Chapter 16
Rhys entered the camp with Pitt. He wore his leather armor though no helmet. Most of the men in the camp stared at him in fear, some backed away, and a few would not look at him, too frightened that evil would touch them.
The warriors’ reactions didn’t matter to Rhys. His interest was in the short, thick man who stood in the middle of the camp, his head hanging down, staring at the dead body at his feet.
Rhys dismounted as did Pitt, their horses remaining where left as the two approached the man.
“See what the Macinnes have done to my son-in-law when all he asked was for his wife—my daughter—to be returned to him?” Hew McDolan said, raising his head.
Rhys looked at the badly beaten body of Rab McLaud.
Hew choked on his words as he said, “They beat him unmercifully.”
“How do you know it was the Macinnes that did this?” Pitt asked.
“Rab had insisted on going along to the Macinnes to retrieve his wife, but not trusting the Macinnes, I sent one of my warriors to follow him. He watched from a distance as Donald Macinnes had his warriors beat Rab to death.” He shook his head.
“What of Hunter?” Rhys asked. “Did he stand there and watch his brother beaten to death?”
“He did,” Hew confirmed with a snarl, “and said not a word or lifted a finger to stop it.”
“What of Rona?” Pitt asked. “Rab did not ask for his sister-in-law’s return as well?”
“The bastard took her captive too?” Hew spat.
“What concern of this is mine?” Rhys asked.
“I want my daughter returned to me and if they would not return her to her husband, I fear they also will refuse to return her to her father. I am asking for your help in freeing my daughter from the Macinnes. In return, I offer her to you in marriage. Saundra is a good lass and obeys well. She would make you a good wife. And with the uniting of our clans, I will pledge my allegiance to you.”
“So, what you ask for is revenge against those who had your son-in-law beaten to death,” Rhys said.
“Aye, I do, but not without offering you something in return.”
“So, if I give you what you ask for, you will give me your daughter and pledge your allegiance to me, on this I have your word?”
“Aye, I give you my word here and now on it.”
Rhys glanced at Pitt and gave him a barely visible nod before saying to Hew, “Bring me the warrior who witnessed the beating.”
“John,” Hew shouted.
A warrior stepped forward. His chin went up and his shoulders went back, expanding an already thick chest as he approached with a confident gait. He stopped beside Hew.
“You heard Donald Macinnes refuse to return Rab’s wife to him?” Rhys asked.
“I did and I heard Rab tell them that there would be war if Macinnes did not return her to him. That was when Donald Macinnes signaled his warriors, and they descended on Rab like a pack of hungry wolves.”
“Was Rab’s brother Hunter there?”
“He was and lifted not a finger to help him. His wife Patience stood at his side and watched.”
“And the two other sisters were they there as well?”
“Aye, and never turned their heads away as Rab was brutally beaten.”
“How did you come by the body?” Rhys asked.
“Macinnes ordered it to be dumped in the woods for the animals to feed on. I followed and brought the body back to Laird McDolan.”
“And that is how your hands suffered those cuts and bruises?”
John startled a moment before giving a quick answer. “Aye, it is.”
Rhys stared at the man in silence, and it did not take long for John to grow uncomfortable and Hew as well.
Hew finally spoke up with annoyance in his tone. “It is as I told you. Now will you help me get my revenge?”
“Against those who did this evil deed?”
“Aye, and an evil deed it was, and we best see to resolving it and rescuing Greer’s wife before he learns of it and a bloodbath ensues.”
Rhys glared at John. “Who helped you beat Rab McLaud to death?”
“What nonsense is this?” Hew shouted. “Why do you accuse John when he told you what he saw?”
“He is lying.”
Hew went to argue, and Rhys took a quick step toward him and Hew hastily shut his mouth. “You think to deceive me?”
“No, no,” Hew said, “It is as John says.”
“It is not as John says; he lies,” Rhys said anger sparking in his dark eyes and voice. He turned his heated glare on John. “Tell me you saw the blond-haired Macinnes sister there.”
“Aye I saw her there,” he answered with a grin. “Who could miss that beauty?”
“Evidently you, since she was not there.”
“If John says she was there, then she was there,” Hew argued.
“So it was by your order that John, and I would say one or two others, beat Rab McLaud to death?”
“You make no sense,” Hew said, shaking his head. “Why would I have my own son-in-law beaten to death? This is complete nonsense. Will you keep your word to me or not?”
“Will you keep yours?” Rhys asked.
“I already gave you my word, now what of yours?” Hew demanded.
Rhys stepped forward and grabbed John by the throat so fast that neither man in front of him had time to react. He squeezed, his fingers digging into the man’s neck. “I will have the truth from you now.”
Hew was so shocked it took him a moment to speak up. “Let him go. John did nothing. It is Macinnes you should be after.”
Rhys ignored him and squeezed a bit harder.
John’s hands came up to grasp at Rhys hand, trying frantically to free himself, but it proved useless. The Dragon’s grip was like a band of metal forged around his neck.
“Release him or I will have my men take the Dragon down here and now.” Hew raised his hand and his warriors, some with reluctance, stepped forward.
Ghost warriors rushed from the woods and dropped from the trees completely surrounding the group and Hew paled along with several of his warriors.
Rhys’ grip tightened. “It matters not to me if you die. I know the truth. That blond-haired beauty you say was there could not have been there. Heather was with me; she is my wife.”
* * *
Heather sat at one of the tables in the Great Hall wondering where her husband had gone off to. Henry had stood nearby until she had insisted that he sit and give his injured leg some rest. He had not argued; he sat.
On her walk to the keep, Heather had discovered that Henry would not be forthcoming with any information about her husband’s whereabouts.
She wished she could have spent more time walking through the village for surely someone would have heard something, though now that she had sat for a while, she realized that she was tired and that her head ached a bit.
She silently admonished herself for not taking more care with her injury. She had ignored the fatigue that had crept up on her and the throb in her head.
“Your brew, my lady,” Nessa said, placing a tankard with swirls of steam rising from it in front of her.
“Bless you, it is just what I need,” Heather said, lifting the tankard to her lips to sip cautiously.
“I hope I made it to your liking.”
Heather smiled after tasting it. “Perfect.”
“You look tired, my lady, perhaps you should rest in your chambers.”
The thought appealed to her, but before she could agree, Henry spoke up.
“My orders are for me to remain with Lady Heather in the Great Hall until the Dragon returns, and here is where she will be staying.”
“But she needs rest,” Nessa protested.
“I have my orders,” Henry said.
“I will wait here,” Heather said the pair’s bickering causing the slight pain in her head to increase.
Nessa shook her head as she walked past Henry, saying, “It is her bed she needs.”
Henry ignored her and after few moments, he said, “I am sure the Dragon will return soon.”
Heather saw the concern in his eyes and reassured him. “It is all right, Henry. I will sip my brew and rest right here until my husband returns.”
The brew soothed her as always and the pain in her head lessened, but her eyes grew heavy and by the time she finished the brew, her eyes were closing and her head felt too heavy to hold up. She folded her arms on the table and brought her head down on them to rest.
“My lady, are you all right?” Henry asked anxiously.
“Need a bit of rest,” she said as her eyes drifted closed.
* * *
“You are wed to Heather Macinnes?” Hew asked as if he did not believe his words.
“I am. Now tell me why you had Rab McLaud beaten to death,” Rhys demanded.
With his shoulders drooping in defeat, Hew said, “I discovered he intended to kill my daughter and that Greer knew and approved of it. I began to wonder what other things Greer had planned for me. I decided it would be wiser to free myself of one McLaud and in so doing free my daughter and make her available to wed you, thus joining forces with you and protecting myself against Greer.” Hew shook his head. “Donald Macinnes beat me to it.”
“You got part of what you wanted,” Rhys said and released John. “You pledged your allegiance to me if I gave you revenge against those who did this to Rab. John is one. Give me the others who helped him and I will see them punished.”
“They followed orders,” Hew said in their defense.
“Then it is you who deserves the punishment.”
Hew stood speechless for a moment and Rhys could see that he was weighing his options of which there were none. He had no choice but to submit to the Dragon, but Rhys had learned through the years that few men made wise choices.
“I will suffer no punishment for protecting my daughter, nor will my men for following orders.”
“You renege on our agreement?” Rhys snapped and did not give Hew a chance to respond.
“Listen well, McDolan, you gave me your word and I will see that you keep it. When I summons you, you will not hesitate to come to me and do as I command.” He was quick to silence Hew when he went to speak, his strong voice resonating throughout the camp. “Not a word. I am not finished.”
Hew felt the fiery anger that spewed from the Dragon’s mouth and a tremble ran through him.