Page 44 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
A wrinkled face with hawk-like eyes flew into her view after she and Callum ripped open the door. “I shall see you both to the charger,” she heard the man state.
Callum wove his hand in hers. His other remained on his sword’s hilt after placing the bow and quiver across his shoulder. They reached the bustling kitchen’s back door.
Dawn’s first rays were fighting past the trees beyond like a battering ram though a raised drawbridge. The innkeeper pulled on Luss’s reigns, bringing the stallion toward the door. Handing the leathers to Callum, the innkeeper vanished back inside with a grunt of goodbye in departure.All righty then.
Callum remained halted while he darted his eyes across the whole vista. Seemingly pleased by the quiet surroundings, her knight set her up onto Luss’s saddle. She grasped the reins with her right hand while rubbing the fur soft as warm moss under her left palm.
He swung up behind her before his thick arm wove her waist with his other hand reaching forth to seek the stallion’s reigns from her grasp. As he set the steed at a brisk canter, she heard him ask softly. “The sound from Luss’s stride…”
“’Tis fine,” she broke in, assuring his worried tone as a low oak branch whizzed by their ears. “Callum, if my suspicions regarding the Benefactor are correct, hadn’t we best gather to Castle Sgàrlaid first?”
“Sgàrlaid, ‘crimson’ in Gaelic, this is the title of Clan MacMardan’s castle and keep?”
“Aye,” she explained. “Upon my first arrival there I grew curious as to the name’s choice by the clan. I asked my betrothed, whose name I shall never utter once more, then hedeclared to me, ‘My lady, ’tis crimson, same as the blood from those who dare to enter the bailey walls or threaten the clan or treat the chief with ill respect.’ ‘Twas a threat right at the start he tore at me.”
“There shall also be a ‘crimson’ marking on a spike after I place his skull at the castle gates,” Callum replied, his words ridden by promise. “His death, tell me again how it came to be.”
“A fall from his charger. He struck his head. However, perhaps he was revived and then staged a ruse, which included the plans we are now entrenched in. He was always plotting whether it be against man or beast. Who would dare to suspect one who is already dead?”
“To your original inquiry, we stay the course with Sir Brayden and Tomas following the swords. Where is Castle Sgàrlaid?”
“Northwest from the meadow we are to gather with them. ’Tis a great distance but that is the direction. What of Lady Keirah? You stated she is a fate-seer. Perchance she will aid in the cause that has befallen onto the kingdom?”
Callum cantered them past a wide boulder. “The fates are fickle at times,” he explained. “My brother Aonghus told me once she declared that if fate is meant to be cast, ’twill not appear to Lady Keirah.”
“This must cause a great deal in uncertainty for her,” Nella countered thoughtfully.
“Aye, Aonghus agrees most ardently.” Callum looked from the oak grove they began entering to her. “Nella, I do not wish for you to chance yourself by harnessing your prowess too soon.”
She gave a snort. “Callum, I feel well at this moment. We may remove the pillows from my ears.”
“Nae.”
“Callum?”
“Aye?”
“A sound captain also heeds the direction from those in his charge.”
He gave the snort. She smiled back at him. “Nella, you speak logic but my heart screams nae.”
“Harken to the logic,” she counseled. Reaching up, she removed the stuffing from under the wimple strap. Thump. Thump. Luss’s sound rhythm by hooves battering the earth she harkened too but no pain! Thank all! Her smile grew. “Aye, ’tis good once more. We may speak in normal tones.”
“Nella.”
“Aye?”
“If you grow tired or weak or even a stray cloud gathers overhead, the stuffing goes back, agreed?”
“Agreed, but clouds?”
“Aye, Nella.”
“Callum, ’tis Scotland.”
“Aye, clouds gather same as heather on the hills. We cannot chance a rumble by lightning.”
She leaned back, pressing her lips upon his lobe. He gave a low growl at the gesture, tugging her tighter. “Please take heart, my knight, all will be well. ’Twas a rare occurrence same as spying a white stag in these hills. All the years, this I know: gray may reign overhead, but lightning does not!”
