Highland Challenge (Highland Generations Book 1)

by B. J. Scott

  “Once we left the tunnel and reached the horses, I rode with them for a bit. After making sure they got away clean, I charged William with escorting them to the castle, and I returned to help you,” Callum said in his own defense. “Normally, I finish what I start out to do, but your cousin and mine persuaded me to do otherwise.”

  “Winning a discussion with either lady wouldna be easy, but with both, it would be next to impossible,” Andrew chuckled, then pressed a hand to his side. It hurt to laugh, so he closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath.

  “Do you have any other orders for us, m’lord?” the warrior asked again, then squatted beside Andrew.

  “What is your name?” Callum asked.

  “Graham, m’lord.”

  “As you can see, Graham, Andrew is injured. Give him some space to breathe, and when able, he will tell you what to do next.” Callum glanced around the hallway. “Where is Seamus? Can he na instruct you?”

  “Nay, m’lord. He was wounded when we breached the portcullis.”

  Upon hearing the news, Andrew’s eyes flew open, he grasped Graham’s tunic by the shoulder, and hauled him closer. “How badly is Seamus hurt?”

  Graham slowly shook his head and clucked his tongue. “I am na a healer, but it doesna look good. My guess is he willna live long enough to get back to the keep.”

  After releasing the man, Andrew peered up at Callum. “Take me to Seamus. Now.”

  “Best you rest a wee bit, or you willna make it back to the keep either,” Callum cautioned.

  “I have known Seamus since I was a lad,” Andrew snapped. “He is na just my friend, he is like an uncle to me, and I want to see him now. Help me up.”

  “Mareal was right. You can be a thrawn fool. Let me wrap your wound first, then I will do as you ask. We canna have you bleeding to death.” When Andrew released him and relaxed against the wall again, Callum removed his own tunic and tore a strip of fabric off the bottom, then wrapped it around Andrew’s chest. “It isna ideal, but it will support the wound and hopefully stay the bleeding until I can get you to a healer.”

  “Help me up and take me to Seamus,” Andrew muttered.

  Callum grabbed Andrew’s tunic, then hoisted him to his feet. He hung on tightly until he stopped swaying, then released him. “I still say you should rest a while.”

  “I am fine.” Andrew stiffened and faced Graham. “Where did they take the wounded?”

  “The great hall, m’lord.”

  “Lead the way,” Andrew ordered.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  “The wounded are being tended there.” Graham pointed down a short corridor. “If you dinna need me any longer, I will see the men receive your orders about the crofters.”

  Anxious to have his instructions relayed to the men, he released their escort. “We can manage from here.” Although he felt stronger than he did during his fight with Kayden, he was glad the hall was not too far.

  “Lord Fraser.” The man guarding the door bowed.

  “I was told the wounded came here for treatment. Where can I find Seamus Glen?”

  “Aye. They brought our injured clansmen here after the battle, but Seamus isna among them, m’lord,” the man said.

  The sudden tightness in Andrew’s chest made it hard to breathe. If Seamus was not with the others, it could mean he’d succumbed to his injury. “I am told he was wounded. Where is he?”

  “In the kirkyard, m’lord,” the man informed them. “We wanted to bring him here, but he wouldna hear of it. He asked to be taken there instead.”

  “Then he isna dead?” Relieved to learn Seamus was alive when he made the request, Andrew hoped it was not his last.

  “I canna say for certs, but you know how ornery Seamus can be?” the man stated somberly.

  “Aye. Like a spitting cat. I hope he also has nine lives.” Andrew turned to Callum. “We will go to the kirkyard, and I pray it isna too late.”

  “We are almost finished tending to the wounded, Lord Fraser. Have you any orders before you leave?” the man asked.

  Despite his eagerness to finish here and return to MacCurtry Castle as soon as possible, Andrew paused to consider the status of his men. “How many were hurt, and how soon can they travel?”

  “Even though the number of enemy warriors we faced on the battlements was two to one in their favor, we suffered only a few casualties. Seamus made sure we dinna take any unnecessary risks, he said. “Most can ride once treated, but there are a couple that may need a bit longer.”

  “Once the wounded are ready and able to travel, have all the men gather in the bailey, and prepared to depart for MacCurtry Castle,” Andrew replied. “I will leave a garrison behind to see order is maintained until the king’s regent can dispatch soldiers to take over the stronghold. Those who canna yet travel, may stay behind with them.”

  “Aye, m’lord.” The man ran off to do as Andrew instructed.

  “Speaking of wounded, I still say you should rest a bit afore we head back to the castle. Push it and that cut will start bleeding again,” Callum badgered. “I dinna fancy telling Mareal and Elise you bled to death, because you were too pigheaded to listen.”

  Callum had a point, but since the bleeding stopped, his strength was returning. The ladies were safe, the castle secured, and Kayden was dead, so finding Seamus while there was hopefully still time, took priority. He pressed a hand to his wound, inhaled deeply, then pointed toward the kirk. “I will rest later. I must find Seamus.”

  They left the keep and headed across the bailey toward the kirk. “Have you seen Seamus Glen?” Andrew asked a passing MacCurtry warrior.

  “Over there, Lord Andrew.” He pointed to a small cluster of trees in the kirkyard.

  Andrew approached, anxious to see his friend, but fearing the worst. “Seamus, you old warhorse, what in the name of St. Stephen are you doing lounging around out here when there is an abundance of ale and food in the keep?”

  The woman tending to Seamus rose, faced Andrew, and slowly shook her head. “I’ve done all I can for him. It is in the Almighty’s hands now.” She made the sign of the cross, then stepped away.

  Seamus lay beneath a large shady oak tree, with a view of a small stream only a few feet away. “As you can see, I found a bonnie lassie to watch the sunrise with.” He grasped his belly and began to cough. When the spell passed, a grin curled his lips. “Dinna tell my Maggie. She gets jealous if I look at another lass.”

  “Your secret is safe, my friend.” Andrew knelt beside Seamus, then lifted his bloody hand. He glanced at the stream rambling by, then back at Seamus. “Bonnie place to rest. After what you accomplished this day, you deserve it.”

  “Aye. No finer place to die than beside a stream, with the sun warming my face, and a soft bed of sweet-smelling grass beneath me.” Seamus groaned, then began to cough again.

  “I’ll na listen to such talk.” His belief that Seamus would live to see MacCurtry Castle again quickly fading, he squeezed Seamus’s hand until he could once again catch his breath and he stopped writhing in pain. “Donella is a fine healer and with Mareal’s help, you will be up and chasing Maggie around the hall afore you know it.”

  “You know as well as me, that isna going to happen, lad,” Seamus mumbled through gritted teeth. “We took the stronghold, but are the lassies safe?”

  “Aye, both are well. After we rescued the women and William took them back to MacCurtry Castle, Callum returned to assist me with Kayden.” Andrew stroked his hand across Seamus’s sweat-soaked brow.

  “The Almighty never blessed me with bairns, and no woman would put up with me,” Seamus chuckled, then clutched at his bloody tunic. “I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the lass.”

  Andrew rested his hand on Seamus’s shoulder. “I know you care for Mareal. Thanks to your diversion, she is fine. Callum saw to it.”

  “Mareal is like a daughter to me. When . . . when Kayden threatened her, I wanted to skin him alive,” Seamus sputtered on a ragged breath.


  “I am sure she feels the same way about you. But you must na talk. There is time for that when you are feeling better,” Andrew said.

  “Where is the heathen bastard? Dinna tell me the snake slithered off with Billingsworth,” Seamus rasped.

  “Kayden is dead and no longer poses a threat to Mareal or anyone else.” Callum stepped forward. “Andrew is right, you should save your strength. All went well.”

  “I am glad to hear it, but—” Seamus plucked at Andrew’s bloody tunic and frowned. “It appears all did not go well if you got yourself wounded. I should na have let a young pup like you out of my sight.” He peered up at Callum. “Did you na have his back?”

  “He came through when it mattered the most,” Andrew said in Callum’s defense. “It is a flesh wound, so there is no need for you to fash.” Andrew could not believe that even in his grave condition, Seamus worried about his injury.

  “If he had your back when it mattered, how did you get wounded?” Seamus asked, then leered at Callum.

  “Getting the ladies out was not as easy as anticipated, and we met with resistance when we tried to leave. Callum was busy warding off his own attackers when I was hit.”

  “Kayden?” Seamus mumbled, his voice weakening rapidly.

  “Nay. One of the men he had guarding the lasses caught me with his blade. But I will be fine,” Andrew reassured him. “I tangled with Kayden na long after that.”

  “And where was Forbes then?” Seamus sputtered.

  “I ordered Callum to accompany the ladies to MacCurtry Castle, while I stayed back to ward off any followers. But once he was certain no one posed a threat, he sent them the rest of the way with William, and returned to help me. He wanted Kayden stopped as much as I did.”

  Seamus glanced up at Callum. “You were prepared to kill your own cousin?”

  “Kayden was evil, and I was ready to do what was necessary to stop him,” Callum answered simply. “But as I am sure you know, Andrew is a thrawn man, and he was determined to face him, despite his injury. I was prepared to step in and finish Kayden off if the need arose.”

  The corner of Seamus’s mouth curled upward. “Thank you for seeing the lasses got away safe and for supporting Andrew when I couldna be there to do so. I am sorry if I misjudged you.” His speech barely audible, he crooked his finger at Callum.

  Callum squatted beside Seamus. “No need to apologize. Rest now.”

  Seamus shook his head, then did his best to continue. “I dinna know Donnal MacCurtry, but your da would be proud of the way you stepped up to aid Mareal and the clan. You will make a fine laird.” When finished what he wanted to say, Seamus gripped his chest with both hands, arched his back, and gasped for air.

  “Easy Seamus. No more talking.” It tore at Andrew’s heart to see his friend in such pain, and he feared the end was near.

  Still struggling to speak, Seamus clutched the neck of Andrew’s tunic and tugged him closer. “You were a fine lad and grew up to be an even greater man. I know she is a hellion, but Mareal will make you a fine wife.” As he muttered his final words, Seamus sucked in a short shallow breath, before his hand went limp—releasing Andrew’s tunic—and flopped to the ground.

  Andrew scrubbed his fist across his chin and rocked back on his heels. “We lost one hell of a man this day. He will be missed.” He’d seen warriors die before, but this was different. This was no ordinary man. It was Seamus, his dear friend and mentor. A man he loved like family. Fighting to hold back tears, he lowered his head and prayed.

  “I know you and Seamus were close. I am sorry for your loss.” Callum cupped Andrew’s elbow and helped him to stand. “If you are up to the ride, we must assemble the men and head back to MacCurtry Castle. I will have someone come for his body and will see he has a funeral befitting a great warrior.”

  “Aye, I can ride.” Andrew coughed to clear the lump of emotion in his throat. “It is time to go home.”

  ****

  “What can be taking them so long? I have half a mind to saddle Star, and go back to Billingsworth Castle after them.” Beside herself with worry, Mareal paced back and forth, wringing her hands.

  James stepped in front of the door, blocking the only way out. He stood firm, with his sword in hand and his arms crossed over his chest, his stare of determination unmistakable. “You will do no such thing. I reluctantly agreed to let you wait for Andrew here in the great hall, but if you even think about leaving the castle and going back there, you will find your arse warming a stone bench in the dungeon quicker than you can spit.”

  “She is only thinking aloud.” Elise rose and confronted James. “She is concerned, and with good reason. Mareal is verra enthusiastic and just has a habit of saying what is on her mind. That doesna mean she plans to follow through with what she says aloud.”

  “You best be right,” James snarled. “She snuck out on me once, and I willna be tricked again.” He widened his stance, his glower fierce.

  “I already apologized profusely for what I did. When Andrew returns, I will take full blame.” While she had in fact told him she was sorry, if she had to do it all again to save Elise, she would in a heartbeat. But as much as she wanted to go after Andrew, she knew James would never let his guard down, and the chance of him ever believing a word she spoke was slim to none. “What I did was foolish at best, and I would never try it again.” She stood with her hands tucked behind her back, her fingers crossed. Never was a word she neither liked or believed in, and despite the possible outcome, she wouldn’t hesitate to put her life on the line for someone she cared about.

  William joined James by the door. “I agree with what he said. And I am here to assist him in making sure you stay put. So dinna even think aloud.”

  “Neither of you have anything to fash about.” Elise steered Mareal toward a chair at the dais. “I dinna blame her for wanting to help my cousin. If I possessed the brawn and prowess of a warrior, I would go after him myself. But I dinna have the brawn to lift a sword, let alone wield it. I too must wait patiently and pray for the safe return of Andrew and his men.” She sat, then patted the seat beside her, urging Mareal to join her.

  Aware there was no way she could get by James and William, let alone out of the hall, Mareal plunked herself down on the chair, then whispered in Elise’s ear. “I will go mad if we dinna get word soon. Something went wrong, I can feel it in my bones.”

  “You have no choice but to wait. You promised Callum if he let William bring us to the castle while he returned for Andrew, you would come home and stay here, no matter what. You mustna break your word.”

  “I know.” Frustrated, but aware what Elise said was true, Mareal exhaled sharply.

  “Andrew is a fine warrior. My Uncle Connor and his brothers taught him well. I dinna know Callum Forbes, but he also struck me as one who can take care of himself in battle,” Elise whispered. “He will make some woman a fine husband.”

  When Elise mentioned Callum’s name, her upcoming nuptials to a man she did not know, or love came to mind. Mareal desperately wanted Andrew to return unharmed, but she feared when he did, he would resume his search for a husband, the man who would take her father’s place as laird. Callum was a handsome, braw warrior and Elise was right, he would make a fine husband, but not hers.

  She cringed inwardly at the thought of marrying anyone but Andrew. But that union was not to be. After she confessed her inner most feelings, practically laid her heart and soul on a platter before him, he said nothing to indicate he felt the same. Just as she believed he would never agree to give up the Fraser name and his seat as future laird of his clan to marry her.

  “Do you na find Callum appealing?” Elise asked.

  “I agree he would make a fine husband for some lucky woman, but na—” Mareal began, then stopped speaking when Callum entered. Alone.

  Afraid her premonition was right, and Andrew was dead, Mareal clutched a hand to her throat. But when he entered the hall on Callum’s heels, relief and joy washed ov
er her.

  “Thank the Lord you are alive,” Mareal squealed and bolted forward, but halted when she noticed Andrew’s bloody tunic, his slow gait, and a painful grimace accompanying each stride. “I knew you were injured helping us to escape.” She continued to Andrew’s side, then carefully curled her arm around his waist. “Why did you lie to me?”

  “Would you have left if you knew?” Andrew asked.

  “Nay. Of course, na.” Mareal could not believe he would ask. She did not want to leave as it was, had she known of his injury, no one could have dragged her away.

  Andrew shrugged. “Then you have your answer.”

  “Thrawn fool!” Mareal slapped his chest. “What if you had died?” She was furious he did not tell her about his wound, but she was relieved and thankful he made it home alive.

  “I can attest to that,” Callum chuckled. “He is a thrawn fool.”

  Elise joined them, focusing her attention on Callum. “Thank you for your part in helping us to escape, and for going back to help Andrew.”

  “No thanks is needed, Lady Elise.” Callum closed the gap between them, took her hand, and pressed his lips to the back of it.

  Obviously taken aback by Callum’s gesture, Elise blushed, and tugged her hand free. “You are mistaken, m’lord,” she stammered. “You risked your life, and I owe you a huge debt of gratitude, as does my entire family.”

  “You owe me naught, lass,” Callum said. “I would do it again were the need to arise.”

  “I was so afraid you were dead.” Elise quickly faced Andrew, then hugged him. “I wish mother was here to take care of you.”

  “Death was na a consideration. I promised I would return you to your parents safe and well, and I intend to personally escort you back to Fraser Castle.” Andrew stroked Elise’s cheek with his knuckles and smiled. “There is no denying that your mother is a fine healer, but she is na here.” He turned to face Mareal. “If you are na too angry with me, mayhap you could tend to it.”