“Aye, I give you my word here and now on it.”
Rhys glanced at Pitt and gave him a barely visible nod before saying to Hew, “Bring me the warrior who witnessed the beating.”
“John,” Hew shouted.
A warrior stepped forward. His chin went up and his shoulders went back, expanding an already thick chest as he approached with a confident gait. He stopped beside Hew.
“You heard Donald Macinnes refuse to return Rab’s wife to him?” Rhys asked.
“I did and I heard Rab tell them that they it would be war if Macinnes did not return her to him. That was when Donald Macinnes signaled his warriors and they descended on Rab like a pack of hungry wolves.”
“Was Rab’s brother Hunter there?”
“He was and lifted not a finger to help him. His wife Patience stood at his side and watched.”
“And the two other sisters were they there as well?”
“Aye, and never turned their heads away as Rab was brutally beaten.”
“How did you come by the body?” Rhys asked.
“Macinnes ordered it to be dumped in the woods for the animals to feed on. I followed and brought the body back to Laird McDolan.”
“And that is how your hands suffered those cuts and bruises?”
John startled a moment before giving a quick answer. “Aye, it is.”
Rhys stared at the man in silence and it did not take long for John to grow uncomfortable and Hew as well.
Hew finally spoke up with annoyance in his tone. “It is as I told you. Now will you help me get my revenge?”
“Against those who did this evil deed?”
“Aye, and an evil did it was, and we best see to resolving it and rescuing Greer’s wife before he learns of it and a bloodbath ensues.”
Rhys glared at John. “Who helped you beat Rab McLaud to death?”
“What nonsense is this?” Hew shouted. “Why do you accuse John when he told you what he saw?”
“He is lying.”
Hew went to argue, and Rhys took a quick step toward him and Hew hastily shut his mouth. “You think to deceive me?”
“No, no,” Hew said, “It is as John says.”
“It is not as John says; he lies,” Rhys said anger sparking in his dark eyes and voice. He turned his heated glare on John. “Tell me you saw the blonde-haired Macinnes sister there.”
“Aye I saw her there,” he answered with a grin. “Who could miss that beauty?”
“Evidently you, since she was not there.”
“If John says she was there, then she was there,” Hew argued.
“So it was by your order that John, and I would say one or two others, beat Rab McLaud to death?”
“You make no sense,” Hew said, shaking his head. “Why would I have my own son-in-law beaten to death? This is complete nonsense. Will you keep your word to me or not?”
“Will you keep yours?” Rhys asked.
“I already gave you my word, now what of yours?” Hew demanded.
Rhys stepped forward and grabbed John by the throat so fast that neither man in front of him had time to react. He squeezed, his fingers digging into the man’s neck. “I will have the truth from you now.”
Hew was so shocked it took him a moment to speak up. “Let him go. John did nothing. It is Macinnes you should be after.”
Rhys ignored him and squeezed a bit harder.
John’s hands came up to grasp at Rhys hand, trying frantically to free himself, but it proved useless. The Dragon’s grip was like a band of metal forged around his neck.
“Release him or I will have my men take the Dragon down here and now.” Hew raised his hand and his warriors, some with reluctance, stepped forward.
Ghost warriors rushed from the woods and dropped from the trees completely surrounding the group and Hew paled along with several of his warriors.
Rhys’ grip tightened. “It matters not to me if you die. I know the truth. That blonde-haired beauty you say was there could not have been there. Heather was with me; she is my wife.”
~~~
Heather sat at one of the tables in the Great Hall wondering where her husband had gone off to. Henry had stood nearby until she had insisted that he sit and give his injured leg some rest. He had not argued; he sat.
On her walk to the keep, Heather had discovered that Henry would not be forthcoming with any information about her husband’s whereabouts. She wished she could have spent more time walking through the village for surely someone would have heard something, though now that she had sat for a while she realized that she was tired and that her head ached a bit.
She silently admonished herself for not taking more care with her injury. She had ignored the fatigue that had crept up on her and the throb in her head.
“Your brew, my lady,” Nessa said, placing a tankard with swirls of steam rising from it in front of her.
“Bless you, it is just what I need,” Heather said, lifting the tankard to her lips to sip cautiously.
“I hope I made it to your liking.”
Heather smiled after tasting it. “Perfect.”
“You look tired, my lady, perhaps you should rest in your chambers.”
The thought appealed to her, but before she could agree, Henry spoke up.
“My orders are for me to remain with Lady Heather in the Great Hall until the Dragon returns, and here is where she will be staying.”
“But she needs rest,” Nessa protested.
“I have my orders,” Henry said.
“I will wait here,” Heather said the pair’s bickering causing the slight pain in her head to increase.
Nessa shook her head as she walked past Henry, saying, “It is her bed she needs.”
Henry ignored her and after few moments, he said, “I am sure the Dragon will return soon.”
Heather saw the concern in his eyes and reassured him. “It is all right, Henry. I will sip my brew and rest right here until my husband returns.”
The brew soothed her as always and the pain in her head lessened, but her eyes grew heavy and by the time she finished the brew, her eyes were closing and her head felt too heavy to hold up. She folded her arms on the table and brought her head down on them to rest.
“My lady, are you all right?” Henry asked anxiously.
“Need a bit of rest,” she said as her eyes drifted closed.
~~~
“You are wed to Heather Macinnes?” Hew asked as if he did not believe his words.
“I am. Now tell me why you had Rab McLaud beaten to death,” Rhys demanded.
With his shoulders drooping in defeat, Hew said, “I discovered he intended to kill my daughter and that Greer knew and approved of it. I began to wonder what other things Greer had planned for me. I decided it would be wiser to free myself of one McLaud and in so doing free my daughter and make her available to wed you, thus joining forces with you and protecting myself against Greer.” Hew shook his head. “Donald Macinnes beat me to it.”
“You got part of what you wanted,” Rhys said and released John. “You pledged your allegiance to me if I gave you revenge against those who did this to Rab. John is one. Give me the others who helped him and I will see them punished.”
“They followed orders,” Hew said in their defense.
“Then it is you who deserves the punishment.”
Hew stood speechless for a moment and Rhys could see that he was weighing his options of which there were none. He had no choice but to submit to the Dragon, but Rhys had learned through the years that few men made wise choices.
“I will suffer no punishment for protecting my daughter, nor will my men for following orders.”
“You renege on our agreement?” Rhys snapped and did not give Hew a chance to respond. “Listen well, McDolan, you gave me your word and I will see that you keep it. When I summons you, you will not hesitate to come to me and do as I command.” He was quick to silence Hew when he went to speak, his strong voice resonating throughout the camp. �
��Not a word. I am not finished.”
Hew felt the fiery anger that spewed from the Dragon’s mouth and a tremble ran through him.
“You and your warriors will do as I order, Hew McDolan, or I will send my ghost warriors after you and only you. You will not see them coming, though you will feel the blade as one warrior slices your throat. Your clan will then be mine to rule.”
Hew had no choice but to say, “I gave my word and I shall keep it.”
“Wise decision.”
“Will you see that my daughter is returned to me?”
“You struck a bargain and gave your word on it. Your daughter now belongs to me.”
“But you are already wed. What will you do with her?”
“Whatever I wish,” Rhys said and walked away from the man.
“But—”
“But what?” Rhys shouted as he swerved around to face Hew again. “Do you think me a fool? I return your daughter and you wed her to a powerful chieftain who could prove troublesome to me. I think not. She is mine now. You gave her to me. I will decide her fate. I would suggest you make a more permanent camp between here and Macinnes land, for once Greer McLaud finds out you had his brother killed...you will need protection.”
“How will he find out unless told?” Hew said with an accusing tone.
“The Highlands see and hear everything. Greer will eventually hear and seek his revenge.” Rhys shrugged. “If you prefer to face Greer with your warriors alone, so be it.”
“I will make camp where you say.” Hew nodded firmly, several of his warriors nodding along with him. “What of Rab?”
“You killed him; you bury him, for if Greer ever sees what you did to him, he will do far worse to you than you did to Rab. We are done here.” With those words, Rhys’ warriors disappeared and he and Pitt went to their horses.
Hew called out to Rhys once he and Pitt had mounted their horses. “I will send word of where and when I settle camp.”
“It is not necessary. I will know your every move.” Rhys turned his horse and rode out of camp, Pitt riding alongside him.
~~~
“Lass,” Henry called to the Nessa as he stood. “You are right, Lady Heather needs to rest in her chambers. I am sure the Dragon would not object.”
“Finally, you have some sense,” Nessa said, hurrying over to the table.
Henry did not argue with the insolent lass, he was too concerned with Lady Heather. She had not budged since resting her head on her arms.
Nessa laid a gentle hand on Heather’s shoulder. “My lady, you will rest more comfortably in your bed.” Nessa grew upset when she got no response. She shook Heather’s shoulder gently. “My lady.”
Rhys entered the Great Hall just then and seeing the scene in front of him, shouted out, “Henry what goes on here?”
It was Nessa who answered. “I will tell you what goes on here, my lord. Lady Heather was tired and he,” —Nessa jabbed a finger in Henry’s direction—“would not let her go to her chamber to rest.”
“Henry was obeying my order,” Rhys snapped.
“We were about to get Lady Heather to her bedchambers, but she does not want to wake up,” Henry said.
Fear, something that rarely touched Rhys, rose up to grip at his gut and without hesitation he scooped his wife up into his arms as he loudly called her name, “Heather!”
Heather winced. “Why do you shout my name?”
“Because you refuse to wake up,” Rhys said pleased to see she was not pale or could not speak. Still, though, she had not opened her eyes.
“I am resting.”
“You will rest in our chambers,” Rhys said as he walked out of the room.
“Why do you carry me?”
“You have yet to open your eyes and your body is limp in my arms. Do you honestly believe you could manage the stairs on your own?” He could not keep the annoyance out of his voice, though it was meant for him not his wife. He should have made her remain in bed today, but he had been selfish. He had wanted to spend time with her, and then he had allowed her to help birth a babe. This was his fault.
“I just need a bit more rest,” she said, finding his arms ever so comfortable.
“And rest you will get, for you will not be leaving our bed for the remainder of the day.”
“A couple of hours sleep will do me fine,” she said.
Rhys did not bother to respond. He would tuck her in bed and assign another trusted warrior to stand guard, though he would not be far. He would continue his search for the secret room inside the keep.
She barely budged when he placed her on the bed, took off her boots, and tucked the blanket around her. She also did not stir when he kissed her cheek. She was beyond tired and needed a solid rest. He left her reluctantly and when he stepped outside the room, he found Henry and Nessa standing there.
“I will stand guard, my lord,” Henry said.
“You will until I send someone to replace you. It will do your leg wound no good to remain standing for possibly hours.”
Henry reluctantly accepted the Dragon’s orders. He had little choice since he knew full well not to question them.
“Nessa, you will check on Lady Heather from time to time and when she wakes you will let Pitt know.”
Nessa bobbed her head in compliance.
Rhys walked off relieved that rest was what his wife needed, though he was concerned with all that was going on. He had hoped to see the dispute between Macinnes and McLaud settled without battle, but with what McDolan had done to Rab McLaud, he doubted that would be possible. Then there was his old enemy. He needed to see that finished once and for all.
Chapter Seventeen
Heather woke, her sleep disturbed by a strange noise. She listened and heard nothing, which had her wondering if the noise had been from a dream, though she could recall none. Curiosity had her getting out of bed with a roll of her shoulder. No pain disturbed her head and she actually felt very well-rested. The nap had done her good.
She slipped on her boots and went to the door and when she opened it she was surprised to find no guard there. She wondered how long she had slept as she made her way down the stairs and into the Great Hall. It was empty and not a servant lurked about. She glanced at the windows and saw it was dark. Had she slept well into the night?
She stepped outside, walking down the steps to see if anyone was about and it was eerily silent. The village looked asleep for the night, but if it was that late where was her husband?
“My lady?”
Heather jumped, her hand going to her chest.
“I am sorry, my lady, I did not mean to frighten you. I but wondered what you were doing out here so late.”
Heather turned to see Seamus and did not think it would be proper to explain that she searched for her husband when he should be in bed with her at this hour. “I should ask the same of you.”
“When sleep refuses to come to me, I walk in the shadows of the village in hopes of finding out its secrets.”
“What secrets?” Heather asked.
“To watch and see if more old people will be taken away and by whom? Who sneaks about for a late night visit? And sometimes I watch the Dark Dragon prowl the village.”
She spoke her thought before she could stop herself. “Why ever would he do that?”
“I do not know, but he stops, watches, and listens and sometimes he will simply sit on the steps of the keep and stare into the darkness almost as if he is waiting for something to emerge from it.”
A sound turned both of them silent and with gentle, slow steps they went in search of it. The two quickly moved into the shadows when they heard the sound again and watched as a cart meandered past them. They waited until the sound of it was a safe distance away, then followed, staying in the shadows.
“That is Aggie’s cottage,” Seamus whispered as the cart came to a stop in front of it. “She was old long before age got me. Glynnis always looked after her and she misses the lass terribly.”
; Heather and Seamus watched as the two men disappeared inside.
“The old ones are worthless to the Dragon. He is doing away with her, he is,” Seamus said, choking back his tears. “Soon the cart will come for me in the middle of the night.”
The cottage door opened and two men helped a crying Aggie out and into the cart.
“God bless her.” Seamus sniffled back his tears. “She was a good woman.”
The old woman’s tears broke Heather’s heart and without thought to her actions she stepped out of the shadows, demanding, “What goes on here?”
Seamus stayed where he was frightened if he showed himself that he too would be carted off, but his chest went out and a smile spread across his face, seeing how brave Lady Heather was to confront the men.
Both men stared at her as if they were seeing a ghost.
“I am Lady Heather, you will answer me,” she demanded.
“They answer only to me,” —Rhys stepped out of the shadows— “as do you.”
The darkness seemed to cling to him as he walked toward her, making him appear as if giant wings extended from his sides. The two men stepped around the cart, keeping it between them and the Dragon.
“What are you doing out here this late and how did you get passed the guard this time?”
Anger was strong in his voice, though Heather was not sure if he was angry with her or the guard that evidently left his post. “I did not know the lateness of the hour when I came in search of you and there was no guard at my door to stop me.”
“No guard?” he asked as if he had not heard her correctly.
She shook her head and repeated, “No guard.”
He stepped closer to her, his arm going around her as if shielding her and he looked to the old woman. “It will not be long now.” He nodded to the men. “Take her.”
Heather went to ask him where the men were taking the crying woman, but he called out to Seamus before she could.
“Show yourself, Seamus.”
The old man did as he was told.
“You will breathe not a word of this, Seamus, or I will no longer allow you to walk the village at night.”
Seamus’s eyes turned wide.
“You think I do not see you watching me, do not hear you? Do you think my men do not watch you? Go to your daughter, Seamus, before I change my mind and have you taken away with Aggie.”
Highlander The Dark Dragon Page 14
