next to her in the evenings. She was so cold without Broderick sleeping next to her the large wolfhounds radiated heat allowing her more warmth through the bitter cold nights.
Pondering over the coming days, she knew soon enough Broderick would soon return, and together they would ride south to deliver sweet justice to Kincaid and his evil army. Over the weeks she worried over Broderick’s meeting with the king. She prayed the King blessed her marriage, and that Broderick would return home safely once again. She had not received any communication from her husband since he had left, that had worried her tremendously. In her heart she knew he was alive, praying that he had safe travels she shifted in her comfortable chair and let the warm fire warm her bones.
The warmth of the room intensified her drowsiness, pulling her feet under her dress, she tucked into the chair. Wrapping her warm sable tighter around her shoulders she rested her head on the side of the large chair and closed her eyes. She thought of Broderick, his face and his devastating smile. His god like body, and piercing green eyes that looked right to her very soul. She let their moments together calm her as she snuggled before the fire.
Awaking to a knock on her door, she stretched her toes out straight and opened her eyes quickly; she was in her bed in the solar room, not the chair she had curled up in earlier. Her sable fur was laid over her chair, and her boots had been removed off her feet. The fire was just a pile of orange coals, how had she gotten to bed?
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