Page 18

Iver and Donnan had come from the morning training fields. Together, they were taking a short ride to survey the lands around the Chattan holdings. It also afforded them time alone to speak of what they had come to understand this far.

"Donnan, do you too, feel the unrest all around us?"

"I am afraid so, my friend. It is worse than I ever would have anticipated. When the Laird Chattan called upon you for your assistance, I thought it was simply numbers he would be needing. There was never any talk of frayed loyalties."

"Those were my initial thoughts, too. I now understand it was everything left unsaid that should have concerned me.

While we are not completely without fidelity here within the Chattan, there are many to whom I do not think we can trust. And it is so obvious even within the short time we have been here. "

"Iver, I also feel it but few will speak to me or say anything when I am near. While it is still very early, I feel there is much work to be done to gain their trust."

As the McColl clansmen crested a hill in the rear of the keep, they both pulled back upon their reins.

They brought their beasts to a standstill staring down over what they saw on the other side of the rise.

In amazement to what was before them, they walked their steeds to a slight cropping of trees and dismounted.

They could see it all unfold before them and they were both hidden from those before them.

"What in the hell, Donnan?"

Iver hissed his words and could only stare as the Lady Gwyn walked to the front of the beast and removed the bit and bridle while her small son was still astride the pony. His first thought was to intercede, understanding he had a real fear for the lad.

"Christ, does she not understand it could be dangerous if the horse spooked? There would be nothing to assist the young lad in controlling him. As you know at the McColl, this is a skill not even attempted until they are much older!"

Iver made a move forward as he spoke again under his breath.

"What is she doing? It is far too dangerous for he is just a small lad-"

It was Donnan who grabbed his friends arm firmly and prevented him from leaving the shade of the trees.

"No, let us give them another moment. My curiosity is peaked."

When Iver glared at him in disbelief, he pressed his finger to his lips to ensure silence. Together, the two warriors turned back to look over the hillside before them and watch as the lady continued to encourage her son.

"Your knees, turn him with your knees!"

The Highlanders watched in amazement as the lad responded. And so did the pony. When the young Durell had guided the animal and made the full circle there was a sense of relief felt by all. When they heard the words once again from the Lady Gwyn, they were more shocked then ever.

"Now off your horse and draw!"

Iver was spellbound and found he could not move from where he stood doubting he had he heard those words correctly.

"Why would she do such a thing? Is this not her laird's place?"

His words were barely audible even to himself but he knew that Donnan had heard him. He spoke no more and silently wondered if this petite woman who on the outside appeared better equipped to grace her laird's table with her beauty than wield a blade, was really attempting to battle her son.

Donnan's words brought him back to the present.

"And those are not wooden swords."

"What could she possibly know or what was she attempting to prove?"

Iver almost laughed at the audacity of the notion.

While it was obvious she could run a kitchen with efficiency and her tongue with ingenuity, he wondered at what could she possibly know of weaponry.

His mind was churning with uncertainty and that was, until, she moved her body with such elegance and strength.

From this distance, Iver's gaze was transfixed upon what he believed to be the most intriguing woman he had ever known as she drew a sword upon her own son.

"Christ, it is like we have traveled to another world. Nothing here is as it seems on the surface. Or as I would have expected!"

Iver was riveted to the ground and simply could not take his eyes from her. He could feel his heart begin to race as the muscles of his arms flexed involuntarily in ready as he studied each swing of her blade.

Iver realized almost immediately and with near incredulity that she was not being gentle or kind.

The lady was obviously pushing the lad much harder than he ever thought one of his age should be challenged.

On and on they battled until Durell stopped his retreat and began a counter attack of his own.

"Good move, lad."

When the laird of the Chattan's son took an aggressive step forward, the lady began to retreat.

While he understood by what he had just witnessed she obviously had the strength to push him further.

He also realized it was with her actions she was praising him for his own skill as he attempted to take control of the encounter.

She wanted him to become the aggressor and when he did, she conceded and rewarded him for his actions.

Iver could not have been more impressed with her skill and her ways.

He could not help himself and began to step forward only wishing to acknowledge the both of them. He nearly shouted his words.

"My lady!"

Gwyn heard the loud deep voice directly behind her and startled. She nearly jumped from within her skin as her heart leapt wildly. As she turned in her panic towards the sound of his voice, she carelessly lowered her sword as her son made the final swing of his blade.

It was only a fraction of a second, but it was too late.

The young Durell realized his mother had left herself unprotected and did not have the strength to stop the arch his weapon.

He could only watch in horror as his blade made full contact with her upper arm and he immediately saw her cringe.

The lad dropped his sword instantly as he rushed forward and nearly shouted with dismay.

"Mother! Oh, mother, what have I done?"

Iver witnessed what had happened and could not move quickly enough to prevent Durell's blade from coming into direct contact with the Lady Gwyn's arm.

He was, however, successful in capturing her within his hands as she lost her footing and stumbled after the impact.

As she fell heavily against his chest, she dropped her own sword and went immediately to cover the wound with her hand.

As Iver grasped her body tightly, he could only see the look of panic upon her face.

Surely, she must have been more than mildly injured and was frightened and in great pain.

"Please mother, will you not speak to me? Oh, what have I done?"

Gwyn felt the strength of the arms around her as the reality of what had occurred rushed through her mind.

By her own foolishness and inattentiveness, she had lost her concentration and allowed her son's sword to make full contact with her arm.

Now, she was angry with herself for the look upon Durell's face was devastating.

It was her own fault and now she had risked discovery of her lessons.

As Gwyn was tenderly held by a powerful set of arms, the words were spoken by the mighty Highlander.

"My lady, you are injured. Please, let me see to your wound."

As she gazed upon the forlorn eyes of her son, Gwyn's anger won out. She dismissed completely the feel the warmth and stickiness of the blood as it gently oozed beneath her fingers. It was her concern for her son's state which prevailed.

"It is nothing, truly it is. I am fine."

As she attempted to leave the confines of Iver's arms, she stumbled slightly and it was the powerful hands once again that encircled her waist to steady her.

"I must see. Please, I only wish to help."

Gwyn stared into the face of the dark haired warrior of the McColl and shook her head as she refused to move her hand. When she shifted her gaze to beyond his startling blue eyes to the one who stood behind him, she pleaded urgently with him.

"Donnan, please. Will you take Durell to fetch his pony? The bridle is over there by that tree."

When he looked at her a bit quizzically, she continued as she gazed towards her son. The look of fear upon Durell's face was unmistakable.

"My dear son. Truly, I am well and 'tis only a scratch.

You know, I believe that Donnan would be quite impressed with what you have mastered upon your steed.

Please, do go and show him. Prove how skilled you are and how you can ride.

I am sure he would enjoy assessing all you have learned and may be able to even provide a bit more instruction and from a different point of view than mine. "

As she moved her eyes from that of her son's stricken face and over to Donnan, she saw him nod his head briefly in understanding. Quickly, he moved to Durell's side.

"You must show me! I am very anxious to see all you have learned. When I was your age, I was not allowed to ride out in the open fields or upon any steep slope. And you do so all alone? That is quite impressive and I must see your skill with my own eyes!"

"Really? You were not permitted to ride alone at the age of eight summers?"

Gwyn felt a sense of relief as she watched their retreating backs and heard their voices fade as Donnan walked with her son to the far side of the hill.

She followed them with her eyes as they moved beyond a small cropping of trees and their voices became nothing but a slight hum in the distance.

She was relieved the great warrior had understood her pleas because she did not wish to worry nor frighten her son unnecessarily.

She would do everything in her power to protect him and prevent him from feeling the guilt for something that was of her own doing.

It was simply her duty to protect him and she was bound to it.

And Gwyn would carry out this undertaking, willingly.