“You better mind that boasting, Reeve,” Duncan warned with a grin. “One of these days you just may come up against someone or something that’s stronger than you.”
“Brain and brawn, if I don’t use one I use the other,” Reeve said with a confident smile.
“Duncan!”
The fearful shout startled the two men, especially since it came from their mum and she didn’t frighten easily.
She rushed over to them, her plump size no deterrent to her speed and agility. “That young rascal Rand has disappeared again—” she paused abruptly.
Duncan hurried and spoke before his mum caught her breath. “How does a lad barely five wander off as much as he does? Wasn’t his sister with him? Alida usually finds him and brings him home since she’s the only one who knows his favorite,” —he stopped and turned worried eyes on his mum— “Mercy knows where Rand likes to hide.”
Mara nodded. “Alida returned in tears. A band of the king soldiers were spotted in the woods and Mercy wrapped Alida in her cloak and sent her to warn us while she continued to search for Rand.”
“Damn,” Duncan muttered. “She has no sense putting herself in danger while with child.”
Reeve slapped his brother on the back. “You really think that would stop her. And what are soldiers doing on MacAlpin land? The king grows bold.”
“Too bold,” Duncan said and looked to his mum. “Bryce?”
“He waits on your word.”
“We’ll need to divide if we’re to cover enough area before nightfall,” Reeve advised.
Duncan nodded and Reeve could see how difficult it was for his brother to keep his worry at bay.
“We’ll find her and that little rascal,” Reeve said.
“You better,” Mara ordered. “I’m looking forward to spoiling not only my first, but every one of my grandchildren.”
She walked off and Reeve shook his head. “Do you believe that? She was stern and strict with us and now she’s going to spoil her grandchildren.”
“She had no choice with us,” Duncan said. “The future of Scotland was at stake besides she raised us with a lot of love, which is what I intend to do with my children. Now let’s go find that foolhardy wife of mine.”
“You should have kept her chained to you.”
“Believe me. I often think the same myself.”
Mercy winced at the crunch of broken twigs beneath her booted feet. It was difficult to walk the woods without making a sound and that was what she was trying desperately to do.
She had spotted a band of about six soldiers not far off while she and Alida were searching for her brother. Rand had not been in any of his usual hiding places and Alida had been frantic. Mercy had purposely sent her back to the village to keep her safe and not to let her know that Rand’s new hiding place, which she had come across by accident the other day, was right in the path of the soldiers.
She had given thought to wait for her husband, for she had no doubt that he would come for her once he heard, but she couldn’t chance the wait. She didn’t know if Rand knew that soldiers were about and if they spotted him, she wasn’t sure what they would do with him.
They could very well cart him off and have him serve as a stable-hand to the king’s soldiers. She couldn’t let that happen, she just couldn’t.
A few more careful steps and she’d be near to Rand’s hiding spot and passed the soldiers. She treaded as lightly as she could and listened for sounds that anyone approached. She would reach Rand and patiently wait for Duncan. Her husband would be relentless about finding her and knowing that helped ease her worry.
She wondered what the soldiers were doing on MacAlpin land. The king’s soldiers usually kept to the borders. What had brought them so close? Her father, King Kenneth, surely didn’t continue to demand her return. He had washed his hands of her or had he? Then of course they could be trying to discover the true king’s identity.
Whatever their reason, she couldn’t concern herself with it right now. She had to find Rand and keep him safe.
She made her way cautiously toward a cropping of rocks where beyond she knew was a small cave—Rand’s new secret hiding place. He had divulged its whereabouts to her the other day, not knowing she was already aware of it, though swore her to secrecy since he had told her that it was his very special place.
She had felt honored that the little lad entrusted her with his secret and glad that he had since she assumed the information would be needed one day when he went missing. Only she never expected to be in need of it so soon or under such dangerous circumstances.
A few more steps and she’d be there, though she stilled a moment to make certain she heard no footfalls. She heard only the whisper of the wind and a rustling of leaves but no crunching of boots along the ground.
Still, she was cautious and approached her destination with a watchful eye. Hearing and seeing no one in sight, she hurried to the mouth of the cave.
Rand sat just inside, his skinny arms wrapped around his legs, his knees drawn up to his chin and his wide eyes red from crying. When he saw her, he didn’t hesitate, he ran to her. She caught him up in her arms and his little arms wound tightly around her neck. He had no intentions of letting her go.
“Soldiers,” he whispered and placed a finger to his lips.
Mercy kept her voice low. “I know. I sent Alida for help. Duncan and others will come soon. We’ll be safe here while we wait for them.”
Rand shook his head. “Soldiers keep passing; I can hear them.”
It could prove dangerous for them both if the soldiers remained in the area. The chance of being discovered would be too great. She would have to move them to a safer place, but where?
She remembered the same time Rand did and in unison they said, “A tree.”
Rand and she had climbed a tree one other time and it had provided a safe haven for them, and she hoped it would prove the same this time.
There was one not far from here that would not be too difficult to climb and so once again with cautious steps, only this time with Rand in her arms, Mercy made her way into the woods.
Duncan held up four fingers to Reeve where they sat hunched down behind thick bushes. Bryce and several other MacAlpin warriors had gone in another direction and Duncan worried that they would come across even more soldiers.
Reeve nodded and laid his hand to his sword.
Duncan stopped him and shook his head. He motioned that they should follow the soldiers and Reeve frowned as if asking why. But Duncan didn’t need to answer. The answer had come to Reeve fast enough and he nodded back at Duncan.
That was the way between the four brothers and always had been. Duncan remembered very clearly how often times each of them, Bryce, Trey, Reeve, and he would understand each other without words being spoken. Besides they had been taught the ways of a skillful and wise warrior. And Reeve understood without saying that they should follow the soldiers for they may lead them to other soldiers or if Mercy and Rand had been captured, they would lead them right to the pair.
Duncan was crazy with worry as he and Reeve silently followed the soldiers. He didn’t know what he would do when he found her; hug his wife or scream at her for being so foolish, though the hug was fast winning out. He wanted nothing more than to feel Mercy tucked safely in his arms and keep her there.
Mercy and Rand made it safely up the tree and were nestled comfortably in the arms of two thick branches, Rand curled snugly in her lap and her arms wrapped tightly around him. As chatty as Rand could be he realized the importance of silence in this situation, and it was a good thing he did.
They had been settled for nor more than a few minutes when Mercy heard approaching footfalls. She tightened her grip on Rand and waited.
Soldiers stopped near the tree and Mercy almost wanted to hold her breath for fear they would hear her breathing, though in the next moment she was surprised by the exchange of the two soldiers.
“It’s a bad mission,” one said.
“A cursed mission that’s what it is,” the other spat, “and being we know about it we’re cursed too.”
“I never wanted to be a king’s soldier.”
“Neither did I, Connor, which is why I’m risking my life now for surely the king’s men will hunt us down.”
“That they will, Robert, but I want no more of this warring madness.”
“We know too much, the king will not let us live. His soldiers will hunt until they find us and then make certain we tell no tales.”
“It’s the curse. It’s reaching out to get us.”
“Nonsense,” Robert argued. “It has no effect on us. It only works if,” —a moment of silence passed— “did you hear that?”
Connor listened.
Scurrying feet was all Mercy heard following the silence. She kept a keen ear and soon heard what the two fleeing soldiers had heard, footfalls and more than one or two. Rand heard as well for he tucked his face against Mercy’s chest and shut his eyes closed tight.
She felt his skinny body tremble and she continued to hold him close, offering the only reassurance she could… that he was safe in her arms.
The soldiers stopped for a moment and Mercy assumed they spotted the tracks the other two soldiers had left and then the pack took off.
She waited a few moments to see if any soldier lagged behind and when none appeared she made the decision to climb down and head to the keep. With the soldiers passed them, she and Rand could be back at the keep in no time. They might even run into Duncan or other MacAlpin warriors, then they would be nothing for them to fear.
Rand didn’t protest when she motioned to him that they were going to climb down. He seemed to understand her plan and agreed, hurrying along with her.
She lowered him to the ground from the last branch and then dropped down. She felt the pull to her back as soon as her feet hit the ground and stumbled. Rand was quick to offer what help he could. She silently chastised herself for not being more careful but she was in a hurry. They needed to get out of there and fast.
She took hold of Rand’s hand and they rushed off. She didn’t listen for sounds as she had before, she was too eager to get home.
Too late Mercy realized her mistake. She heard the footfalls when they were much too close and when she turned, keeping Rand behind her… she faced the blade of a swinging sword.
The sword never reached Mercy. Duncan flung himself at her shielding her and Rand with his massive body while Reeve smashed into the soldier with such force that it sent him flying, tumbling, and landing on his own sword.
With the single soldier so easily disposed of, Reeve went to work on the other three.
Duncan saw to Mercy and Rand, making certain they were all right. There was no point in offering Reeve help, he would only take it as an insult.
Rand watched with wide eyes as Reeve swung his sword taking down the remaining three soldiers in a few swipes leaving none to tell any tales. As soon as Reeve joined Duncan, Rand grabbed hold of his hand.
Reeve leaned down, lifted the little lad in one arm and tucked him against his chest, then he turned to Duncan. “We should get them back to the keep. We can send a few warriors to take care of any soldiers that remain.”
“Two soldiers ran away,” Rand said.
Duncan and Reeve looked to Mercy.
“Rand’s right. We hid in a tree and heard them talking below. The soldiers were searching for them.”
“What difference would it matter that two soldiers deserted the king’s army?” Reeve asked.
“They knew something about a mission that the king did not want known,” Mercy said.
Before the men could question her any further Rand pointed to Mercy and said, “She got hurt jumping out of the tree.”
Duncan immediately wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist.
“A small twinge to my back, nothing more,” she tried to reassure her husband.
“She can tell us more once we’re at the keep and she’s settled in bed,” Duncan said.
Reeve nodded and took the lead.
Duncan kept his arm around his wife, a wise move since after only a few steps a pain struck Mercy in the back that would have sent her to her knees if he hadn’t been holding her.
Duncan gave a shout to Reeve and he turned to see his brother scooping Mercy up into his arms.
“We hurry,” Duncan said and Reeve once again nodded and set a rushed pace.
Mara fussed like a mother hen around her chick, seeing that Mercy was settled comfortably in bed, a brew brought to her with supper to be served later.
No amount of protesting on Mercy’s part did any good and Duncan simply stood there grinning at her. His wife may not pay heed to his words but there was no avoiding his mum’s insistent nature. When she wanted something her way, she usually got it.
But he had learned a long time ago that Mara always did everything from deep within her heart and she fiercely protected those she loved and she loved every one of her sons whether they were from her womb or not. And now with her first grandchild on the way, there was no stopping her from ordering everyone about when it came to Mercy’s safety and well-being.
“You’ll not be bothering the ailing lassie,” Mara said sternly as her husband entered the room along with Bryce.
“A few questions no more,” her husband Carmag assured.
“It can wait until morning,” Mara said and fussed with the blanket around Mercy once more.
Duncan didn’t mind her fussing over his wife, though he had put his foot down when his mum had ordered him out of the room so that she could help Mercy into her night dress and into bed. If anyone was going to help undress his wife it would be him and grateful he had been for doing so, Mercy having leaned heavily on him as he had stripped off her garments.
Her sense of humor or perhaps it was her constant desire for him had her teasing. “I had thought about you stripping me bare since we left this room earlier.”
“And you have gotten your wish,” he had whispered, “though not quite as you expected.”
She had sighed and let her body go limp against him and he sensed her fatigue and knew her back continued to pain her. He had her in bed in no time and he intended to remain the rest of the night right there with her to make certain she was all right. And he had no intentions of allowing his da or brothers to badger her with endless questions.
Duncan moved to the bed to sit beside his wife, taking her gently in his arms so that she could sit comfortably cushioned against him.
“Duncan knows what his wife needs not like the lot of you,” Mara said, waving at her husband and two sons. “I’m going to see that supper is being prepared for the two and when I get back,” —she glared at each of them— “no more questions or I’ll be entertaining us with a lively tune during supper.”
Her husband and sons cringed painfully, recalling Mara’s wailing voice, though Duncan grinned.
“Hurry and be done with it,” Reeve snapped, “or she’ll be ruining our supper and I’m starving.”
Mercy didn’t wait for questions. “There isn’t much to tell. From what I could gather it seems that the two soldiers wanted nothing more to do with being soldiers for the king. And one spoke of a secret mission that had something to do with a curse. The other believed that they had been affected by this curse while the other argued it couldn’t affect them only if—”
“Only if what?” Reeve asked since she stopped abruptly.
“He never got to finish,” Mercy said. “The one heard something and they both hurried away.”
“It had to be something important,” Bryce said, “for the king to hunt two lowly soldiers down and want them dead.”
“Something to do with his empty coffers no doubt,” Reeve said. “Perhaps he has hunted down a witch to fill them for him.”
No one laughed and Reeve hadn’t meant them to. They all knew the king was desperate and desperate men do foolish and dangerous things.
“I’ll see what I
can find out while on my mission,” Reeve said.
“Be careful, Reeve,” Mercy said. “The two men sounded ever so fearful. Whatever that curse, the one felt it had affected them and it seemed he thought them doomed because of it.”
“I don’t believe in curses,” Reeve said. “They’re nothing more than nonsense.”
“Nonetheless,” his da said. “You will pay heed to Mercy’s warning and be careful. We don’t need you returning with a curse on you.”
“Reeve laughed. “A curse would be too fearful of me to stick.”
“Watch that boasting,” Bryce warned. “You never know what could happen.” He grinned. “Why you may just meet a woman and fall in love.”
“Now you’re really trying to curse me,” Reeve said with a laugh.
“Better you than me,” Bryce said, laughing himself.
“You don’t wish to be as happy as your brother?”
Reeve and Bryce cringed and Duncan grinned once again as their mum entered the room.
“In due time,” Bryce said bravely.
“Perhaps I should be finding you both wives,” Mara said.
“I can help,” Mercy offered with a smile.
The two men realizing they were on the end of a losing battle quickly made excuses and left the room, though Mercy called out to Reeve and had him halting while Bryce disappeared.
“Promise me that you will be careful,” she said seriously.
“I will take no unnecessary chances,” he promised and was gone before she could argue any further with him.
Mara ordered Carmag from the room, letting him know that she’d be down to join him for supper shortly. Then after she fussed over Mercy once more and instructed, for the umpteenth time, for her to remain abed until morning and told them that their supper would arrive shortly; she left.
As soon as the door closed, Duncan said, “You should have waited for me.”
“My only thought was for the safety of the lad,” she said, cuddling closer against him.
Highlanders Short Story Collection Page 9
