Highland Stone (15 page)

"Jamie will send word," his father said.

"Till then I be getting ready. Murdo!"

"Aye," the other man responded.

"Have the men meet in the yard with weapons and ready the mounts."

Murdo raced out of the room. Alaxandar bowed to his mother and left. He couldn't stand to see her stoic silence much longer. His brothers followed.

The smithy sharpened swords while the men readied the horses. Alaxandar wandered the castle grounds like a cat on the prowl. He was furious with Kara for being outside the safety of the walls and opening herself to the danger. He was angry with himself for ever allowing her out of his sight.

* * * *

While dawn streaked the sky with pink and purple coloring, Eleyne slept uncomfortably on the floor, shivering. Kara envisioned the flames of a fire to help keep warm. She hadn't slept. The small slit window didn't offer much light in the cramped tower room, but it cast enough for Kara to get a look at the place. Her mind worked on different plans for fruitless escapes, discarding each for one reason or another.
Let's face it.
I don't know enough about this land or these people to make a concrete plan for anything, let alone get out alive.
"Where's a cop when you need one?"

Eleyne stirred.

"How do you feel, Eleyne?"

"Like a horse kicked me in the head."

"The way we were carried across the horses and this icy stone floor are probably the cause. Hopefully, it will go away soon."

Eleyne wiped sleep from her bright eyes then stretched. Slivers of sunlight shone into the room, bringing much needed warmth. Kara heard someone shuffling outside the door, but no one entered. The day wore on, and
Kara and Eleyne moved around frequently. An occasional shout and horse whinny were the only sounds they heard.

It became apparent to Kara by the afternoon that they had either been forgotten or were going to be starved to death. To pass the time, she and Eleyne discussed life in the Highlands. She questioned Eleyne about the clan feuds and who might be ruthless enough to take this approach, but it helped little in the grand scheme of things.

Darkness descended.

The women picked a spot away from the window to bed down, keeping close for the body heat. Jingling keys and the turning of a lock got Kara's attention before the door burst open.

"Well, well. If it isn't the stooges," Kara sniped.

"Duncan, the tart be ill-tempered," Alastair said. He slid the torch he held into a sconce on the wall.

"Aye. What should we do aboot that?"

"I kin think o' a few things." Alastair moved toward the women.

Kara pushed Eleyne behind her, but the young woman came around and stood alongside her. She should have known Eleyne would not take this sitting down or cowering behind another.

Alastair jumped forward and grabbed Kara's arm. She kicked him and scratched the right side of his face. He yowled and slapped her hard. She fell to the floor. Eleyne screamed and launched herself onto Alastair's back, kicking, biting, and scratching.

"Ahh. Get the wee wench off me, Duncan," Alastair yelled.

Kara shook her head to make the ringing stop. Duncan yanked Eleyne's hair but Kara lunged at Duncan, grabbing his legs. He stumbled forward and fell face first, knocking the wind out of him as he hit the floor. She jumped on his back and slapped him in the head.

Just above the screaming, flailing and cursing, they heard a chilling voice. "What the devil be going on here, Alastair?"

Kara had been so involved in the fight that she'd failed to notice the other man who'd silently entered the room. The tall figure all but dwarfed the doorway. His shoulders were broad and his legs long and muscular. His deep green eyes surveyed the scene.

"Nothing. Nothing," Alastair stuttered as he got hastily to his feet.

"It be something and the ladies had the upper hand." A flicker of smile graced his mouth.

"They took us by surprise 'tis all. We had control."

"Hmm. You two saps are even stupider than you look," Kara murmured.

The corners of the stranger's mouth curved. Kara took that as a good sign.

"Alastair, you and Duncan remove yourselves. Send maids with food and wine for our guests."

The two men grumbled as they left.

"Are we to know why we're here and how long we'll be kept? Or do you think to starve us into submission?" Kara asked the stranger who'd yet to introduce himself.

"'Tis sorry I be for the rough treatment. I was just made aware of your presence. Ye will be moved to nicer quarters and all your comforts seen to."

Kara watched him warily. Eleyne hadn't spoken a word since the young man entered. Wide-eyed and silent were not synonymous with the youngest MacLeod.

"If you would be so kind as to arrange baths for us, we would be grateful. We smell of the horses and men that brought us here."

The tall, handsome stranger walked over to Eleyne. He picked up a strand of her hair and rolled it between his fingers. "All will be arranged," he stated, never taking his eyes off Eleyne, "and when ye be rested, we will talk. Please refrain from attacking me men until then," he said, turning his brilliant smile on Kara.

"We'll try to restrain ourselves," she replied sweetly.

With a bow, the stranger left the room. Kara stared at the door for a moment and then waved her hands in front of Eleyne's face. "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Did you recognize that man?"

"Nay. I have never seen him afore, but he 'tis most handsome," Eleyne whispered.

"He's the warden to our prison, Eleyne. Remember that."

"Aye, I shall."

Kara feared their situation just got worse.

Later, they were shown to adjoining rooms, but Kara refused to allow Eleyne out of her sight. "Set the tub here in front of the fireplace," she told the young maids. "We will not need the other room."

The girls stared open-mouthed. Next, several strapping boys marched in, straining under the weight of buckets filled with hot water. The boys raked them with glaring eyes then left. The children looked malnourished. Come to think of it, the men weren't bulky either.

"You take your bath first, Eleyne," Kara suggested. "I'll stand guard." Feeling like an Amazon, Kara stood rigid, watching as Eleyne sank into the steamy water.

After bathing, Eleyne hurriedly washed her hair and rinsed it with fresh water from a bucket on the floor, then got out and toweled off. Two gowns had been left on the bed.

While Eleyne dressed in a peach gown, Kara stepped into the tub, intending to quickly cleanse her body. The lukewarm water felt wonderful, so she lingered an extra couple of minutes. It had been a while since she'd had a hot bath. She washed her hair and body, luxuriating in the ecstasy of the tub and the relaxing effect on her aching muscles.

After several minutes, she reluctantly left the now cool water and dried off before slipping into the cream-colored garment. Poised in front of the fire to dry her hair, she ran her fingers through the tangled mess. "Our host has good taste," Kara commented. "Although the place looks a bit rundown."

When the door burst open, a huge hulk of a man barreled into the room. "What the bloody hell are ye doing in this room? I ordered ye put in the tower." He glared at the women.

"Who the hell are you?" Kara glared back.

The stranger was stunned quiet for all of a moment. His neck and face filled with red rage and he slapped Kara across the face. "Keep your tongue, woman. I be the chief and ye'll do as you be told. The dungeon be a good place for ye."

Kara pushed up from the floor. "If you are the chief, then who was the other man who moved us to these quarters, and ordered the bath and food?"

"Carrick!" The chief bellowed and stormed out of the room, slamming the door.

Eleyne said, "There be dissention in the castle."

They looked at each other and giggled. It was the first time since being taken that they'd been able to find humor in their situation.

"Did you recognize that man, Eleyne?"

"Aye, I know of him. I recognized the crest he wore. MacKay. He be a nasty one. I have heard the men speak o' the bastard. That must mean that we be at Strathnaver Castle. I have heard evil stories about this place."

"I guess we've found the enemy. I wonder what will happen now."

The door opened again and the boys drug the bathtub out. They didn't look at Kara or Eleyne, nor did they speak. A strange silence fell over the place, an eerie calm. The calm before the storm.

A long time passed. Kara's fear played havoc with her nerves. A knock sounded before the young stranger entered.

"How be ye faring, ladies? 'Tis the room to your liking?"

"Do you want to explain now, MacKay?" Kara said evenly.

His right brow arched as he cast a look in her direction.

"Yes. We know who you are. Will you explain why we're here?"

"Ye be here 'til the chief strikes a deal with the MacLeod."

Eleyne snickered. "Ye willna make deals with me father. All will die by the hand of the MacLeod for slaying our clansmen." With her chin in the air and her shoulders back, she sauntered proudly over to stand before him.

"I had not heard of this." A look of concern etched his face.

"Two MacLeods were killed during a raid on the livestock. Then there were terrible fires which almost killed several more."

Confusion, anger, and worry played across his handsome features. Kara believed he truly had not been aware of the events. "Who are you?"

He sighed. "Carrick MacKay, first-born."

"Ah, so the red-faced blowhard is your father."

"Aye," he chuckled.

Not the response she would have expected from a barbarian. Perhaps this would work to their advantage.

He bowed and strode from the room. Duncan appeared and slammed the door in Kara's face.

Two MacKay clansmen brought more logs for the fire to keep the room warm and bearable that night. The huge bed easily provided comfort for Kara and Eleyne. Somehow, Kara felt more at ease with the situation now that she knew of the conflict between Carrick MacKay and his father. This could benefit them.

* * * *

Alaxandar had taken several of the men and searched every inch of the stone wall surrounding the keep, until they found the hole Eleyne and Kara had snuck through. After breaking out an area wide enough, he replaced it with new stone. At least this wouldn't happen again.

Another full day had passed and still no word from Jamie. Alaxandar's mood grew dark and he felt a hole in his heart. A hearty fire bathed the hall in light. Shadows danced across the walls like ghostly figures. Exquisite tapestries held stories of battles and the courageous Scots who fought them. Despite all this, the warmth he thought once filled this great hall now eluded him. Clan members wandered in and out, but he took no notice. His mind caught in a frenzy of self-punishment and accusation. He stared into the crackling flames and clasped his mug without partaking of its sweet nectar.

Outside, a rider raced to the keep and jumped from his mount. Everyone gathered in the hall to hear his report.

"What have ye found, man?"

"We tracked them to the MacKay stronghold, Chief."

"MacKay," Katherine said. The breathless whisper spoke volumes.

His father fell into a chair. Running his hands over his face he said, "Iain, send a messenger to MacKenzie and Sutherland. They ride with us to seek out MacKay." He passed before each of his sons. "I will have an end to this."

Turning to Cuilén he said, "Pick a score of men to stay at the keep while we be away."

"Aye, Father, it shall be done." Cuilén strode from the hall with Ilysse close behind.

Ramsey bowed to the chief and bestowed an all-knowing level look at Alaxandar before heading out of the room. Leelah grabbed his arm at the door and spoke in whispers to him. Ramsey's tight jaw and stoic pause were the only signs showing Alaxandar that whatever his sister said to Ramsey MacLaren affected him in some way. He knew how Leelah felt about Ramsey, and he felt sorry. He knew Ramsey better than most, and Leelah would not get what she wanted from him.

Another night of confinement approached. As dusk settled, Kara and Eleyne sat before the roaring fire. Eleyne sang a beautiful ballad full of love and compassion to pass the time. When she finished, Kara smiled. "You have a lovely voice."

"Aye, she does," said a husky voice from behind them.

Kara spun around to find Carrick MacKay in the doorway. His long form leaned against the frame with one foot crossed over the other and his arms crisscrossed over his chest. Eleyne eyed him scornfully but said nothing. Her chin lifted.

"It seems ye will be staying in this room for a spell. Ye will be treated well if ye pose no problems." He walked directly to Eleyne. "I hand-picked the guards. They willna harm ye, unless ye try to escape." Lifting Eleyne's chin with his thumb and forefinger, he looked deep into her eyes. "Dunna be foolish and ye will be released soon."

Kara sensed the charge between Carrick and Eleyne. It bounced around the room like a fireworks display. She wondered how far it would go if things were different. Carrick didn't act anything like his father. He didn't yell or threaten. He had a calmness about him. The MacKay chief used his station and the power it gave him to control everyone around him.

"'Tis that what ye believe, that MacKay will release us?" Eleyne asked.

"The chief willna harm ye if ye do as ye be told. Ye be leverage for his game, nothing more."

"The MacLeod willna yield. No MacLeod yields," she said in a challenging tone.

"It be but a bit of persuasion for some." Carrick bowed to Eleyne. "Lady." He walked out of the chamber.

"Why do you test him so? We may need his help to get out of here."

"He willna help us and bring the chief's wrath. We are left to our own devices." Eleyne's fierce comment gave further credence to their dire circumstances.

Kara sighed and withered back into the chair. "For now we should stay put. I think Carrick likes you." Eleyne snorted none too daintily and Kara smiled.