Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A strange mist swirled around him as he wandered about in the darkness. He could feel nothing beneath his feet, as though he were floating. The silence was near deafening, for there was not even the sound of light wind passing by his ears. As hard as he tried, Keane could not see anything in front of him, nor, when he turned, could he see anything behind. It was a never-ending swirling mist that did not change, no matter what direction he moved.
From his peripheral vision, he caught sight of a light. A light that appeared to be growing brighter, coming at him at great speed. It was a light he had ever seen before, for it was beautiful in its appearance. Every color of the rainbow threaded through it as it sped toward him, pushing the mist aside as it approached.
Keane could do nothing but stare at it in wonder, his heart filled with warmth and awe. He remained there, waiting for it to reach him, and when it came to within an inch of his face, it stopped dead. For a long moment, it stayed there, flickering in front of him. And then, faster than he had ever seen anything move before in his life, it retreated. A second later, he gulped in a great breath of air.
His eyelids fluttered, and the first thing he felt was pain. A deep, throbbing pain in his left side, that made him wince and groan.
“He is waking,” a voice whispered somewhere beside him.
He heard the sound of movement. Fighting past unconsciousness, he blinked his eyes open. Three worried faces peered down at him. Alisdair stood at his left, Farlan at his right, and beside Alisdair, was Elsie, her brow a worried furrow of lines.
“I am…” he tried to speak, but his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.
“He needs water,” Alisdair said, turning away from him.
A few seconds later, Farlan had his hands beneath Keane’s head, while Alisdair brought the cup to his lips. It was cold, and refreshing. And though some of it spilled past his mouth, trickling onto his neck and into his hair, he didn’t care.
After several sips, he went to lift his shoulders off the bed. Pain exploded in his side, and he winced. It felt like someone was stabbing him with a hot poker.
“Argh!”
“Aye,” Farlan said, his gentle hand pushing him down again. “Ye’ll nae be moving fer another day or two.
Keane looked up at the old man. “How long have I been here?”
“This is yer second day, me son,” the old man said kindly. “Yer injuries were severe. Ye’re lucky that ye’re alive at all.”
A tired smirk lifted at the corner of his mouth. “Ye cannae kill a bad thing, Farlan.”
The healer grinned and nodded. “Nor a good thing, it appears.”
Turning to Alisdair, Keane held out his hand. His closest friend stepped forward and took hold of his forearm with a strong grip. “It is good tae have ye back.”
“It is good tae be back, and I have ye tae thank fer it. Had ye nae arrived when ye did, I would surely be dancing with the gods by now.”
Alisdair nodded. “Dinnae worry about that. Ye are safe now. Ye need yer rest, fer we are all eager tae see ye return tae health.”
Still holding Alisdair’s arm, Keane gazed up at Elsie. “And ye,” he said, his eyes softening. “Ye are the one I have tae thank most o’ all.”
Elsie shook her head. “None o’ that matters now. Ye need tae rest. There will be plenty o’ time fer all that later.”
He then felt her warm hand rest upon his thigh.
Exhaustion washed over him, the effort of conversing draining what little energy he had. He closed his eyes again, if only to rest them, but the pull of slumber was so strong, he soon succumbed to it.
When he woke again, a serene silence enveloped him. He remained still, blinking at the ceiling for another minute, before trying to lift his head. He winced as a slicing sensation cut through his side again, though it felt a little less painful than the last time he had tried to move.
“Dinnae try tae move,” Alisdair whispered, his form approaching from somewhere else in the room.
“What time is it?” Keane asked.
“A little before dawn,” Alisdair said.
Keane groaned, shifting in the bed. “I have tae move. Me back aches. I’m uncomfortable.”
Alisdair was now by his bedside, and slipping a hand behind his upper back, he said, “Then let me help ye.”
He managed to maneuver Keane into a more comfortable position, though Keane hissed. Once settled, Alisdair fixed the pillows behind him for better support. It was then that Keane noticed Elsie in the corner of the room, curled up in a chair sleeping, covered with a blanket.
Catching Keane’s expression of surprise, Alisdair said, “She willnae leave. She’s been here day and night since we brought ye back.”
Keane frowned. “How long?”
“Four days.”
“Bloody hell.”
“Aye,” Alisdair nodded, sitting beside him, “she’s a stubborn one. Even Farlan couldnae convince her.”
For a long moment, Keane sat there and gazed at her as she slept. Now awake, and feeling more like himself, his mind began considering what had actually occurred. But it didn’t make any sense.
“I dinnae understand,” Keane breathed. “She had a chance tae leave. Had she let them kill me, she would have been free.”
“Aye,” Alisdair sighed, “that thought has passed through me mind on several occasions over the last few days. After what we’ve put her through, it still confuses me why she didnae tak’ the opportunity tae escape. With so few men, they werenae there tae battle. It was clearly a rescue mission.”
Elsie had saved him. There was no doubt about that. The wound he had sustained had weakened him considerably. Had she not intervened, that soldier would have overpowered him. She had had a choice, and instead of freedom, she had chosen to save his life. That consideration shook him to the core.
“Maybe she sees something in ye that ye dinnae,” Alisdair said, cocking an eyebrow. “The man I’ve kent all me life.”
Keane heaved a sigh as he thought about Alisdair’s words. Between his friend’s gentle pressing, and what Elsie had done for him, he found himself facing the darkness that had taken hold of him since his father’s death.
“I have been a fool, Alisdair,” he said, dropping his chin to his chest. “A stupid, angry fool. All the while, I have kent that me actions wouldnae be what me faither would want fer me. If he were still here, he would have told me tae put an end tae it all but I chose tae ignore those thoughts. Instead, I have let this darkness infect me very soul.”
“It isnae too late, Keane,” Alisdair said, with not an ounce of judgement in his tone.
“I can hardly undae what I have done,” Keane hissed, now feeling angry at himself.
Alisdair shrugged. “Perhaps, but there are other ways tae mak’ this right.”
“How?” Keane whispered. Elsie had been through enough. He did not want to wake her from her needed rest.
Alisdair considered that question for a moment, his eyes lowered in contemplation. After a minute, he looked at Keane. “Ye could speak tae Elsie. Ask her if she wants tae return tae her family. Annul the marriage if that is her desire.”
Keane felt surprised by his own reaction, for he found himself shaking his head in disagreement. While Alisdair’s suggestion was fair and right, Keane realized that he didn’t want to give her the option.
“I dinnae want her tae leave,” he blurted. “I ken me quest fer revenge has come at a high cost, but…”
He could feel the walls he had built around himself beginning to crack as the words tumbled from his lips.
“But, ye have feelings fer her,” Alisdair said, finishing his sentence.
He knew it, but admitting it out loud was a different matter.
Alisdair smiled and shook his head. “Ye’re going tae have tae be honest with yersel’ at some point, me friend. Ye dinnae have tae admit it tae me, but ye need tae admit it tae yersel’.”
Yes. He was. But not right now.
Pushing down what he knew to be true, he said, “Anymore word o’ Gunn’s men? I can only imagine the men we fought we’re nae here alone.”
Alisdair hitched his eyebrows, taken off guard with the sudden subject change. But he went along with it, and shook his head. “Nae one else has been spotted since. I’ve had extra scouts roaming the area. But listen, there’ll be plenty o’ time fer ye tae worry about all that when ye’re back on yer feet. Fer now, I just need ye tae heal.”
It was an hour or so later when Farlan arrived, and with all the conversation, Elsie stirred from her chair.
“I’ve told ye a hundred times,” the old man said, as she stretched and yawned. “Ye need tae go and get some sleep.”
Upon seeing Keane sitting up, she jumped from the chair and approached the bed. “Ye’re awake,” she said, her eyes wide with excitement. “How dae ye feel?”
“Like I’ve been stabbed.” He smirked at her and she tutted. “I’m fine, Elsie. Farlan is right. Ye’ve nay more need tae worry. Ye should go and get some rest.”
“I’ll leave this cottage only when ye dae,” she replied, her eyes set on his.
“Told ye,” Alisdair said. “Stubborn.”
“Would ye prefer I be stubborn, or nae care at all?” she countered.
The three men shared glances, but none of them had an answer for that. In one simple sentence, the lass has silenced them all.
“Exactly,” she said with a little nod of her head, satisfied that her point had been proven.
Alisdair smirked at Keane, and Keane smirked back. “Stubborn,” they both said together. Farlan only chuckled and shook his head.
“Now, let’s tak’ a look at this wound, fer I am certain it should be healing nicely by now.”
Alisdair and Elsie both gazed at the wound once the old man had removed the bandage. Watching them, Keane could not help thinking he was on display.
“Well?” Elsie said.
Farlan nodded. “It looks fine, me lady. There are nae signs o’ infection. In fact, he has healed so well, I dae believe the laird can now return tae his own bed.”
Elsie flashed Keane an excited smile, the sparkle in her eyes causing his heart to jump a beat. But she did not linger, and a second later, her eyes were back on Farlan.
“Are ye certain it is safe tae move him? Can he even walk?”
Farlan, as patient as ever, smiled across the bed at her. “Why dinnae we find out?”
Ten minutes later, and after a little wincing, Keane was on his feet beside the bed. After shooing them all away, he took tentative steps. Not that there was anything wrong with his legs, for the worst wound was in his stomach. The other, though not anywhere near as bad, was his upper arm, but that only ached now.
“Are ye all right?” Elsie pressed.
“Will ye stop fussing, woman?” Keane retorted, though he softened his reply with a smile.
She smiled back and watched as Keane took steady strides from one end of the room to the other. He then turned towards them and said, “Ye see? I am fine.” He opened his arms to prove a point, only to hiss at a biting pain that took him by surprise.
“Aye,” Alisdair drawled with a smirk. “Fit as a flea.”
The following morning, Keane called a council meeting. Alisdair had informed him that each member had come to see him in the healer’s cottage, worried for his welfare. Now, he had to address them about what had happened and what they planned to do about it.
The wound was still tender, but whatever Farlan had given him was effective in dulling the pain. Alisdair enquired as to how he felt in his bedchamber.
“I’ve had worse,” Keane replied.
“Aye, I ken, but just because I’ve had worse meals, doesnae mean that any awful meal after that isnae unpleasant.”
Keane smiled. “I’ll be fine. Are the council gathered?”
“Aye. They’re in the great hall, and are all eager tae see ye.”
“Good. Then let’s go and satisfy their morbid curiosity.”
Alisdair chuckled and shook his head.
As expected, the older men were happy to see him looking so well. Keane nodded and thanked them all when they offered their greetings and well wishes. With that done, he was eager to get down to the reason they were all there.
“These men were obviously hiding in anticipation o’ our return. I thus surmise that we were observed leaving the castle, if only from a distance.”
“Ye think Gunn’s men are that close?” Callum said.
“Nae all o’ them. The men who attacked us were only six. Given there were so few, it stands tae reason that they were there fer Lady Mackay.”
“How is Lady Mackay?” Michael asked. “She must have been terrified.”
Keane lifted the corner of his mouth. “I dae believe she was, Michael. But that didnae stop her from jumping on one o’ the soldiers backs and stabbing him until he was nae longer able tae fight, thus, saving me life.”
All the men’s mouths dropped at the exact same time.
“Indeed, gentlemen,” Keane continued. “I am only here by the good grace o’ me wife. The same lass we were eager tae slaughter.”
Michael chuckled then, hearing Keane’s sarcasm. “She’s certainly a force tae be reckoned with, me laird.”
Keane glanced at Alisdair, who struggled to hide his own amusement.
“Aye, she is that.” His smile disappeared then, as he looked determinedly at the men sitting around the table. “What we now have tae consider is whether they will try again.”
The men nodded and murmured among themselves.
“I believe they will, me laird,” Matthew said. “Gunn took a chance sending his men tae grab her. The fact that they failed will only incense him more.”
“I agree.” Keane nodded.
“Then it is wise that Lady Mackay remain inside the castle walls,” Alisdair said. “We can protect her far more easily inside than out. Besides,” he looked at Keane pointedly, “we dinnae want a repeat o’ the last time. Ye are nae yet fully healed, me laird.”
The older men nodded, all agreeing with Alisdair’s points.
“We cannae lose another laird,” Callum said, his brow furrowed. “On a personal level, I dinnae think me old heart could tak’ it. We lost a good man nae a year ago. We cannae lose another.” He looked at Keane sadly, holding his gaze for several seconds.
Keane acknowledged Callum’s words with a grateful nod.
“I appreciate yer sentiments, Callum. And ye are right, we did indeed lose a good man nae a year past.”
He took a deep breath in before he continued. Keane had spent some time thinking about how his outlook needed to change. The attack could have had a more dire result, and it would have been his fault. All because he wanted to avenge his father's death.
“I also have tae say something tae all of ye,” he said. “It is now obvious that me behavior, the path I took in response tae me father’s murder, has been a reckless one. Allowing a darkness tae consume me, I have put everyone in danger just tae feed me need tae avenge me loss. I owe ye all an apology.”
The men shook their heads, some of them beginning to object to his words, but Keane lifted his hand to stop them.
“Please. There is nae one man at this table who didnae love and respect me faither deeply. I also ken many o’ ye were nae in agreement with me plan tae eliminate Lady Mackay. I ought tae have listened tae ye, fer that is what ye are all here fer. Tae advise me. Instead, I chose tae dae it me way, which, I now see, has nae only brought danger tae our door, but has eaten away at me soul.”
“It takes a humble man tae admit when he is wrong, me laird,” Michael said. “It is why ye are such a strong leader, like yer faither ‘afore ye. If it is now yer will that we take a different course, I think I can speak fer all o’ us here present when I say we will support whatever course o’ action ye decide tae tak’.”
The men nodded while murmuring agreement.
“Thank ye, Michael.” Keane looked around the table at the men he had known all his life, and nodded. “I appreciate all yer support. What I am concerned about is what is tae come. The deed has been done, and Laird Gunn will want his own revenge. Me actions have brought danger tae our door, but I cannae change that now. We must prepare fer the battle ahead.”
“Then that is what we will dae, me laird,” Matthew said.
A little while afterwards, the meeting came to a close, and Alisdair and Keane left together.
“Ye look tired, Keane. May I suggest ye return tae yer bedchamber and get some rest.”
“There are things that must be done?—”
“And they will be done. Just nae now. One more day o’ rest isnae going tae mak’ any difference. Please.” Alisdair placed a hand on his shoulder. “Fer me.”
Keane sighed and nodded. “Fine. I will return tae rest. What are yer plans?”
“I am going tae gather the men. They already ken the danger ahead, and by now, they are bound tae have learned o’ the attack. Perhaps a little more training will dae them the world o’ good. If naething else, it will keep them occupied, fer I ken they have been edgy since it happened.”
“Very well. Be certain tae report tae me if anything untoward occurs.”
Alisdair hitched an eyebrow. “Just go and rest, will ye? Naething is going tae happen yet.”
Keane had not long settled into bed, when the adjoining door to his bedchamber opened. A second later, Elsie hurried inside.
“Och,” she said, coming to a halt when she saw him. “I didnae ken ye were here. I will come back.”
“Nae,” Keane said hurriedly. “Please. Stay.”
Elsie hesitated. By her expression, she was trying to come to a decision. With a final glance toward the adjoining door, she moved further into the room.
“Come and sit beside me,” Keane said, patting the bed.
Eyeing his hand that now lay gently on the sheet beneath him, a light flush rushed to her cheeks.
Perhaps she is remembering what happened on the last occasion she was in this bed.
Keane swallowed a smile and continued to gaze at her, until eventually, she made her way over to him.