“Nay, but I will. How is he faring?”
Esme shook her head. “So many injuries.” A tear trickled down her face and Esme wiped it away. “A broken leg, bruising everywhere, his face so swollen it is hard to tell if it’s really him. Thankfully, he spends most of the day sleeping.”
A shudder traveled through Catriona. Had everyone said the same about her when she’d returned from being subjected to days of men taking turns with her? Most of them were violent, enjoying hurting her.
Esme, ever perceptive, touched Catriona’s shoulder. “We should go inside. The rain is getting harder.”
There were a few people keeping dry in the great room. A group of men sat at a table, talking. At another table, Catriona presumed the men’s wives rocked young babes as they waited out the rain before heading home. By the fireplace, two guards stood. One of them was Broden, whom she’d known for many years. The other was Ewan Ross, the man who’d come there to provide help to the clan.
“Esme,” Catriona said. “Are the Ross guards to remain here?”
Since the late Mackenzie’s death, the threat was considerably lower so she’d hoped most of the new strange men would leave.
Her friend shrugged. “Father says they will. Especially as there are reports the new laird may be very sick and could possibly be removed from leadership.”
“Good. I hope the Mackenzie Clan is disbanded,” Catriona said with a snarl. “I hate them.”
“I hate them as well,” Esme said.
Catriona frowned, considering Ava Fraser. “Except for Ava. She is kind.”
Esme huffed. “She is the reason for Keithen almost dying. She is an idiot.”
It was best not to argue with Esme. Once her friend made up her mind about something, it was impossible to change it. Although Catriona understood why Ava did what she’d done, it had been reckless.
“If it was Fraser Keep that had been attacked, would ye not wish to know if yer mother and brother survived?”
Narrowing her eyes, Esme considered her words. “I would find out in a way that would not get my husband killed.”
“May I have a word?” Broden pulled Esme aside.
Just as Catriona was about to turn away, Ewan Fraser neared. “Miss Catriona, it is good to see ye out.”
Her heart thudded. She’d yet to have a conversation with a man other than the laird and Keithen. “I-I, aye.”
Hazel eyes met hers for a second before she looked away. “Is there a seamstress at the village? I require new tunics. The three I brought with me are either torn through or ripped.”
Unsure what to do, she panicked. “I will mend them. Just bring them to me at last meal.”
“Ye do not have to do it.”
“Bring them I said,” she snapped and hurried away.
*
Keithen tested his ability to sit up by himself. Pain from the tension around his midsection made it difficult, but he managed it. His eyes felt hot, so he knew a fever was present, but it was normal. After all, his body was fighting to heal. Working his tongue around his mouth, he was surprised to find only one spot on the right side where a tooth was missing. He’d done the best he could to keep kicks from his face but had failed a couple of times.
He had to speak to his father and ensure someone was sent to find out where Ava was. Unable to stand on his leg, he could not hope to walk out of the room. “Guard!”
No one entered and he huffed in annoyance. Hopefully, a maid would appear soon, and he could send for his father.
All day, it had rained, and he wondered if Ava had found shelter from it. If she had remained at Mackenzie Keep, he wasn’t sure if he could accept it.
On one hand, she’d saved his life by riding to the Ross Keep to get help. But on the other hand, why had she abandoned Gallant? The horse had returned unharmed and saddled.
If she’d been accosted, surely they’d have kept the warhorse as it was an astonishingly beautiful horse.
Keithen grunted as pain gripped him. Then again, Gallant was not tame enough to allow just anyone near him.
Finally, the door opened and Broden entered. “Ye bellowed?” His friend lowered to a chair and proceeded to bite the side of his thumb nail.
“I thought ye were out on patrol,” Keithen said. “Why did ye return already?”
“No news. No one has seen or heard of a lass matching Ava’s description riding about.”
Keithen gave him a droll look. “She would not be riding since the horse returned.”
“How do ye know? What if she returned to Mackenzie Keep and retrieved a horse there? We do not know where Gallant was released from.”
It was true. However, his gut told him something had happened to Ava.
“If yer wife wished to return, she would have arrived by now.” Broden gave him a pointed look. “I think she is at Mackenzie Keep. It is impossible to breach Mackenzie Keep as the gates are closed and heavily guarded.”
“What should I do?” Keithen asked, knowing Broden did not have a reply.
His friend shook his head. “All ye can do is wait and recover. Right now, there isn’t much that can be done.”
Just then, his father and mother entered. His mother carried a tray with a bowl of soup and bread. “Good evening, Son,” she greeted with a smile. “It is good to see ye sitting up.”
She looked to Broden. “Help him to straighten, please, dear.”
Doing his best to keep from grimacing at being pulled up and pillows pushed behind his back, Keithen then waited for his mother to place the tray over his lap.
“Now,” she pronounced. “Yer father and I will keep ye company while ye eat.”
Broden met his gaze for a moment. “I will see about last meal then.” He left the room and both his parents looked to him with expectation.
“Eat,” his mother instructed.
“Father, I must insist that scouts be sent to find out if Ava is safe. She saved my life and I am concerned that no one has seen her.”
His father nodded. “In all probability, the lass is scared to return. After all, she is the cause of what happened to ye. Several of our men have been seriously hurt, one is near death from the clash with the Mackenzie guards. All because of her impulsive notion to go to our enemy’s keep.”
“I like the lass, but I do not care for a wife who is disobedient,” his mother said with a frown.
“Do ye not think, in a similar situation, Esme would have done the same?” he asked, looking first to his father and then to his mother. “I am willing to wager she would have been here without hesitation.”
“Be that as it may,” his father said. “I am reluctant to send men into dangerous territory. I prefer to wait and see if news comes.”
There was little he could do. It would be months before he could ride, much less fight. Keithen peered down at the soup. “I only ask that men be sent to surrounding villages on the road from Clan Ross to here to ask about her.”
His father let out a sigh. “Very well. They will be dispatched tomorrow.”
“Eat,” his mother urged. “Yer soup will get cold.”
While he ate, his mother spoke of inconsequential things, mainly about staff in the keep and visitors who’d overstayed their welcome. Her anecdotes were just what Keithen needed at the moment. He and the laird had always enjoyed her descriptions and animated imitations of the villagers who’d been there for hearings.
Once her parents left, a couple of men came to help him prepare for the night. By the time the healer’s awful tincture flowed down his throat, he was so tired that he would have easily fallen asleep without it.
Chapter Eighteen
Ava thanked the peddler who brought her to Mackenzie Keep. The man was setting up to sell his wares just outside the walls. Immediately, people emerged and began to bargain. She hurried through the gates and inside. The sooner she could retrieve some belongings and, hopefully, some coins from her mother, the sooner she’d leave forever.
Her mother was nowhere to be
found. In the great room, only a few servants milled about. As per usual, no one felt comfortable enough to remain in there.
“Where are my brother and mother?” she asked a young woman, who started at seeing her. “Mistress Ava. I-in yer brother’s chambers.”
She hurried up the steps, stopping only upon seeing two guardsmen standing outside the door. Both gave her a quick once over and said nothing.
News that she was the one to inform the Ross about Keithen’s capture must not have reached them because they allowed her to pass without speaking.
The stench in the room was horrible. It was almost as if someone had already died. But instead, she found Alastair seated on a chair, drinking.
“Ah, there she is. My sister appears to ensure I die.” Alastair’s words slurred. “What do ye want?”
The healer who had a cloth tied around his face to cover his nose and mouth hurried to her. “He will not allow me to clean his wound. It has festered.” Thankfully, the man handed her a cloth and she tied it around her face.
“Where is Mother?”
When Alastair ignored the question, the healer replied, “She’s gone to yer uncle’s keep in the north.”
“She left ye?” Ava neared her brother. “Ye cannot be left alone right now.”
When Alastair threw his head back and laughed, she quickly sprinkled herbs into his ale and motioned a servant closer.
The green-faced young maid, who looked like she was about to get sick, managed to pour more ale into the cup and Ava noted the healer added more herbs when Alastair looked to Ava.
“I would have left if I were her. When I die, all of this goes to no one.” He motioned with one hand.
“Ye do not have to die. Allow me to help,” Ava told him in a flat tone. She went to the window to get fresh air. But it did little to help.
“Guards!” she called out when Alastair slumped forward moments later.
The men were reluctant to enter, but finally did. They lay her brother atop the bed and then hurried back out.
Ava then looked to the maid. “Go instruct the cook to boil water. Bring back cold water for now.”
Along with the healer, she was able to peel away the bloodied cloths from between her brother’s legs. The arrows had pierced his manhood and his lower abdomen. The lower injury had caused enough damage that he would never perform as a man again.
“The rotting flesh will all have to be cut away. But even then, the festering has spread.”
“Why did ye not give him herbs before this?” Ava demanded. “Ye could have had guards subdue him and…”
“I tried, but the guards would not listen to me.”
Ava understood. Alastair and her father ruled through fear. Punishments for disobedience had always been horrible.
Ava went to the doorway.
Two guards looked at her. “Ye should go, ensure the keep is secure. I am not sure my brother will live much longer. The clan will be vulnerable.”
Ava’s gut tightened. In truth, her brother would, in all probability, succumb to his wounds. The injury was horribly infected. Nonetheless, she had to try to save him.
It took them several hours to get the infected area cleansed, and most of the infected flesh cut away. Ava stood by as the healer placed leeches into the wound. The small creatures would hopefully eat enough of the remaining infected area to save him.
Alastair was unconscious, his pale face wet with perspiration. Ava pushed hair from his brow. Her heart was breaking for the man who’d either die or survive as a maimed man. All for what?
“He has another injury to his side,” the healer pointed out.
Ava studied her brother as they did what they could for the green, infected wound.
By ruling over people without care for their welfare, their father had left her brother with nothing.
In his quest for power, he’d acquired allies through force and threats of war. Understandably, none of them were truly loyal to them and had cut ties as soon as he’d died. When everyone broke ties at once, it proved impossible to bring them back.
After all the damage her father had done, it was only fitting that, now, his family had to pay the price. However, seeing everything crumble and her brother on his deathbed remained one of the most horrible experiences of her life.
Needing to get something to eat, Ava went downstairs. She looked around the empty, dim great room and immediately compared it to the Fraser’s. There, people mingled, came to have their grievances heard and then remained for last meal.
The people of Clan Fraser actually cared for their laird and his family. Together, they shared life moments and celebrated.
Here, no one would come to inquire about Alastair’s health. It was rare that anyone outside the family felt comfortable enough to remain for a meal. It was so sad that her parents had preferred this type of austere life.
When she returned to her brother’s bedchamber, the linens on the bed had been changed and, already, the room smelled better.
Her brother continued to sleep. Ava wasn’t sure what Alastair would do upon waking. She hoped he would be too ill to do anything harmful, but one never knew with her brash brother.
“Go get something to eat and rest,” Ava told the healer. “I will remain here with him.”
She went to the window and peered out at the night sky.
How was her husband? If she were there, she’d be caring for him. But in all probability, they’d not allow her near him.
Somehow, she would get word to him that she was well and would be going to live with her mother at her uncle’s keep.
Even if Alastair recovered, he would not want her there. She turned to the bed and found that her brother was awake and watching her.
“I do not wish to live.”
His words were clear. Ava hurried to the bedside and lowered to sit.
“Ye are Laird Mackenzie. Ye must live to ensure the people are taken care of. Who will be laird if ye die?”
He turned away from her. “I do not care. Why should I?”
“A laird puts his people first. That is what a true laird does. Ye have an opportunity to change, Brother. To do well.”
“I can feel it.” Alastair closed his eyes. “Death is closing in on me. What will ye do?”
Ava took his hand. “I will remain here with ye, if ye need me.”
Turning to her, his half-closed eyes met hers. Alastair was so very pale, with dark circles under his eyes and his lips were a purplish-blue. “Remain with me.”
Her brother closed his eyes and, moments later, his hand went limp. Ava’s eyes rounded.
“Alastair?” She hovered over him. “Alastair!”
The healer walked in the next morning and glanced to Ava. “Is he?”
“Aye, he died last night. We must not tell anyone.”
The healer nodded and went to the window. The room still reeked of infection, making it impossible to breathe properly. Ava herself had slept next to the window.
“If word gets out that yer brother is dead, I am positive we will be attacked immediately.”
Ava shrugged. “I am not sure about it. No clan wishes to garner my uncle’s ire. Although he’s not as impulsive as my father, he is very powerful.”
Moments later, there was a knock, and Ava slipped out, not allowing the young man to look in. “Ye must deliver a message to my uncle immediately. Alastair needs his assistance.”
The man nodded. “Of course, Mistress Mackenzie.”
She didn’t bother correcting him that her name was now Fraser.
“Ride without stopping,” she instructed. “Take the swiftest horse.”
When she walked back inside, the healer turned to her. “I am hopeful they will arrive within two days. We cannot possibly maintain the illusion that yer brother lives.”
“We have no choice,” Ava said wearily. She’d not slept for two days other than dozing for a few moments on the chair. “We will take turns staying here. I will instruct the servants that my brothe
r does not wish to be disturbed.”
“Who do ye think will take over this clan?”
Ava pictured her uncle’s family. “I do not know. He has three sons. So perhaps the second born, Cayden, since the oldest cousin, the first born, will take over for my uncle when he dies.”
*
For the next two days, Ava and the healer managed to keep everyone at bay. Being her brother was not well-liked, no one had insisted to enter the room. The only person who seemed suspicious was the leader of the guard, who insisted her brother would want to hear his reports.
Ava crossed her arms and stared up at the warrior whose broad shoulders prevented her from seeing around him. “My brother is very sick. I doubt he will remember anything ye tell him. The healer and I are doing our best to maintain Alastair’s dignity,” Ava whispered. “He was shot between the legs, as ye know.”
The man grimaced and nodded. “Alastair does not wish anyone to see the extent of his injuries, which cannot be covered because…well, there are leeches being used.”
This time the warrior paled. “Leeches?”
Ava nodded. “Which is why I doubt he will be able to focus on a word ye say.” She reached for his forearm. “Please do not say a word. He will be most cross at me for saying what I have.”
After a moment, the man sighed. “Very well. I am sure ye will send word when I can speak to him.”
“Err.. aye, of course. I must inform ye that the Mackenzie of the north will be arriving in a day or two.”
“Very well.” The man turned and walked away.
Ava let out a long breath. Would her life ever be normal? Would she ever have a day without a life hanging in the balance or without fear of what will happen next?
The next day slogged by until, finally, late in the day, a small army appeared on the horizon.
Ava prayed they were Mackenzies.
Another attack would too much to bear at the moment.
*
Last meal was presided over by her uncle, the Mackenzie. He was a calculating man who, like her late father, measured his gain before making decisions. Unexpectedly, it was decided that another relative, Atholl Mackenzie, a cousin, would be given the lairdship of her clan. Ava suspected it was either because the man was spineless or because her uncle was indebted to him.
A Fearless Rebel Page 15
