The Silent Highlander by Donna Fletcher
Chapter 32
Elysia lay panting from a bout of lovemaking that left her completely spent and breathless. She waited to let her breathing calm so that she could speak, a worry on her mind.
“I leave you well pleasured, yet your brow wrinkles with concern,” Odran said, turning on his side to tap his finger at the scrunched lines between her eyes.
“I worry I will wear you out.”
A hardy laugh shook his chest. “A senseless worry. Never will you wear me out.”
She turned on her side to face him. “You are sure?”
“My word on it,” he said with a light tap to her nose. He didn’t want to spoil this moment bringing up her sister, since it had taken several days for her concern for Bliss to ease. But she would grow more upset if he didn’t remind her. “Cadell leaves today, since I can finally send him off with the good news that my da survived the attack and does well. Do you have a message for him to take to Bliss?”
“Aye, I will tell her of the bairn and how I will let no other but her deliver her niece or nephew, which means if she cannot come to me, then I will go to her. I will also tell her that my husband has given me his word he will see it done one way or another. It will give her reason to stay strong, knowing we will not be kept apart.”
“A good and truthful message, wife,” he said, running his thumb over her soft, flushed cheek. It was difficult not to touch her when close to her. It seemed his hand forever itched to touch to her, the simple gesture always bringing a sense of peace to his heart.
“Do you think news of the bairn will bring more unrest?” she asked.
“I think that whoever caused the unrest will use it to cause more unrest, while I will not rest easy until the person behind it all is caught and punished.”
“You worry about what may happen to me, but I worry the same over you. If the attack on your da was meant for you, then that means whoever did it will try again.”
“Unless his chance slipped through his hands,” Odran said and pulled the blanket up from her waist over her shoulder, seeing her shiver lightly.
“What do you mean?”
“The two murders gave the perfect excuse for the culprit to attempt to kill me. All would assume the person caught committed all the murders. The people already say the same. No one believes or wants to believe otherwise. With Crissa gone, it’s believed all is well. Now the culprit has no excuse if he should murder again. Does he take the chance or wait for a convenient time when it would be more unlikely that he’d be caught?”
“It won’t be battle the responsible person turns to this time to achieve his goal, will it?” she asked.
“It doesn’t seem likely. Much was lost, lives and land, while the Clan MacBridan grew stronger, more powerful. And with Cowan gone there is no one left to stir trouble as he did. I decided against appointing Finch chieftain of the Clan MacFarden. It is not a wise move after what happened with Crissa.”
“Who then will you appoint?”
“I will seek a marriage for one of my warriors to one of the MacFarden daughters and make him chieftain. As it would have been with Finch, making one of my warrior’s chieftain will assure loyalty from the Clan MacFarden.”
“Without the help of the other clans, this person intent on seeing you dead will need a new plan.”
“The attempt on my life proves he has already decided on one. He either sends men willing to die for what they believe is the righteous thing to do, like Tavish believed, or he sends men who kill for coin.”
“I wonder how Tavish got involved with this person,” Elysia said, shaking her head. “I always kept my distance from the warriors, but I know Tavish was part of the Clan Loudon for many years. Why betray his clan?”
“He wasn’t betraying his clan. He was saving his clan or so he believed. It’s the curse that frightens them, and for good reason. You will be careful and vigilant in all that you do and trust few, for friends may turn to foes if coin is offered to see me dead.”
* * *
Odran watchedCadell take his leave excited he would deliver news of the impending MacBridan bairn, while Finch returned, a solemn man.
“It is done,” Finch said, joining Odran at the top of the keep steps. “Mother Abbess assured me that Crissa would be well taken care of and no harm will come to her.” Finch shook his head. “I did nothing but talk with Glenis and Deara as I’ve always done. I had no interest in either woman. Though, I think I know who Deara might have favored and why she spoke no word of it. It struck me on my ride back here.”
“Who?” Odran asked.
“One of Cowan’s men. Deara brought bread and drink along with two other servants to Cowan’s men and there was one young man that made sure to speak with her. I remember seeing them smile and him talk awkwardly with her like some men do when they fancy a woman but don’t know what to say to her. I thought the fool was already in love and didn’t know it.” He shook his head. “Glenis and I would talk at times, but nothing more. I always thought Glenis had a man she would meet with secretly, since she frequented the woods for plants, though she often returned with an empty basket. She also showed no interest in any man in the clan—until Bram. Why him makes no sense.” Again he shook his head. “I got two innocent women killed.”
“Nay, a woman consumed by madness killed two women,” Odran said and raised a finger at him. “Though, you will stop poking women in the woods that you don’t know.”
“That you have my word on,” Finch said.
Odran crossed his arms over his chest. “You know I cannot let your foolish mistake go unpunished.”
Finch gave a quick nod. “Aye, I do.”
It troubled Odran to do it, it would be like a demoralizing slap in the face to Finch, but it was necessary or he would lose the respect of his warriors. “Stiles remains in the position you once held and you will fill his position.”
“Aye, my lord,” Finch said with difficulty.
“Go see what chore Stiles has for you.”
Finch bobbed his head, it sagging low as he walked away.
Odran held his hand out, hearing the light footfalls after the door to the keep opened. He closed his hand around his wife’s small one as soon as she took hold.
“Everything is all right with Crissa?” she asked, her glance going to Finch.
“Aye, she will be looked after.”
“There were some who wanted to see her hang for what she did,” Elysia said.
“That only would have worsened the situation with her clan and her madness is her brutal father’s fault not hers. Hopefully she can find peace at the abbey. Now tell me how my da does today.”
“Remarkably well as does your mum. It does her good caring for him and it does him good to see his wife begin to live again.”
“My lord,” Stiles called out, hurrying his steps toward them.
Elysia squeezed her husband’s hand, the troubled look in Stiles’ eyes warning the news was not good.
“Word just came. A group of mercenaries attacked one of our farms near our northern border and slaughtered all. I sent two trackers ahead to collect information.”
Elysia pressed against her husband’s side, fearful that he would join his men and battle the mercenaries.
“Gather half the men. Finch is to remain here and protect the clan. We leave shortly,” Odran ordered and turned to face his wife, aware of what he would see in her eyes—fear. “I have no choice. I must go. If I send only my warriors to face the mercenaries, I will be thought a coward and more will come, more will be slaughtered. My response must be swift and deadly to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Rory and Finch will watch over you and keep you safe.”
“It could be a trap,” she cautioned.
“Aye, it could be, but the trackers will alert me beforehand. I do not ride into situations without knowing what awaits me.” He took her in his arms. “What worries me most is yours and our bairn’s safety. Promise me you will not take any chances that you will make certain either Rory or Finch are with you wherever you go.”
“You have my word, husband. I will not be foolish.” She went up on her toes to seal her word with a quick kiss.
* * *
Elysia wonderedif sleep would ever find her this night. The bed was far too empty without her husband there beside her. She missed sleeping cuddled against him, the warmth of his body, and the strength of his arms around her. Mostly though, she worried he wouldn’t return to her, that he would fall in battle or to a trap.
Rory had assured her that her husband was far too skilled a warrior to let anything happen to him, and that he would return home soon. Finch said the same. She wanted to believe both men, but skilled warriors still fell in battle and worry continued to plague her.
She turned on her side, grabbed her husband’s pillow, and buried her face in it, hugging it tight. His familiar woodsy scent settled around her and she closed her eyes willing herself to sleep.
Elysia didn’t know what woke her, the pop of the fire, or a chill that snuck into her. She hadn’t slept long, the fire still burning bright. Something had her sitting up in bed and glancing around the room. It wasn’t that she expected to see anyone there in the room with her, it was more that something poked at her. Something she needed to recall.
She got out of bed and paced in front of the fire. There was something there on the edge of her mind, something that happened recently, something important.
Annoyed at herself, she dropped down on a chair and shook her head. What had she forgotten? Had she failed to include something in her message to Bliss? Did she worry that Cadell would fail to deliver her message as instructed? Annis would have had him repeating it to her over and over and—” She jumped out of the chair. “Annis!”
That was it—Annis. Why hadn’t she realized it sooner? Cadell had mentioned Annis getting Brogan into trouble. That meant Cadell had seen Annis but if he had, she would have given him a message to deliver to Bliss. She would have insisted on it and Brogan would have agreed. That meant that Cadell never saw Annis. Why lie? What had he been doing that he didn’t want Odran to know about?
She shook her head. Then there was Dugan and the coin. Time wise, the incident with Dugan would have happened before Cadell supposedly caught up with Annis and Brogan. Yet he knew nothing about it. Annis would surely have informed Cadell in hopes that he would confirm to Elysia that she did actually send the lad and she was doing well and not to worry.
Another shake of her head had her wondering where Cadell had been all that time and what he’d been doing. A chill ran through her again. What if Cadell had been watching, waiting for the opportunity to… she gasped recalling how shocked Cadell had looked seeing Lord Fergus on the table. Had it been because he realized he had stabbed the wrong man?
Her hand went to her mouth to stop another gasp from escaping as if someone may be about to hear it. Her eyes shot open wide. What if Cadell wasn’t headed home? What if he was waiting for another opportunity or created one to give him a chance to circle back and… she kept another gasp from leaving her mouth.
He would be here to kill her and the bairn and anyone who stood in his way.
She hurried into her garments but left her feet bare wanting to keep her footfalls as light as possible. She had to get to Rory in the Great Hall. He insisted on sleeping there while Odran was gone and she was grateful he had. But he would trust Cadell if he showed up as would any sentinel. He could walk right into the village and the keep without worry.
She thought of her husband’s words. Trust no one. Friend can become foe. Was Cadell ever a friend?
First, before she did anything, she needed to make certain that Lord Fergus and Lady Margaret were all right and alert them to the possibility of Cadell being a danger to them. She left the room and hurried down the stairs. Her bare feet grew chilled from the cold stone stairs and it sent a shiver through her, but at least her footfalls could not be heard.
Once at the door, she wasn’t sure if she should knock or simply enter. Before she could decide the door creaked opened and she took light steps to hide in the shadows fearful Cadell had already breached the keep.
She sighed with relief when she saw Lady Margaret and whispered her name softly.
“Good heavens, child, you frightened me half to death,” Lady Margaret said, her hand going to her chest.
“Quiet,” Elysia cautioned and Lady Margaret’s eyes grew wide.
Elysia explained everything to the woman.
“Fergus is in no condition to fight,” Lady Margaret said, alarmed.
“He sleeps?” Elysia asked and Lady Margaret nodded. “Then let him sleep and keep the latch firm on the door until I return. I go to Rory in the Great Hall. He will see the sentinels and Finch alerted. I’ll return as soon as I can.” Lady Margaret went to speak and Elysia stopped her. “The curse will not claim me or the bairn. I will do whatever is necessary to make sure of it.”
Lady Margaret nodded, but there were tears in her eyes.
Elysia slowed her steps as she approached the bottom of the stairs. She wanted to believe all was well, that Cadell had not returned yet and there was time to prepare for his arrival. She kept that belief strong as she quietly entered the Great Hall.
Her belief shattered and her heart pounded in her chest when she spotted Rory lying on the floor. She stopped herself from running to him, cautious that Cadell might linger in the room. She kept to the shadows as best she could, watching, waiting for movement in the dark corners. When none came, she quietly padded across the floor to Rory.
A quick look revealed a large lump on the back of his head. There was no blood, but the blow was strong enough to knock him out and there was no telling how long before he woke. She saw no weapon, but searched his boot. A wise warrior always kept an extra weapon tucked away. She silently thanked the heavens when she found a dagger in Rory’s boot.
“Here I thought you would make it easy for me.”
Fear rushed along Elysia’s spine hearing Cadell and she looked up to see him not far from the stairs. She tightened her grip on the dagger.
“I thought I would find you asleep in bed and wake you with a quick slice across your throat, leaving your husband to find you in a pool of blood.” Cadell laughed. “You have become as annoying as your sister Annis.”
“Did you set a trap for my husband?” she asked, biding time while she thought of a way to escape him.
“More a diversion since I saw an opportunity and took it,” he boasted. “How could I pass up using the murders here to cover killing Lord Odran. It was too easy, except that it turned out to be his father I stabbed and, of course, you had to save him. But I’ll rectify that as soon as I’m done with you.” He stepped forward.
Elysia stood, her arm shooting out, warding Cadell off with the dagger.
He laughed. “If you were Annis I might be worried, but that puny dagger and your petite size causes me no fear. You will die tonight and your bairn along with you.”
His words frightened her but she stayed strong as Annis would. “My size might be no threat, but I know where to deliver a single blow with this dagger to see you die slow and painfully.”
He winced and took a step back, then he laughed. “You think I am alone in this?” His glance settled behind her.
