by Kara Griffin
Callum felt as though he was punched in the stomach. He stared intently at Neil as he reasoned every word he’d spoken. “I need to question Clive about this. I must go.” He trotted toward the stables to find Clive and he noted his cousin’s horse in the corral. He’d returned from his ride, but he wasn’t about the bailey or courtyard. Callum strode toward the castle and entered.
Violet met him in the hall. “You’re actually on time for once. Gussy says the midday meal will be served in a few minutes. Do you want to wash first?”
He nodded and glanced around the hall for his cousin. Only two soldiers stood by the buttery in conversation with his Uncle Ian. “Good, I’m starved.” He kissed the side of her face. “Has Clive been here? I need to find him.”
“I saw him earlier here in the hall. He took the stairs and I assumed he was going to use the rampart or perhaps he sought Mor.”
“Why would he go there, to the rampart? Never mind, I shall ask him what he’s about when I find him. I need to speak to him and cannot delay. Will you hold the meal for me?”
She nodded and he took the stairs two at a time. When he reached the landing, he gazed down the hallway and noticed the door to the rampart was opened wide. He hoped Mor hadn’t gone out there alone again. The woman was set to cause him to worry with her carelessness. Callum ventured forward until he reached the doorway. A gust of wind blew it against the stone and made a loud bang. He stepped through the threshold and his tartan whipped about his legs.
“Mor, are you out here?” He turned and faced the long end of the rampart where she stood next to Clive. Callum approached cautiously. “Mor, are you all right? Come, you shouldn’t be out here. Let’s get you inside.”
“She goes nowhere.”
Callum tried not to react to his cousin’s ireful tone. The calmer he was, hopefully, his cousin would remain as well. His cousin appeared bothered, more than troubled, and he glared at him. “Clive, our grandmother has nothing to do with whatever is bothering you. Let her pass. She shouldn’t be out here. Come, Mor, get inside.” He held out his hand to her and nodded.
Clive allowed her to pass him.
She clasped his hand but gave him a worrisome glance. “He’s upset, my lad. He hasn’t said what troubles him, but he’s jabbered on and has made no sense.”
“Worry not, Mor. Stay with Violet and make sure Dela is with you. None are to come up here. I will speak to him and I’ll come when I can.”
She shot a glance at Clive and left.
Callum took a breath and he was uncertain where to begin. His cousin looked like hell as if he hadn’t slept for days. He hadn’t noticed the weary mien on his cousin’s face when he’d seen him by the stables earlier. “Clive, if you have something to say speak it now. Tell me the truth of what happened between you and Hammond.”
Clive brandished a large dagger from behind him and he held it outward. “Don’t come near me or by God, you’ll force me to use this.”
“I’m concerned and only want to help you. You must tell me what you have done.” Callum tried to reassure him that he wasn’t angry and kept a blank expression on his face.
“My damned sworn duty.” He glanced sideways and below to the men who assembled beneath the rampart wall. “Tell them to leave.”
Callum shouted, “All listen, stand down.” None of the men followed his order, but he wasn’t surprised. The way Clive stood with the dagger; they probably thought he threatened him. At least twenty of his men stood with their arrows notched.
Neil gazed up and shook his head. “We can’t do that and won’t leave you unprotected, Laird. What do you want us to do?”
He wasn’t sure what to tell him. “Do nothing for now and let me talk to Clive. Lower your arrows.”
“Callum, what I’ve done… I did all for you and I swear, by God, that I meant none of it to happen. You must listen. Everything got out of hand, but my duty forced me to take action and I regret none of it.”
He nodded and encouraged him to continue. “Go on, start at the beginning and tell me what happened. I’m listening.”
Clive gripped his dagger and held it outward and pointed toward him. His hand trembled and his breath harshened. Callum glimpsed Neil below. His commander-in-arms raised his bow with an arrow notched and aimed, but he waited and thankfully he held off.
“After you left with James, I stayed at the keep. I overheard Gavin talk to Keith. He confessed his adulterous behavior with Lydia. That didn’t concern me though, because I was going to tell you about her on your return. It wasn’t my place to confront him about that. When he admitted that he sent men to cut you down during the fray, my wrath was so intense and I vowed to make him pay. Aye, he wanted you dead, your own brother. I couldn’t let him get away with it.”
Callum remained still and quiet. He nodded for him to continue.
“Keith was angry and I never saw him so enraged. He challenged Gavin to a duel of the swords. They were alone in the clearing and I followed. I watched them tarry and when Keith had a chance to end him, he walked away. I couldn’t let Gavin live after what he confessed. He was inebriated and lay there on the ground. My chance to take retribution taunted me. I took my dagger and rammed it in his damned heart. Something overtook me and I stabbed him until I was certain he lay dead. He breathed no more.”
Callum’s breath rasped with his cousin’s admission. “Then what?”
“I left him there to be found by the sentry. No one saw me, except I ran into Lockie, but he didn’t see me do the deed. I found him nearby and I didn’t tell him what I did. None suspected me so I kept quiet. Except someone witnessed what I’d done. Hammond confronted me near Owen’s farm and we had words, a row more like. I tried to explain why I did what I had, but he wouldn’t hear my excuses. He wanted to apprehend me and take me to the clan. I fought with him and we wrestled and neared the ledge. I didn’t mean for him to go over the edge, but he fell and I saw him land on the rocks. He died instantly,” his voice pitched with remorse.
“God Almighty, Clive, this is…too much to bear. I don’t know what to say.” Callum scowled in astound.
Clive raised his dagger, but he turned it and pointed it at his chest. “I do. I can’t live with myself and the guilt anymore. The only person I ever wanted the respect of now detests me. I didn’t mean for it to go awry or hurt you, but Gavin deserved to die. I wasn’t about to give myself to a laird who had such deceit in his heart. Hammond was an accident and I didn’t mean to kill him.”
“And what of Elias’s death? Did you kill him, because I find it hard to believe he would commit suicide?”
“He was guilty of nothing except being an arse. I knew that, but I had to silence him before he stood in front of the council. They would have believed him. I couldn’t have you find out what I did so I made it look like he took his life. You wouldn’t relent with your questions.”
“Clive, lower your dagger. Come now, we can resolve this. I understand what happened. You did it only to protect me and I appreciate that.”
“I did do it to protect you, honestly. All I wanted was for you to be our laird as was right. You were more a leader to our clan than your brother was or what Elias would be. I couldn’t let them take from you, what you earned. I was always faithful to you.”
“I know you were. Please, Clive, give me the dagger. We’ll come to a solution of what to do. None will hold it against you.” Callum held out his hand. He reached for the dagger and Clive turned the blade to face him. He thrust out his arm and a whizzing sound came.
Callum dropped to his stomach at the sound of the clink of arrows that hit the stone edifice of the wall above him. He held his breath and covered his head with his arms. More arrows came and several landed on his back. When they stopped, he rose to his knees. Clive stood against the wall. He had many arrows, too many to count, sticking from his body, arms, and legs. He dropped the dagger and staggered forward.
“I’m…sorry.” Clive’s eyes dulled as he peered at him. He stumbled an
d pitched over the wall and fell from his view.
Callum rushed to his feet and peered over the ledge of the rampart. Clive lay at the base of the wall. His eyes peered up, but he breathed no more. A gasp rushed from his mouth in awe of what happened. Callum ran from the chamber and down the stairs until he reached the outside. He rounded the keep and reached Clive’s body.
When he neared, he fell to his knees and gazed at his good comrade and cousin. Hot tears burned his eyes as he glimpsed his longtime friend’s lifeless body. His life ended and blood covered most of him. Despair riddled Callum and he could not voice his wrath at what his soldiers had done. A calm mien struck him as he crouched there, and he turned to regard his clansmen. They stood side by side and their faces were somber.
“What have you done? You killed him,” his voice was but a murmur.
Neil stepped forward. “He was going to strike you with his dagger, Laird. We had to take action to protect you from him. You were in peril.”
“Nay, I wasn’t. Clive wouldn’t hurt me. He was giving me his dagger.” Callum stood and he eyed his men and pressed his hands over his face. “Go, leave me.” When they marched away, he yanked the arrows from Clive’s body. He tossed them aside and pulled the tartan from his upper body and covered Clive with it.
“Callum, come away,” Violet approached and set a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“He’s dead, Violet. Clive is…gone. He was responsible for Gavin, Hammond, and Elias’s murders.”
“I’m sorry, my love. Come away now. There’s nothing you can do for him. Let me get you inside.” She tried to help him stand, but set her arm over his shoulder. “You’ll mourn him as he deserves.”
“I will.”
Ian and Lockie approached. Violet stood when they reached him. She gave a look of distress to Ian, nodded her head, and walked away.
Ian pressed a hand on his shoulder. “Lad, come away. We’ll see to Clive.”
“He’s dead,” the words were a whisper on his lips.
“I know. We saw what happened.”
Callum continued to kneel next to Clive and suppressed the urge to weep at the loss. He rushed forth and retold them what Clive confessed on the wall. Both his uncles stood erect but didn’t interrupt him. When he finished, he gazed at his uncle and his shoulders sagged at the hurt in Ian’s eyes.
“He should’ve told me what happened. I would’ve helped him or at least, we could’ve dealt with the problems.”
Ian drew a long breath. “I suspected something was wrong. Clive was always a boisterous lad. Lately, he was withdrawn and rarely spoke to me. I should’ve asked him what troubled him. What happened was neither our faults. And we shouldn’t place blame on the soldiers either. They were only doing their duty and protected their laird.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Lockie muttered. “Clive did what he had to do. If God wants to punish him, he shall do so, but we shouldn’t condemn him.”
“Nay, we shouldn’t.” Ian threw a hand down at him to help him to rise.
Callum took it and stood next to his uncles. “I’m sorry I didn’t know… Damn it, he always confided in me. And the one time he should have, he didn’t. Why didn’t I notice the strain he was under?”
Lockie clutched his upper arm. “Clive held you above all others, always had. He probably thought you would be angry with him. Aye, he looked up to you since you were wee lads. He always revered you and never spoke a harsh word against you. He wouldn’t allow others to besmirch your name either. There was no other who was more devoted than Clive.”
Ian nodded. “I’m sure Clive didn’t want to hurt you by telling you what he did. It must’ve been difficult for him to keep all that buried within him. I understand what drove him to murder. Best not hold it against him.”
“I don’t…cannot.” Callum couldn’t walk away and peered down at the tartan that covered the closest friend he’d ever had. “Clive had my interest at heart when he killed Gavin. And Hammond should’ve understood why Clive did what he had. He acted out of desperation when he killed Elias.”
Lockie mumbled something and turned to face him. He pressed his hand on Callum’s shoulder. “It’s over, lad, this hellish business is done.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Days passed and turned into weeks since Clive died. Callum retreated to his office and rarely came out even though she’d encouraged him. Violet despaired at how to help him. She couldn’t get him to talk about what happened on the rampart or what Clive admitted to. When she’d awakened this morning, Callum sat at his desk with his feet propped on the table by the window. He gazed through the casement and didn’t answer her when she greeted him. She left him alone.
In the hall, she sat at the table, and as soon as the morning meal was placed, her stomach lurched. Fortunately, she made it to the chamber pot. Mor suggested she put pots around the castle for her use. But Violet hoped her nausea wouldn’t last long. The midwife, who she visited, said most women didn’t suffer too long with it. Violet hadn’t experienced such wretchedness when she carried Cora.
She returned to the hall and tried to eat a piece of bread to settle her stomach. Most of the Sinclairs stayed away from the hall since the ‘unfortunate event’ of what happened on the rampart. The soldiers practically tiptoed past the keep’s entrance. Lockie told her they held guilt for what they’d done, but they only protected Callum.
Henry sat next to her and bumped her shoulder. “Violet, I received a missive.” His smile widened as if he was pleased.
“Oh, I take it, it brings favorable news? Does that mean you’ll leave us?”
“It does and I am gladdened. This place has been nothing but gloom since… My army awaits me and I must leave posthaste if I will meet them in a week. I’ll take a ship and cut my travel in half and reach them sooner.”
“Come, I’ll walk you to the stables.” She left the castle with him and as they walked along, she glanced at the window where Callum stood. He watched them with his shoulder leaned against the casement.
Henry retrieved his horse and he secured his satchel to it. “This is goodbye, sweet Violet. I’m glad you found a place here. Unless… Are you certain you want to stay? If you’re unhappy, you only need to say a word. Perhaps you should come with me.”
“My place is here with Callum, Henry. He’ll come around when he’s through mourning. I wish you well. God be with you. I shall await news about your endeavor and hope your invasion is a success.” Violet clasped his hand.
Henry pulled her forward and he kissed her passionately. She pressed against his chest and stepped back. “Henry, can you not take no for an answer?” Violet laughed when he gave her a guilt-ridden gaze and pouted. “Go on with you. If, or rather when you have time, write to me. I want to know all that happens and if you find Cora send word. I shall come at once.”
“Once I take the kingdom from Richard finding her will be easy. I will send her to you immediately. Worry not and be well. And I hope Callum realizes the gift I gave him. Tell him farewell for me.”
“I shall.” Violet walked with him to the gate and waved to him as he mounted his horse. “Farewell, Henry.”
He rode out and she returned to the keep. She’d miss him, but it was best he went on his way. His attention made her uncomfortable, especially since Callum had retreated to his office. Violet tried not to be alone with Henry because she hadn’t wanted to hurt him. He’d aided her and it was the least she could do to maintain their friendship.
Dela sat at the table in a sulk. Violet pressed her hair, which was far more manageable since Gussy had cut away some of the tangles. “Why are you sad?”
“Da won’t come out of his chamber.”
She picked up Dela and sat her on her lap. “We must give your da a little time. He’s had an upset, but he’ll come around. He’s unhappy and he doesn’t want to make us gloomy too. But we’ll be here for him when he’s ready to rejoin the living, won’t we?”
Dela nodded. “Will you go to the garden with me this day
? We haven’t been there and I want to take the kittens outside.”
“I think that’s a lovely idea.” As she said that Mor entered the hall. “Good morn, Mor. Do you wish to join Dela and me outside? The weather is pleasant and we could use some air. We’ve been cooped up long enough.”
“Oh, I shall.” The elder woman walked hastily to the exit.
They retreated to the outside and Violet reached the bench. She sat on it and Dela ran off and chased after the kittens. Frang barked madly and chased her. Violet was concerned because the dog was uncontrollable, but she kept an eye on him.
Mor sat beside her. “My lad will come around. You must be patient with him.”
“I know and I am. It just saddens me to see how distressed he is. He’s been hurt by all that happened. Will he ever get over it? He’ll mourn Clive for some time.”
“He does mourn, but time will heal him. I must tell you… The stones grow stronger and soon they will call for him. The sky will awaken and its wrath will be intense. Callum must go when they call, but it shall help him gain acceptance. You must promise to follow him when he goes. Make sure he does what is needed.”
She shook her head at Mor’s speech. Many times she misunderstood the woman. She had no hint of what she spoke. What stones? How would stones help Callum? And the sky couldn’t awaken, but perhaps that’s not what she meant. The woman was aged, but she wouldn’t bring her dismay by telling her how far-fetched she was. It was best to humor her and nod.
Violet stood when Frang knocked Dela over. She lay on the dirt and cried. With a sprint, she reached her and picked her up. Frang tried to pick a kitten up and he growled low.
“No, bad dog,” she said and swatted his rump. But Frang wouldn’t be put off. Dela screeched, and Mor called the dog to heel. She spoke in Gaelic and the dog heeded her. Violet considered she needed to learn the language if only to command the dog.
