The Silent Highlander by Donna Fletcher

Chapter 23

Odran’s mind was on his wife as he discussed the situation with his da while his warriors surrounded Cowan’s men so they would have no chance of retaliation. He worried more of what she thought of him than facing a possible battle. Concerned as he was, she had to see what the curse had done to him, his family, the clan as a whole and understand it was the way life would be for them. It was a never-ending battle to survive the evil that had been cast upon them. He had told his wife many times that he never regretted marrying her and he didn’t. He couldn’t bear the thought of life without her. What he did regret was that she would have to share in his suffering and that troubled his heart.

“I am relieved to know that Elysia is safe and unharmed and I say good riddance to Cowan,” Fergus said. “He started more trouble than he was worth. He rallied the other clans against us with lies for his thirst for power, not caring about the cost it would take to quench it. His death could very well bring some much needed peace to the area. It’s how the other clans might react that concerns me. They’ll fight with us over who will be appointed the new chieftain.”

“There is nothing to fight over. Cowan had three daughters, Crissa being his oldest. She carries his firstborn grandchild. She will wed the man she loves and he will be appointed the new chieftain,” Odran said.

Fergus smiled. “One of your faithful warriors.”

“Who will make sure peace prevails between our two clans.”

Fergus nodded, pleased with the suggestion. “Who is this warrior?”

Odran waved Finch over. “Find out who the father is of Crissa’s bairn.”

Finch drew his shoulders back. “I’m the bairn’s father, and it’s actually all your fault.”

Odran’s brow narrowed. If it had been anyone else who dared to accuse him of such nonsense, his response would have been harsher, but Finch had been a faithful friend and warrior through the years. “My fault, you say?”

“Aye, I met Crissa in the woods when I traveled back and forth with messages from your da to you. She escaped there often, her da heavy-handed with her being the oldest daughter.”

“Did you know who she was when you first met her?” Odran asked.

Finch shook his head. “How could I? Cowan kept his daughters practically locked away. He had plans to arrange marriages for each one of them that would benefit his clan. It was when she appeared one day with a bruised eye that she confessed all. By then we had become friends and…”

That he let his words drift off told Odran what he had already surmised. “And lovers?”

Finch nodded. “Foolish of me, I know, to become so intimately involved with the enemy, though I didn’t know that at the time. But I never made mention of anything that went on here and Crissa never asked.”

“Do you love her?” Odran asked, though he knew his response. Where Bram only thought of himself when it came to the endless women he poked, Finch cared about the women he poked, only not enough to remain in a faithful union.

Finch sighed and shook his head. “I do have feelings for her, but not having seen her since your return home, I really can’t say that I’ve missed her.”

Odran surmised why that was. “Onto another woman?”

Finch nodded, “A woman who pokes for the sheer joy of it.”

Odran laid a firm hand on Finch’s shoulder. “I cannot order you to curtail your straying ways, nor do I think it would do any good to do so. I do, however, expect loyalty from you when it comes to the Clan MacBridan.”

“Never would I betray my clan, Lord Odran, on that you have my solemn word. I would die first.”

“Your death is not necessary, but you will sacrifice for the clan,” Odran said. “You will wed Crissa and become the new chieftain of the Clan MacFarden.”

Finch stood stunned for a moment, then he hurried to speak. “I will serve you well, my lord, as Chieftain of the Clan MacFarden, and I will make certain the Clan MacFarden serves you well and remains loyal to the Clan MacBridan.”

“Make sure of it, Finch. You wouldn’t want to face me in battle,” Odran warned and Finch visibly shuddered. “Before you go see Crissa and assure her all will be well, bring Stiles to me. I will need a new man to take your place.”

* * *

Elysia closedthe door on the couple. Crissa rested comfortably with Finch by her side. She’d been pleased and relieved when she had learned that Finch was the father of Crissa’s bairn. Finch appeared a good man, and she hoped for Crissa’s sake that he was.

Crissa had shed tears over her father’s death, but not tears of sorrow as one would expect but rather tears of relief. She had talked about what a brutal man her father had been, not only to her and her two sisters but to others as well, and she felt no remorse in being glad he was gone. She had worried over who might be appointed the new chieftain of the clan, and had been overjoyed with the news that Finch would become the new Chieftain of the Clan MacFarden.

Elysia had cautioned that it was best Crissa wait for a day or two before returning home. After examining Crissa’s bruises, Elysia felt that there was no worry to the bairn. It was Crissa’s face and arms that had suffered the most, she having shielded herself with her arms when her da had repeatedly struck her. Elysia had a decoction of Lady Mantle made and cloths soaked in it to be applied to the bruises which would help with the healing.

She left Crissa with Finch, the troubled day growing short and herself anxious to find Lendra.

Lendra hadn’t been anywhere to be seen throughout the chaos and that wasn’t like the woman. Though she could understand it. Lendra was about to lose the man she loved and there was nothing she could do to prevent it.

Everyone Elysia asked had seen no sign of Lendra, but many remarked that most everyone was more concerned with the arrival of the chieftain of the Clan MacFarden and the events that had followed to pay heed to anything else.

With her search getting her nowhere, Elysia went to see Bram, though it was a difficult task. What did she say to a man who would lose his life on the morrow?

“You’ve got to help me, please, Elysia, please,” Bram begged when she entered the small hut that housed him. “I didn’t do this. I’m a warrior and I kill in battle, but I don’t kill defenseless women.”

“I believe you, Bram, but there is little I can do. All believe you guilty, and Lord Fergus wants you punished for it,” Elysia said, feeling helpless and angry that there was nothing she could do for him.

Bram dropped down on the small bench, that and a sleeping pallet on the ground the only things in the sparse hut. “If I’m to die, I’d rather die as I’ve lived, a brave warrior fighting in battle, not hanged and forever remembered for something I didn’t do.”

He turned his head away to hide his tears.

Elysia hated feeling helpless, having no power to see the right thing done, having to stand by and watch and know that what was happening was wrong. It was how she had felt the day Bliss had sacrificed herself for her and Annis.

Something sparked inside her, a thought, a possibility, a solution to more than one problem.

“I have a thought,” she said, since that was all it was, a seed of an idea. “I don’t know if it would work.”

Bram stood quickly. “Tell me. Please. Anything is worth a try not to die this way.”

“You know that Bliss sacrificed herself for me and Annis.” Bram nodded, his eyes wide eager for her to continue and she did. “I worry greatly about her. She knows no one at the Clan MacClaren. There is no one there to protect her.”

Bram realized what she was thinking and hope sprang in his eyes. “I can go and serve the cursed lord and see that Bliss is kept safe. No one serves him willingly, but I will. I will serve him and will protect Bliss with my life. I would die if need be, for at least then I would die a warrior.”

“I can’t promise I can see this done, but I will try. I will go directly to Lord Fergus and speak to him about it. I will try to make him see that serving the cursed lord is a far greater punishment than hanging you.”

“I will forever be in your debt, Elysia,” —he shook his head— “Lady Elysia.”

“I must have your word that Bliss’s safety will come before all else. That you will keep a good watch over her and let nothing interfere with that, and that includes your penchant for women,” Elysia warned.

Bram stood tall, his chest broadening. “You have my word. I will let nothing interfere with me seeing that Bliss is kept safe. And with what has happened here, my thirst for women is no more.”

Joy at the thought that she could help see her sister kept safe rose up to fill her heart, but she tried not to be too joyful. She still had to convince Lord Fergus that sending Bram to the cursed lord was a worse punishment than death.

* * *

Elysia stoodoutside the door of Lord Fergus’s solar hesitant to knock. She had learned that her husband was with his father and she had hoped to speak with Lord Fergus alone. She had not faced Odran since she had watched him toss Cowan down the keep steps without a pause. How could she face him when she was the cause for him taking a man’s life?

She shook the disturbing thought away and silently chastised herself for not concentrating on the matter at hand—saving Bram’s life. She knocked on the door and opened it as soon as she was bid entrance.

Even though the room was large, her husband’s powerful presence shrunk it. Or was it the way his striking green eyes intimidated and captured with just a glance?

“Is all well, Elysia?” Odran asked, seeing his petite wife freeze where she stood and not drift into his arms as she usually did after being away from each other even for a short time.

Elysia regained her senses and smiled softly. “Aye, everything is well. Finch is by Crissa’s side. She will need a couple of days of rest before returning home.”

Odran waited, his arms aching to hold her and upset that what she had witnessed him do to Cowan had made her realize the power of the curse and how its tentacles reached out sparing no one from being touched by it. He hoped it hadn’t created a chasm between them that he wouldn’t be able to breach. He grew more bothered when she turned to his da.

“I was hoping to speak with you, Lord Fergus,” she said, gaining strength from the thought that this was something she could see done to keep Bliss safe as Bliss had done for her.

Lord Fergus seemed to hesitate with a response, casting a questionable glance to his son.

Odran was direct, annoyed at what his wife implied. “Does that mean you don’t want me here, wife?”

Elysia’s eyes went wide at her husband’s abrupt accusation. “Oh! No, not at all, Odran. Your da is the only one who can help me with this.”

That didn’t set well with Odran. If anyone was going to help his wife, it would be him. He walked over to her and he thought he caught a look of flight in her eyes as if she was ready to run from him.

He stopped beside her, keeping his hands at his sides when they itched to take hold of her. “If anyone is to help you, it will be me.”

Elysia shook her head. “But isn’t Lord Fergus the one who decides Bram’s fate?”

Elysia thought she saw both men’s shoulders droop in relief.

“I’ve made my decision on Bram,” Lord Fergus said, anxious to see her gone.

“I understand, but I believe there is a worse punishment you can inflict on him and will set well with the people,” Elysia said and both men looked at her as if she was daft.

Lord Fergus laughed. “There is nothing more punishable than death.”

“Aye, there is,” argued Elysia, “serving the cursed lord.”

Both men stared at her, speechless.

Elysia had thought about what she would say on her way to the keep after speaking with Bram. She had to make Lord Fergus see that this punishment was far worse than hanging Bram. “You free him when you hang him and that is no punishment. Condemning him to spend the rest of his days serving the cursed lord—if he survives—is punishment. And from what I’ve heard about the cursed lord, there are none who serve him willingly.”

She was pleased to see Lord Fergus rub his chin, thinking over her suggestion. At least he hadn’t completely dismissed it.

“My wife does make a good point,” Odran said.

Elysia was pleased that her husband sided with her, but then he hadn’t believed Bram responsible for Glenis’s death.

“Lochlann could use help with his son,” Fergus said, the idea taking root. “Rannick grows more uncontrollable since his wife’s arrival there.”

“What do you mean uncontrollable?” Elysia demanded, her worry soaring for Bliss. “Has he hurt my sister?” She didn’t wait for an answer. She turned to her husband. “You need to take me to Bliss right now. We must leave right away.”

“Don’t be foolish,” Lord Fergus said, dismissing her rash demand.

“Foolish to worry about my sister?” she snapped at him and turned to her husband. “Take me or I go alone.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Odran ordered sharply and took hold of her arm, in case she should flee. “And you, Da, will not call my wife foolish. Elysia makes a good point about Bram. Sending him to serve Rannick is a more fitting punishment. Bram can also report back to Elysia and assure her that her sister does well and that Lord Lochlann would let no harm come to her. And if he doesn’t survive his time with Rannick, then so be it… his punishment will have been served.”

“I suppose you’re right,” his da agreed. “The people will be pleased with it as well. Fine. Send him on his way tomorrow morning with two of your men.”

“I will go tell him,” Elysia said, but Odran didn’t release her.

“I’ll have a moment with my wife,” Odran said and didn’t wait for his da’s response. He stepped outside the door with her, closing it behind them. “I will see that my men bring back word about your sister and if you feel at all uncomfortable with what you hear, I will take you to see Bliss. Tell Bram of his reprieve, and give what message you want him to deliver to your sister, then return to the keep, it grows late.”

She thought to say something to him, her relief that he would take her to see Bliss overwhelming her heart and keeping her tongue from finding the right words, so she nodded and turned away.

Odran watched her go, upset she hadn’t responded to him, though more upset they had not exchanged at least a brief kiss. Had she suddenly regretted marrying him? He would speak to her tonight when they were alone in their bedchamber and see it settled. So why did his heart fear that it might be too late for that?

* * *

“I amin your debt forever, my lady,” Bram said after hearing his life would be spared.

“You will watch over Bliss.” It wasn’t a question. She had given him what he needed and he was to do the same in return.

Bram’s hand went to rest on his chest. “Aye, with my life. You have my word.”

The word of a warrior was a promise that could be counted on and Elysia was relieved to know that her sister would have a warrior to protect her.

“Tell Bliss that I love her and my heart aches not seeing her. Tell her I do well in my marriage, but make no mention of Odran. She believes me wed to Saber.”

“What if word has reached her and she knows you are Lord Odran’s wife?”

“If words have reached her, then tell her Lord Odran is a good man and treats me well and that I love him. Don’t tell her that Annis has gone off in search of the witch in the hills. She will worry and, no doubt, she has much that already concerns her.”

“As you say, my lady,” Bram said, “though I wouldn’t’ be surprised if Bliss had heard of Annis’s quest. Word spread through Clan Loudon fast enough and from there who knows where it went. But I will say nothing, unless asked of course.”

“Aye, you’re right and the truth is best to speak if Bliss should ask. And please send word about Bliss as soon as you can. I expected to hear form her by now and it worries me that I’ve heard nothing from her,” she urged, anxious to know about her sister.

“Worry not, my lady, I will see it all done and get word to you posthaste. Bliss will not be alone any longer,” Bram said. “You saved my life and I serve you above all else.”

“Serve my sister, that’s all I ask of you,” Elysia said, grateful for this chance to keep her sister safe. “One other thing, Bram. Have you seen Lendra? She said you refused to see her and I haven’t been able to find her all day.

Bram shook his head. “I saw no point in seeing her and making it more difficult on her. I know she cares for me and I wish I could say I feel the same, but I don’t. Lendra is a good woman and she kindly tended me when I needed it. But I have no special feelings for her other than friendship as I do with most women I’ve bedded. Please tell her I wish her well and thank her for all she has done for me.”

Elysia at first thought Bram heartless for not telling Lendra himself, but thinking on it, perhaps it was for the best. Seeing Bram one last time would only bring Lendra more heartache.

She left the hut, hoping Lendra had heard the news about Bram since tongues were spreading it fast. But tongues were whispering other things as well and the few words she caught chilled her.

Curse.

Returned with him.

Evil.

More deaths to come.

More suffering.

Must die.

Must end.

They believed the curse had returned full force with Odran’s return. Many feared there would be more deaths, more suffering, more pain brought down upon the clan. The brief period of peace had been a cruel trick the curse had played on them, allowing them to think things were different. But from what she could gather most believed the suffering would never end until the last MacBridan was no more.

Her hand went to her stomach under her cloak, worried for the bairn, worried what may happen when all found out that the Clan MacBridan would live on and along with it, the curse.

The wind picked up, sending a deeper chill through her and clouds rushed over the darkening night sky. She suddenly felt vulnerable there among the whispers and the fear in peoples’ eyes. Or was it that she felt trapped, trapped by the curse, as all those in the clan did?

She hurried her steps, anxious to reach the safety of the keep, though wondered if there was any safe place here at Clan MacBridan. Or had fear so imprisoned the clan they could see no other way?

A large shadow stepped out of the darkness that seemed to have fallen with sudden heaviness over the village. She gasped and halted so abruptly she almost toppled over as the shadow loomed over her like a giant prey about to devour her before realizing it was her husband. She stood staring at him, her heart beating wildly. All but his striking green eyes were concealed as they had been when she had first met him. He had been hiding then. What was he hiding from now?

Her thought spilled from her lips. “What are you hiding from, Odran?”

“Not you. Never you,” he said and spread his arms, his cloak flaring out like the wings of some mighty bird of prey.

Did she dare step forward and be devoured by him? She hesitated, but he didn’t and in one swoop he swallowed her up in his arms.