Page 23 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)

I n the pre-dawn, darkened morning, Shaw left his bed and hastily prepared to leave.

When he picked up his belt, he remembered placing the missive he’d received from the MacPhersons in his dagger’s sheath.

But after removing his dagger, he found no missive.

It must have fallen out, but he couldn’t recall when or how.

It mattered not because he wasn’t ready to face the MacPhersons, and currently, he was more worried about his own clan and the Chattans.

He snatched a loaf of bread on his way out of the fief and shoved it into his satchel.

On the journey to Tor, he’d appease his hunger.

When he reached the postern of the bridge, someone grabbed him from behind and held his head in a grip.

Henny! Shaw wouldn’t be deterred and gripped the forearm of his assailant and used his foot to dislodge the man.

The soldier fought to keep his balance and gripped him, and Shaw fell back against the wall before he was released.

Henny swayed on his feet but managed to remain standing. “Good morn, Laird, ye be alert this day. Are ye leaving the keep?”

“Aye, I am. Go and prepare my horse…and yours. Roust Trey if he hasn’t awakened and meet me back here shortly.”

Without a word, Henny sprinted off toward the barracks.

As Shaw stood there awaiting Trey and Henny, he whistled for Clovis.

His gate watchman resided in a small cottage near the gate and within a moment, his door opened.

Clovis meandered toward him with sleep still evident in his gaze.

The man groused and rammed his spread fingers through his mangled hair.

His eyes narrowed and his mouth taut in a slightly irritated pout.

“’Tis ye, Laird. I thought one of the soldiers whistled. I will have the gate opened for ye.” He motioned to two of the soldiers who approached at his signal.

“I need ye to keep our gates closed this day. Allow no one within the keep or on the island.”

Clovis flapped his hands at the guards and they shuffled back to their positions. “Ye be off, Laird? Will ye be gone long?”

“Aye, I am going to meet with Geoff Chattan and I do not want to worry about my clan whilst I am gone. None are to know my destination. Keep it to yourself.” Shaw shifted his gaze as Trey and Henny walked toward him, holding the reins of their horses and his.

“I will see to our protection, Laird, whilst ye are gone,” Clovis said and walked off toward the soldiers that guarded the gate.

When his commander-in-arms reached him, Shaw pulled him aside. “Send our fastest horsemen to our allies. Have them relate to the Campbell and the Mackenzie lairds that I might need their support. Ask them to meet me at the great glen later this morn.”

Trey released the reins of his horse and turned, but stopped. “How many Mackintosh soldiers do ye want along, Laird? Should I roust Walen?”

“Clear the barracks. Leave ten men behind to help guard the gate and to watch over my family. The rest will ride with me to the glen. Walen can stay behind. I am sure he would appreciate some time to settle back before I take him on such a mission.” Shaw took the reins of his horse from Henny and led him through the gate.

As he sat waiting for his followers, he considered his plan.

A legion of riders called their call to arms as they rode past him on their mission to gather his allies.

Shaw was unsure what to expect when he visited Geoff Chattan.

He certainly wasn’t about to set foot on his cousin’s land without a well-embodied army at his back.

If Geoff threatened him, he’d be prepared to face any peril.

Though the Chattans were distant allies at present, in the past, they had been closer but that was when his father lived.

His father had agreed with the political stances of the Chattans.

Shaw did not, but he wouldn’t interfere with his cousin’s turmoil unless it was absolutely necessary.

Not only did the Chattans try to encroach on other clans’ lands, but they also tried to forge alliances against the king.

Since he’d given his fealty to Alexander, he couldn’t abide by such a traitorous act.

Shaw hadn’t been approached by Rodick or his brother on such causes but they knew too well his friendship with Alexander.

When his sovereign was made king, Shaw took a vow and swore his loyalty to him and there was naught to persuade him to abdicate his pledge.

When his men finally gathered beyond the gate, he led the procession toward Chattan land.

Horses’ hooves thundered on the dry ground and wafted dust into the air.

He didn’t stop but continued to ride hard and fast. He wanted to finish his chores and return before dark.

With him, he hoped to bring home Sorsha’s wee lass.

If his cousin refused his request to return Sorsha’s daughter, there would be hell to pay.

Along the route, his soldiers rode in sets of two and took up a long length of the roadway.

On the approach to the Great Glen, Shaw slowed his pace.

The Northwest Highlands opened to the Great Glen and its hillsides allowed rain to drain into the River Loy.

Spring had yet to show its full effects and no buds had sprouted yet.

The wind rolled over the tops of the hills and created a brisk chill but at least it wasn’t raining.

Still, it was a serene place and the optimal meeting place for his allies to congregate.

They dismounted and took a rest while they awaited the Campbells and the Mackenzies.

No fires were lit, no camps were made, and all remained on alert.

The Chattans were too close and their stronghold sat yonder behind the tallest hill.

Hopefully, their sentry wouldn’t take notice of them until Shaw wanted them to.

As soon as his allies arrived, Lairds Colin Campbell and Kenneth Mackenzie left their men in the flat land of a nearby field and marched toward him.

Shaw stood at the forefront of his brethren and welcomed his comrades with a smile and a slight wave. “I am gladdened ye came.”

“Of course, ye called and we hauled our arses to get to ye. Here we are,” Kenneth said, nodding the wavy locks of his reddish-brown hair. “What goes? Are we to war? My sword is at the ready.”

“Possibly. Geoff Chattan asked for a meeting but he gave no reason. Did ye know that Rodick died recently?”

“Aye, we heard about his death. How did he die? Was it an accident?” Colin asked.

Shaw shrugged. “Hell if I know, but I will ask Geoff about it. I am gladdened ye came because I am unsure if I will be welcomed by my cousin. Two men will go with me but if there is trouble… Keep a lookout on the pennon by the rampart. If it falls, ye will be fair warned that I am in danger.”

“Aye, aye. We will keep watch,” Colin said, and held out his arm to stop him from leaving. “Why do we not just go in with ye? Better to be close at hand if he means to cross ye.”

“I do not want to show force. There is something precious that I must retrieve from the Chattans and cannot endanger it.” Shaw suspected that Geoff had a duplicitous reason for keeping Sorsha’s daughter from her.

Not only did he hope to fetch Gillian, but he hoped to glean information on what happened to Sorsha’s husband.

If Geoff had anything to do with his brother’s death, Shaw wasn’t sure how it would impact him, his clan, or his allies. “Keep alert and watch for the signal.”

Kenneth pressed a hand on his shoulder. “Worry not, Shaw, we are here if ye need us and ye have our protection, as always. How long do ye plan to be?”

“Hopefully not long at all. But who knows what Geoff is up to? I trust him not. I will meet with him and if he makes any threats, I will signal to my men to lower the pennon.”

Colin shook his arm and grinned at him with shining blue eyes.

His light hair was pulled back, making it easier to see the delight that shone on his comrade’s face.

Colin wasn’t fond of the Chattans and he’d often voiced his abhorrence of Rodick and Geoff’s leadership.

He had no qualms about keeping them as rivals and longed to take his sword against them.

“When the pennon drops, Shaw, we will come with haste.”

He nodded, signaled to Trey and Henny to follow him, and retrieved his horse.

On the short ride toward Tor’s walls, Shaw kept quiet and remained alert in case of an ambush.

The pathway that led to the gates of the castle always gave him an eerie feeling as if someone was watching them.

Perhaps it was the Chattan sentry or someone more sinister.

He shook the creepy sensation away and focused on the closed gates in the distance.

“Ye know, they say there is a benevolent spirit that resides here on this stretch of land,” Henny said and chortled. “Mayhap we should offer up a prayer to God for our safe passage.”

Trey laughed but then sobered. “Do ye believe that nonsense?”

“All I am saying is that there’s a tale about the murder of a great king and witches… Ye have to admit there is a strange aura here. I am a wee bit superstitious when it comes to such things,” Henny said gruffly.

Shaw quieted them with a scoff. “Let us stay focused, men. We near the gate.” He strove to appear indifferent so the Chattans would not make more of his visit. At the gate, he stayed on his horse and called out to the watch.

“Shaw Mackintosh to see Geoff Chattan.”

A man shouted, “Ye mean Laird Chattan.”

“Aye, I suppose I do now. He bade me to come and should be expecting me.”

The guard shuffled forward and directed others to help him. They unlatched the wooden beam securing the entrance and shifted the iron gate wide. “Aye, he told us to expect ye. Make your way to the castle. He should be within.”