by GG Shalton
Ian smirked at the remaining guards. “Let’s try this again. You will give my friend your weapons.” One of the knights snarled at Daniel but handed him his sword. The other knight handed over his as well. Daniel took both and waited for Ian’s instruction.
“Daniel, grab the man and let’s go to the back and get the cellar door open.”
Daniel took one of the swords lifting it to the man’s neck as Ian held the other knight at bay. They took a few steps as the stable door opened. The distraction caused one of the knights to flip Daniel’s sword and sweep his feet, he raised his foot to kick the sword out of his hand and put his hands around Daniel’s neck choking him. Ian broke the knight’s neck with one of his hands and ripped the other knight’s hand out of the socket away from Daniel’s neck. Daniel started coughing and spitting as he sat up. Ian took his sword and bested the man leaving all three knights dead at their feet.
Three more knights stood in the doorway. One was heavily decorated and flanked by the other two. Daniel wondered if one was Drake. They unsheathed their swords.
“Daniel! Get behind me.” He heard Ian’s voice wake him from his stupor.
They tried to circle Ian, pursuing him slowly. Ian pushed Daniel against the wall protecting him as he studied his opponents. He squatted taking his sword and attacked two men with one swing, taking them down to their knees. The other man tried to move in but was stopped by one of Ian’s men coming in the stable door behind them. He ran his sword through one of their necks, while Ian held his sword high to finish the other one.
Ian turned to the remaining knight and held up his sword. He stopped mid-swing and dragged the man around. “Where is she?”
He spit at Ian. “Dead! My whore of a sister didn’t deserve to live.”
Daniel approached him and punched him in the face. “I will kill you with my bare hands.”
The men rolled on the floor as Ian pulled Daniel off him and slit the man’s throat.
“Go open the cellar before any more English come through that door.”
“He said she is dead!” Daniel let out a moan of agony as he cried out for his mother. “She was all I had.”
“Open the cellar,” Ian called out to his men as he put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.
The man opened the cellar door and walked down a few stairs. A screen was built into the floor allowing some light and air to enter.
“Lady Katherine?” he yelled into the cellar.
A weakened reply echoed, “I am here.”
The man yelled up the stairs, “I have her, she is alive.”
Daniel ran as fast as he could to the cellar door and reached for his mother. “Mama?” He took her out of the man’s arms and held her close to his chest.
Tears streamed down her face. “I am well, my baby boy.” She stroked his face and hair.
Ian stood with a few of his men and watched the reunion. Katherine looked around and gasped. “Ian?”
Daniel pulled her to her feet. “Can you stand?”
“I am a bit wobbly, but well.” She looked at Ian. “What are you doing here?”
His eyes moved up and down her body before looking away.
Daniel took her hand. “I asked him for his help. He agreed, but I had to promise to never bother him again or he will kill me.” He looked at Ian with a little amusement in his eyes.
She looked up at Daniel and touched his face. “Why did you ask him? That was dangerous, Daniel! Was it the story I told you?”
Daniel nodded. “I had to take the chance. I have never seen anyone fight like him. I wish I could train with him every day.”
Katherine looked at Ian and took a few steps to stand in front him. “It seems that I am indebted to you again. Thank you for helping Daniel and saving me.”
Ian stared at her for a moment seemingly wanting to say something but changed his mind. After a long minute, he cocked his brow saying, “English Women!” He grunted. “Always needing to be rescued.”
Katherine’s jaw dropped in surprise. “Scottish Men! They are always late.”
His eyes locked with hers for a moment and then his expression changed. “Lady Katherine, we need to get you out of here.”
Katherine looked down at the dead men and her smile faded. She saw Drake. Covering her mouth, she walked over to his body and kneeled on her knees. She closed his eyes with her hands.
“He was my favorite growing up. Turns out he was the worst one. I never saw my brother Darin. Only rumors that he was mad. I think Drake made them up and lied about it.”
Ian went to stand beside her. “We need to get you safely out of here before they come looking for their horses.”
Daniel held on to his mother as they snuck out of the stables. Katherine guided them through the castle grounds to the spot on the wall that was unsecured. She crawled through it and helped them dig out more dirt, so they could crawl through as well. They ran away and met the other men near the trees. Katherine saw James and hugged him. “Your mother is going to be so mad at me. She is probably wracked with worry right now.”
Daniel looked at Ian saying, “Sir, I owe you my life. Thank you. We will not be any more of a burden. I will escort my mother from here, so you and your men can be on your way. I will be forever in your debt.”
Ian said nothing but looked at Katherine. She patted her son’s shoulder. “I need a private word with Sir Ian. Can you wait for me by the horses?”
The men backed away and left them alone sensing a need for privacy. Katherine looked down at her hands and then tried to smooth her dirt-ridden skirt. “He reminds me so much of you.”
Ian cracked a smile. “I forget how impulsive his age can be. You need to warn him about taking chances. He is skilled but has a lot to learn.”
“I will ask Dorian to talk to him. He wants to conquer the world but needs guidance.”
Ian nodded in amusement. “I know the feeling.”
She looked away biting her lip. “I am sorry, Ian. For everything. I know I lost the right to have your affection when I didn’t wait for you. For that, I will always have regrets.”
“Katherine, it doesn’t matter now. We have changed.” He couldn’t meet her eyes and looked toward the woods.
Glancing at him, she tried to capture his attention. “Please, let me finish. I need to say this.” She begged breathlessly. “That day you came to Edinburgh, my heart died. I was never the same after that. I lived for my children, but my existence was hollow. I have never loved any man but you. I just need you to know that.”
Ian sat in silence. Seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
Katherine had said her peace and needed to move on. She took a hard swallow and wiped her face with her hand. “We must leave. They will discover the bodies soon and I hope we are far from here when they do.” She started to walk away and felt him pull on her arm.
“Wait.” He didn’t let go. “I am not good with words.” He ran his hand down her arm taking her hand and lifting it to his mouth. Softy kissing her hand he looked into her eyes. “I want to escort you back to Dorian’s.”
A slow smile crept across her face as her eyes burned with unshed tears. “I see. What else do you want?”
He opened his arms and wrapped them around her. She could not hold it in anymore and started sobbing. He held her close to him and closed his eyes. Placing his chin on top of her head, they held each other for a few moments before they heard Daniel complain.
“Mama! We need to leave.” Daniel was already mounted on his horse.
She slipped her hand into Ian’s. “Ian has agreed to escort us to Deanna’s.”
Daniel smiled knowingly. “Hmm.”
Katherine looked back at Ian and whispered. “I think our son has the same sly smile as you.”
Daniel turned his attent
ion to Ian. “Sir, could I convince you not to kill me and ask you for one more favor?”
Ian snorted. “Depends. I may rather kill you.”
Daniel laughed. “Will you train me?”
Ian pondered his question. “Aye, I will train you.”
He looked at Katherine and then bent down and kissed her on the cheek. “You will ride with me.”
She smiled, her heart finally feeling full and complete. “Always.”
Epilogue
6 years later
“I think he is too young to get married.” Ian crinkled his nose looking at Katherine as he straightened his tunic.
“He is twenty-two, not much younger than you when we met.” She sprayed some perfume on her dress.
He smiled looking down at her, pulling her into his arms. “I pray he has an easier time than we did.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “There is still so much I want to teach him. I was cheated out of his childhood.”
“He is not dying, Ian. He will always need you. Daniel has asked to tell his fiancée the truth about you. He wants no secrets between them.”
“Do you think that is wise? We have kept it a secret, so he can remain the earl. Although many suspect by our appearance.”
“No one would dare ask. Even with the rebellion over, the king would not want to make you his enemy. Your relationship has repaired with him and the nobles over the years.”
“A truce, not an agreement.” He stepped away and sat on the bed to put on his shoes.
“Regardless, we are no longer enemies and can build our life together. Daniel knows you are his real father. He respects and loves you as well as the girls. Not to mention, Benjamin. Getting married will not change him.”
He smiled as he stood and walked towards her. “Speaking of Benjamin, I think it’s time to get him a horse.”
Katherine shook her head. “Oh, no. He is only four. Way too young to start riding horses.”
Ian smiled as he held out his arm to escort her out of the room. She took it as they joined Deanna and Dorian downstairs. The wedding would be held at the chapel on the grounds.
Daniel stood in the church with his bride. Katherine snuck looks at Ian as their eyes would meet. She loved him and thought back to the day he rescued her from her brothers. When he offered to take her back to Dorian’s, she made a vow that she would remain by his side no matter the cost. Luckily, the king was anxious for the rebellion to end and Ian wanted her more than vengeance.
Looking over his shoulder she noticed Mary sitting on the other side of Ian. She had her head leaning on his arm. At sixteen, she considered Ian her father. She was very young when Alexander died. Ian embraced all her children, but Mary had a special relationship with him.
“Mama, do you think they will have sweet meat after the wedding,” Benjamin whispered in Katherine’s ear.
She whispered back. “I believe so. You must be quiet, and I will try to find you some.”
He nodded his head as he looked back to the priest.
Her other daughters sat in front of her. Sara was married, and Joslyn had the single knights falling all over themselves trying to sit next to her. One look from Ian kept them at bay.
Watching Daniel kiss his bride with a look of love in his eyes brought a knot in her throat. Her baby was grown up. She thanked God for her gift of five children hoping she could make it through each one of their weddings.
She felt a tug on her arm that brought her out of her woolgathering. Turning her head, she felt Ian kiss her cheek. “Don’t fret sweetheart. You will always be his mother.”
She smiled and kissed him back. “Why do they have to grow up?”
He smiled teasingly. “It’s okay, we can just have more.”
She widened her eyes and playfully punched him in the arm.
The End
About the Author
GG Shalton has been writing short stories most of her life. Often entertaining friends and family. At their encouragement she wrote her first novel in 2016 for publication. Although, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, her real passion is history. Her fascination with different time periods is the inspiration for most her stories. GG is an avid reader and can often be found in various hiding places around her home enjoying a good book. She loves happy endings and most of her free time is spent developing story lines and writing. She is married to a wonderful husband who inspires her to pursue her passion. They met while both of them served in the US Navy. Her heart belongs to her two sons who both promise that one day they may read one of her books. She thanks Jesus for her multiple blessings each day, especially the gift of storytelling.
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