Chapter 44
Nella paced the chamber. Thickest stone walls ever! Ugh. If only she could hear what occurred in the solar beneath.
“My lady, would you care for a goblet of mead?” Alec tried to entice her while seated by the arrow slit. The late-morning sun streamed over his raven locks, same as Callum’s.
Callum. How was her knight doing downstairs while questioning the suspected traitors?
Her steps picked up pace. “Nae.”
“Perhaps another slice of the loaf? My brother said they were a favorite of yours.”
“Nae, thank you.”
The steps which had been in a straight line back and forth took a circle quality as her unease rose faster than the flames in the hearth after Alec tossed in another peat brick.
“My lady, you shall wear a hole straight down unto the floor below if you keep up such a pace.” Her gaze rose, finding him grinning.
His smile was like her knight’s. “On the other hand, I believe we are above a chamber right off the solar.” He lowered his voice like sharing a secret.
“So, if you break us through, we shall discover what is taking place.”
A light smile met her lips. “You are just as I remember, Chieftain MacCade.”
“You, my lady, are the same as well.” Alec’s grin grew. “My brother, he is the one I have to comprehend if ’tis truly him.”
“Why?”
“He was always a protective sort to Aonghus and I, when we were very young. His ‘wee brothers’. However, the fervent way he spoke upon you remainin’ here in this chamber and not the solar for fear the lords may grow wise you are the one who named them as possible traitors to the crown was a heightened regard the likes I have never seen,” Alec explained.
“Then there is a light which has returned to his eyes. One both I and Aonghus had thought snuffed out for all time.” Her smile vanished.
“Aww, now, do not grow forlorn, my lady, ’twas a compliment.
For so long both Aonghus and I have tried to find out what had caused the change in him.
I find ’twas you. Each moment these past few years when a bairn graced the keep of Clan MacCade, our eldest brother would offer his heartfelt wishes, but a sorrow always lingered beneath his surface.
I know not what has occurred to bring you back into his life, but this is a gift.
So, nae sorrow, my lady, happiness only, agreed? ”
Her lips rose once again. “Your wife is a very fortunate lady indeed.”
“Ack,” Alec chuckled. “You shall have to speak with her after I leave my dirty braise thrown over the chair. Curses me sideways every time.” A small laugh escaped her lips.
Knock. Knock. Both looked up, finding Holger filling the open doorway.
“Wee Chieftain MacCade, your brother is requesting your presence in the solar,” Holger advised before he looked at her with a suggestive grin on his lips.
“I am to remain with Lady Fawnella who is a damn sight more beautiful sight than those two pompous windbags who keep declaring they were simply choking on ill-tasting fare in the great hall.”
Alec’s eyes turned into slits as he stood. “The lady is with my brother, and you are married, Lord Kolson. Do well to remember your manners lest I have to remind you, which I promise you shall not care for.” It seemed Alec was protective of Callum as well.
Holger gave a snort then sat propping his feet up on the table while he polished the sparkling gem broach pinned on his doublet with his sleeve. “Blither, blather, wee MacCade.”
“My lady,” Alec murmured, looking worried, “I may fetch another…” She rested her hand on his arm.
‘’I shall be fine. If anything, the northern lord is but a pompous windbag himself.
Thus is why he recognizes those in this flock with ease.
” Alec’s lips twitched slightly as if he were stifling a grin.
“The Northman will see to it that I am not endangered.” She looked at the arrogant expression to finish dryly, “I am a most valuable creature to him given my instinct.”
Holger winked. “And so much more, my lady.”
As Alec’s feet reluctantly shuffled for the entryway, his hand gripped the door’s edge. He tugged it slightly, looked upon her, then pushed it back – leaving it wide open. Before he vanished.
What if a summons from the king came next? Glancing down at her rumpled skirt, she inwardly groaned. She smoothed her fingers over her skirt, straightening the clasp at her throat on the cloak which was in tatters, and by all above what must her wimple look like?
Holger raised his arms, folding his fingers behind his head. “All alone in a bedchamber. Whatever shall we do to pass the time?”
She shot a look at him. “I thought you needed to ensure everything was ‘prepared’ for the Northern delegation’s arrival this eve?”
“Done! The only exception is the traitor being seized, which was seen to.” He nodded her way.
“In but a few days I shall be journeying back with the northern delegation to apprise King Magnus of the treaty and those who set ablaze the crofts under false pretenses. Back to passing the time. What say you, my lady?” He clucked his tongue like one would do to get a horse moving then glanced at the neatly made bed.
“Care for a final ride since I have been unable to sway you to remain with me?”
Her hands snapped onto her hips. “Not if you were the last stallion in the stable, Lord Kolson. Dare I ask why you have given up your endeavor to fetch me to the northern court?”
“Rumor.”
“Rumor?”
“King Alexander was in that solar upon my leave,” Holger explained.
“In way of ‘discretion’ he deems all matters we have encountered these past days are kept a secret. Everything we have chanced will never be written in history to come. Shame, really, never being hailed as a hero.” She rolled her eyes.
“So, my plan to force a wedge between you and your Scotsman has lost its merit as no scandal upon your son’s—”
“Stepson.”
“—traitorous ways will come to light.” If her heart were a bird, it would have flown in delight.
She was free from the shadow by treachery in the courtier’s eyes; her fears were now unfounded!
“A great deal has taken place below us. Your knight has sent out two small clusters of guards. One is to secure Castle Sgàrlaid and seek the state of Clan MacHarris in their victory against the gathered gallowglass. The other is bound for the abbey to aid in the escort of Sir Brayden and my delegation. So, all is tying up neatly with one exception.” Holger raked his gaze over her.
“I may consider another way to press you to my side henceforth—”
“Do not be make excuses,” a voice rang through the open doorway from… from afar. She tilted her head slightly. “How is it Sir Callum has suddenly appeared?” a deep Scottish tone questioned angrily as they began to move further away.
“My lady,” Holger whispered, “a chronicle?”
She nodded; the Northman turned pale and silent as a ghost.
“I do not know. All is prepared for us to take our leave directly and discreetly. Sir Callum has ordered double the guards around the king. My lord, you must forfeit the chance of seizing the crown,” a second brogue re-butted as the sound signature turned back to stationary. They must have stopped moving.
“Only for a time. Do not question my resolve,” the lord retorted. “I have not cut Lord MacMardan down for nothing. What word of Sir James?”
A third voice sounded. “None, but we shall know soon enough.”
“Soon enough, are you both fools? The knight already turned traitor once to save his own hide, he will do so again if he is discovered.”
“I told you; you should have let me poison that MacCade chieftain myself, placed the blame on Sir Sean, then forced him into the role of captain with threats once the king was dead. You have mistaken Sir Sean’s desire to be named captain as you have mistaken every step blinded by your own ambitions,” the second voice said.
The lord replied, “Not all is lost and if you dare speak to me—”
“We will dare anything,” the third voice retorted. “You have placed us all at risk by your greed to cut Lord MacMardan from the folds and setting your own plan with Sèidrich who has now vanished without even a missive. Too soon. ’Twas too soon to seek this!”
“The siege rages at Kenilworth Castle in honor of Simon happens as we stand here speakin’ idly. The time was to be now here upon Scottish soil!” the lord sneered.
Her feet began for the door after she snapped the fancy broach off Holger’s doublet.
“My lady, what are you…”
She waved her fingers, silencing him. “Northman, follow me. The pair who gasped in the great hall are not the traitors, ’tis another who ventured this way.” Holger drew his sword, appearing at her side as they stepped out into the passageway.
No! It was empty. Where had the voices traveled from?
“Move,” the owner of the third voice sounded, and her head snapped the opposite way. The words had floated up the curved stairway like rain hitting metal. One issue; there were two sets of stairs! Which one were they upon? Her feet began bolting for the steps’ entry on the left.
“Lord Kolson,” she advised, “I am uncertain which stairwell they ventured. You take the right; I shall take the left.” An iron grip clasped her arm, halting her.
Should she stab him with the pin? “Release me,” she demanded instead. “They are taking their leave. From all I could gather there may be one on each stairwell.”
“If you are harmed, my lady” – Holger lifted an eyebrow – “the Scotsman will have my cock, and I do favor having it even if you do not.”
Where were the traitors? Silence. No! If she lost them all was lost!
“Think of our kingdoms not with your…” She waved her hand at his loins. His grip loosened a wee bit; she tore free, bolting for the right stairwell.
“Fuk all, go then,” Holger cursed, charging for the opposite stairwell from hers.
Raising her skirts higher, she began leaping down two steps at a time.
If her heart beat any louder, she would be as useless as a paddle boat on a frozen loch to hear.
Mouse! She dodged right, almost hitting her skull on the torches’ sconce.
Cat! She flew left as the prowling beastie chased the long-tailed find upwards past her.
As she scrambled, her palm caught the edge in a stone, while her feet landed the ground.
Was the passageway only one direction? Aye, move!
Lifting the skirts higher, her wimple flittering on her neck like a ship’s sail in a tempest, her chase snapped to a halt.
The passage dead ended! Which way? Frantically spinning about, she searched with her gaze; shadows and not a soul.
Everyone was still in the great hall. Shuffle. Shuffle. There. Right, go right.
Her feet slammed the granite as much as her heart did her ribs at the fevered pace. Don’t lose him! She rounded the next corner briskly then whimpered when her elbow nicked the stone wall. An archway appeared ahead. There he is!
The light streaming in from the open outer entry illuminated a lone figure whose hair was as bright a red as the sun’s rays.
“My lord!” she called out.
The stranger halted, turning on his heel, facing her. Weaves of salt riddled around his temples with a gaze dark as her own. “My lord!” she huffed, racing the last stretch. “I believe you dropped this on the passageway.”
Raising the broach higher, she reached him. Pause him, keep him here; a guard or Holger will come.
“Lassie—”
“Fawnella.” She smiled. “I am Lady Fawnella MacHearin, and you are?”
He held silent, curling his lip while regarding her soiled gown. He barked at her. “Too clean to be any of your concern nor attention, Lady Fawnella. That” – he pointed at the broach – “is not mine.”
Movement caught the corner of her eye from under the covered arcade outside beyond the unwelcoming stranger. She kept her eyes locked on the Scottish lord. Don’t look or he will know a cluster of guards with swords drawn are approaching with the one in the lead who was as tall as a giant… Callum?
“Nella,” Callum’s voice summoned for her ears alone.
She breathed once more. “Holger told me what has occurred. If this is the lord you heard, take one step back.” Her foot went rearward.
“All right, I see you. Please take another dozen away from Lord MacBenrick lest my heart halt at the sight of you in danger.”
“Forgive me,” she replied, “’twas laying over yonder, I thought it to be yours.”
Turning, she took ten strides before another royal guard appeared from around the corner. Callum must have alerted the entire keep. Stepping near the newest arrival who had the look of one who knew how to handle the blade in his hand, she glanced back when Callum’s voice boomed.
“Sir Lesly, seize him! For crimes against the crown!”
Lord MacBenrick’s eyes bulged as he pointed at her. “YOU! You halted my leave on purpose, you tricking wretch!”
Escaping Sir Lesly’s grip, Lord MacBenrick began bolting at her!
Callum growled, charging past his guardsman, and grabbed Lord MacBenrick’s flailing arm mid-air. The same moment the guard protecting her leapt forward, slamming his fist into the lord’s face, rendering him unaware as he dropped like a stone in a loch.
Callum spun back at the knight who had failed. “Take him to the tunnel, directly!”
Sir Lesly jumped forth at the captain’s demand, lifting the lord as Callum looked at the guard beside her. “My sincerest thanks, Sir Nathrach, in helping keep the lady safe. Please take your leave for the solar. Sir Sean is present with our lord king, and we shall be along in a moment.”
Sir Nathrach nodded, walking past the cluster in guards who crowded the archway. Well, Lord MacBenrick was one; who were the other two traitors at large?