A few minutes later the servant arrived, bringing him all the things that he asked.
“I’ll need the swordsmith,” he said. “Bring him tae me.”
“I cannae bring him tae ye. He went tae Bracken Ridge with the MacLeaburn several days ago,” she said, lacing her fingers tightly in front of her.
Thom nodded. There wasn’t much he could do about that. He had hoped that he could get a man to mend his dirk. Part of the handle was cracked, and he needed to replace it. But he supposed that the blade was sharp enough to easily pierce through Lester’s wretched heart.
He took the items from the servant and made his way out of the great hall. It was unlikely that he would be able to catch up to Lester. His only recourse was to seek the murderer at the encampment. He clenched at his jaw as a surge of raw emotion overwhelmed him. The shock of Cristiona’s death still shook him. And he would never see the sweet lass again…
“Who’s Cristiona?” Mairead asked, trying to keep pace with him.
Hearing the lass’ name startled him out of his thoughts. He blinked as he tried to master the guilt, sorrow and anger that churned inside his gut. Cristiona had been aware that Thom disliked her husband, but she didn’t want him to do anything about it. Her fears of Roderick MacCullvin and of Clan MacLeaburn were too great. But if Thom had known what Lester had in store for her, he would have intervened sooner.
His mind thrust him into the past as he recalled Cristiona’s lovely visage. He should have stayed behind, and tried harder to prevent her marriage. Unfortunately when he found out about Roderick’s interference, Cristiona was already betrothed to Lester. Thom had argued with his father that day, but it was futile to even attempt to alter his mind. So Thom stormed out of the castle, leaving everyone and everything behind. At the time he was too angry and upset. He knew any further interactions with his father would make him do things that he would later regret. The annoyance he felt toward his father kept him away from the clan for over five years. But he should have been there for the lass. He knew that she had no love for her husband, and Thom should have persuaded her to leave the bastard. Unfortunately she loved peace and harmony above all else, and feared that if she left her husband, she would be a catalyst for war between the clans. He clenched his jaw. He should have insisted that she remove herself from the marriage anyhow. Maybe then he could have prevented her death.
“Ye ask too many questions.” If Thom spoke about Cristiona, he knew that he would lose the tight control he had on his emotions. He headed to the stable, knowing that Mairead was several steps behind him. There was no time to take her back to Tancraig Castle, but he couldn’t abandon his friend’s sister in the village either.
Thom entered the stable to retrieve his horse. Every second he stayed in the castle compound crushed him. He shoved the supplies into his saddlebag. Releasing Mairead’s ride from the stall, he tossed her the reins.
“If ye want tae go tae Bracken Ridge, ye had better get on the saddle.”
Chapter 7
Mairead’s jaw dropped at hearing Thom’s suggestion. Her first instinct was to ask him another question, but she caught herself. From the black expression on his face, it was clear that he would have no patience at being quizzed. She clamped her mouth shut while her heart fluttered with excitement. In a matter of days she would meet with Blane, and all would be well.
“Let’s go.” Unable to conceal her good fortune, she grinned, and mounted her horse before he could say anything else.
As they made their way out of Drumgaff, she couldn’t help but wonder what had triggered his change of mind. Not too long ago, he was adamant in taking her back to Tancraig Castle. Because of this, she was prepared to make her escape, and hire someone else to escort her to the battle camps. Fortunately for her an alternative plan wasn’t necessary.
While they continued on the open road, and the distance behind them grew, a brooding silence lingered over them. Thom stared straight ahead, his visage savage and uninviting. This was hardly a surprise. She recalled the stricken look on his countenance when he first learned of Cristiona’s death. A split second later, his face had turned to stone. If she didn’t watch him so closely, she would have missed the subtle change. Mairead sent a surreptitious glance over at her escort. Was the lady of Drumgaff his lover? While she knew that it was none of her business, she couldn’t stop the questions that flooded her mind. Obviously the lady meant a great deal to him. Perhaps the lass had married a cruel laird, and Thom had come to rescue her. Except he had arrived too late. The execution of a lover would devastate any man. The notion that he would avenge the death of his lover was brave and full of valor. This was what legends were made of. These were the kind of things that occurred while she sheltered in the castle. Mairead wondered what would happen if someone terminated her. Her brothers would go after her murderer of course, but what about Blane? Would he care enough to take up his sword and avenge her? She pondered that question for a moment, and then decided that he would. He loved her after all, and when a loved one was murdered, vengeance was expected, even if the outcome was uncertain.
“I need tae stop,” she said, her voice sounding loud in the long silence. They had moved at a brisk pace with no rest, and she needed to relieve herself.
He started to refuse her request, but as he glanced at her, he changed his mind. “We can stop here.”
His response surprised her. She thought that he had either forgotten that she rode by his side, or was indifferent to her comfort. Slipping off her mount, she walked a short distance into the woods.
When she re-emerged from the thicket a few minutes later, her steps faltered. “Ye are wearing the plaid of Clan MacLeaburn,” she blurted out. It wasn’t necessary to add that he appeared even more imposing in the new kilt. Before receiving the tragic news, his manner was careful and controlled, but now there was burning rage etched on his face. That rage darkened his demeanor, making him appear powerful and deadly. Any traces of the messenger she met at Tancraig Castle were gone. Who was this forbidding man that stood in his place? He looked fierce and untouchable, and for the second time today she felt afraid. The reason for donning the plaid of his enemy was plain to her. He would infiltrate the enemy clan, and would avenge his lady. While she was aware that revenge was a common act, the fact that she knew someone with murderous intentions left her feeling cold.
“Are ye ready tae leave?” he asked.
She nodded and mounted her horse. Out of the corner of her eyes, she watched him as her thoughts began to swirl in her head. He rode with an easy masculine grace that bespoke of his upbringing and military training. But who was he really? She had assumed a lot about the man, but truthfully, she didn’t know him at all. As her thoughts continued to race, the elation from a few hours ago had dimmed to almost nothing. She bit at her bottom lip, staring at the ground as her steed kept pace with Thom’s. Was it a good idea to have followed him in the first place? It was now very clear that he wasn’t like any of the men in her life. She cast a quick glance at him again, noting his lethal strength. For certain he was capable of killing people. If Mairead hadn’t interfered, would Thom have crushed that servant at Drumgaff Castle? She let out a shiver as she realized how far she was from the protection of her family. If Thom wanted, he could dispose of her, and none would be the wiser. Clenching her fists, she tried to rein in her thoughts before they spiraled out of control. A man who demonstrated charity to an elderly servant couldn’t be a bad person, could he? It wasn’t as if he had put on a performance, and was aware that she witnessed his act of kindness. Then there was the fact that the castle cat had taken a liking to him. The feline disliked most people, yet Thom, a stranger, had somehow garnered its favor. A man who treated old women and animals with respect and consideration surely wouldn’t harm her. And if she asked a few questions, he certainly wouldn’t take issue with it.
“Are ye going tae avenge the lady of Drumgaff?” she asked, her voice hesitant. He grunted but didn’t elaborate further. “Who wa
s she?” she pushed onward, encouraged that he at least acknowledged her first question. She wasn’t sure why she was so curious about the lass.
“I dinnae want tae talk about her,” His expression became guarded, and she sensed that he wouldn’t reveal more. She had the impression that their discussion was ended, but then he leveled his gaze onto her. “Tell me, why are ye sae intent on seeing Blane Cunningtoun?”
“I desire tae speak with him,” she said with a nonchalant shrug.
“It disnae appear that ye thought this through,” he let out a derisive chuckle. “Ye should have spoken tae him before he left for the battle zone.”
“Things are a wee complicated,” she said, her cheeks starting to burn. “He was forced tae leave the castle, and I wasnae able tae see him.”
“Then wait until he returns from war. Bracken Ridge is nay place for a lass.” He started to say something else, but then understanding glinted in his blue eyes. “He disnae ken that ye are going after him, does he?”
“Nay,” she admitted. “But he’ll still be pleased tae see me, I’m sure.”
“I’m sure,” he said mildly, his tone indicating his doubt. “What could be sae important that ye need tae seek him out during this dangerous period?”
Mairead didn’t want to answer him, although the genuine puzzlement in his eyes compelled her to reveal the truth. “Rory intends tae wed me tae William MacTyrnell,” she confessed. Saying the statement aloud brought a miserable lump to her throat. “’Tis for the guid of the clan, I gather. But I perceive that I willnae be happy in the union.”
“I fail tae see how your Blane fits into all of this?”
She raised her sights to the treetops, the picture of Blane’s handsome, smiling face floating in the air. “He’ll save me from the alliance by becoming my husband,” she said simply.
“Och?” he said, lifting a thick eyebrow. “What happens if he disnae marry ye?”
Mairead hesitated, the question taking her by surprise. It never occurred to her that Blane would refuse her. She knew him for years, and was convinced that he was noble and fair. But did he love her enough to accept her proposal? She made a sound of disgust. Of course he did. She refused to allow Thom to cast doubt on what she already knew was the truth.
“He loves me,” she said with forced conviction. “I intend tae declare my love for him as well. Once he’s aware of my feelings and understands my dilemma, he’ll agree tae marry me.”
“And your brother willnae have any objections tae this?”
“Of course Rory will object. But while it cannae be helped, he’ll get over it. As the chief, I ken he must consider the needs of the clan, but I think he would want me tae be happy as well.”
Thom allowed doubt to appear on his countenance. “I recall Griogair telling me that bad blood exists between Rory and your lover.”
His words struck a chord. For a moment her face scrunched up with displeasure before she covered it up. She wouldn’t allow his skepticism to affect her.
“As I said, Rory will come around once Blane and I wed,” she said, flicking her wrist in the air in feigned indifference. “Now that ye ken about Blane, ‘tis your turn tae tell me about Cris —”
Thom suddenly dismounted and moved quickly to her side. The next thing she knew, he dragged her off her horse. She started to get annoyed at the rough treatment, and struggled to get out of his hold.
But then his words sliced through her, bringing a chilling streak down her spine.
“Be quiet,” he hissed in her ear. “Men approach.”
Chapter 8
Thom moved quickly to secure the mounts behind the shrubbery. A minute later he crouched down beside Mairead. He peered out from their hiding spot, cautiously assessing the situation.
There had to be about fifty warriors. For the time being they both needed to wait until the combatants departed. As a rule there were few people Thom trusted. Long experience had shown him that men had different motivations. What they displayed on the surface might not be what they cultivated within. There was a chance that the warriors were allies, but they could also be a band of outlaws, or worse; they could be traitors to the crown.
The fact that Mairead was too appealing also added to their dilemma. Even if he recognized the tartan colors, it was foolhardy to bring the tempting lass into their midst. He knew that during periods of strife, men were often reckless and lewd. Therefore it was impossible to determine how honorable they were, or predict how they would react to a vulnerable, attractive female. While he didn’t assign himself the burden of protecting her, he still felt responsible for her safety. If she was harmed in any way he would forever live with the guilt. And then he would have two deaths on his hands, deaths that he had the power to prevent.
After several long and excruciating minutes, the rumble of horses and men faded into the distance.
“They’re gone,” Mairead whispered.
“Aye, they’re gone.” Thom felt the tension slowly leave his shoulders. There was no need to confront them after all. “The peril isnae over though. If we proceed on this path, we’re likely tae meet them again.”
She fell silent. “What should we do?”
He turned and beckoned for her to return to her horse. “If we want tae avoid trouble, we’ll need tae take a less traveled route.” He dug into his saddlebag and pulled out a well used map. Under normal circumstances he rarely needed directions, but on this occasion he had to ensure that the course he chose didn’t intersect with the main road.
Mairead inched closer to him, and glanced down at the parchment in his hand. “I dinnae see any obvious road. What route are ye talking about?” she asked, her voice filling with doubt.
Thom looked at her, tempted to fold the map and study it at another time. But he knew that he owed her an explanation. He also knew that he should have taken her back to her home, but that was impossible at the moment. He wasn’t prepared to double back, and add weeks to his travel. The war could commence at any point, and he was determined to annihilate Lester before the struggle occurred. If the man died in battle, Thom would unfortunately gain no personal satisfaction from it. So as much as he disliked the idea of escorting Mairead, he now had to take on the unwanted and added responsibility of keeping her from harm. Mercifully once he arrived at the encampment, he would give her over to her brothers, and be done with her. In the meantime he had to be patient with her.
“We’re located at this spot,” he said, refocusing his attention on her. He pointed to a section on the map. “We’ll have tae go around this hill, and then take the path down through this section.”
“This will take us off course, will it nae?” she said, frowning. “From my understanding if we veer from the main road, we could potentially add days tae our journey.”
He frowned, his earlier resolve for patience being put to the test. “I told ye that I’ll escort ye tae Bracken Ridge. However I doubt that your brothers would thank me if I allowed savages tae have their way with ye.”
Her face paled at the crude implications, and for once she didn’t badger him with more questions. He tucked the map into his saddlebag, and motioned for her to get back onto her horse.
They cut through the woods, moving farther away from the main road. In the meantime he was keenly aware that they weren’t truly safe. The thick woods belonged to no man, and all the unscrupulous men spurned from society made their homes here. These desperate men held no loyalties, and wouldn’t hesitate to rob or kill any person that crossed their paths. Yet again, he regretted his hasty decision to take Mairead along with him.
Thom remained on the lookout, watching to ensure that they weren’t being stalked by unsavory men. Mairead continued to question him about all manner of things, but he answered most of her inquires with grunts and head nods. Eventually she stopped speaking. All the while they moved continuously, putting further and further distance from the main route.
“How long do ye —?”
“Quiet,” he held his han
d up in the air, stopping her. “I hear something,” he said, his tone low. When he heard the noise again, he let out a soft curse.
“Och, music.” Mairead brows lifted at hearing the faint sounds of someone plucking at a lute. The tune was high-spirited and light, a tune that seemed out of place in the quiet woods. At the same time a man’s clear voice broke through the cool forest air.
The innocent sounds caused unease to streak through his body. They had traveled a long while without encountering anyone. He had hoped that their luck would continue, but it was a foolish hope. It wasn’t that the song disturbed him. The thing that bothered him was that he had no idea how many men accompanied the singer.
Thom beckoned for Mairead to follow him while he made his way to some large bushes up ahead. When Thom parted the branches and peered through the shrubs, he was surprised to find only one rider. The man was wiry with an average build, and appeared to be about thirty years old. A cap covered his light brown hair, but the strands that escaped were as wild and tangled as a bird’s nest. Meanwhile his face, hands, and feet were tanned as if he spent much time in the open. A leather strap was strung across his shoulders, suspending a lute at the middle of his torso. At the moment his head was bent while he plucked at the strings and sang the lyrics to the popular tune. From a cursory glance, the stranger appeared to be oblivious to his surroundings. But somehow he must have heard a movement in the bushes, because he glanced sharply at their direction. The calm expression on his features transformed into one of caution and alertness. When he couldn’t detect anything further, he relaxed and started up a new song.
“I havenae heard that melody in a long time.” Before Thom could stop her, Mairead started to move out of their hiding place.
“Get back here,” he hissed.
But she was already gone.
Highland Messenger (Scottish Strife Series Book 4) Page 5
