"Do ye see the shimmering light through the trees ahead? 'Tis the sun on the waters of Loch Naver. There is a level spot on the other side of the trees where a watchtower stands. After Chief Olaf approached around the Loch instead of the hill, Chief Angus posts a guard to warn the castle which way raiders are coming. Ye can see the castle from there."
Elyne settled back in her saddle and waited patiently. Muriele had told her about Chief Olaf's raid and the fight between his son Feradoch and Magnus.
Excitement welled in the pit of Elyne's stomach. Never before had she been this far from Raptor Castle. At first, she had missed the lands around Raptor, not to mention all her family there. But now, she was becoming used to it.
She didn't have long to wait. Within twelve heartbeats, they rode out onto the level ground. A small, round tower stood close to the edge of the hill, where a guard could watch both the shoreline and the road coming down from the top of the hill. He stood atop it now with a square of polished metal turned to catch the light and bounce it down to the guards atop the corner turret of the castle below.
Once he had an answering signal, the guard in the hill tower scrambled down and burst out the door to greet Magnus, Graemme and his friends. After a few words, Graemme turned in his saddle and motioned for the two women to join them. When she edged her mount alongside his, the sight took her breath away.
Clibrick Castle was every bit as huge as Raptor, but where her home looked more like the dark fortress it was, this had a softer glow from the sun shining on the surrounding great walls and keep.
"Are there always tall grass and wildflowers on the open grounds?"
"Nay. Winter takes its toll. The wind is icy coming off the Loch. But in months as warm as this, the land seems to glory in it."
"Look! Someone is coming over the drawbridge," Elyne said. She shaded her eyes with a hand and stared. "It's a woman with long black hair."
Sweyn let out a war cry and kicked his horse into a gallop.
"Well, cruddy Hades! Why is he yelling at her?" She poked Graemme on the arm. "Stop him afore he hurts her."
Muriele chuckled. "I dinna believe Sweyn is mad. Watch."
Elyne caught her breath, for the two horses looked like they would collide, surely killing both riders. To Elyne's amazement, the woman was riding without a saddle and scrambled to stand on the horses back. At the last breath, Sweyn's horse skidded to a stop, digging its hooves into the earth. The man stood in his stirrups and the woman leapt off her horse into the air. Sweyn's arms reached out and plucked her to his chest.
"Oh," Elyne whispered, amazed.
'Twas easy to see they were kissing like they'd never let each other go.
"'Tis my friend Esa who I told you about. Only a Welshwoman can ride a horse like a demon and sing with the enchanting voice of a Siren." Pride in her friend sounded in Muriele's voice.
As they raced down the hill, Elyne's heart pounded. The warriors followed at a slower pace taking care not to upset the cart of women or the wagons. Elyne slowed down halfway to the greeting party spilling out of the barbican. Sweyn and Esa stopped kissing long enough to look sheepish as they caught up to them.
When an imposing man with gray on the sides of his temples rode ahead, she knew she was seeing Chief Angus, her new father-by-law, for the first time. The three looked so alike there could be no doubt Magnus and Graemme were his sons. Age had softened the sharp angles of their father's face and etched small lines beside his eyes and lips.
The three men dismounted and clasped each other's shoulders. She watched their eyes and faces and noted the difference in how they viewed each other. Never had she seen the same expressions on Chief Broccin's face when he greeted Ranald or herself.
This father clearly showed love and respect for his sons.
Graemme breathed a sigh of relief for they'd made the journey without any unexpected attacks. Thieves and louts had spotted them, for truth, but thought better about attacking when they saw the wolf banners known to belong to the sons of the chief of the Morgan clan. They may have been stupid louts, but they were not so stupid they had a death wish.
"Well, now we have greeted each other, I should like to greet my daughters," Chief Angus said.
His eyes had already picked out Elyne riding astride beside Muriele. Magnus and Graemme went to help their wives dismount. Elyne surprised Graemme by waiting politely for him to aid her. Knowing her, he realized she was following Muriele's example. He didn't know whether it was relief or pride he felt for his new wife. She seemed to be on her best behavior. How long it would last, he didn't know. But he could hope she wouldn't do anything foolish—at least for this first day.
Magnus helped Muriele down from her spirited horse. She immediately went to Chief Angus and put her arms around him. He hugged and patted her on the back.
"I am pleased to see ye, Father Angus," she said as she kissed him on the cheek.
'Twas obvious she was already fond of Magnus' father.
"Graemme has married one of my best friends! It will be like home having her within a day or two's ride," Muriele said.
Graemme near held his breath, wondering what mischief Elyne would get into. Still, he couldna help but tease her. She looked so tense in trying to be the reserved lady.
"Father, this is my comely and dutiful wife, Elyne."
As his hands closed around her waist and he lifted her from the saddle, her muscles tightened in rebellion.
"She wishes to please me in all things and vows to obey my every wish," he said as he near dragged her off the saddle and stood her in front of him.
Elyne put her hands on his shoulder and shoved. Hard. He nearly rocked back on his heels. Not being a fool, he released her. Instantly angry, she raised her hand to swat at him, but his father intervened.
Chief Angus caught her upraised hand, bowed and brought it to his lips to kiss.
"I am delighted to meet ye. Graemme didna disappoint me by bringing some vapid plaything as his bride, but another spirited lass like Muriele."
Elyne's eyes opened wide as an owl at midnight when the chief wrapped her in a hug. Graemme had seen Ranald give her affection and love, but he wondered how many times her own father had shown her he loved her other than the day she rode away.
Squat brought everyone back to the present by barking and charging across the ground ready to pounce on the man who held his mistress in an embrace. Chief Angus dropped his arms, turned to the running dog and patted his thighs. To Graemme's surprise, Squat jumped at the last minute and his father caught him in his arms. Never had he heard his father laugh with such abandon. After rubbing the scruffy head, he turned sparkling eyes to Elyne.
"This must be yer companion. Aye?"
"Aye. His name is Squat." She looked at Graemme, a smile fighting with her lips. "Yer son named him."
He had never seen Elyne show a touch of shyness afore!
"'Tis true. We could not go around calling him Dog or Ugly Cur. But be careful. He tends to do, er, strange things now and again."
Chief Angus bent and placed him on the ground, giving him one last pat. "Come. Everyone has been waiting with great eagerness for my sons and daughters to return."
As they walked through the barbican and into the massive front bailey, women and soldiers called greetings to the brothers. They didn't ignore the women, either. Some knew Ysabel and went to greet her. Ysabel held Ada's arm and introduced her to everyone as Elyne's friend and helper.
Grunda needed no introduction, for they respectfully whispered "the Seer of Blackbriar" amongst them. They all eyed her as if she would climb to the top turret and declare some prophesy at any moment. Instead, her gaze roamed amongst them, sometimes stopping to study and then moving on. She seemed most interested in a lass who hung back from the crowd, the hood of her cloak pulled low over her face. Before long, the unknown young woman edged backward to disappear amongst the servants standing near the orchard.
Graemme wondered who the girl in the cloak was, but soon for
got about her. Elyne stood amongst the women with Muriele. The other women seemed most interested in whether she carried as many weapons as Muriele did. When they became too bold, he walked over and put his arm across Elyne's shoulders.
"My sweet tempered bride can handle a mace, a sword, bow and arrows and, er, some herbs which will cause grown men to cry out in anguish."
She gave him a look that would crush most men, but not Graemme.
"When I'm in my cups, remind me to tell ye about the curse she put upon me the first night we met."
When they all asked him to tell them immediately, he laughed and grabbed his bride's fist to lead her away afore she could show them just how good she was at hand-to-hand combat.
Elyne pulled as hard as she could, but Graemme didn't let her go. He walked companionably beside his father with Magnus and Muriele on the other side. Once inside the keep, a serving girl led Ada to Graemme's bedchamber so she could start making the room comfortable for her mistress. Men were already carrying in clothing trunks and trudging up the stairways with them.
"Well, now, let our travelers settle in. My sons will have five days to catch up on everything here at Clibrick afore Magnus leaves for Blackbriar this coming Monday. They must rest, for we have a grand banquet to prepare for on Saturday."
With no further words, Chief Angus took both brothers into his solar, along with Fergus, his commander, Sweyn and Brian, who acted as chief squires to Magnus and Graemme.
The door no sooner shut than Chief Angus' body became stiff with tension. His eyes took on a worried look and his brow furrowed in deep thought.
"Magnus, I think 'tis best ye leave at first light. I have heard rumors about someone planning to waylay ye when ye leave for Blackbriar. It will take their spy a day at least to advise him ye are here. He willna expect ye to leave so abruptly since I said ye'd be here 'till Monday."
"Who could wish me dead? Feradoch was my only known enemy."
"Someone who covets Blackbriar perhaps? Or Muriele?" Sweyn asked.
"Guards have warned me someone has used the postern gate, though they have tried to cover their tracks on the ground," Fergus said. "I have doubled the sentries along the wall walks."
"Tell the men to pretend they have no time to remove my things from the cart tonight, since dusk will soon be upon us. We will leave before first light on the morrow."
"Ye've traveled the same route for nigh on twenty years, on returning to Kinbrace. They will not expect ye to change," his father advised. "Go south to Loch Choire then south-east through the Ben Armine Forest and circle down through Strath Skinsdale. 'Tis wide and shallow and easy riding. Ye'll come up south of Blackbriar."
Graemme rubbed his chin, trying to find a reason for anyone wanting to kill Magnus. He was well-feared by most of the Highlands, so whoever it was had to have a terrible grudge. What it was, he didn't know. Though the Highlanders called his brother Magnus the Ruthless, he was always fair in his dealings with people. 'Twas only vicious men who brought out the ruthlessness in him.
The Clibrick men all offered suggestions, and finally Graemme pulled them all together to make a workable solution.
"My men and I will rise afore ye," Graemme said. "I'll send out two patrols, one to search yer old route to catch anyone hiding to waylay ye. Another will trail behind ye to be sure the ruse works."
"Thank ye, Graemme. Will not yer new wife suspect something when ye leave her bed afore she is sated?" Deviltry gleamed in Magnus' eyes. "Ye are usually swiving until the wee hours of the morn!"
"Do ye never get sleep?" Brian teased. "'Tis no wonder yer eyes have such deep shadows beneath them. "Yer tent near turned over more than one night on our way here."
"Would ye like some lessons on pleasing a lass 'till she begs for more each night?" Graemme's lips lifted in a wide grin.
"Mayhap 'tis not pleasing her but lack of it? She must try again and again to reach her peak?"
"Humph! Ye heard her caterwauling loud enough to wake all the forest creatures. And even when I had my hand o'er her mouth!"
"The proof if whether yer seed took root will be in the harvesting come nine months from now," Chief Angus laughed. He stood and put his arms across each son's shoulder and led them to the door. "We had best show up else anyone watching will get suspicious. All of ye take note of any uneasy diners or anyone who leaves afore the food and drink are gone."
He squeezed each son's shoulder. "Both of ye be on yer best watch on the morrow. I dinna want harm to come to either of ye."
They left the solar acting as if they'd had a good chat and several pitchers of ale.
o0o
During the evening meal, mead, ale and wine flowed freely. Everyone seemed quite the worse for it by mid-meal. In conversation, Chief Angus became boisterous about his two magnificent sons and mentioned again, come Monday, Magnus would be leaving for good to take over Blackbriar.
"Who do ye search for? Is there someone ye wish to see?" Elyne asked when his gaze roved over the diners.
"If I said an old leman, would ye be jealous?"
"Ye'd best not! If I dinna satisfy ye, say so now. Two can play at this, ye know. If ye fail to satisfy my needs, I will also look elsewhere."
Graemme's hand shot out and grabbed her slender wrist. Her gaze met his, and what she saw there must have shocked her for she stiffened and her eyes widened. Hot rage broiled through his gut, thinking of her with another man between her long, muscular legs. She could lock them around his waist until he was nigh unable to move. He smiled wickedly, sending her a message of unspeakable consequences if she dared betray him.
The roaring in his ears eased enough to hear someone's light shoes whispering on the floor. 'Twas Grunda. She put her hand on Graemme's shoulder.
"Hsst! Follow me!"
She motioned to the doorway hidden by a tapestry on the wall behind the Chief's chair. Once they had entered the dark hallway, she looked around to be sure they were alone.
"Did ye note a woman in a gray cloak when we arrived this day? She kept to the edge of the crowd. She slipped away when ye drew near."
"Only a glance. A village lass?"
"A village lass also attending dinner this night?"
"What are ye getting at, old seer?"
"She is not what she seems. She tries to disguise herself. When Muriele fled Blackbriar, I did the same for her. The lass' hair isna brown, but blond. She isna stout but is slender as Elyne, though not tall."
"Ye have a feeling about her?"
"Aye. 'Tis evil. She left as soon as she heard the Chief repeat about Magnus leaving on Monday. She kept her back to the wall and edged toward the door. When the crowd got rowdy, she slid out of the keep like a cat stalking a mouse."
When Graemme began to speak, she pressed her fingers to his lips.
"I followed. She was alone. The guards didna even see her disappear through the postern gate." She gave a disgusted huff. "They didna see me follow, either. A horse awaited about fifty paces into the woods. I cleared my mind and closed my eyes to feel her movements. She made her way up the hill south of the watch tower where we approached the castle. She has gone to tell her master what he longs to hear."
"Do ye know who her master is?"
"Nay, not as yet. I will go atop the tallest turret. The moon is full this night. I will take a white crockery of water and see what occurs in it."
"A basin of water? How can water help?"
"I will clear my mind of all thoughts. If there is something afoot, a vision will appear in the water."
Graemme shook his head half believing the old seer was demented. But the other half told him she had always been right about her other predictions. He nodded and started to make his way back into the great hall, but stopped. Her eyes held him steady.
"Ye must know where yer heart lies."
He frowned, wondering what she meant when she turned and faded into the shadows of the dark passage. As children, he and Magnus had wandered the hidden passageway many times and found it le
d to the top of the keep. Other than his father, he didn't know anyone who had ever explored its darkness.
He waited until he heard laughter bursting from men's throats and knew it was safe to enter. Everyone watched tumblers dressed in outlandish clothing and fanciful makeup as they pretended to fall, one after the other, until the cleared space amongst the diners became so cluttered the next acrobats had to straddle those on the floor.
Slipping into his seat, he gave just a slight tip of his head to Magnus, sending a silent message he would meet with him when he left in the middle of the night. Leaning back, he stretched his arms out at the sides and gave a huge yawn.
"Father, I fear I am near falling asleep at the table. We all need a good sleep to make up for the days of travel."
Magnus agreed right away, with a lurid smile at Muriel. "A down mattress and soft sheets, love. I may be sleepy, but not enough to take my mind from swiving!"
He laughed at her flushed face and helped her to rise at the same time as Graemme had hold of Elyne's elbow. Neither woman protested, for they too were tired from their travels. Chief Angus nodded and called for the next entertainers to come into the room, and for the servants to bring in another barrel of ale. If the drinking and eating continued, no one would note the warriors who would quietly slip away, one by one.
Elyne was no fool. She had seen the looks passing between the two brothers and their father. Also, Bryan and Colyne had already left, wriggling their brows, each leading a lass out of the keep.
When their bedchamber door closed, Elyne twirled around and confronted Graemme.
"What is going on tonight? I saw the looks passing between ye men and know ye are up to something."
"We have learned someone is going to waylay Magnus when he leaves. Grunda and I both saw a woman who appeared to be listening for information about when that would be. Father announced Magnus would not leave until Monday. Afterward, the woman slipped out of the castle by the postern gate and headed to the east. Magnus really plans to leave in the middle of the night, soon as everyone is abed."
Surrender Page 29
