The Scourge of Black Isle
Padraig wanders like Logan, but he still needs his clan sometimes.
Alex stands up to a sheriff for Padraig…
Jake said, “A lass was found beaten in the forest. She had a piece of Grant plaid in her hand, and the only word she uttered was your name, Padraig.”
“I have not seen any woman but those who live here since I left Black Isle a sennight ago.”
“It happened in the early eve. A crofter found her while the blood still ran from her cuts. It had to have happened around then.”
Padraig said, “I was here at midnight. In my bed sleeping.”
The sheriff’s eyes narrowed.
Jake said, “We believe you.” He turned to the sheriff and his minions.
“He was here all night—and never left. We ate the evening meal together, chatted over by the fire for several hours before we both took our beds. It could not be him. I will vouch for him. Certainly you must find the man who hurt the lass, but Padraig did not do it. We’ll ask her when she recovers. ”
“If she recovers,” the sheriff said. “I or one of my men will return to speak with her. We will talk with Padraig again, as well.”
Padraig’s father stepped forward. “Need I bring up some important points you’re missing, Sheriff?
Anyone could find a piece of Grant plaid and use it.
We have over a thousand warriors who wear our plaid and could catch it on a branch anywhere when out hunting.
And anyone who had abused a lass that much would have marks on their hands.
My son’s hands show no cuts, swellings, or any other sign of having done such violence. ”
The sheriff stepped closer to Padraig. He ran his eye over Padraig carefully, and then looked to his hands, and Padraig held them up so the man could see them better in the flickering torchlight.
“You do have a point. I see only old callouses that every warrior bears, and she was definitely beaten, not cut.”
“My son is innocent.” His father crossed his arms as if daring the sheriff to question him further.
The sheriff brought his gaze up to Padraig’s, who decided it was time for him to speak up for himself. “I am a member of Clan Grant. I do not abuse women. Why would you think I would do such a thing?”
“Sheriff, you know our reputation. If one of my warriors treated a woman like that, I’d handle him before you ever got here,” Uncle Alex said, crossing his arms.
“And I would hold him for you, Alex.” His father moved next to Padraig and clasped his shoulder. “My son would be the first to come to a lass’s defense.”
Jake held his arm out toward the door. “Take your leave, Sheriff. Your inquisition is over.”
The man glared at Jake but then said, “For now, but we will return.” He turned to Uncle Alex and said, “My apologies for awakening you all in the middle of the night. Even without the evidence about the culprit, we would have come, since this is where the best healers are found.”
Uncle Alex showed no emotion, as usual, and said, “You’ve said what you must, now leave, Sheriff.”
While the sheriffs were capable of scaring nearly anyone with their mere presence, Alexander Grant could not be so easily intimidated, and the sheriff held considerable respect for the old laird.
Alex had always commanded the largest army of warriors in all the land and would send however many men the king needed.
No sheriff wished to anger the king.
Jake and Jamie escorted the three men out, but once they were out of the keep, the true inquisition started.
His father turned to face him, his expression serious.
“See the trouble you could have been in, leaving on your own? If Ruari hadn’t made you return, you could still be out there.
But why would she use your name, Padraig? ”
Padraig had a sick feeling roiling inside his gut. This had been Donald’s plan. “I’d like to see the lass to see if I recognize her.” He had the worst fear that it could be Gisela or someone else from Clan Matheson. “’Tis not Gisela Matheson, is it?”
“Nay, I recall her from Brigid’s wedding,” Uncle Alex said. “’Tis not that lass. This lass is flame haired.”
Padraig let out a loud sigh. “Still, I would like to see her.”
“Come with me,” his father said. “Your mother and Gracie are treating her.” His sire knocked on the healing chamber door.
His mother opened it and motioned them inside.
“She’s spoken a bit more. She was given a message for Padraig.
That’s why she spoke his name. The man who attacked her said Padraig is his next target.
She doesn’t know who he was. He wore no plaid, he was verra large, and he said that you’re to stay away from Black Isle. And he’s coming to find you.”
Padraig made his way over to the lass in the bed. One of her eyes was swollen, but the other caught his gaze. She flinched at first, but then calmed. “Who are you?” she asked.
“I am Padraig Grant, and you have my deepest apology if you were beaten because of me. It was not of my doing.” His eyes traveled over her, and she looked much like Dagga had when she’d been found.
He recognized Donald’s handiwork. One swollen eye, a bruise blooming on her cheek, and smaller cuts and scrapes everywhere he could see skin. He didn’t wish to see any more.
“’Tis not your fault, but I don’t understand why he doesn’t beat you instead of me.” She winced at the pain of her cut lip, soothing it with her tongue.
His father uttered one word. “Who?”
Padraig looked at him over his shoulder. “Donald MacKinnie. He did the same to a lass on Black Isle. ’Tis why I left. He said if I didn’t leave, he’d beat more women. Clearly he doesn’t keep his word.”
The lass moaned again and curled into a ball, knees to chest, so they returned to the hall, moving over to the few still near the hearth.
“Did you recognize her?” Connor asked.
Padraig shook his head. “But I know the cause and the culprit.”
“Tell us, lad,” Uncle Alex ordered.
For the second time that day, he told the story of Gisela’s betrothal and Donald’s madness. He shook his head as he finished, finally conceding, “’Tis time to take action to stop him.”
“We should take three hundred warriors and attack Clan MacKinnie,” Connor said. “That will take care of the bastard.”
“But he’s no longer there. I visited the clan before I left to give him my own warning, but the chief said he had no idea where his son had gone, that he’d left the castle and not returned. He was acting on his own, not in the clan’s name.”
Alex moved over to the hearth, crossing his arms over his chest. “So we cannot attack Clan MacKinnie because he’s not acting on his clan’s behalf.
If his sire isn’t defending him, it would be wrong to take the fight to Chief MacKinnie.
We need to send patrols out in search of this fool and find him ourselves. ”
“Padraig,” his father said, following his brother and taking a seat near the hearth, his voice dropping a wee bit as if to make sure they weren’t overheard.
“You left Grant land with only two guards to go to Glen Lochy knowing all this was taking place? Over an unsigned missive? Did you leave all your senses back on Black Isle? MacKinnie could be out there waiting for you, especially if he knows you often travel alone.”
“What exactly did Ruari say when you told him everything?” Jake asked. “Had he heard anything on Cameron land? Heard of any lasses being found in other parts of the Highlands?”
Padraig sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
He’d been hoping no one would ask him the same question that had been rolling through his mind.
Had Donald been the one who tried to lure him out?
Was he that conniving? “Ruari reacted to the missive from Papa. He hadn’t heard anything about any lasses, just came because he thought I was in trouble. ”
“And he was right, nay, son?” His father jumped out of his chair and paced, something he only did when he was so angry he couldn’t speak. “Padraig, you better stand back because if you step near me, I’ll throttle you for sure.”
“Robbie, anger will not help,” Uncle Alex said. “Calm yourself so you can think more clearly.”
His sire glanced at his brother and took a deep breath.
“You’re right, Alex. But this bastard could be anywhere, and it doesn’t sound like he has any distinguishing characteristics.
Large and blond isn’t enough,” his father said.
“I think Padraig should go into hiding. Mayhap travel to visit his brother.”
“Run away?” Padraig blurted out. “I don’t like to run from problems.”
Jamie stepped forward and said, “But if he can’t find you, he’ll not know who or where to attack next.
He knows you as a Grant, I’m sure, so knew you’d come here.
He probably is unaware of your brother’s castle in the Western Highlands, though he could learn of it easy enough.
You’ll have to move quickly to be ahead of him, but he’ll probably find you eventually.
It will confuse him and make him rethink his strategy.
And if you’re not here to witness the damage he does, it will deny him the pleasure he gets from putting your name on his victim’s lips.
And he might return to Black Isle if he knows you to be all the way to the Western coastline. How daring and foolish is this man?”
While Padraig considered this advice, Uncle Alex said, “I agree with Jamie. I think you should go to the Western Highlands. To Roddy’s place, which is far from Black Isle.
He’ll not find you there, at least not for a while.
And if he does follow you there, he’ll be far away from any of his cronies. ”
“If not Roddy’s then Muir Castle,” his father said. “One or the other. He probably doesn’t know your relationship with Braden. And your uncle Brodie can help. Muir Castle has many more trained warriors than Roddy. If you need guards, send word back to us. But I’d suggest you go at first light.”
“That soon?” Padraig asked, rubbing the scruff of his beard with his knuckles. The bastard just would not leave him be.
“Aye, before he hurts another. And we’ll send out heavy patrols in the area looking for the bastard. That will send him running or keep him in hiding for a wee bit. If we find him, we’ll turn him over to the sheriff,” Connor said.
“I’ll go, but Mama won’t be happy.”
“Mama wouldn’t be happy if you were the next one brought to her near death, either.”
Padraig couldn’t argue that point.
He was headed west.