Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
N ot long after that, Keane, Owen and Alisdair hurried down the glen and positioned themselves at the far side of the wall. Ten minutes later, Keane listened to the bellows and cries of his own men thundering down the hill toward the gates. Their battle cry would elicit fear from any man, which is exactly the result they got, for behind the wall, mass panic ensued.
Gunn’s guards screamed at each other. First came the yells that they were under attack, and afterwards, orders were barked for men to get into positions. Still, Keane and his companions waited. They had to be certain all the soldiers were headed to the front of the castle before they made their move.
Five more minutes passed before Keane looked at the other two.
“I think it’s time.”
Alisdair and Owen nodded, and the men came out from their hiding place. Owen positioned himself beside the wall and cupped his hands. Keane placed his foot into the make-shift stirrup, pressed himself against Owen for balance, and pushed himself up against the stone boundary. When he managed to get a firm grip on the stone work, using places where the stone had worn away, he pulled himself up and onto the wall.
He remained there while Alisdair repeated the process, and then they both helped Owen up to join them. All three kept themselves pressed tightly against the top of the wall, scanning the area. While he had hoped the battle at the front would have drawn all Gunn’s soldiers to fight, Keane took in a deep breath of disappointment at seeing several soldiers remaining at their posts.
“It looks like we have a battle on our hands after all, me friends,” he said.
“I only came here fer the fight,” Owen quipped with a smirk.
Seconds later, all three had jumped down into the garden area, and without hesitation, for Keane was desperate to see his beloved wife, they ran at the castle with great speed.
The soldiers saw them coming, but then, Keane had expected that. There was no other way to get into the castle, and thus, there was little point hiding their arrival. As Keane, Alisdair and Owen advanced, five or more soldiers ran at them, yelling at the top of their voices.
With his sword held high, Keane ran alongside his companions and launched at them, striking with all his might. His strong blows crashed down onto their swords, and immediately, he sensed their doubt and fear. They were fighting for their laird. He was fighting for his wife. There really was no contest.
Metal clanged together as the three struck soldiers down, one after the other. Alisdair was wounded on his arm, but the man hardly paid attention to his injury. Owen fought as though it were his wife that was being held. And Keane was only grateful that he had such loyal companions by his side.
Seeing their counterparts falling around them, the final two soldiers ran. Perhaps they expected to be chased, but Keane’s objective was not to battle. It was something far more important. Now their way into the castle was clear, he intended to fulfill it.
Continuing across the grounds, the three entered the castle. Keane was ready to fight more soldiers, but the attack at the castle gates already had everyone’s attention, and chaos ensued, with people running in all directions.
Keane grabbed one of the maids as she hurried past. “Where’s the laird? I am a messenger, and I need tae speak tae him immediately.”
The lass, too terrified to process the blatant lie, told Keane the laird was last seen in his study. She then pointed him in the direction he needed to go. As always, Owen and Alisdair were close behind. Avoiding the panic, they made their way through the corridors.
Keane did not knock when he reached the study, but upon bursting through the door, he immediately stilled. Behind him, Owen gasped, for before them, positioned in front of the raging fire, Laird Gunn stood with Elsie pushed in front of him, a knife to her throat. She looked utterly terrified, her eyes wide, and her face as white as snow, for the blood had clearly drained from it in fear.
“I kent it was ye, Mackay,” Gunn snarled. “Even the fires this morning. I kent they were yer doing.”
Without taking his eyes off his beautiful wife, Keane replied with a voice as calm as still water. “And yet, ye sent yer soldiers anyway.”
“I wasnae going tae let me villagers burn, was I?” he spat back.
“I suppose nae,” Keane said, taking small steps forward. “But now, yer men are far fewer, and mine are outside, ready tae slaughter them and ye.”
“They’ll have tae kill yer wife first. I hardly think they’re going tae dae that in her condition.”
“Her condition?” Alisdair said.
“She’s with child. Didnae ye ken?”
Keane’s eyes widened at those words, and Elsie suddenly looked saddened. Strangely, however, rather than feeling the terror that he imagined he might, Keane felt excitement and anticipation. It was hardly the time or place to consider what kind of father he might be, and yet the thought flew through his mind all the same.
“Och, it seems yer wife is keeping secrets from ye,” Gunn sneered. “Maybe she was going tae run away and never tell ye. After all, ever since ye snatched her, she’s been dreaming o’ escape.”
Keane stilled at those words. But while Laird Gunn laughed at his reaction, Elsie shook her head.
“Dinnae listen tae him, Keane. Ye ken that isnae true.”
“Och, o’ course it is. Sure, she’s confessed everything tae me,” Gunn continued. “She’s told me what a dreadful laird ye are, and how badly ye’ve treated her.”
But the more Gunn continued, the more Keane allowed his words to wash over him. That might have been true at the beginning, for he had treated her poorly. But he knew it wasn’t the case any longer.
“He’s trying tae get intae yer head,” Alisdair murmured.
Keane nodded. “Aye. I ken. But he’s failing.”
“Dae what ye came here tae dae,” Owen added. “We dinnae have much time.”
Again, Keane nodded, and standing a little taller, he looked directly at Laird Gunn.
“I’m nae here fer revenge, Gunn. I’m only here fer me wife.”
“Ye mean, me wife,” Gunn snarled.
“Nae anymore. Elsie and I are married, but ye ken that already.”
“O’ course, I dae,” he spat. “Ye succeeded in humiliating me, Mackay, fer half the country kens.”
“At least I didnae kill her, which is what I intended tae dae in the first place.”
Gunn’s face paled then.
But Keane continued. “What did ye expect after ye slaughtered me faither in front of me very eyes? Did ye really think I was going tae go back tae me own lands and forget all about it?”
“And so now, ye are here tae kill me,” Gunn snarled.
“Nay.” Keane shook his head. “Like I said. I’m only here fer Elsie”
Gunn eyed him suspiciously. “Ye cannae expect me tae believe that,” he spat.
“It’s the truth. It’s the only reason I am here.”
“And ye think I’m going tae just let her leave with ye?” Gunn gawked; his eyes wide with astonishment. “Dae ye think I am a fool?”
“Ye are hardly in a position tae fight, especially while ye hide behind a lass. Ye have that dirk tae her throat, but even that willnae save ye. If ye kill Elsie, I will kill ye. It’s that simple. Once she’s gone, there will be naething nor nayone tae protect ye.” Keane gave him a steady look. “But I dinnae think ye want tae die. I think ye’re smarter than that.”
He watched Gunn’s eyes flick back and forth. He was alone against three opponents with no help coming, given all his men were outside defending the castle. He knew he had lost. His decision now depended on how stubborn and foolish he was. Keane didn’t want to let him live. But this thirst for vengeance, the need for revenge… He didn’t care anymore, not when Elsie’s life was at stake. Keane knew he had made some very poor choices and honestly, he didn’t want to continue being the cruel man he became after his father’s death. Elsie deserved more than a murderer.
“What are ye proposing?” Gunn eventually demanded.
“If ye surrender me wife, we’ll leave ye in peace. As long as ye swear never tae darken me door ever again. It’s that, or ye die here and now,” Keane spat.
“And what guarantee dae I have?” Gunn growled.
“Me word. That’s all I can offer ye.”
“Ha!” Gunn snorted. “Yer word. And I am supposed tae believe that?”
“Ye can believe what ye like,” Keane continued. “But unlike ye and Laird Munro, me word is me bond. If I am tae be a faither, dae ye really think I want tae be feuding with ye? Ye think I would purposefully put me wife and our unborn child at risk? Killin’ ye will only bring me worries. Ye’re nae worth it, Gunn. Make a smart decision fer once in yer life.”
Again, Gunn took far too long to consider that given his position. But eventually, he stepped forward, pushing Elsie in front of him, still keeping her as a shield. He gave Keane a final look, doubt dancing in his eyes. And then, taking a breath, he pushed Elsie forward.
Keane hadn’t realized he had been holding his breath, but as she threw her arms around him, it gushed out of his lungs with relief. As much as he wanted to treasure that moment, he pulled her arms from around his neck and pushed her behind him. He wanted to put himself between her and Gunn, just in case the man decided to change his mind at the last minute.
Now, as the laird stood there, as vulnerable as he was ever going to be, Keane gripped his sword tightly. An image of his father’s battered face flashed before his eyes. A second later, the memory of Gunn slashing his throat swiftly followed. He could slay this man where he stood, and it would all be over. Wouldn’t it?
Elsie’s soft hand on his arm snapped him out of the horrible memory.
“Keane,” she breathed.
And in that second, Keane realized that there was only one thing that could ever bring him peace, and killing this bastard in front of him wasn’t it. Without another word, he spun on his heels, and nodding to the others, they hurried out of the room.
Rushing through the corridors, Keane took hold of her hand. “Are ye really…” he could hardly say the words, and instead, nodded down at her stomach.
But Elsie shook her head. “Nay, me love. I had tae say it tae slow him from trying tae get me tae annul our marriage.”
A strange feeling crashed through him, and as they continued on, it surprised him greatly to discover that it was disappointment.
They rounded a corner and headed into another corridor hurriedly. Keane was up ahead, with Elsie by his side, and Alisdair and Owen at the rear, ready to battle any who came after them. But the corridors were now empty. Anyone who wasn’t outside fighting was likely holed up in some hiding place until it was all over. Just like it had been when Gunn’s men had attacked their own home.
They were nearly there. Just a little way to go, and they would reach the side entrance where they had entered. As Keane flew around the next corner, he suddenly came to a screeching halt at the sight before him. Elsie did not react as quickly, and Keane found himself pulling her back towards him.
“Well, well,” Laird Munro said, his snarling lips curling as he held his sword ahead of him. “Fancy meeting ye here.”
Swiftly, Keane pushed Elsie behind him, leaving her in Owen and Alisdair’s capable hands. He then drew his own sword and faced Munro head on.
“Ye want tae lose another duel?” Keane growled.
“Nae this time,” he snarled back. “I underestimated ye the last time. But this time, I am fighting fer the survival o’ me clan.”
“Clearly, the survival o’ yer clan is far more important than yer daughter, fer it was she ye were fighting fer on the last occasion,” Keane spat, the hatred for this man laced throughout his tone.
Munro launched at Keane, but Keane was ready for him and defended his strike.
“Keane!” Elsie cried from behind him.
“Stay back, Elsie,” Keane bellowed, before launching with a strike of his own.
Munro defended well, but they had only just begun, and thus, Keane settled himself in for another difficult fight. This time, he wasn’t injured. This time, he was stronger and angrier than he had ever been before.
Clanging metal echoed around the corridor as their swords crashed against each other, over and over again. For a while Munro pushed forward, but Keane pushed back. He had humiliated this laird in battle before, and he was certain he could and would do it again. Laird Munro also knew that, which would likely be playing with his mind, no matter how hard he fought.
Munro lifted his sword above his head and brought a high strike down on Keane, but he struck the piercing blade away from him, spinning the laird to the side. Taking the opportunity, Keane ran into him, slamming him with his body while the laird was already off balance.
Munro toppled, stumbling over his own feet, and crashed into the wall, dropping his sword as he did so. Keane launched forward, and with the laird now on his knees, he brought his sword to his throat.
“This is all yer fault,” Keane spat as he panted for breath. “If ye had kept yer word, if ye had stayed away and told Gunn tae dae the same, Elsie would never have been taken. Me men would never have been injured and killed. There would have never been an attack in the first place.”
The blood drained from Roland’s face as he realized he had once more, lost the fight.
Lifting his hands in surrender, he barked, “I didnae want tae dae it. She forced me hand.”
He nodded at Elsie who stood with Owen at one side and Alisdair at the other. She was breathing heavily with worry, clearly terrified at what might happen.
Munro continued. “If she had just done what she was supposed tae dae…”
But it was the wrong answer, for his reply only angered Keane further, and he jutted the sword further into the man’s throat.
“She has a name,” Keane bellowed. “Say it. Say her name.”
“El… Elspeth,” Roland spluttered.
“Nay!” Keane barked. “The name she wants tae be called. The name ye have refused tae call her all her life.”
Roland looked from Keane to Elsie and back again, his brows furrowed in confusion. And in that very action, he showed how little he knew about his daughter. How little he cared about the only child he had.
“Elsie!” Keane bellowed again. “Her name is Elsie. Say it, damn ye.”
“Elsie,” Roland blurted.
Keane eyed him with a hatred that only matched how he felt for Laird Gunn. “Ye dinnae deserve tae be a faither. Elsie deserved so much better than ye. Now, I have tae decide whether I should rid ye from her life forever.”
“Keane,” Elsie said softly from behind him.
Keane glanced over his shoulder and watched Elsie’s eyes soften and fill with tears. She shook her head. “Leave him be. He has lost everything now anyway. I dinnae have it in me tae have ye kill me own flesh and blood.”
Keane spun his head to look once more at Roland. “Ye see that?” he snapped. “Ye cannae tak’ credit fer that at all. Clearly, she got her kindness from her maither. Ye are lucky that yer daughter doesnae have a heart like ye. If she had, ye’d be dead already.”
Elsie then stepped forward and looked her father straight in the eye.
“I dinnae want tae ever lay me eyes upon ye again,” she hissed. “I am now free o’ ye. Free o’ yer demands and yer control. Fer the first time in me life, I am free tae mak’ me own choices. And dae ye ken what the first one is, Faither?”
Roland only glared back at her.
She pointed to Keane. “It is that man there. The first and only man who has ever loved me. That was yer job. A job ye failed in miserably. Dinnae come looking fer me again, or me answer tae Keane’s question will certainly be different.”
Roland seemingly had no reply, and for a moment, silence hung in the air.
“We need tae move,” Owen said, breaking the tension. “Our men can only distract this lot fer so long.”
Keane nodded. “Then let us go. I dinnae want tae remain here another second.”
Leaving Roland on his knees, the four hurried down the corridor. Several minutes later, they burst into the gardens. There was no sign of any soldiers and thus, the journey to the wall was without hindrance. Once there, Owen repeated the drill, and cupped his hands. Alisdair went first, scrambling up the wall.
As he did so, Keane took Elsie by the hand. “I’m never going tae lose ye again.” He then pressed his mouth firmly on hers, expressing all the pain, and fear he had suffered for the last two days.
After that, Elsie was helped onto the wall, swiftly followed by the others. On the other side, the men jumped down. Elsie jumped into Keane’s arms, and the four of them ran as fast as they could.
Owen whistled a loud signal to the men, and they hurriedly began to retreat. By the time they got to the camp, the men were already there to meet them.
Keane looked back at the castle they had just left and sighed heavily. “I never want tae set eyes on this place again.”
“Come, me friend,” Alisdair said, slapping his arm. “Let’s go home.”