Page 26 of Intrigued By A Highlander (Highland Revenge Trilogy #2)

CHAPTER 26

T he trees thinned near the edge of the glen, giving way to open land bathed in morning light. A small stone cottage rested on the outskirts of a village, its roof thatched and moss-covered, smoke curling from a crooked chimney.

And there he was.

Albert sat in his usual place—a worn wooden bench just outside the door, a wool blanket draped around him to ward off the day that held more than a mere chill. His milky eyes lifted toward the sun that peeked now and again between gray clouds as if he were waiting to catch sight of it. A carved walking stick rested across his lap, and beside him, a tankard of something warm steamed faintly in the air.

When he heard the soft crunch of footsteps, his head turned with a slow smile. “Well now… I don’t smell the usual odor, but that light gait sounds familiar.”

Dru hurried forward, Knox following behind her, and Star left to graze nearby.

She closed the short distance quickly, her voice gentle. “And the new scent will become familiar soon enough.” She wanted to remind him that this wouldn’t be the last he saw of her.

Albert smiled at her reassurance. “Aye, that it will.”

She handed him the tankard and sat beside him. “It’s good to see you.”

“Aye, and better still to hear you,” Albert said, patting her hand with care. “I can feel a change in you. A good change. You are happy.”

Knox stood nearby, watching the exchange with quiet respect.

Albert tilted his head in Knox’s direction. “And who’s this tall shadow with you?”

Dru smiled, glancing back. “This is Knox. My husband.”

Albert’s brow lifted with pleased surprise. “Your husband?” He gave a toothy grin, turning his head in Knox’s direction. “Well now, fellow, you’ve got yourself a kind and loving wife. And stubborn, too—don’t forget that part.”

Knox stepped closer and said warmly, “Aye, I’m reminded daily. And wouldn’t change a thing.”

Albert chuckled. “Good answer. You’ll do just fine.”

Dru’s smile faded slightly. She placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Albert… we came because we need to ask you something about the northern clans.”

The warmth in Albert’s face dimmed. His hands cupped his tankard a bit tighter.

Knox stepped beside Dru, standing watchful. “Have you ever heard of a woman who left one of those clans… under difficult circumstances?”

Albert was quiet for a long moment. Only the wind moved, rustling through the bare branches and the low trees around them.

Finally, he spoke. “I’ve lived long enough to hear many stories whispered, tales told, but how truthful they were…” He shrugged. “Though I can tell you this… that area can be difficult to survive, the land not friendly, the weather unpredictable and at times downright nasty. It’s the reason honor is so important to those clans. If someone doesn’t honor their duties it can be detrimental to a clan and have a long-lasting result.”

Knox’s jaw tightened. “So, if someone dishonored the clan?—”

“The clan would seek revenge,” Albert finished. “Even if it took years, it wouldn’t be forgotten. And if the offending person was no longer around, it would be his descendants who suffered. Though you would find that more among the nobles, since their actions would encompass the entire clan.”

Noble.

Dru never in her wildest thoughts considered her mum could be from a noble family.

“You’ve been of much help, Albert. I am grateful,” Dru said, giving his arm a squeeze.

He leaned forward slightly, placing his hand over Dru’s. “I don’t know what this is about, lass, but you need to be careful. The north holds its grudges like winter holds the mountain. Long and bitter.”

They barely turned away from Albert’s cottage when Dru said, “It is bad enough that Autumn has become a stranger to me, now I don’t even know my own mother.”

“Her past is not known to you, but your mum you know well. She was a brave woman and did what was necessary to keep her daughter safe.”

“But not her clan. What did she do that was so terrible that she dishonored her clan?” Her eyes went wide. “Do you think my father had something to do with it? Could she have unwisely fallen in love with him and left her clan to be with him? And why didn’t she tell me? And why did her clan wait so long to seek their revenge?” She shook her head. “With her no longer here, how do I ever learn her side of it?”

“By knowing your mum well,” Knox encouraged.

“That’s just it—how well did I really know her?”

It took until the next morning to reach Clan MacFadin where Lord Torrance was presently staying. It was a small clan who had no choice but to pledge allegiance to Lord Randall years ago and was now under Lord Torrance’s rule.

Dru had passed through the clan on occasion and saw for herself what happened when a noble did not treat their supporting clans well. People went hungry, hatred festered, and hope was lost. So, when they entered the small village, she was surprised to see so many improvements.

Children bundled in newly woolen cloaks hurried along pathways, their laughter muted but still lively. The blacksmith’s forge, once almost silent, emitted rhythmic clangs, signaling steady work being done. Smoke rose from chimneys, carrying comforting aromas of hearty stews and freshly baked bread into the crisp, chill air where once before there was barely any food to spare.

Dru observed the tidy cottages, their roofs recently repaired and walls patched, showing clear signs of recent improvement. Neatly stacked firewood and well-maintained tools hinted at preparations for the coming winter. Signs of modest prosperity were evident in the carefully stored harvest and neatly arranged stacks of hay and straw.

Villagers moved purposefully, bundled against the chill, faces bearing a quiet determination rather than the despair Dru had previously witnessed here. Women and men alike paused in their tasks to exchange brief but warm greetings, and elders sat near fires, their expressions calm, if somewhat guarded.

As Dru and Knox passed slowly through the village, Knox remained alert to Torrance’s warriors who patrolled methodically.

“Something strange goes on here under Lord Torrance’s rule,” Dru said. “Clan MacFadin appears to be healing, improving. How is that when Lord Torrance is not known for his generosity?”

Knox found it odd as well. The man he met would not be so generous. “Perhaps he has learned that few would be willing fight for him if left to starve.”

Two of Lord Torrance’s warriors stepped out in front of Star, one calling out, “Halt and state your reason for being here.”

“I was summoned by Lord Torrance,” Knox said.

“Knox!” a voice shouted out.

He turned to see a familiar face. “Brack.”

Dru knew the name though never met the man. He was Lord Torrance’s righthand man and the one who carried out the punishments Lord Torrance demanded. He was of fair height with minor facial scars that didn’t mar his fair features. He had a thick body, mostly muscles from what she could see, and a strong gait. His dark eyes exuded confidence, overly so, and his dark long hair appeared unkempt as if he just got out of bed and had paid it no mind.

“You arrive with a woman, which means you found Autumn. Lord Torrance will be pleased when he returns in a few days,” Brack said.

That he didn’t inquire about the warriors sent to escort them home, made Knox wonder if he even knew about them.

Knox quickly corrected Brack. “I haven’t found Autumn. This is Dru, my wife.”

Brack burst out laughing, “So, the tales that spread are true. You were forced to wed a waif, caught naked with her, were you?”

“Forced but not unwanted and with no regrets,” Knox clarified.

“Come, we will share food and drink, and you can tell me about it and any news you bring,” Brack said, summoning a young lad with a quick wave of his hand. “Bryce will see to your mare and the keep servants will see to your wife.”

Dru gave her husband a quick jab with her elbow while keeping a pleasant smile on her face and jumped in to respond. “Aye, I wouldn’t want to disturb your discussion.”

“A woman who knows her place, you’re a lucky man, Knox,” Brack said and turned and headed up the keep stairs, continuing to talk. “Of course, she being a wee bit of thing, might not last long, so enjoy her while you can.”

Dru’s eyes narrowed in anger, and she took a quick step toward the man.

Knox grabbed her by the back of her shirt. “Don’t waste our time here on an arsehole.”

“You’re right,” she said, shooting imaginary daggers from her eyes at his back. “This place looks safe enough for me to explore and see what I can learn.”

“It is calm compared to Torrance’s campsites and it makes me wonder why. And why is he staying here? What truly keeps him from returning home since the battle?”

“I’ll see what I can find out.”

Knox took her hand as they headed up the stairs. “It will not be easy for you to blend among the clan. You’re no longer that odorous little waif people either ignored or took pity on. You need to be careful.”

Knox entered the dimly lit hall behind Brack, his wife being swept away by two servant women soon after. He didn’t like that she went off on her own, not trusting Torrance’s warriors or what was going on here. But if they didn’t attempt to find out what was taking place here, how would they ever know what they walked into?

The warmth from the hearth did little good to ease the tension tightening Knox’s shoulders as he approached Brack. He had dropped down on a wooden bench at a table near the hearth, stretching his legs out with casual arrogance, and gestured toward the bench opposite him.

Knox sat, staying alert. No one could fault Brack’s loyalty to Lord Torrance, and maybe it was that loyalty that made Knox distrustful of Brack. It meant he’d do anything to protect the man.

A servant filled two tankards on the table with ale for each of them and a generous platter of small meat pies were placed between them. They smelled delicious and though Knox’s mouth watered for a taste, he had more important matters that needed attention.

“Tell me, Brack, why is Lord Torrance lingering here? The battle’s long done, and his presence would surely be more valuable at home.”

Brack gave a mocking half-smile, eyes glittering coldly in the firelight. “Lord Torrance owes no explanations, especially to a mere mercenary. Now explain to me why you are here and what news you bring?”

Knox’s jaw tightened, the muscles working visibly. “A dozen of his warriors were ambushed by warriors from a northern clan. Torrance’s men fought bravely but were outnumbered. If he remains here much longer, he may soon find himself overwhelmed with more trouble than he can handle.”

Brack leaned forward abruptly, his dark eyes narrowing with suspicion. “And what of you, Knox? Did you come upon the scene or did you conveniently survive after all of Torrance’s warriors fell?”

The air thickened with hostility. Knox held Brack’s accusatory stare without blinking. “If you’re implying treachery, speak plainly, Brack. I have no patience for games.”

Brack rose slowly, menace radiating from every measured movement. His voice dropped dangerously low, little more than a threatening growl. “Watch your tone, Knox. I am not one of your hapless villagers you can bully. Remember who holds the power here.”

Knox’s fists clenched at his sides, a battle simmering behind his calm facade. “Threaten me again, and you’ll quickly see who truly holds power.”

Brack’s eyes flashed dangerously. “You’re treading close to the edge, Knox. Lord Torrance grows restless, uneasy. He trusts no one these days—least of all a man who suddenly appears with convenient tales of ambushes and northern enemies.”

“You forget he sent for me, sent those twelve warriors to escort me here, and you forget who truly rules here… Lord Torrance. So, I suggest it is you who should tread lightly or Torrance may think you desire his power. Now tell me why Lord Torrance interrupted my mission with a summons since I am eager to return to the mission and see it completed.”

Anger flickered in Brack’s dark eyes.

Knox realized that Brack didn’t know that Torrance sent warriors to escort him here. “He didn’t tell you, did he? Have you lost favor with him, Brack?”

“He has much on his mind, securing talks with two of the north clans that have proven troublesome over the years,” he said as if making an excuse as to why he did not know.

“And continue to be troublesome if it is proven that one of the clans was in involved with the attack on his warriors. They were out for blood and out to find Autumn and see her dead. They attacked Phelan’s group thinking he found Autumn. He lost a good portion of his men, and they never got the woman. And I don’t believe they cared if she was or wasn’t Autumn. It was a message that Autumn was to die, not to be used to bargain for more coin, or else.”

Surprise registered on Brack’s face. “They intend to stop Autumn from ever reaching Torrance?”

“Aye, and they don’t mind dying to see it done.”

“It makes no sense,” Brack said shaking his head. “Why now the sudden interest in Autumn?”

Knox wasn’t sure how much he wanted to share with Brack. Before he said any more, he needed to find out what Torrance intended to do with Autumn, but not from Brack.

“A good reason for me to continue the mission and find Autumn before anyone else does,” he said, which made him wonder what his wife was up to.