Page 11 of The Bells of Triumph (Highlands’ Lost Valley #3)

10

SECRETS AND SUSPICIONS

B rid shifted in her seat, trying to find a modicum of comfort in the saddle. After riding almost constantly for three days, there was little to be found.

“That's everyone, then?” she asked, glancing over at Connor.

He, unlike her, was having no issues with all of their time spent riding and moved comfortably.

“Aye. At least, those are the farms that Cookie suggested we visit. Hopefully, while we have been seeing to the outskirts of the village, the other rebels have been able to make their way through the main parts.”

“There are more who wish to join us than I thought there would be. Nae a single home turned us out or signaled for Campbell's guard, and I felt so sure there would be at least one.”

“These people have suffered greatly at the hands of Campbell. They are ready to be rid of him, and I suspect it has been this way for a long while. They have merely been waiting for someone to step up and lead the charge.”

“I only hope that nay one gives our secret away. We dinnae wish to bring any more suffering to this village than it has already seen.”

Connor sent her a warm smile that made the corners of her own mouth turn up.

“What?” she questioned, feeling a bit insecure by the expression.

“Ye never fail to impress me with the compassion ye are capable of showing.”

Her cheeks warmed from his compliment, though they were well into the center of the village now, and she didn't have the chance to respond in kind.

“It looks like there's quite the crowd at Cookie's. I wonder what is going on.”

Brid looked to where Connor was nodding, surprised to see so many horses tied to the front of the tavern. Not bothering to go anywhere else, she and Connor rode straight there and dismounted without any delay. She was stiff and awkward as she tried to walk off the soreness from the saddle. If Connor noticed, he was kind enough not to say anything about it.

“See, I told ye they would come back. Ye did nae need to make such a fuss about it. Connor will ken what to do.”

“What to do about what?” Connor asked the cook.

“The main roads leading out of the village,” a frazzled woman answered, “have been closed off since the night before last.”

“Closed off?”

“Aye. Barricaded by trees and a group of rebels standing guard. They would nae let my husband reenter the village. He had gone to trade some goods in the next village over. We needed the money to buy this week's food. But now he is stuck on the road, just outside the village.”

Brid dug into her bag and pulled a jar out of it, handing it over to the woman. From the dark circles under her eyes and the strain in her voice, it was clear the woman had not slept, likely since the roads were first closed.

“Here. Smell this. It will help calm yer nerves.”

The woman did as instructed and her eyes gently slid shut. Brid helped ease the woman into a chair before turning back to Connor.

“The rebels will nae talk to us. They will nae tell us what is going on.”

“Would they talk to the others who came with us?” Connor questioned to no one in particular, as the entire tavern seemed to be taking part in their conversation.

“Nay. They would nae say anything. And now the entire village is nervous. We dinnae ken what to think. We dinnae ken what to do.”

“What is happening?”

“Is this a siege?”

“What about our bairns? Do they nae ken we have bairns here?”

Brid's head swiveled with each voice that spoke, trying to follow the conversation, trying to keep up with who was who. But they all seemed so scared that they spoke one on top of the other, hardly letting one question finish before asking another. If she was honest, her own heart was starting to pound from the confusion of it all. This had not been Seamus' plan. She knew as little about this as the rest of them did, though she doubted it was a good idea to admit such a thing.

“All right, all right.” Connor threw his hands in the air, gesturing for the room to settle. “What of Campbell and his men?”

“They are all shut up inside,” Cookie answered. “Nay one has seen a single guard since ye left. All the windows and doors to the castle have been closed. The whole place has been fortified. He has called his men inside. They have all retreated into the castle.”

“This is it,” another frightened woman added. “They are going to siege our village. We are going to be mere casualties in this blasted war. They dinnae care about us or our families.”

A cry of outrage went up through the tavern. Brid's own thoughts were racing in her head, trying to make sense of what they were telling her. She wanted to scream and shout that whatever was happening was not Seamus and Flora's doing. She wanted to tell them that this town wasn't going to turn into another site of mass devastation, like her own home had become. But she couldn't make empty promises, and Campbell was as unpredictable and unforgivable as the Highland skies.

“I need to see this for myself. Brid and I will ride out to the edge of the main road. The rest of ye, stay here and stay calm. Once I ken more, then we will ken what to do.”

She, along with the rest of the room, settled, if only a bit, at Connor's directions. He stretched out a hand towards her, and she gripped it as though her life depended on it. Pushing through the crowd, he led her back outside and back to their horses. She internally winced, knowing she would have to get in the saddle again.

“Ride with me,” he called out the second she dropped his hand to make for her own horse.

“Why?”

Her cheeks flushed at the idea of being that close to him. She couldn't think of a single reason that would dictate her need to be on the same horse, and she doubted that Connor would be forward enough to make a request like that. At least, he hadn't shown that kind of boldness with her before. She didn't know what would make him start to show it now.

“I intend on sneaking up to the blockades. It will be easier to do with only one horse. And if something goes wrong, and we have to run, I want to ken that ye are right there with me.”

“Och.”

Those were two very good reasons he gave. She still found it hard not to read further into his request, though. Some part of her, and she wasn't sure how big of a part that was, wished that even in the midst of all this chaos that Connor would still be direct in telling her how he felt. She wanted his feelings to mirror her own.

Shaking those thoughts from her mind, she once again took Connor's extended hand and let him hoist her into the saddle. She hardly had time to get herself settled before he climbed behind her. Not bothering to waste a second, Connor reached around her and grabbed the reins before he kicked the horse into a trot.

There were many things she had come to know and even expect from Connor; his loyalty, his steadfastness, his quick thinking. But what she hadn't expected was the way his frame perfectly wrapped around hers. His shoulders covered her while his head nearly rested on top of her hair. The warmth that enveloped her as they rode went deeper than the heat his body gave. It was more than him simply shielding her from the elements. There was an underlying comfort and familiarity to him that made her lean back into him and settle into that warmth.

The ride to the edge of the village was the fastest trip they had made in over three days. It was a simple mercy that had Brid saying a silent thank you nonetheless. As Connor had said, he stayed away from the main road and approached the barricade from behind the trees.

“Be as quiet as ye can,” he whispered in her ear.

His breath sent shivers down her spine, but almost as soon as they came, they vanished, and she was awash with chills.

“It is just as they said,” she muttered in horror.

Several old oak trees had been chopped down near the roots and stretched across the road. Stacked tall and wide, there was no getting around them, especially not with the handful of guards who stood in front of them.

“Those are Finn's men. I recognize them from the few days we spent at Drummond Castle. I think I trained with the blonde.”

“I dinnae understand,” Brid told him, a bit louder than she should have. “Why would Finn send his men to block off the roads?”

“Perhaps it is to keep Campbell's men from getting in. We must give him the benefit of the doubt.”

As much as Brid appreciated Connor's kindness towards her brother, they both knew that Finn was a bit beyond such kindness. He had been so controlling, so suspicious of everyone and everything, that she didn't think him capable of acting out of generosity. She told Connor as much.

“Ye saw what he did at Drummond Castle, after we left the monastery. Finn does nae care about protecting the innocent or ensuring there is a clan left when all of this is over. He only wants to prove that he is better than Seamus.”

Connor sighed heavily behind her. They both knew it was the truth, even if she was the only one willing to admit it out loud.

“I'm going to approach the guards. Perhaps they will remember us and can tell us what exactly is going on.”

“I am going with ye.”

“Brid,” Connor admonished, “dinnae be foolish. Ye must stay here, out of harm's way.”

“What is yer plan, then? Take the horse and leave me in the woods on foot? Or will ye go on foot, only to be outnumbered?”

He sighed again. Their days traveling had worn him down too.

“They are much less likely to attack if they see there is a woman with ye. So I am going too.”

She didn't give him any room to argue. Pulling on the front of the reins, she led the horse back towards the main road before Connor had managed to think of any response.

“Fine, but stay silent. We dinnae ken whose side they are on. We must be careful with just how much we say.”

Brid nodded, though she didn't like it. It wasn't in her nature to sit by and stay silent, but she trusted that Connor knew what he was doing.

“Turn around and go back the way ye came,” the guard shouted before they even managed to get close to the barricade.

Connor kept moving forward, though he slowed the horse down.

“Who are ye here for?” he asked, his voice casual.

“I am warning ye, the shooters will nae hesitate to let their arrows fly.”

“Connor,” Brid whispered, her voice trembling, “maybe we should turn back.”

The horse took three more steps before Connor spoke again.

“Why are ye here? What has this village done to be closed off like this?”

“One more step and yer lass will die.”

The reins tightened, and the horse stopped immediately. Brid sucked in a shaky breath, her palms clammy against her legs.

“I only ask for information, nae passage.”

“Ye will get neither. Now, do as I say and go back the way ye came. I would hate for something bad to happen to ye or yer lass.”

Connor growled in her ear. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the reins. She counted her heartbeats—one, two, three, four, five, six—then the horse was turning back around.

Neither of them spoke for several minutes. It wasn't until they were almost back at the tavern that Brid managed to find her words.

“What are we going to tell them? They think that the rebels have seized the village and from the looks of it, they are right. How do we explain that Finn is nae working with Seamus?”

“We dinnae. The last thing we want is for them to think that the rebel forces are divided, even if it is true. So we say nothing of Finn.”

“What do we say instead?”

Connor didn't have an answer, nor did he say much of anything when they made it back inside the tavern. The air was still just as thick with tension as it had been when they left. They had been waiting for Brid and Connor to give them a solution, but they had nothing to offer.

“Do ye believe me now?” the woman demanded as Connor settled himself on a barstool. “This is the start of a siege. We are cut off from any food or water. We are going to die. It will only be a mercy for Campbell to send his men in to kill us before we starve.”

“That is nae going to happen,” Brid argued firmly. “The rebels are on yer side. We are fighting for ye. I ken Seamus personally, as does Connor. He would never hurt an innocent, nor would he allow any of the other rebels.”

“Then what is happening? Why are the roads blocked?”

Brid sighed, hating the answer she knew she had to give.

“I dinnae ken,” she told them truthfully. “But,” she called over the roar of outrage, “I ken that panicking will help nay one. I ken that the rebels will nae do anything to harm us. We must stay calm and think rationally.”

She spent the next hour or so repeating the same sentiment. She doled out assurances and smelling salts and tinctures to calm nerves to anyone who would listen to her. Slowly, the tavern started to clear as people left to share the evening meal with their families. She had no doubt that this would be the center topic of conversation in many homes. Yet, every time she glanced over at Connor for help, he had his chin tucked, and his eyes locked on the contents of his mug.

“Care to share yer thoughts?” she prompted, all but collapsing into the stool next to him.

Without having to ask, Cookie slid a mug of her own in front of her along with a steaming bowl of stew.

“These people could have really used yer assurance today. Ye could have told them that everything would be all right. They would have believed it coming from ye.”

“I cannae tell them that though, as I dinnae ken if it is true. I will nae feed them a lie simply so they can feel better.”

“We must do something for them. We cannae leave them here to suffer. We cannae hide out in the tavern until something happens.”

“I ken.”

“So what are we going to do?”

“We are going to do nothing. I am going to the guard tower.”

“What? Have ye lost yer mind?”

“Brid, think about it,” he implored, finally looking up to look her in the eye. “We have nay idea what is happening inside the keep. With all the doors and windows boarded up, there is nay telling what Campbell is up to. None of it is making any sense.”

“What do ye mean?”

“I mean, this village should be teaming with Campbell's guards. They should be patrolling every street. That blockade should never have been put in place. Campbell would have never allowed it. Yet, I have nae seen a single Campbell guard the entire time we have been here. There has been nay one to put a stop to what the rebels are doing. I want to ken why.”

“Aye, I do find that odd.”

“If everything has gone to plan, then Seamus should have already sent word to Campbell. Glenkirk will have already fallen. Campbell's army should have been on the move, or at least preparing to go fight the rebel forces to try to reclaim Glenkirk. But there has been nothing; no movement, no soldiers, nothing.”

“And ye think going to the guard tower will do anything?” she questioned, swirling the now half empty mug of ale around.

“I think if I can sneak into the guard tower, or at least get closer to Murray Castle, I will be able to find some old friends. I ken of a few men who were friends; they shared our way of thinking. I could get them to tell me what is going on. At the verra least, it would mean being able to give the village a real answer as to what is going to become of them. And if I find anything truly valuable out, we can send word to Seamus so he kens it too.”

Brid swallowed the rest of her ale with a nod.

“When do we leave?”

Connor swung his legs towards her so that he faced her head on.

“Brid, I already told ye. Ye are nae going with me. Ye must stay here.”

She set her mug on the counter, slowly, gently, before swinging her own legs around to face Connor. Their knees touched, but she hardly noticed. She was too frustrated to be flustered by him.

“I dinnae ken why ye must always insist on doing the most dangerous things alone. There is nay need.”

Connor sighed in frustration. Shaking his head, he pushed himself off the stool and stalked outside. Brid followed, unwilling to let this go in the slightest.

“Ye cannae simply walk away and think that means the conversation is over,” she told him once they made it outside the tavern.

The sky had fallen at least an hour ago, leaving the street empty and still.

“I am nae rushing into dangerous things, insisting I go alone because I like the thrill, Brid,” he argued, running a hand over his horse.

She moved to stand in his way and crossed her arms over her chest, unmoving both physically and in her stance on him going alone.

“Then explain it to me.”

“I will nae be noticed if I go alone. I ken their routines, their habits. I ken how to sneak in and out without being seen. And if I am found, I am familiar enough that nay one will question me. I can lie and tell them Campbell sent me on a mission. Nay one would bat an eye. But if ye are there, everything becomes much harder. I cannae ride as fast or move through the tower as quickly. Can ye scale a wall or lift yerself through a window?”

She didn't answer, which was an answer enough for Connor.

“I did nae think so. Both of those things I will need to do if I am to be successful. Please dinnae think me vain or so arrogant that I would risk the success of our mission simply to show off. I want ye to stay here for my sake as much as for yers. I could nae bare it if something were to happen to ye. It would be all I think about while out there. I need ye to stay here, where I ken ye are safe, so that I can do my part.”

Before either of them knew what she was doing, Brid stepped into Connor and grabbed the collar of his shirt. Rising on the tips of her toes, she brought his face down to hers, tilting her chin up. Their lips met with a passion she had not known before, but one she felt was only right. Just as quickly as she had gone to him, she stepped away, putting space between them once more. With his eyes still closed, Connor's hands reached out for her, as though he wanted more. When he came up empty, he blinked in surprise. They stared at each other for a moment, both bewildered over what had just happened. He looked just as flushed and off kilter as she felt.

“Promise me that ye will come back to me. That is the only way ye will make me stay. If ye must ken that I am here, safe, then I must ken that ye will return.”

“I promise ye, Brid. There is nothing that would keep me from coming back to ye now.”