Be bold.
Valan’s words echoed in her mind and it gave her strength. She would figure out a way to set them free, even if it cost her everything.
Somehow, she would find a way to make this right.
Eventually, they made it back to her chambers and she was thrust inside with a nasty jolt. Her arm ached with pain where his iron grip held her, and she rubbed, she stumbled to maintain her balance. Bridget glanced desperately at the door and the guard frowned.
“’Tis better if ye dinnae fight,” he told her. “Laird MacDonnell is nae a forgiving man.”
Her lip trembled as she was about to speak, and reached toward him, but the door slammed shut before she had the opportunity. For a moment, Bridget stared at the door in shock. She couldn’t believe that this was really happening.
The only other time she could remember feeling so overwhelmingly helpless was the day her ship was attacked. It brought back the fear, panic, desperation…horror…all of it. This time she would not let it overwhelm her. Bridget refused to resign herself to the fate that Rodrick chose for her—she was done letting men decide her path.
She would not be a victim; she was a survivor.
As her panic morphed into determination, Bridget realized one of the maids was in the room with her. At some point in the commotion, she must have entered the chambers—or never left.
“Leave me,” Bridget told her. “I wish tae be alone.”
The woman nodded, moving slowly toward the door. “I will go if that is yer wish, but I hate tae seeing ye in such distress.”
She swallowed hard and set her jaw determinedly. “The man I care fer is about tae be executed, even though he’s done nothing wrong. My betrothed has shamed me and intends tae return me tae my brother. Nae one is listening tae a word I say, and now I’m banished tae these chambers. How am I supposed tae feel?”
The maid came toward her slowly. “Then…ye were speaking the truth about Captain Valan,” she confirmed softly. “He really is a good man?”
“Aye, the best I’ve ever kent. And now he’s going tae die because of me.”
The maid sat down beside her on the bed and said, “I think that I can help ye.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Dungeon, Castle Strome
I n the dungeons of Castle Strome, a thin beam of light shone down through one of the windows. Valan and his men spoke in whispered conversation so the guards would not hear them as they planned an escape.
“Is that really the best option?” Niall asked. “It seems risky.”
Valan sighed, leaning back so that his head rested against the stone. “Aye. It will be far easier tae escape from outside, than trying to break out of the dungeon itself. The least distance we can put between us and the exterior wall, the better. We should wait till morning when they bring us out into the courtyard.”
Kent groaned in frustration. “It dinnae look like we have any other choice.”
The rest of the crew all murmured in agreement.
“Then it’s agreed. When the guards come tae take us tae the gallows, we’ll let them take us tae the courtyard then make our move.”
“What about weapons?”
“I think I saw them in the antechamber just around the corner. I dinnae get a good look, but I’m fairly certain.”
The quartermaster nodded. “Failing that, take the weapon off the first man ye kill. Those guards are bound tae have something useful.”
Valan bristled slightly at the man’s suggestion. “That’s one option, however, speed is more important. It dinnae matter if we have weapons as long as we can make it tae the ship.”
Niall nudged his brother in the shoulder and said, “He has a point.”
Kent mulled that over slowly. “Aye. Very well, forget the battle and head fer the dock.”
He cast his gaze toward the window as the others continued talking. The light outside grew dark, and he wondered how long they’d been in chains. Across from their cells a row of torches lit the corridor. The whole room stank from body odor and the air was foul.
How could I have let this happen? he cursed himself angrily.
Yet, he already knew the reason: he wanted to please Bridget and give her the happy life that she deserved. His affection for her clouded his judgement and he wandered right into Rodrick’s trap.
He gritted his teeth.
That foul disgusting man did not deserve her. Valan couldn’t believe his sweet Bridget was destined to marry Laird MacDonnell—that simply could not happen. She was in danger and may not even know it. In all his years, Valan had never met a man more sinister or committed to his own self-importance. In their brief encounter, it was clear Rodrick had no concern for anyone but himself—and that made him dangerous. That meant he’d be willing to sacrifice innocent men if it helped him further his agenda.
“What about Bridget?” Valan asked. “We cannae leave her here.”
The crew glanced at one another before responding. “Captain, it is nae possible. We dinnae even ken where she is.”
“Then I will find her,” he insisted crisply. “The rest of ye make it tae the ship. Bridget and I will meet ye there.”
Kent sighed looking over to him and saying, “Are ye sure?”
“Aye. I’m nae leaving here without her. If we dinnae make it there in time, set sail without us.”
His ears perked up at the sound of footsteps walking past their cell, and Valan turned toward it. A shadow danced across the firelight from the torches on the wall and a small figure appeared. He tensed at their approach until realizing it was a woman. As she came nearer, Valan could make out her features and he took an influx of breath.
“Bridget?”
“Bridget?” the other exclaimed while approaching the bars as she placed her hand against the metal lock. “Shh! There isn’t much time. I’ve come tae get ye out of here.”
Valan’s heart swelled with emotion when he saw her, and his jaw fell open in shock. “How? There are a dozen guards outside.”
The men murmured their appreciation in hushed voices as she glanced nervously down the hall and pulled out a set of keys.
“I had some help. One of the lads upstairs was willing tae hear reason, he slipped me the key.”
Valan’s eyes widened in disbelief as she undid the lock and it clicked open against the door. The cell door creaked open and Bridget put a finger to her lips.
“Hush! Everyone else is at supper, so they’re distracted. The guards upstairs are with us, they ken what’s going on and they’re going tae let us out the gate.”
“What? Why?”
“Because Laird MacDonnell is a tyrant. They believed me when I told them ye were innocent. The clansmen are nae evil, they’re just following Rodrick’s orders, he’s the one behind everything.”
The crew murmured in acknowledgement as they exited the cell and stepped out into the corridor to await further instruction. When Bridget’s eyes met Valan’s, she rushed over to him and threw her arms around his neck. “Valan, I’m so sorry. This ne’er should have happened. When I heard ye’d been arrested, I knew I had tae get ye out of here.”
“How did ye convince them tae listen tae ye?”
“One of the guards is the brother of the maid attending me,” she explained. “She insisted he hear me out.”
Valan stared at her in wonder and lifted his hand to her cheek.
“I thought I would ne’er see ye again,” he told her breathlessly.
She placed her forehead against Valan’s and exhaled in relief.
There was a faint clanging in the distance, and she whipped her head around. The entire crew was watching them, and she felt her cheeks turn a rosy scarlet. Kent cleared his throat and said, “If the two of ye are finished, the rest of us would like tae get out of here.”
Bridget nodded, though her hands shook. “Of course. They told me yer weapons are being held upstairs.”
Valan found himself rejuvenated by the unexpected turn of events and cracked
his knuckles. “All right, lads. Let’s dae this.”
Bridget and Kent nodded in agreement, as he led everyone toward the stairs. “Come on, let get out of here before they realize we’re missing,” Kent told them in a tense whisper.
Valan took Bridget by the hand and led them carefully up the stairs, keeping a wary eye out for anything suspicious. When they reached the top of the stairs a man met them in the hallway. He motioned for them to come and ushered the crew over to a private alcove where all the weapons and supplies were being held.
“Thank ye,” Valan told him quietly.
The guard nodded before looking back into the courtyard to make sure that no one was coming. “Ye’re going tae exit out the side gate and make the rest of yer journey through the trees—Fergus will show ye that way. There’s a route we sometimes use when bringing up supplies, but it may be difficult tae see.”
“Why nae take the path we used before?”
He shook his head. “It’s being guarded.”
Valan nodded stiffly, releasing Bridget’s hand to secure the rapier along his waist. He looked back at the guard appreciatively. “We owe ye our lives. I cannae thank ye enough.”
The man bowed to Bridget and back away discretely. “The others and I will try tae distract them as long as we can. Good luck!”
Valan took her by the hand, and with the other lifted his blade defensibly. Kent, Iain, Niall and the others all followed close behind. Deftly, they crept down the hall until arriving at a wooden door.
He opened it carefully and stepped out onto the mossy stones outside of the castle. The rest of the crew exited as well and soon they were gathered tightly along the castle wall. His senses were on high alert and he felt his blood begin to rush. While he tried to figure out their next step, a man poked his head out from the shadows of the trees. He motioned to them like the man inside and encouraged them to follow.
“Ye must be Fergus,” Valan addressed him.
“Aye. We need tae move fast. I suggest ye travel in groups of five, that’s less likely tae draw attention.
Valan nodded. “My thoughts exactly. Kent, ye will take the first group. The rest of us will follow after.”
The quartermaster nodded obediently. “Aye, Captain.”
Fergus glanced down at the path between the trees that was barely visible in the underbrush. “Alright then. Come with me.”
Kent balked. “’Tis only big enough fer sheep. How are we tae find our way?”
Fergus shrugged and then turned back toward the trees. “’Tis the best I can do. Sorry.”
Valan sighed, looking back toward the overgrown path. “’Tis more than enough. Thank ye, Fergus.”
Valan watched as Kent and four other members of his crew began the descent down the wooded hillside. The foliage grew almost to his knees and it was near impossible to see in the fading light. A few moments later, he gestured for another group to follow, and then another, until all of them had disappeared into the trees. Only he and Bridget remained with the final group.
Valan glanced over at them and nodded, “Let’s go.”
Deftly, they started down the cumbersome path and stepped over the rocks and debris. The underbrush had been disturbed by the men before, and it was somewhat easier to find their way. Little by little, they made it down toward the shore and sky grew darker with every passing minute.
Valan felt his blood begin to rush as they caught up with the others and made his way over to Kent. They stood at the edge of the trees which opened out onto the shoreline. The ship was in sight, still tied up to the dock only a few hundred feet away. Torches lit the wooden pier and illuminated the path leading back toward the castle. It provided them with enough light to see where they were going.
Kent whispered from behind him. “How many men dae ye see?”
“Four,” Valan responded. “But there will be more just out of sight, who’ll come running when we charge them.”
“Iain, ye and Geoffrey untie the ship. Niall, take a handful of men and get yerselves directly tae the oars.”
“Aye, Captain.”
At last, he turned to his quartermaster and said, “Kent, ye’re with me. The rest of us need tae fight off the guard.”
They all murmured in agreement and Bridget cleared her throat. “What about me?”
All of them turned at the sound of her voice, seeming to have forgotten she was there. Valan sighed and kissed her briefly on the lips, saying, “Stay down, and get tae the ship as fast as possible. Dinnae let them recognize ye. And whatever ye dae, dinnae get involved—we can handle ourselves.”
Bridget swallowed hard and nodded.
“Very well. Follow my lead.”
Valan set his jaw aggressively and then rushed out onto the shoreline, brandishing his weapon to attack the first guard he saw. Kent fought along beside him, cutting down MacDonnell guards and clearing a way for the others to escape. While they were engaged in battle, Valan prayed that the others were able to make it to the ship. He knew it wouldn’t be long before reinforcements came, and he wanted them to be already far out at sea before that happened.
Suddenly, a cry broke out above the fight that set a chill down his spine. “Kill them all! Dinnae let them escape!”
Valan glanced up the castle path and saw at least two dozen men and Laird MacDonnell come charging from the fortress. Captain Valan roared with fury and attacked them mercilessly, giving the others time to climb on board the ship. Valan’s entire crew made it safely on board, then he turned on his heel and leapt into the ship just as it left the landing.
The men rowed hard, pulling back on the oars with all their might. In a moment of panic, Valan glanced around to make sure that Bridget was with them. His gaze fell on her, having grabbed a pair of oars herself and rowed furiously with the rest of them.
Thank God.
Valan grinned and looked back over his shoulder. Rodrick was on the shore, shaking his fist with rage.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Loch Carron, Coast of Argyll
“R ow!” Valan commanded.
His order was met with groans and a tremendous splash of water as they pulled back on their oars. The synchronized pattern of their movements thrust the ship deeper into the loch, bringing them farther and farther away from Castle Strome. The water beneath them was completely black, illuminated only by the moon and twinkling stars. He could see the light of torches moving frantically on the docks where they’d escaped. Men scrambled around the pier trying to ready another ship.
Valan grinned, knowing there was no way they could catch them now.
It was times like this when the men of Clan MacNeil truly shined. Even in the dark of night, they were masters of the sea. Even so, that didn’t mean they were safe yet.
As the oars splashed into the water, he turned back to the front of the ship and gazed out over the pitch black water. They didn’t have time to waste with Laird MacDonnell’s men coming after them.
“Row!” Valan called out to them again. “Row like yer lives depend on it!”
The men grunted from exertion as they pulled back again with the oars. All of them moved together in rhythm, sending the birlinn farther out to sea. Valan glanced back toward the chaos still ensuing on the pier, and the cries of defeat grew softer. Now, with a comfortable berth of distance between them, he allowed himself a sigh of relief and took inventory of his crew.
Some of them were badly injured, laying bloodied on the benches while the others rowed. He counted five—five of his men who trusted him and were hurt because of it. He felt a pang of guilt at the sight of them and swallowed the lump growing in his throat. Thankfully, none of their injuries were severe enough to cause grave concern but he still felt the weight of responsibility for having put them in danger.
His eyes flickered to where Bridget rowed alongside the rest of them. Her face was pale, and her gaze fixed on the sea ahead. There were a dozen things he wanted to say to her, but those would have to wait.
Valan’
s thoughts were interrupted by Kent calling from the rudder. “Captain, ships! They’re coming after us.”
The captain turned at the frantic warning and saw four ships coming after them in the moonlight. He winced to make out the faint outline of their sails. “Dinnae fear, it would take a miracle fer them tae catch us. The wind is in our favor.”
Geoffrey glanced up at him and said, “Are ye sure?”
“Positive. They’re nae as skilled at the sea as we are—it’s in our blood. We dinnae have tae fight them, we just have tae outrun them and keep a steady pace.”
Bridget frowned. “What if ye’re wrong? What happens if they catch up tae us?”
“Then we’re already dead,” Iain told her.
“Nae we’re not,” Valan shot back. “Because we will nae give them the chance. We’ll only die if we give up hope. Now ROW!”
As they continued with their valiant attempt, Valan sat down on an empty bench and grabbed the oars as well. They needed every ounce of strength that they could find if they were going to outrun them. His hands gripped the wooden handle and he pulled with all his might.
“Row!”
The MacNeils continued giving their strength and energy to gain speed, and over time the MacDonnell ships fell behind. Eventually, they were able to escape the loch as well and make it out to open waters. Moonlight reflected off the waves like a beacon of hope, yet they knew they would not be safe until they were home in Castlebay.
“Keep going!” Valan commanded. “We cannae be sure they’re nae still following.”
The men heeded his order and kept on with their rowing. At least, they were safe for the time being.
H ours after they’d escaped Rodrick and his men, the crew was able to rest. Wind took hold of their sails and guided them gently through the water. They were exhausted, hungry, and longed for the warmth of their women’s arms. Valan looked over to where Bridget sat and stepped over the benches to meet her on the rear of the ship.
Rescued by Valan (The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders) Page 16
