Page 2 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
Wind whistling the pine needles, she closed her eyes then stretched her arms outward as the breeze took her skirts for a swirl about her ankles when it reached in the abbey’s open center. Lovely. Was there ever a grander sound than the wind delicately playing nature’s song though the leaves and bramble and pine tree branches like it was whispering nature’s secrets? No, there wasn’t. The night hunters joined the melody in a hoot. Huh, maybe an owl would catch the rat.
Pounding. Pounding by hooves.That was odd; at the far offside belonging to the massive meadow. Deer herd? At this hour? No. Also the sound signature was too heavy, a steady three beats; it had to be a gallop by steeds. How many? One, two… She gasped, five riders. The beat from her heart raced quick as the beasts who approached.
“I seek nae one present to bear witness, burn them all in the flames,” a heavy Scottish brogue ordered. The voice’s sound signature was also lined with an odd hiss. “The abbot shall not see the light of day, only the blaze in fire hailing him toward death.”
Her eyes popped open as the basket dropped by her feet as she took off at a sprint toward the archway. “Everyone awake!” she screamed up the dark night stairs. What word would make them move quickest? “FIRE!” Had they heard her? Stomping footsteps echoed the passageway above her, followed by panicked grunts. Aye, they had!
If the intruders were coming from the east, they could go west. There was a cavern she had found last fortnight when out foraging for wild herbs.
“Abbess,” she cried, racing the passage toward the Scotswoman’s chamber, “hurry at once, we must leave!”
Dazed looks appeared in the cloister moments later when no flames were yet present as Nella explained while she approached Abbot. “There are those who mean you all harm.” She gushed the words so briskly they almost slurred. “I cannot explain how I know this to be, but I ask for your trust and all those present here at this abbey. If we do not take our leave this very moment, we shall all perish.”
Abbot, whose face normally held a twinge by mirth, was solemn as a gravestone. “Aye, Lady Fawnella, I entrust us unto your care.”
“Please.” She looked at the worried expressions by those still clad in their nightclothes. “Everyone, we travel west, there is a cavern where safety shall be our bedfellow this eve. Brisk, quiet, and together we shall live to breathe upon the morrow.” Her voice shook as much as her hands. “Where is Lord MacMardan?”
“Present,” the lord shouted, joining the back of the group.
Abbess’s fingers touched her in silent assurance before they all stole away out through the nave’s entry, the massive walls murmuring the sounds by their departure in footsteps and mumbled concerns. Raising her hand, she halted the line ofthem while she tilted her head. Would they make it to the forest’s sanctuary without being seen?
Thump, thump, thump. The steed’s strides. Oh no, they were almost through the meadow! Her eyes glanced up at the thick trunks with dense canopy now dark except for the bit in glow emanating from the moon hitting the tree line beyond. Those with torches would travel behind them on the abbey’s other side. Aye, they would make it – possibly. A flock of peaceful Scots versus armed warriors, they had to try!
Tugging Abbess’s damp fingers briefly, she released the friend, whispering fiercely toward the group, “Make haste, stay as one.”
The cluster of them moved like a cloud across the sky caught in a gust. Panting with snapping twigs by bare feet traveling the wild terrain floor echoed around her.
“Light the arrows,” the leader ordered his warriors she could not see in the vista behind the abbey. “Both of you take the torches toward the far side, toss them in the nave’s door.”
Brazen brimstone! This was their side! They still had a breath to go before reaching the natural shadows. “Haste,” she whispered frantically. “Please, everyone make haste!”
“Aye,” Abbot concurred in a panicked murmur, “their arrows sail the air behind us toward the rooftops!”
She paused at the first tree’s edges, her eyes frantically looking behind. Had everyone made it? No! Abbess was dragging her knee. Bolting blindly back into the open, she charged for the Scotswoman whose face looked like a weathered leaf from lines unleashed by pain.
“Leave me, my lady,” Abbess sobbed.
“Never!” Nella denounced the request, taking hold of Abbess by the waist then throwing the elder’s arm over her shoulders. Keithen charged back for the other lass’s wounded side. Together they pulled her toward the trees. Riders?Thump,thump. Five more strides they would be seen by the warriors who would come around the corner if they didn’t reach the forest in time! Already night turned into day by the flames swallowing the abbey casting an amber glow over the terrains and stench by smoke filled the air.
“Haste,” Nella cried frightfully. “Mere moments…”Two more steps to go!Reaching the fringes in shadows, more friars ran out with sapling trees in their grasp. The clergy ran behind them then held up the trees hiding their final stretch into safety.
Crack!There goes the roof on the nave, but Nella panted a sigh by the momentary victory.They had made it.Fingers tightened on her shoulder; she met Abbess’s eyes swollen from tears.
“You are fiercely stubborn, my lady,” she murmured. “My kindest regards the lord blessed you with such a trait.” Nella kissed the weathered cheek. Who would have thought being married to a monster would turn useful one day at toughening her tender hide?
She gathered the group, and they vanished into the forest. With one last look at the abbey engulfed by flames like a dragon had flown past, she tilted her head slightly.Crack, sizzle, pop, the wood groaned by destruction then a voice rang over the mayhem. The same as before.
“Set the axe onto the place then we take our leave toward Thistleland’s Tavern. Our benefactor shall reward us handsomely.” Her eyes narrowed as a fist formed at her side.The executioner’s block will be the frigging reward, traitors!But how?
Chapter 2
Southwest of Loch Lomond, Highlands of Scotland, eight years earlier
“Do you promise we shall be together always, Callum MacCade?” Callum heard his beloved Nella whisper, the warmth from her breath brushing his lips with a caress like a butterfly’s wing.
“Always and a day,” Callum vowed. Her eyes met his. Oh,there were those gold flecks in the center of her rich doe gaze, just like a primrose.Such a clue about what a golden treasure she was.
Nella’s arms circled around his neck. “A day?” She cocked her left eyebrow at him. “Our day begins upon the morrow.” Finally, the time was upon!
