Page 12 of Awakened By Time

Chapter 5

Tired of his own company, Zeke was elated at the sight of a castle up ahead. Finally. He didn’t think he’d ever get here. So, this was the place his baby sister had decided to live. She must be out of her mind, or head-over-heels in love. He reined Olwydd to a halt as he surveyed the sight before him. A real medieval castle right before his very eyes. It was much larger than he expected. Very impressive. The castle walls towered above him. Men stood guard upon the battlements on either side of a large wooden gate, which was open.

Looking closely, he could see riders coming through the gates towards him. The two men seemed to be focused on something happening off to his right. Zeke turned Olwydd to get a better angle and followed their gaze, only to see a frightened young woman being dragged by two men back towards the castle gates. Without thought, Zeke sprang into action. His horse responded instantly and charged towards the men, who looked up from the girl. Letting her go, they each unsheathed their swords and stood ready and waiting for Zeke, who now wondered if this was a wise decision. One look at the girl, who had now slumped to the ground in tears, gave him his answer. Olwydd came to a skidding stop as Zeke leapt from the saddle and engaged the men. They were obviously seasoned warriors, but Zeke was confident he could handle them. The girl for her part was helping by holding onto the leg of the light-haired man. He, for his part, seemed as if he didn’t wish to harm her and so he stayed where he was with the girl wrapped around his leg and his sword at the ready.

Zeke put everything he had into this fight. He practiced his swordsmanship every day at the studio and it showed. The two men initially met with a clang of swords and after a moment or two of battle, backed away and assessed each other. Zeke mirrored the other man’s movements, parrying with him and waiting for the opportune moment to make his move.

Who wasthis man who had come to her rescue? He was tall and very strong. From her spot on the ground, she kept a tight hold on the leg she’d latched onto. She didn’t have a sword to join in the fight, so she did what she could. No matter how good a warrior this unknown man might be, there was no way he could beat two men at one time. She watched as they grappled together and then the new man did something interesting. He hooked his leg behind the other man’s leg and knocked him to the ground, where he kicked the sword from his hand. The man lay there dazed. “You’re turn,” he said as he turned towards the man she’d managed to hold captive by the leg. Brenna let go of him and he charged at this newcomer. They were heavily engaged with each other when she noted her Da and Nevil Munro riding up to the scene. She had the urge to run again, but thought better of it.

“Enough,” Nevil Munro commanded and his man immediately backed away. The one on the ground was rubbing the back of his head as he tried to stand.

“Who are ye?” Paddraig MacRae demanded.

“My name’s Zeke Barrett. I’m here to find my sister, Sara.” The man was hardly even out of breath after all that fighting. Brenna looked on in admiration.

“I’m Paddraig MacRae, laird of this castle and this is Laird Nevil Munro. I appreciate yer efforts to save my daughter, but she doesnae need to be saved.”

Zeke gazed at Brenna with soft blue eyes. “Are you alright?”

Brenna nodded. Her voice seemed to have disappeared. She picked herself up from the ground and tried futilely to dust herself off.

“Look at ye, Brenna. Yer a disgrace.” Paddraig tut-tutted at her.

“I’m sorry, Da. I dinnae wish to marry Laird Munro.” She glanced quickly in Nevil’s direction and for a brief moment saw the man he really was. There was a sinister aspect to those dark, narrowed eyes. This was a man that was not safe to cross. He would have no patience for her speaking her mind. Her body shuddered in a visceral response as she realized the rumors she’d heard about his dead wife could actually be true.

He quickly changed his demeanor. “Brenna, lass. I understand yer nervous about marrying a man ye hardly ken, but I promise ye I’ll be good to ye. Ye’ll have a home of yer own, where ye’ll be the true lady of the castle. Isnae that what ye want?” The cloying sweetness of his voice turned Brenna’s stomach. She looked from him to her Da and then to Zeke Barrett, who seemed quite shocked and concerned by what he was hearing.

“Come. Let us all go back to the great hall and discuss this. Ye may join us,” Paddraig motioned to Zeke.

The men all mounted their horses, leaving Brenna to walk.

“You can ride with me,” Zeke motioned for Brenna to come closer and he put an arm down for her to latch onto. She put her foot in the stirrup and hoisted herself up behind him, placing her arms around a solid back and narrow waist. She placed her hands on an abdomen beset with muscles. The closeness of his body to hers sent unnerving tingles through her. She was exhausted from this ordeal and found herself resting her head against his back, with no thought for what the others would think. She could feel every breath he took and the rippling of his muscles as he guided his horse to follow the others. Confusing thoughts floated through her head. She found herself drawn to him, but told herself it was only that he’d tried to save her from her inescapable fate. Perhaps she could convince him to help her escape once again. Maybe with his help, she’d make it to Dougall. She hadn’t given up. She would continue to fight this unfair marriage she was being forced into.

* * *

The horses cameto a halt in the courtyard and everyone dismounted with the exception of Zeke and Brenna.

“Grab hold of my arm and I’ll help you down,” Zeke said.

Before Brenna could answer one of the men he fought reached up and plucked her down. As her feet hit the ground, she gazed up at him. Her eyes pleaded with him, but before she could speak, she was swiftly ushered into the castle.

“Go get yerself cleaned and when you’re presentable, return to the great hall,” her father called after her. “And dinnae try to run away again or ye’ll pay the price.”

Zeke dismounted, watching as she disappeared from sight. Was she asking him to help her?

“Zeke Barrett, join us in the great hall for a tot of whisky. Ye’ve earned it.” Paddraig threw an arm around Zeke’s shoulders and guided him inside. “Ye must tell me all about yerself. I’m quite impressed by what I’ve just seen ye do out there.”

The other man, Nevil Munro, didn’t seem quite as pleased with him. “Aye. If ye’ll excuse me, Paddraig. I’m going to see to me men.” He strode from the room and Paddraig waited for him to be out of sight before speaking.

Zeke was busily concocting a story in his head. One that he hoped would keep him on this man’s good side. He didn’t know the dynamics of this family, but something told him that he’d just stepped into a hornet’s nest.

Paddraig poured him some whisky and then some for himself. “So ye say yer here to find yer sister. Are ye sure she’s here?”

“I’ve been told she is.” He took the whisky from Paddraig and following the laird’s lead, tossed it back, swallowing it in one gulp.

Paddraig poured more for the both of them. “Ye said her name, but I’m sorry to say that I cannae remember. I was preoccupied with me daughter.”

“Her name’s Sara. Sara Barrett. Have you seen her?”