A Hardened Warrior

by McQueen, Hildie

  That evening, Paige went to the gardens just outside the kitchen, as was her custom after last meal. Although she would have preferred helping with cleaning up of the meal, Rose, the cook, did not allow it.

  Instead, she was content to oversee the late day weeding of the garden and whatever tasks needed to be done in the small hut that stored herbs. Just as she exited, she noticed a young man entering through the gates. She recognized him as the messenger and immediately her heart lurched. Like him, her brother had gone to take a message to the Ross. Unlike this young man, her brother did not return.

  She waited for him to near. “Please, come inside and eat.”

  When he met her gaze, his lips curved. “I was fed well at the Ross Keep, Lady Paige. But I will eat again once I speak to my laird.”

  “Ye bring back word of Merida?” She followed him, knowing he was not supposed to give her any word prior to speaking to the laird. The young man hesitated and met her gaze.

  “She is well.” He continued on and Paige followed, much too curious to remain outdoors.

  “There ye are.” Her father-in-law motioned the messenger over. Immediately, Lady McLeod entered the room and hurried to her husband’s side, ignoring his pointed look.

  “Is my daughter as well?” Lady McLeod asked by way of explanation. “I care only to know how she is.”

  “How fares my daughter?” the laird asked.

  “She is well, Laird. The Ross informed me she turned an ankle, but otherwise is unhurt. I did see her as I left. She waved from the window and called out for me to tell ye she loves and misses ye both.”

  Lady McLeod sniffed. “How did she hurt her ankle? Was her coloring…”

  “I do not know, they did not say. However, when I saw her, she looked perfectly healthy, Lady McLeod,” the young man replied.

  “Is there anything else ye wish to know, Wife?” Laird McLeod looked to his wife and then to Paige. “As ye hear, Merida is well.”

  “Thank ye,” Lady McLeod said to the messenger and relaxed when Paige slipped her arm through hers. Together, they went back toward the kitchens.

  Once they were alone, Paige hugged her. “I am happy to hear Merida is well. I fear she must be so alone.”

  “Aye,” Lady McLeod said with another sniff. “My girl is strong, but to be there, surrounded by people who dislike her, could be unbearable.”

  “Once things settle, we can ask to go visit,” Paige said, hoping it was possible.

  *

  Alec and his father waited for the women to depart before asking the messenger to finish.

  “The Ross agrees to meet three days hence at Kildonan, the village just past Loch Broom.”

  The area was familiar to Alec, and he understood why they’d chosen it. It was neutral territory and neither would have full advantage over the other as the village was in the center of flat lands.

  “We will see them coming from over the crest when they arrive,” his father said thoughtfully. He motioned to the messenger. “Did ye truly see my daughter?”

  “Aye, she was at the window. As I said, she looked well.”

  Alec spoke next. “Who was in the room when ye delivered the message?”

  “The two brothers, Malcolm and Tristan.” The messenger seemed to mull his next words. “They were not unpleasant to me in the least. They invited me to eat before leaving.”

  “Anything else?” Alec’s father asked.

  “Something troubling, Laird,” the messenger frowned. “They asked if ye were aware the party returning from the Mackenzie’s lands was attacked by McLeods. Tis where I believe yer daughter hurt her ankle. They also asked about Ethan’s whereabouts.”

  Tension fell over Alec’s shoulders and he knew his father felt the same.

  “Attacked? Did they say where exactly this happened?”

  “On the southern border of Munro lands, Laird.”

  His father stalked across the floor, his hands clenched. “Word must have not gone out to that area. I knew something like this could happen, but Tristan did not give me time to send scouts everywhere.”

  Alec motioned for one of the guards to come forward. “Get four men and go to the northern villages. Ensure everyone is aware of the truce between us and the Ross.”

  The guard’s face turned to stone. “Aye.”

  Before he could step away, Alec placed on hand on the man’s shoulder. “George, I am aware of how much ye have lost because of this. However, all blame is not with the Ross. Most of it is with our own.”

  The guard nodded. “I will go see about preparing the men. I will return once we are ready.”

  Laird McLeod let out a long breath. “The Ross’ would never give up on seeking revenge.”

  Studying his father’s stern profile, Alec understood. If anyone killed his father the way Ethan had theirs, he, too, would not rest until the culprit was dead. “What did ye say regarding Ethan?”

  “That he was out inspecting the northern borders. As ye told me to say.” The messenger let out a breath. “That was all that was asked.”

  When the messenger left the room, his father collapsed into a chair. “I grow tired of all of this. The days of peace will not return to us. Not for a long time to come.”

  The party of guards departed soon after and Alec stood above the main gate, his mind awhirl. All he could hope for was that the meeting with the Ross would go well. His family needed peace and it would not come until they came to a permanent understanding.

  A lone horseman appeared in the horizon and he immediately recognized his brother. Ethan was supposed to be gone for at least a fortnight. His presence in the area did not bode well for their plans.

  As usual, his brother cared little about anyone but himself and Alec was sick of it. He motioned down to the guards at the gate. “See that his horse is taken and he is brought to my father’s study immediately. I do not care if it is by force.”

  He raced down the walkway to the keep and down the stairwells until reaching the main floor. Once there, he went to find his father.

  Laird McLeod looked up from where he sat looking over a map of the area. “What is it?”

  “Ethan has returned.”

  His father blew out a breath. “Why can that son of mine not do what he is told just once?” He stood, but Alec motioned for him to sit.

  “The guards have been instructed to bring him here directly.” No sooner did he speak the words than Ethan stormed into the room, four guards behind him. His chest lifted and lowered as he glared first at Alec and then at his father.

  “I thought I was returning home, not to the abode of an enemy. I demand to know why I am treated like this,” Ethan screamed. “This is my home, is it not?”

  “Sit down!” Clyde McLeod had had enough. “Shut up and sit.”

  Seeming taken aback for a moment, Ethan walked to the nearest chair, but he did not sit. “What is the meaning of this?” He motioned to the four guards who remained at the door.

  Alec closed the distance between them coming almost nose to nose with his brother. “Ye have caused nothing but trouble. The loss of many lives and the reason for us to not have peace for months and now ye have the gall to act offended?”

  Using both hands, Ethan shoved Alec away. “I do as I please. This is not only a war between Ross’ and us. Right now, it seems as if my own family turns against me.”

  Their father stood and glowered at Ethan. “Aye, ye do as ye please and because of it, we are left to fight to make things right for our people. Do ye even think of them?”

  Ethan’s nostrils flared. “The Ross deserved to die. He looked down his nose at me as if I were nothing. He was not ever our friend.”

  His brother was making little sense. Alec shook his head. “Why did ye return? There is much to do to ensure our borders are secure.”

  “Because I can. I am not some servant to be sent off to do menial work.” He sneered at Alec. “I was sent away to keep me out of the way. I know that.”

  The guards b
ristled as they often were sent to secure the borders. Alec wanted to slap his brother across the face. “Tis my task as well. Securing the borders is a duty.”

  “Ye will remain in yer chambers. The door will be locked,” their father said, sounding exhausted. “If ye try to leave at any time, I will have ye thrown in the dungeon.”

  Ethan stalked to where their father stood. “I will not.”

  Before his brother could react, Alec yanked Ethan’s sword from the scabbard and held it to his brother’s throat. He motioned to the guards. “Take him and put him in the room downstairs. Make sure the door is locked.”

  Making an animalistic noise, Ethan threw himself at Alec and punched him in the stomach. The guards immediately grabbed Ethan, taking the struggling man out the door.

  “Go down the back stairwell,” Alec instructed, following them to the corridor. He hoped to spare his mother from seeing how mentally unstable Ethan had become.

  “I will kill ye both!” Ethan called out. “I swear it.”

  “He is not well,” his father stated the obvious and Alec nodded in agreement.

  “I will go speak to him.”

  Alec followed the sounds of Ethan swearing to the cellar where they had two cells that were rarely used. They’d not taken any prisoners in years. The only people who’d inhabited the space were a couple of unruly drunks who’d brawled in the great room.

  Ethan turned to face him and pointed at his bloody lip. “Ye see, even the guards have no respect for me. Tis yer fault.”

  Ignoring his brother’s remark, Alec neared the bars of the cell. “If ye would stop acting like ye’re mad, perhaps we can discuss things…”

  “I am not mad. I am the only person in this family who makes sense. All of ye want peace above all, even self-respect. I will not drag myself before a Ross like a dog.”

  How had he not seen it before? Ethan was unstable. His gaze remained unfocused as he paced from one end of the cell to the other. “I will get free and kill each and every one of them.”

  “Why?”

  The question stopped Ethan in his tracks and he whirled around to face Alec. “Because I hate them. I abhor them.”

  “That I know of, a Ross has never done anything to ye.”

  “That is where ye are wrong.” Ethan laughed. “Kieran Ross took everything that mattered from me. He stole it.” Once again, he chuckled. “So I took what mattered most to him.”

  Alec couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Is this about the tournament? Are ye going to tell me that everything, the deaths, the war?” He hesitated, unsure of what was about to be disclosed. “It is all about losing a tournament?” Blood rushed through his body, a thundering whoosh in his ears as fury took hold. If not for the bars, Alec would have attacked Ethan.

  “Ye have no idea. It is not as simple as that,” Ethan said calmly. “The price of my dignity is high.”

  “Ye fool. Ye utterly disgusting fool.” Alec could not stand to look upon Ethan any longer. “Ye deserve to be whipped.”

  Ethan neared the bars, a wide grin splitting his face. “And yet, ye and Da will ask that they not pursue me. That they not seek to kill me.” He turned away. “That bothers ye, does it not, Brother? It upsets yer hypocritical code of honor.”

  “Of which, ye have none.”

  “My code is the only one that makes sense. It is the code of justice. And mark my words, I will ensure Kieran Ross pays dearly for what he did. I will not be made a fool of.”

  Alec growled. “It was ye who did that. Going about boasting about how ye would win and placing bets. If ye lost, it was not because of anything Kieran Ross did but because ye spent the nights wenching and drinking instead of at practice.”

  “He cheated!” Ethan screamed. “The bastard cheated.”

  It was no use to argue with a deranged man. Alec studied Ethan for a moment. “Consider things, Ethan. Acknowledge that ye are on a path that will only destroy ye.”

  Ethan’s unfocused gaze met his. “No, Brother. I will be the victor.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “May I come?” Merida sat at the dressing table and met Tristan’s gaze in the mirror.

  “Nay, tis not safe.”

  “They are my family. If I am present, they will not attack…”

  “It did not stop them last time.” He neared and shivers of awareness ran down her spine. They had not made love since arriving. Merida knew he was waiting for her to allow it and although, at times, the urge to reach for him was strong, a part of her held back.

  He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I do not seek to keep ye from seeing yer family. If ye wish, I will extend an invitation for yer mother to visit.”

  Merida nodded. “That would be nice. I, however, insist on coming along.”

  “No.” Tristan returned to stand by where he’d pleated his tartan on the floor. Wearing only a tunic, he lay upon the fabric and pulled the belt around his waist. When he got to his feet, the folds fell perfectly past his knees. “Do not be cross with me,” he said, turning to her. “Tis best ye remain here. Yer foot is not yet healed properly.”

  Understanding it was best not to argue, Merida sighed. “How is Duin?”

  Tristan visibly relaxed. “He is well. He has not allowed anyone to ride him, but he does allow me to take him from the corral to the stall and back.”

  It astounded Merida to hear that her horse seemed to trust Tristan. Then again, being male, it was possible the beast sensed that Tristan and she were bound to one another. “Thank ye.”

  “Do not thank me. I know how important the beast is to ye.” Tristan neared and bent at the waist. “Be well, Wife.” His lips pressed against the side of her cheek, just far enough to make her wonder why he didn’t kiss her on the lips. Every time he kissed her, it was on her cheek.

  “Tristan?” she asked, meeting his gaze. “We are married.”

  He frowned. “Aye, I know.”

  “Why do ye only kiss me on the cheek?”

  When his lips twitched, heat rushed to her face. “What I mean is…”

  “No reason really,” he said. “I want to ensure ye are comfortable with me.”

  It made little sense. They’d been intimate, had joined as man and woman. And yet, she understood what he meant. They had much to work out between them. She’d hurt him by her attempt to escape.

  Merida stood, ensuring not to place too much weight on her right foot. “Kiss me.”

  Ever so slowly, his arms came around her and when his lips covered hers, it felt so new, as if they’d never kissed. He tasted of raw masculinity, a mixture of fresh forest and warm fire. Grasping his tunic, she fell against him, allowing his large body to shield her completely.

  Tristan broke the kiss and peered down at her. “I find it hard to stop. Tis best I go.” Once again, he pressed his lips to hers, this time in a light peck.

  The thud of the closing door made Merida realize she remained rooted to the spot. Her husband’s effect on her was all-encompassing.

  *

  The trip to Kildonan was half a day’s ride. The weather was perfect, the sun accompanied with a cooling breeze. Already, trees were becoming laden with ripening fruits and flowers bloomed, coloring the land with bright hues of purple and yellow.

  Tristan and Ian rode in the front. Although the muscular guard had lost his left arm during battle, he’d insisted on returning to duty. After months of training, Ian was once again an able-bodied warrior who remained formidable during swordplay.

  Behind them were Malcolm and his four guardsmen and bringing up the rear was Ruari and another three men.

  Two scouts had ridden ahead and a group of archers had traveled separately as well. Archers were normally invisible unless one looked. However, in this case, there were not many trees in the area where the meeting would take place which meant the archers would remain in plain view above buildings and on horseback.

  As they descended to the village, the opposing clan became visible. The McLeods were on horsebac
k, formed in a similar way as them. Four guards flanked the McLeod and his son, then another group of six men a few feet behind.

  The men remained outside of the village near the loch’s shoreline. Tristan turned to look at his brother, whose gaze met his before moving to where the McLeods awaited.

  At about twenty feet from the McLeod party, Malcolm lifted a hand to signal his group to stop.

  “Tristan, Ruari and Ian, come with me.”

  The four rode forward in silence. Tristan met Malcolm’s gaze. “They did not bring archers.”

  “I noticed.” Malcolm’s gaze traveled over the tops of nearby trees. “Our men are here.”

  “Aye.”

  Ruari huffed. “They brought more guards that we did.”

  Upon their nearing, the McLeod dismounted and so did Alec. Their guards remained behind.

  Following suit, Tristan and Malcolm, along with Ruari and Ian, did the same.

  “My wife lived near here,” Clyde McLeod said by way of greeting. He looked to Tristan. “Merida also visited here on occasion.”

  “I am surprised she and my wife had not met before then,” Malcolm said. “Elspeth is from Kildonan.”

  There was a beat of silence. However, it was not uncomfortable nor did Tristan sense any kind of tension from either the McLeod or Alec.

  Dispensing with greetings, the McLeod let out a breath. “I asked to meet with ye since we are now joined by my daughter and yer brother having wed. As ye know, it was not something either of us expected.”

  Malcolm nodded. “Aye, I am aware. Although I am sure the Mackenzie had his reasons for demanding it, the marriage does not make things between us easier.”

  “Aye. Which is why I wished to meet and talk.”

  Tristan looked to Alec, who cleared his throat. “We were not aware of the attack. Messengers have been dispatched to the far villages to ensure all are told of the marriage.”

  Clyde McLeod lifted his eyes to Malcolm. “Does our truce stand?”

  The muscle on the side of Malcolm’s jaw bunched. A sign he did not like the McLeod having taken control of the conversation. “There was a truce before the marriage. Why did the attack happen? Surely, ye are aware any attack by yer people would cause war between us again.”