The Devil’s Laird by Brenda Jernigan

Chapter 16

After explaining to Agatha that she could not go with her, Siena grabbed her cloak and hurried to the kitchen where Alva stopped her to approve the dinner menu. Siena nodded, knowing she wouldn’t be there to enjoy the meal. She didn’t want the household to know she was leaving Black Dawn. She sighed, then she hurried out the back door.

Siena knew she had the strength to rescue the child. She would not fail. Across the lawn, she saw a puff of smoke drifting up in the air and knew that Elen, too, was visiting the fairies.

“Hello,” Siena said, once she reached them.

Elen jumped, startled. “Oh, lass,” she said, grabbing her chest. “Ye gave me a fright.”

Siena saw Elen’s face was bright red, so Siena asked, “Are you feeling poorly?”

“Something isn’t right, lass,” Elen said, shaking her head. “I’ve no felt like this since we were attacked, and then I dinna move fast enough to warn everyone.”

Barra fluttered in front of Elen, bobbing up and down. “Aye, Elen is correct and I bet you can tell us what is wrong, Siena.”

“Actually, I can,” Siena replied. “I’ve come to ask for your help, Barra.”

“Help?” Elen grabbed Siena’s arm. “What are ye talkin’ about, lass?”

“M--Michael is alive!” A sense of power came to Siena and she rushed on, “My father is holding him at the castle where I grew up.”

“How do you know this?” Barra asked.

“A note came for Roderick today. Since he isn’t here, I opened the message. It said that my father wants to exchange the boy for me,” Siena paused, “but he lied. He will kill Michael for revenge for my brother’s death.”

“So, this is why my head hurts,” Elen said. “When something affects the clan like this, then I always get these terrible headaches.” She took a couple of puffs from her pipe. “Dinna fear, our laird will know what to do.”

“No!” Siena shouted. They both looked at her. “I don’t want anyone to lose their life over me.”

“But Laird Scott will no want ye in danger,” Elen argued.

“It’s better to lose me than to lose his son. Besides, if my plan works, we both will escape and no one will die,” she spoke with firmness, then she peered at Barra. “I need to able to use my magic if I’m going to rescue Michael, and I’ll need your help.”

Barra fluttered up and down. “How may I help you?”

“You have given me the stones which are how I know what my father is planning. But can I go and get Michael and bring him back here?” Siena held her hand out and Barra landed on her palm.

“You have always had the power to go where you want to.”

“But how?”

“All you have to do is think hard about the place where you want to be, close your eyes and you will be there.”

“But what about coming back?”

“You can come back, but you cannot bring someone else with you.”

“That won’t work. I need to get Michael back safely.” Siena thought for a moment. “I know. The castle has many back hallways and passages. I’ll go and get Michael and then escape out the back of the castle, but we will need horses.”

Barra giggled. “I can help you there. I’ll come with you, as I don’t count as someone else,” she giggled again. “I have my own powers so I can get the horses you need to return. I’ll also stay with you for a little extra magic.”

“I would hug you,” Siena said. “If I were not afraid of damaging your wings.”

“That’s all right,” Barra said with a magical laugh. “I’m glad to help.”

“Are ye both crazy?” Elen said, jerking her arms straight up in the air. “Ye will be in the enemy camp with many men. Ye should wait for our laird.” Elen shook her head. “He will no be pleased.”

“Roderick will forget about his anger once he sees his son.” Siena clenched her jaw to kill the sob in her throat. “And I’ll be accomplishing his greatest wish . . . to have his son home safe and sound.”

“I’m one hundred and ten, lass. Ye should listen to me. He’ll no be happy if ye are killed in the process.”

Siena hugged Elen, wondering if Elen truly knew her own age. “Thank you for caring, Elen. I’ll send word to Roderick as soon as I leave so that he might meet us on the way home. Everything will work out. Wait and see.”

“Ye have powerful magic,” Elen paused, then continued, “it will take everything ye have to accomplish this task.”

“I know,” Siena replied.

Siena hurried back to the castle to talk to Agatha. She explained to Agatha what she was going to do and persuaded her to switch cloaks as Agatha’s was a dark color and would draw less notice.

Siena ran upstairs to retrieve Michael’s rabbit and then rushed back down.

After assuring Agatha that she would be all right, Siena instructed her to send word to Roderick and tell him what has happened, then she went back to the fairy mound and waited for Barra.

“Are you ready?” Barra asked, in her little girl's voice. The other fairies fluttered around like flies, wishing them well.

“I am,” Siena replied. Barra flew over and sat on Siena’s shoulder. Siena spun around three times. Everything grew black as the air rushed past them and then they were sucked into nothing . . . no sight … no sound … no feeling.

* * *

They landedbehind her father’s castle at the edge of the woods. Siena felt like a feather floating through the air. It would have been the perfect way to escape with Michael, however, Barra had explained that you had to be magical to fly from one place to another and the child wasn’t magical.

The gray walls of Balan Castle loomed ahead of them, and luckily the soldiers were not patrolling the back wall. The small door couldn’t be seen unless you knew where it was located, so Siena didn’t expect any problems.

She looked at Barra, “Will someone see you?”

“Nay. Only children and special people can see fairies. I’ll go and get two horses and wait for you here in the woods just in case there is a patrol.”

Siena nodded.

“And do be careful, Siena, as they can see you.”

Siena smiled. It felt good to have someone worry about her, she thought as she turned and headed toward the wall. Once there, she ran her hand across the cold stone until she felt the small knot in the wall. She pressed the knot and the door popped loose. With her fingertips, she pried the door open, leaving it cracked so she could see in the dark tunnel. She entered and reached for the torch and the flints, but the flints were not there. She wondered who had moved them and prayed that maybe she didn’t remember correctly, surely no one knew about this passageway.

Siena clutched her stones, took a deep breath, and blew on the end of the torch and it glowed brightly with orange and yellow flames. Her magic had served her well today. Perhaps she was getting better using her gift. She lit the other torch and left it in the bracket by the outer door, then she closed the door, leaving the outside world behind her.

Carefully, she walked down the stone passageway, ducking spider webs. It was cool and dark. Her breath sounded loud in her ears as she went deeper and deeper in the passageway until she reached the stairs. All her senses were strained, expecting every minute to be discovered. She started to climb the two flights of stairs until she came to the end which opened behind a chest in her old bedroom. She placed the torch in a bracket so they could use it on the way out, then she listened at the door to see if anyone was in her old room.

Nothing.

Slowly she inched the door open, so as not to scare the child. “Michael, pull the chest away from the door.” Luckily the child did as he was told. When she had the door open enough to get in, she slipped into the room, and immediately put her finger over her lips so Michael wouldn’t scream. His eyes were as big as saucers, but thankfully he remained quiet.

Siena knelt down so she’d be at eye level with the child. “Do you remember me, Michael?”

The child nodded. He jumped into her arms. “I want to go home. That mean man said my da didn’t want me anymore.”

“Such nonsense. Your father has been worried sick about you.” She hugged the child tight, trying to reassure him. “I have something for you.” She pulled out his rabbit and handed it to Michael. He latched on to it as if it would protect him from anything.

“I’m here to take you home,” Siena said as she rocked the child back and forth. “But you will have to be very quiet and brave because we don’t want to get caught. If my father comes in before I can get you out, then you must pretend I’m not here. Do you understand?”

Michael pulled back. “He is your da?”

“Unfortunately, he is but he doesn’t love me as your father loves you.”

A spark of hope entered the child’s eyes. “Is my da here?”

“He is not but he will meet us on the way home.” She prayed that what she said was true and Roderick was on his way. “He’ll be so excited to see you. He had no idea where you were all this time, and he feared you were dead.”

Michael smiled. Siena thought it probably had been a long time since the child had done so. Now there was hope in his eyes instead of sadness.

“I want you to sit on the bed with your rabbit. I’ll be right back. I’m going to the kitchen to get some food for our journey home.” She noticed Michael was dressed in a nightshirt. “Put your clothes on so you will be ready to go when I come back from the kitchen but stay under the cover in case someone opens the door to check on you.”

Siena hurried down the corridor, then down the back steps to the kitchen. Peering around the corner, she spotted Elsa, the gray-haired cook, by herself.

“Elsa,” Siena called in a soft voice. “I need your help.”

“I don’t believe my eyes.” Elsa ran over and grasped Siena’s hand. “I thought never to see you again, milady.”

“Where is the rest of your staff?”

“In the larder, milady. They will be back shortly.”

“Elsa, no one must know that you have seen me. It’s dangerous for both of us. I’ve come to rescue Michael. We will need some food for the trip back to his home.”

“Thank the heavens, someone is going to free that poor child. He has suffered here.” She grabbed Siena’s arm. “But it will be impossible for you to escape.”

“We’ll take our chances. His father should be meeting us on the way back home, and then he will be safe. Now go and gather a bit of food and put it in a sack so no one knows that you’ve helped me.”

Elsa scurried around the kitchen gathering bread and cheese. “I wish you luck, milady. Your father has been in a towering temper since your brother was killed. If he finds you, it will not go well.”

Siena hugged Elsa. “My father has been in a bad mood all his life. I must hurry. Remember you haven’t seen me. Stay safe.”

She dashed back to Michael’s room. He smiled the minute he saw her again and she realized he’d thought she wasn’t coming back for him. The child had had so much heartbreak at his young age that it broke her heart.

“I thought ye’d left me,” he said in his small Scottish voice.

She gave him a big hug. “I’m not going anywhere without you, I promise. Let’s make this bed look like you’re still in it.”

“Why?”

Because we want to make it look like you are sleeping if someone comes into your room to check on you.”

Siena put a pillow under the covers and bunched the blankets around the pillow to make it look like a small child was asleep.

“Wait,” Michael said. He put his stuff rabbit beside the pillow.

“Are you sure?” Siena asked.

“I’m a big boy now. I won’t need my rabbit or blanket.”

“Yes, you are a big boy. But your rabbit wasn’t here before so I really think you should take him.”

Michael smiled and tucked him under his coat.

She moved the chest, then pressed the secret panel so the door would open. She looked at Michael before they entered the tunnel and said, “It will be dark for a few minutes, but there is a torch.”

He nodded his head but gripped her hand tightly.

Thank goodness the torch hadn’t gone out. Siena shut the door while she pictured the chest moving back into place. She listened and sure enough, she could hear the scrapping as the chest settled back in place. Agatha had told her that Siena’s mother had had the passageway made without telling her father in case she needed to escape. Evidently, her mother had had doubts about her father, too.

“It’s dark,” Michael whimpered.

“I know, but we’ll be outside soon.” She held the lit torch but it barely cast a glow on the steps leading down to the tunnel so she could see why he was afraid.

“I’m afraid of the dark, but I’m a big boy now so I shouldn’t be afraid,” he said as he clutched her hand harder.

“Even big boys are afraid sometimes,” she said, trying to address his worries.

“I have an idea,” she said.

“Stars above

Stars are bright

Light this tunnel for us tonight.”

Tiny flecksof light hung in the air like lightning bugs. It was as if they had their own stars to guide them. Now they could see ahead of them.

“How did you do that?” Michael said in awe.

“It’s magic.” Siena smiled. “Now, we must hurry, however, these steps might be slick since it’s so damp in here, so I want you to be very careful not to fall. Hang on to the back of my cloak.”

She went first and Michael followed her. He slipped once but she caught him, and he giggled. She was glad he was no longer afraid. When they came to the long hallway, he grabbed her hand and they made their way to the very end of the tunnel.

Once they were outside, they had to wait a few minutes for their eyes to adjust to the light. It was late in the day but still much brighter than the tunnel. At this time of the year, the days became longer.

Siena checked to make sure there were no guards, then she and Michael ran for the trees.

“Barra!” Siena called.

“Who is Barra?”

“A friend. You will see in a few minutes.”

“I’m over here . . . come deeper into the woods,” Barra said.

And sure enough there she was fluttering beside a horse.

“It’s a fairy.”

“She is. Barra is our friend.”

“But nobody can see fairies.”

“You have to be special to see a fairy,” Barra said in her lyrical voice. “We must hurry, Michael. I could only find one horse, but I think it might be better this way.”

Siena helped Michael up first and then she mounted behind him.

“It’s best if we cut through the woods and stay off the main road until we are away from the castle,” Barra suggested. “I’ll cut a path for you. Follow me.”

Siena smiled. “You know it is nice to have a fairy for a friend.”

* * *

After they had riddenfor what seemed like hours, Siena felt like they would be safe to stop and rest. It was getting dark and she didn’t think that they would find out Michael was missing until the next morning, which would give them a little time.

“Let’s stop for tonight. I don’t want to injure the horse. We can start again at daybreak.”

She dismounted and then helped Michael down. “Let’s get some rest.”

“But it’s so dark,” Michael said, then added, “I’m not afraid anymore but it is still hard to see.”

“I will build you a fairy fire that will keep you warm,” Barra said as she swung her arm and pointed at the ground. A bluish light burst into a ball and hung just above the ground.

Michael gasped. “Someone will see.”

“Nay, lad. We are the only ones who will be able to see the fire so we will be safe for a time.”

“I wish I could do that,” Michael said in awe.

Siena and Barra laughed.

Siena spread blankets on the ground and then she settled in with Michael. He curled up beside her and murmured, “I miss my, da.”

Siena hugged the child. “He will be so glad to see you because he feared he never would.” She stared at the magical fire which was very relaxing as they ate their bread and cheese. “How did the knights find you?”

Michael bowed his head. “I didn’t stay in the cave as you told me to. I was afraid of the dark and I wanted my mother. So, I started down the hill and the knights found me and told me my mother was dead.” He let out a little sob. “Then they put a cloth bag over my head, and I don’t remember anything until I woke up in that castle room.”

“It must have been very scary for you.”

“It was, but I knew my da would find me.”

“He thought that you were at Berwick Castle, my brother’s castle so he attacked but you were not there. However, he never gave up hope and soon you will see him, and all this will be over.”

Michael yawned, then asked, “Are you my mother now?”

Siena smiled. “I am. Your father and I are married. I hope you approve.”

He snuggled next to her and said, “I like you.”

As she shut her eyes, she prayed that Roderick would arrive tomorrow to keep them safe. Then everything would be perfect.

* * *

“They are coming!”Barra was flying all around distracted.

Michael sat straight up. “What are we going to do?”

Siena thought for a moment. “I’m going to go back, and you will continue on with Barra.”

Michael threw his arms around her neck. “Don’t leave me.”

Siena patted him on his back then pushed him away. “Listen, you must be brave, Michael. Barra will stay with you until you meet up with your father.”

“What will happen to you?”

“I’m not sure but I’d rather they have me than you.” She gave him a small smile. “I have some knowledge that they want. I also have magic that I didn’t have before, so I’m sure I will be fine. Don’t worry.”

She got to her feet and saddled the horse, then kissed Michael on the cheek and helped him mount the horse. She gave him the reins. “Hold them tight but don’t pull back or the horse won’t go. Follow the path,” Siena paused. “Tell your father that I have kept my promise in giving him back his son. I know he will be thrilled.” She smacked the horse on the rump to get it going.

Wiping away the tears, she watched Michael until she couldn’t see him anymore. “Be safe, little one.” Then she turned back and started walking the other direction back to the place she didn’t want to be.

She’d been walking for about thirty minutes when her father and his knights burst onto the path. Her father jerked his mount to a halt twenty feet in front of her. “Hello daughter,” Cinge sneered. “Where is the boy?”

“Gone.”

Cinge turned to one of his men. “Go after the brat and then I’ll have them both.”

Two riders broke out of line and started around Siena. She turned and pointed toward the cliff, clutching her stones.

The knights’ horses bumped into something that no one could see. The horses reared and tossed the men off their backs. “There is something here,” one of the men yelled.”

“Nonsense,” Cinge said.

“They tell you the truth,” Siena said.

“How so?”

“Well, father you were right all this time. I am a White Witch and have prevented them from going any further. The boy will never be in your hands again.”

Cinge didn’t believe his daughter so he trotted his mount over to where the two men had fallen and he too hit something he couldn’t see, knocking him on his backside.

Siena laughed.

He stood and brushed off his clothes before mounting again.

“I always knew you were an evil child,” Cinge said. “But you will not get away from me. Malcolm is waiting at the castle and you are going to take him to find the Holy Grail or I swear that I will send every man I have to kill Roderick and his son.”