Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander (8 page)

Free at last, Ian turned to his
rescuer. “Thank you, Tessa.”

“I count on you to stay and help
us now you’re free,” she stated matter-of-factly. “I ken you care for Katie.”

“I do.”

She smiled again. “All of us are
in grave danger. You are our only hope.” Smoothing her purple velvet gown, she
looked at him expectantly. “Will you help us?”

“Aye, in happier times, my father
and yours were good friends. What I have discovered since my imprisonment explains
much about the current unrest.”

Satisfied with his response, his
young rescuer handed him a long cloak with a hood. “Put this on and cover
yourself well. If we encounter any guards, do not speak. Do you understand?”

Ian nodded.

She motioned for him to follow
her. When he walked closer to Tessa, her nose wrinkled in disgust. “Milord, you
stink. I think a bath is in order. ‘Tis not becoming for a man of your stature
to smell so. Blood and grime coat your body.”

“I have been in the dungeon for
some time.”

She grinned. “Aye, my sister’s
doing.”

“I must hide until I devise a
plan.”

Tessa nodded. “The family
chambers are all together in a separate wing of the castle. The greatest danger
is close to my father’s room. Rannoch and his healer are in and out of there
constantly. My chamber and those of my siblings occupy a section removed from
the immediate area. I will take you there so you can get cleaned up, partake of
some refreshment, and decide on a plan.”

“Thank you, Milady,” Ian said. “I
am in your debt. I wilna disappoint you.” He bowed low and kissed Tessa’s hand.

She giggled. “Tessa is fine.
Come, Milord.”

“Ian will do nicely.”

“Now we are friends.”

Ian nodded. “Of course.”

“Perchance when things settle
down I could speak with Lady Asilinn. I think she could lend some wisdom about
my special gifts.” Tessa grinned at his expression. “I would ken of Asilinn
without my gift. She is legendary.”

“That she is.” Ian wondered if
his family knew of his predicament. A wave of relief washed over him as he
walked through the door to his prison. Now he could help the Blackburns rout
Rannoch and his clansmen. No small task without knowing whom to trust.

Tessa stopped part way up the
passage. “We are almost to the main dungeon. Once we enter, we are more at
risk. Put your hood up and keep your eyes on the floor.” Tessa led him through
several cell blocks.

“No guards?”

“No prisoners at the moment. This
worked in Katie’s favor.”

“Aye, so,” Ian agreed.

At length they reached a
staircase. Stone steps led ever upward into the more civilized world above the
dank and dirty dungeon. The upper floors were a maze of wide hallways and
spacious chambers. Every room had fine furnishings, rich wood pieces, and
tapestries. Things looked well kept.

Rounding a corner, Ian saw two
guards coming down the hallway ahead of them. “Eyes down,” Tessa whispered. Ian
complied.

As they grew closer to the men,
his young companion called out to them cheerfully. “Good evening,” she said.

“Lady Tessa,” one man responded.
“Who is your companion?”

Ian tensed. He had no weapons.
Still he thought he might be able to best these two if they did not raise the
alarm.

“The bishop sent this monk to
pray for father at the behest of our rightful king, Sir Robert the Bruce. The
monk canna speak.” She made a gesture in the air and rolled her eyes. “They cut
out his tongue. Laird Rannoch charged me with finding him a small chamber near
father’s room so he can begin his prayer vigil.”

“Very well,” the guard said. “On
your way then, I wouldna want to deter you from the king’s business.”

“Thank you,” Tessa replied.

With that they walked right by
the guards. When they were out of earshot, Ian turned to her. “Tessa, you tempt
fate.”

“Both of them are Blackburn
kinsmen. They only follow Rannoch because they believe my father wishes it.
‘Tis unlikely they will mention this to Rannoch.” She smiled at him. “Have
faith.”

“I shall try.” Tessa and Ian
reached the family quarters without further incident. “Where is Katie’s
chamber?” Ian asked his newfound friend.

Tessa grabbed his shirt and
pulled him inside a door to their left. She put her finger to her lips.

Peeping through the crack in the
door, Ian saw a woman coming out of the chamber across the hall. He looked at
Tessa in askance.

“Maura attends Katie,” Tessa
whispered. “Katie’s chamber is there.”

“Where Maura was?”

“Aye.”

Ian watched the servant disappear
around the corner. He turned to Tessa. “I will go to Katie and tell her what
has occurred. You need to be safe, little one. Leave the rest to me.”

With a frown, Tessa shook her
head negatively. “We are friends. I would help.”

“And you will help. First, I must
get your sister’s support. I promise I will keep you informed of the plan.”

“This is my room,” she said,
indicating the chamber where they stood. “I shall expect to hear from you after
you and Katie have talked.”

“You shall,” he said, kissing her
forehead. “Thank you again for the rescue, Tessa. I am forever in your debt.”

“That you are,” she replied.

Ian opened the door and moved
across the hall.

“Wait,” Tessa cried. She ran over
and handed him some fresh clothes. “If you wear Blackburn colors you will blend
in,” she said with a smile. “I dinna think the monk’s robe will be sufficient.”

Ian kissed the top of her head
and took the clothes from her.

When Tessa disappeared, he slipped
into Katie’s chamber and looked around. Katie was not there. The room had nice
appointments. Tapestries hung on the walls and fine linens graced her bed in
hues of red and gold. It made Ian think of the color of her hair. He could
imagine her lying in the bed inviting him to join her.

Exploring the room, he noticed an
arched door that led to another chamber behind the fireplace. Entering he saw a
steaming bath. A large, metal tub sat in a corner by a second fireplace, but
this one had a hearth set in the stone work at about waist height. It reminded
him of a bread oven only larger. It contained a large, iron pot to enable a
servant to heat water. A wrought iron hook with a long handle let you to tilt
the cauldron and let the hot water roll through a trough that fed the bath tub.

Ian studied the arrangement. In
the same area as the tub, there was a water bucket rigged on a crank with a
long rope that allowed you to lower or raise it. He lifted a wooden cover on
the floor and looked down into a dark well. The sound of water moving echoed
from deep in the chasm. This let the room’s occupants obtain water for drinking
or bathing without leaving the chamber. He wondered at its source. Some deep
well or underground spring must run beneath the castle.

His attention returned to the
heated water of the bath. If Katie ordered it prepared, she should be on her
way. He needed to make himself presentable before she arrived. What she would
do when she entered her room to find him naked her tub? With a mischievous grin,
he shed his soiled clothes and stepped into the inviting bath. Ian sank into
the hot water. It felt so good after all he’d been through. The wet heat
soothed his bruises and sore muscles. The sweet scent of lavender surrounded
him. He ducked his head under the water, wet his hair, and began scrubbing off
a week’s worth of grime.

Chapter 11

Angus made camp a safe distance
from Duntaigh Castle to avoid patrols guarding the surrounding lands. He looked
at his captive. “How will we get in?”Assessing his captive, Angus growled. “You
promise much and now you wilna help. Do you wish to save Katie Blackburn from
my wrath?”

Keith twitched then nodded. “Aye,
but if you are not a man of your word, I betray my clan.”

“Perchance my dirk needs to kiss
your neck again. I could finish what I started. I have already told you I only
seek to free Ian. I am a man of my word.”

“You do understand my concern.”

“Speak before I lose my
patience,” Angus ordered. “Tonight we devise a plan. Tomorrow we ride.” When
Keith remained silent, Angus motioned to one of his men. “George, place your
knife into the fire. Get it nice and hot. Keith needs some encouragement.”

Keith swallowed hard. Still he
hesitated. George handed the red hot knife to Angus. “Where would you like your
first scar, Keith?” he asked moving toward his helpless captive. Kicking Keith
onto his back, Angus planted a foot in the center of the man’s chest and knelt
to bring the blade close. “Do you ken what a hot blade can do to yer face? Have
you smelled yer own flesh burning?“ Angus singed Keith’s beard. It began to
smoke and threatened to burst into flame. Throwing down the dagger, Angus
rolled Keith over and shoved his face into the dirt to stop the beard from
catching on fire. When Angus pulled Keith’s head up, Keith nodded his
surrender. “Now,” Angus demanded.

“Ian is being held in a cell in
the most remote part of the dungeon,” Keith began.

“Where is the secret entrance?”

“A trail leads to a cave on the
far side of the mountain.”

“Brian’s underground escape
route.”

“Aye, so, Milord.” With a heavy
sigh, Keith continued. “The cavern creates a passage into the castle. ‘Tis
large enough for horses, but it takes considerable time to navigate. There are
chasms which capture those who dinna have a care.”

“He told his daughter of this?”

“Katie has served as mother to
her siblings since Lady Katherine died. When the MacKinnon clan waged war with
us, Laird Blackburn showed Katie how to get her sisters and brother out in the
event of a siege.”

“The girl was very young when
Katherine passed.”

“Aye, so, Milord, but capable.”

Angus snorted. “She must be if
she succeeded in capturing Ian.” He watched Keith try to suppress a smile. “You
are taken with Katie Blackburn.”

“Not in perverse way, Milord. She
is her mother’s image, but Katie has courage often missing even among fighting
men. She doesna think anything can stop her once she sets her mind to it.”

“Stubborn and willful.”

“Nay, Milord. She is brave and
true to her family. One couldna ask for more in a daughter.”

Angus jerked Keith to his feet.
“I tell you this. If Ian is harmed by her misguided plan, she will suffer my
wrath.”

Darkness fell. Katie needed to
see Ian. She had not taken him any food or water for hours. With what she knew
now, she had to decide if she could trust him to help her out of this mess.
Would he? He had said as much before and now her inclination was to trust him.
She would feed him then decide if she had the courage to release him.

As she made her way through the
narrow passage, she had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. Was it
anticipation or something else? Casting a nervous glance over shoulder, she
continued on her way.

Inhaling sharply, she finally
reached the stairs that would take her below. She bore a lantern in one hand
and sack of supplies in the other. The deeper she got into the bowels of the
castle the staler the air became. She could not imagine what it would be like
to be in the cell. Especially chained in the way she chained Ian. There would
be no sense of time as the hours passed. Ian took it in stride. He baited her
to gain all the information he could. Then he used it against her… or was it
to help her? His assumptions about Rannoch appeared to be correct. Should she
release him or keep him captive? No good answer presented itself.

Katie descended the stairs and
headed for the dungeon. In a hurry, she tripped on her skirt and almost fell.
Leaning against the wall, she tried to compose herself. Why was she so shaky?
She knew the answer. When she reached Ian, she would release him and allow her
fate to rest in his hands, his magic hands of fire. She closed her eyes
breathing deeply.

What price would he exact for his
help? She knew as surely as she knew she would give herself to him without
reserve. The prospect excited her. Her body flushed in anticipation. She should
be ashamed. Instead, her eagerness drove her to him. Composed enough to resume
her journey, she straightened her dress and ran her hands through her hair.
Would he still desire her?

A noise behind her made the hairs
on the back of neck prickle. She stood still as a statue waiting for any
further hint of treachery. Just when she was about to continue, she heard
footfalls close behind her. Whoever followed hid right around the bend in the
passage. Trying not to make a sound, she eased open the door to a nearby root
cellar and crawled inside an empty grain barrel. She pulled the lid down,
extinguished her lantern, and prayed for deliverance.

“God’s blood!” Katie heard
Draco’s curse from beyond the door. “Where the hell are you, Katie?” he
muttered. “You canna just disappear.”

The door to the chamber sprung
open. Light flickered across the floor from his torch. She looked through a
knot hole in the barrel. He lit the lantern affixed to the bracket near the
door and kicked at the very barrel where she hid. Katie watched as he circled
the room testing the walls and looking behind crates.

At length, he left the chamber
forgetting to extinguish the lantern he lit. She waited a long time. Katie
listened as he checked other chambers, tapped walls, and cursed his luck.
Finally, she heard him move away, but which direction? She had to take a chance
and free Ian before Rannoch or Draco found him.

Wary she slipped from her hiding
place and peered out the door. Ian waited in his cell for her return.
Snatching the lantern Draco left, she ran down the stairs into the dungeon.
Dank, close air smothered her. Ian had been in this prison for days. Desperate
to see him, she ran the rest of the way to the entry of the secluded cell.

Something was wrong. She stood in
the dark anteroom and glanced in the bars of the outer door. “Ian,” she called.
No answer came. Katie went for the key and realized the door to the cell hung
open. She held up her lantern so she could see the interior of the cell. The manacles
and leg irons hung empty on the wall. Where was he?

Fear gripped her heart.