One soldier stood in front of the fire warming his hands as he eyed Grant curiously. His grandfather, naturally, had a hood on and appeared very frail indeed. Another soldier was heading Conall’s way, curious. When he nudged him, the little girl piped up.
“My da’s sleepin’ off the drink, aye?” She rested her head against Conall's shin, her big eyes weepy. “He willnae cause ye any trouble. I swear it.”
“Och, nay, he’s useless that one,” Lindsay called out, winking at the Sassenach warrior when he glanced her way. Thankfully, that was all it took for him to fall under her spell.
“And he’s just warmin’ his old bones,” she called out to the Sassenach watching Grant.
Unfortunately, he didn’t look her way but narrowed his eyes and shifted closer to Grant. Why was the man so intrigued by his grandfather? Seconds later, he learned why as the Sassenach pulled Grant’s hood off slowly.
“Did Robert de Clifford not mention an old man with a blue and green plaid being injured before his last battle?” He fingered a small scrap of Hamilton plaid at the end of one of very few tiny braids in Grant’s hair.
Conall had kept one dagger tucked against his side and was moments away from grabbing it.
“He did,” came an all-too-familiar voice from the door as none other than Robert the Bruce entered. “Let me take a look.” His eyes went to Lindsay. “While I do, serve my men some whisky, aye, wench?”
She nodded, obedient and flirtatious as the Bruce’s order effectively put everyone in front of her where she could easily work her wiles on the whole crowd. Meanwhile, Robert made a project out of tilting Grant’s head back and looking him over.
“Och, he’s nothing but an old man picking up scraps where he can,” Robert finally muttered and winked at Grant before joining his men who were now thoroughly under Lindsay’s spell. “What do ye say, lass?” he hinted. “Would ye say he’s just an old harmless man surrounded by more harmless men?”
“Aye.” She offered everyone a dazzling smile. The sort that made her eyes sparkle. “He is harmless as are all my friends.” She flipped her hair and smiled even wider. “Friends that ye will let walk right past ye out the front door, aye? Friends that willnae trouble ye in the least as ye enjoy this fine whisky I’m servin’.”
“That’s right,” everyone heartily agreed as they enjoyed their whisky and admired Lindsay.
“You should be able to get William out of here now,” she said into Conall's mind.
He relayed the message to his kin, ruffled the little girl’s hair, murmured his thanks, then stood and strapped on his weapons. As Lindsay had assured, everyone kept drinking and paid them no mind as his cousins and William came downstairs.
He was somewhat amazed at how many Sassenach Lindsay had under her spell and said as much. “I’m verra proud of you, lass. Thank you.”
“Anytime.” She smiled at him as he ushered his grandfather and kin along. He turned back to make sure the little girl was safe, but she had vanished.
They were nearly all out the door when he realized Lindsay was not following.
“Are ye not joining us, lass?” he asked.
“I can’t,” she murmured into his mind. “Or it will break the spell these men are under. You guys go. I’ll be all right. I’ll find a way out.”
“Och, nay.” Robert shook his head and winked at Conall. “Worry naught, friend. I’ll see our lass to where she needs to go. Ye have my word.”
He frowned, unsure how he felt about that.
“You have enough to deal with when you get out that door,” Lindsay said. “Focus on that. Robert will take care of me.”
Conall’s eyes lingered on her. He knew she was right, but that didn’t make this any easier. Too many things could go wrong.
“Go,” she whispered into his mind. There was a twinkle in her eyes that had not been there before. “And the next time we meet we’ll chat more about that marriage proposal of yours.”
He managed a small smile before he narrowed his eyes in warning at Robert then exited. Leaving her behind with so many Sassenach was no less difficult than it had been on the hill yesterday, but he knew this was the best course of action. It gave them a chance to get William out of there and hopefully Simon Fraser as well.
As the little girl had warned, there were quite a few Sassenach about, but most weren’t all that close to the tavern yet. So nobody saw them sneak away which worked in Robert’s favor lest he have to answer to them later.
“This way.” William waved them on as they stayed low and headed for the stables.
They had just rounded the corner of a building when their luck ran out.
A random soldier spotted them and alerted the rest.
“Bloody hell,” Grant muttered as Rona shoved him out of the way seconds before an arrow nearly hit him. Bryce scanned their surroundings for the archer as he pulled out his bow, located the man, released an arrow, and took him down. But not before the Sassenach cried out, alerting even more men.
Seconds later, Sassenach warriors were everywhere.
“Go!” roared Bryce as he started shooting off well-aimed arrows. Men started falling but not nearly enough as everyone swung onto horses and took off. Conall kept Grant with him, worried that his grandfather was still too wounded to manage alone.
Then it was just pure havoc as Conall swung his blade and did his best to keep men at bay. They came fast and furious and seemingly from every direction. He ran his sword across one man's neck while he whipped a dagger straight into another man's forehead. After that, he kept men away by any means necessary including kicking and punching from astride his horse.
Adlin stayed as close as he could with Milly, but they were being driven apart. Fighting like a madman, Graham issued his berserker laughter, but even that sounded strained.
No matter what happened, all tried to cover Wallace as they headed out of the village but it was quickly becoming impossible. There were far too many, and William’s men were no match, staggering out of bed as they were. Several were driven through with swords before they had a chance to retaliate.
“This doesnae look good,” he said into Grant and Darach’s minds. “I dinnae see how we can survive this without using magic.”
“We cannae,” Grant began before the last thing they expected happened.
Rona took an arrow to the shoulder that knocked her off her horse.
Moments later the Sassenach were on her.
“Go!” Bryce roared as he turned back then spoke into their minds. “I can save her faster than the lot of us combined.”
Clearly realizing what Bryce meant, Adlin and Grant shook their heads, but it was too late.
Color whipped and whirled behind them before Bryce embraced his dragon.
“Holy shit,” Milly exclaimed, her words drowned out by Sassenach cries as Bryce became something out of their worst nightmare. Massive and black, the last thing Conall saw as they raced away were wings spread so wide against the sky that the entire village was blocked out.
Moments later, a deafening roar filled the air.
“Bloody hell,” Grant muttered. “How are we going to erase this from history?”
That, unfortunately, was to be worried about later. Right now, all that mattered was helping William Wallace and Simon Fraser escape. As it turned out, Simon was not all that far behind them and soon joined them in flight.
In the end, thanks not only to Lindsay and Bryce but all of them, they officially got away from the Sassenach with William, Simon and a sizeable amount of their men alive and well. They had, in effect, made sure they escaped what would someday be known as the Action at Happrew.
History was once again on track.
Though Conall was determined to go back after Lindsay, Bryce, and Rona, none would allow it. Most specifically Adlin and Grant. Conall kept trying to reach out to Lindsay telepathically to no avail. What had happened? Did Robert get her safely out of there as promised? Did Bryce destroy the Sassenach with one mighty fiery
breath? Was Rona still alive?
As they sat around a campfire later that day and snow fell softly, Milly sat down next to him. “She’s going to be okay, Conall. I don’t doubt it for a second. Not with Bryce protecting her...such as he was.”
He didn’t respond but kept steady eyes on the fire, praying all the while.
Milly slipped her hand into his after that and remained quiet. That’s when he realized she was as worried as him. All they could do was wait and watch the darkening forest. All he could do was hope he hadn’t lost Lindsay when he had just found her. How ironic, in its own way, that she and Bryce were once more in the hands of the Sassenach. That they were right back where they began.
Or so he thought until something brushed his mind.
He narrowed his eyes through the curling fog. Weather so much like it had been at Stirling Bridge. Weather so similar to what it had been when he kissed her for the first time. When he felt something brush his mind again, stronger this time, he didn’t hesitate but raced into the forest. She was coming. He just knew it.
Moments later, she appeared.
He closed the distance, pulled her into his arms before she had a chance to speak and kissed her hard. A kiss that outdid all others or so it seemed as he cupped her cheeks and relished the feel of her lips against his. Relished the fact she was with him again.
“Glad to see you two aren't vanishing into thin air this time.” Milly chuckled from somewhere nearby. “Because I’d like to give my friend a hug too.”
Conall reluctantly pulled away so Lindsay could greet everyone else as well.
He embraced Bryce next then felt a fresh rush of relief as he spied Rona. She might be wounded, but she seemed steadfast and grateful to see him as he scooped her into his arms and headed for their small camp. “She might not have been around back there, but Aðísla is with us and will see to that wound.”
“I sensed it ye know,” she said softly.
“What?”
“My own death.” Her eyes met his. “I would have died had Bryce not embraced his dragon. Had his beast not protected me. ‘Twas humbling.”
He frowned, confused. “He will always protect ye, lass.”
“Aye, I know,” she murmured. “But it felt more like his beastie protecting me...” Her voice softened even more. “And I havenae been so kind to beasties since Fraser fell, have I? Or anyone for that matter.”
He was surprised by her words. More so, by the regret in her eyes. The acknowledgement that she had been somewhere dark for a very long time.
“It has been a hard road for us both,” he acknowledged. “But one we are near the end of aye?”
She nodded and offered a small smile. “Aye.”
“Sister.” Graham frowned, concerned as he fell in alongside them. “How are ye, lass? Are ye well?”
“I am,” she confirmed. “Better than I’ve been for some time I think.”
Graham smiled and nodded.
As it turned out, Bryce and Lindsay had ended up working together, somehow amplifying her power of enchantment through his dragon. Even as they described it later around the fire, it seemed almost unbelievable.
“’Twas because she saved him at the Sassenach encampment in Stirling,” Grant said softly. “Bryce’s dragon trusts Lindsay so ‘tis not such a far-fetched idea that the two of them convinced an entire village and all of its visiting Sassenach that they had only ever seen William and his men.” The corner of his mouth curled up in amusement. “Never a bonnie lass with enchanting ways, her valiant protectors or, Lord above, a mythical dragon.”
Everyone chuckled as Bryce and Lindsay looked at each other fondly.
“We do work well as a team, aye, lass?” Bryce said.
“We do,” she agreed before her warm eyes turned Conall’s way. “We all do, I think.”
“Did you ever see the little girl again?” Conall asked. “Was she well in the end?”
“No, we never saw her again.” She shook her head. “But before we left we made sure the English had no memory of her, so she should be okay.”
“Oh, aye, she'll be just fine,” William murmured and winked. “How else could it be with a name like Iosbail?”
Adlin laughed first followed by everyone else before Grant came to his feet and announced it was time to say goodbye. William needed to continue on, and they needed to return home. While everyone bid Simon Fraser a fond farewell, there was a particular heaviness when they turned William’s way.
“Och, nay, dinnae be like this,” William said softly as he eyed them. “Adlin told me that I willnae remember ye next time we meet nor all that has happened here, but I dinnae entirely believe him.” He winked at Lindsay. “I cannae imagine a time in which I’m not trying to push ye into Laird Hamilton’s arms because would it not benefit history? Would it not benefit my country?”
Her eyes narrowed in recognition, but she made no comment.
“Aye, much like me trying to push you into William's arms.” Grant winked at her. “A means to an end.”
She shook her head and muttered, “Devious Scotsmen.” Then she glanced at Conall, grateful. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“I’m going to miss you, William,” Milly murmured, unable to hide her tears as she embraced him. “Thank you so much for—”
That’s all she managed to get out before he cupped her cheeks and gave her a kiss that made Adlin clear his throat.
“Goodbye, Mildred,” William whispered before his eyes turned to Lindsay and Adlin. “Take good care of her.” Then he looked at everyone else. “I dinnae need to possess an ounce of magic to know yer all saying a final farewell to me.” He nodded, impressed as he looked at each and every one of them. “Thank ye for all yer help and for loving this country and its people as much as I do.”
He clasped hands with everyone but embraced Grant and Adlin. Men who had impacted his life for a very long time. Though it was an emotional goodbye, it was one Conall would not have traded for anything. The chance to know the great William Wallace and help him in his unforgettable endeavor to lead his country to freedom.
Less than an hour later they were home, back in his time, thirteen-twelve, and enjoying a homecoming unlike any other as his father reunited with his clan. As he figured it would be, Da disappeared early on with Ma, gone to their chamber to make up for lost time. He smiled as he sat in front of the fire in the great hall next to his grandparents and Lindsay. Everyone else had gone off to bed.
“You know what I keep wondering.” Conall eyed his grandfather. “If Lindsay somehow controlled our journey, why would we travel back here first? Why our dungeons?” He shook his head. “And how, when her magic doesnae seem to run along those lines, would she subconsciously lock us in there? How could she possibly override my magic like that?”
“Mayhap she inadvertently brought you home to protect you from the Sassenach before they rushed Stirling Bridge.” Grant shrugged, his eyes mischievous. “As to why the dungeons? ‘Tis hard to know. Mayhap she wanted some time alone with you.”
Conall narrowed his eyes. “Or mayhap you wanted us to have some time alone.”
“Either way...” Wisdom lit Sheila’s eyes as they went between her husband and grandson. “Many walls started coming down after that dungeon wall, wouldn’t you say?”
“Aye,” Grant agreed. “But then I never wanted that wall to begin with. ‘Twas always something that bothered Conall, not me.”
Conall didn’t miss the innuendo and while tempted to comment, decided not to.
The truth was, he could see it all so much more clearly now. His fear of losing someone he cared about didn’t begin with Fraser or his father but perhaps Lindsay and even Grant himself. Maybe, on some level, though he always remained convinced she would return, losing his tree faery was more difficult than he realized. Especially as the years ticked by and she faded more and more into the past.
As time went by, his castle dungeon became a symbol of such loss. After all, had it not once taken Grant? S
o he walled it off, no doubt subconsciously thinking he could stop more loss.
Yet loss still came, and that wall didn’t do a thing to stop it.
As his grandfather likely knew since the moment he moved into this castle and confronted his former prison, things must be faced not avoided. Loss would always come, but God had a funny way of giving back. He glanced at Lindsay, grateful he had let her in and finally opened his eyes to the dark place he had been. The walled up place that never allowed him to heal but only made him grow more bitter.
“Ye’ve come far, Grandson,” Grant murmured into his mind, evidently following his every thought. “And ‘tis bloody good to have ye back.”
“’Tis good to be back.” He met his grandfather’s eyes. “’Twas poor of me to have held so much against ye,” he began, but Grant cut him off.
“Nay, ‘twas as Lindsay said when ye sat at my bedside in Happrew,” he assured, warmth in his eyes. “I knew where yer anger came from so never held it against ye. I love ye, lad.” He shook his head. “And dinnae ever forget it.”
He should have known Grant was somehow listening in Happrew.
“Aye, Granda,” he said. “I love ye too.”
“So the battle here never took place because we fixed history just enough so far.” Lindsay shook her head, clearly amazed as she looked around. “And what about that little girl and her parents? I’ve been looking for them all night but didn’t see them.”
“’Tis a strange thing,” Grant murmured. “I’ve been looking for them too based on your description, but such a family doesnae seem to exist.”
“I don’t understand.” She frowned, confused. “I saw them. They were here.”
When Grant shook his head, clearly feeling it wasn’t his place to continue, he telepathically relayed his conclusions to Conall who in turn spoke within her mind. “Not only were you inadvertently protecting my clan and me, but ‘tis verra likely you began something that would finally release you from the dark corners of your past. Those you didnae truly move on from.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“Either because of your magic or the ring’s, you relived your past though the child and her parents though their faces were different,” he explained. “You manifested something similar to what first sparked your gift and that in turn enabled us to travel through time and begin our journey.” He looked at her with pride and even a little wonder. “You began your own healing process, lass.”
The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4) Page 53
