Chapter 20 #3
Olivia noticed with dismay that beneath his dark cloak, he was dressed for battle. As if to confirm her fears, the calmness of the night and the sounds of the festival were suddenly torn apart by the frantic clamor of alarm bells all over the castle.
Olivia started in shock at the sound, her terror mounting as shouts and screams arose from the festivalgoers. She realized with horror that the attack Findlay had told her about was already underway!
Terrified for Edan, she tried to wrench her arm from Nurkirk’s grasp, but he was too strong for her and yanked her back violently.
“I’ll give ye a choice, me dear,” he hissed in her ear. “Ye can come with me quietly, or if ye choose to fight me, I’ll put a blade to yer throat. I dinnae mind either option.”
“A-All right, I’ll c-come with ye quietly,” she stuttered, thinking that if she agreed, it might buy her some time to figure out a way to get away from him and find Edan.
“A wise choice, but I admit, ‘tis a little disappointing. Now, as ye might have already worked out, me men are attackin’ the castle. So, we’re goin’ to go there now, and then ye’re goin’ to help me kill yer husband.”
Still grasping her arm tightly, he started walking them out of the trees.
“Never! I’ll die before I let ye harm him,” she told him as he shoved her in front of him and pushed her towards the festival. She cried out in pain as his fingers dug deeply into her flesh.
“I hope that doesnae become necessary,” he said. “It would be such a terrible waste. Although I must say, yer loyalty is admirable, even if it is misplaced.”
With no choice but to obey him, all she could do as he forced her back to the castle was to wrack her brains for a way to get away from him and keep Edan safe.
And if have to die doin’ it, then I will.
Edan was making his way back to Olivia with more wine and a platter piled high with food when the alarm went off.
He was not as surprised as he might have been, for his informants had already reported to him some weeks back that Nurkirk was planning to launch an attack.
It had given him plenty of time to prepare for it.
He had strengthened his defenses and ordered his men to be constantly vigilant.
Even tonight, with the festival going ahead, the gates had been kept closed.
However, understandably, the sound of the alarm caused panic among the festivalgoers.
He quickly ordered the guards he had stationed about to herd them to safety within the castle walls.
He dropped the platter and the bottle of wine and raced towards where he knew his grandmother was with the other women, anxious to get them safely into the castle as well.
He prayed Olivia was already on her way back and would meet him on the way, so he could make sure she went with them.
As he ran, he saw Zander and a couple of armed guards coming from the other direction, escorting his grandmother, Eileen, and the other ladies back to the castle. His heart sank when he did not see Olivia with them.
“Hurry, Zander!” he shouted. “Get them inside as soon as ye can.”
“Aye, I will,” Zander replied.
As his grandmother passed him on Zander’s arm, with Eileen on the other side and the other women following behind, all looking terrified, Edan called to her, “Dinnae worry, Grandmaither. It’ll be all right.”
“Aye, lad. Dinnae worry about me, I’ll be fine.”
“Has anyone seen Olivia?” he asked, scanning the red-tinted darkness ahead for a glimpse of her. But no one had seen her.
So, while Zander hurried them away and Edan no longer had to worry about their safety, he ran towards the spot where he had left Olivia, hoping to meet her on the way.
But when he did, he stopped dead in his tracks, feeling as though he had been punched in the chest as he stared in horror at the scene before him.
Olivia was coming towards him, her face deathly white, her eyes wide with fear as they met his.
And behind her, gripping her arm and pushing her forward, was Nurkirk!
“That’s right, Byrne. Stop right there, or I’ll hurt her!”
Edan ignored him. “Olivia! Are ye all right? Has he hurt ye?” he shouted, frantic with fear for her safety.
“Aye, I’m all right, Edan,” Olivia choked out, her voice shaking. “But be careful, he’s aimin’ to kill ye.”
“Let her go, Nurkirk, and ye can have me instead!” Edan yelled, starting forward, his blood boiling with rage at seeing her in such terrible danger and knowing he was the cause.
“Dinnae come any closer, Byrne,” Nurkirk warned, making Olivia cry out as he gripped her arm viciously.
“Ye swine! I’ll kill ye if ye hurt her!” Edan growled, unable to control his anger.
“Ye can try, but she’ll be dead before ye reach me,” Nurkirk replied, raising his free hand so Edan could see the blade in it.
“All right, all right, I’m nae comin’ any closer. Just dinnae harm her, Nurkirk,” Edan said in a more conciliarity tone, palms out, backing away slightly. “If ye want me, ye can have me. Just let her go.”
“Nay, Edan, dinnae give in to the coward!” Olivia screamed, her bravery and loyalty making his heart clench with emotion.
“Dinnae worry, Olivia. I’ll nae let him hurt ye, I promise,” he told her, desperate to soothe her fear even though he did not know if he would be able to keep his promise.
“Just do as I tell ye, Byrne, and I’ll nae hurt her. Now, turn around and walk back to the castle. Go on,” Nurkirk urged, brandishing his dirk once more.
With no choice but to do as Nurkirk said, Edan turned and began walking back the way he had come, across the now deserted festival site, with Nurkirk forcing Olivia on behind him.
Sounds of fighting echoed as they got nearer to the castle, and soon Edan saw that the attack was already in full swing.
A fierce battle was going on between his men and Nurkirk’s soldiers as they tried to defend the gates.
But other enemy soldiers were propping up ladders against the walls, and although many were being cut down by the archers, just as many were making it over the wall.
When he looked up, he saw Zander’s face, his expression grim as he quickly took in the situation. Edan heard his friend immediately order the men to stop fighting. The defense suddenly ceased. Nurkirk bellowed an order to his men, and they did the same.
The men on both sides fell back, and the gates opened.
Edan went through them and into the courtyard. The only thing on his mind was Olivia and how he could free her. He knew that even if it cost him his life, he would make sure she was unharmed.
He figured it would be better for her to live and wed Nurkirk than for her to come to any harm.