Mist Warrior (11 page)

Branan blinked, remembering a dim flash from so long ago; Strickland wielding a huge Scottish claymore with a thistle engraved on the hilt.

“
Just as the building began at a good pace, yer da was murdered and the tower abandoned. I’d wager my whiskers
,
if ye dinna ken of it
,
yer mother ne’er told Strickland about it.
”

Courcy nodded.
“
Strickland does not know of this place. It’s part of my overall plan.
”

“
Plan?
”

“
Actually my proposition to you.
”

“
Of what do ye speak?
”

“
Come, let us proceed. Once you see the place
,
I will explain.
”

A bit later, Branan approached the three story stone tower in surprise. About twenty men worked in the area around it, clearing trees and dead brush. Fires burned and wagons, filled with debris, waited to be hauled away. Branan spotted many items that would be used in the repair of the keep – items which had originally come from Brackenburgh’s bailey.

His gaze returned to the tower. Thick vines nearly covered it, bushes and stout saplings grew next to the walls. The doors were gone and he approached the ground entrance. It had a second entrance with narrow stone stairs to the first floor, both on the north side. Large hearths graced the east and west walls on each floor. The wooden supports of the roof had rotted away, and caved through the top floor, completely destroying it, and severely damaging the first floor.

Thick vines also grew in the interior. When the roof had collapsed, it had taken part of the west stone chimney and wall with it. As Branan entered, several birds took flight, exiting through the roof with the sharp snap of wings. He noticed several nests
in
almost every nook and cranny. The workers had not yet begun to clear the interior. A strong musty odor, mixed with the pungent scent of animal dung
,
assailed him.

“
You said there was a reason for selecting this place,
”
Branan said to Courcy.

“
I understand it,
”
Catriona said, her voice soft with reverence as she gazed up at the tower.
“
Your mother knew
that
eventually you would need a haven from Strickland. That’s why she never told him about it. What better place than the tower your parents named after your Scottish heritage?
”
She looked at Courcy who nodded, again gazing at her in surprise.

“
Exactly, Branan,
”
Courcy said.
“
John told me about this place and its history. I thought it would be perfect for you.
”

“
For me?
”

“
Aye. You correctly noted I am producing enough supplies to outfit an army.
”
He nodded at the tower.
“
It will be up to you to lead it.
”
:

“
Lead it?
”
Branan asked
,
stunned.

Courcy stepped out of the tower and the others followed. He sat on a log and motioned for them to do the same.
“
That is what all of this is for.
”

“
Wait a moment, I doona see this in its entirety.
”

“
Aye,
”
Courcy replied.
“
As I said, Strickland suspects me in organizing the raids against him, but he does not have the proof he needs to go to the king. Yet
,
he is a cunning man. If I am to protect my investments, I need to make certain he does not find that proof. That’s why I need you. You will become the head of the asp which strikes his heel. If Strickland discovers my involvement, it will simply be another business deal for me. I may be fined
,
but I will not lose everything.
”

Catriona’s eyes widened as she stared at Courcy.
“
You will have Branan take the blame.
”

Courcy shrugged.
“
He is the one with the true claim against Strickland, he has more to lose over this than I do. I want Strickland out of the Wardenship, Branan wants justice. So, if Branan is the one leading the rebellion
,
I will not be blamed. I will simply be judged as doing what I do best–making money.
”

Catriona scowled
,
but said nothing more. Branan understood her concern for he felt the same way. He worried Ct sHe worrourcy set him up as the sacrificial lamb. But the man did have a point. Branan was the one with the greatest claim against Strickland. He should be the one leading this. With their so-called business alliance, Branan would have everything he needed, men
,
weapons, and a place to shelter them.

“
What do you say, MacTavish?
”
Courcy asked.
“
By doing this
,
I’m offering the pact to you which I promised John.
”

“
And if I fail in this venture?
”

“
Then you fail alone.
”

Catriona gazed up at Branan, her expression stricken.

“
All right,
”
Branan heard himself say and without command his hand reached for Courcy’s.
“
I accept yer proposal.
”

Catriona made a soft noise in her throat as Branan clasped Courcy’s forearm, sealing the pact.

Black Rage

The group returned to Brackenburgh and Catriona excused herself to the solar. She knew Richard was pleased to see her go. She had to admit she was weary
,
but doubted it had anything to do with overextending herself. The day’s events weighed heavily on her.

She had known Richard only two months and didn’t trust him any farther than she could throw him. His manners were always impeccable, especially around her father, but Catriona knew one didn’t get to his level without being cunning.

This agreement with Branan frightened her. Truly, Richard was at odds with Strickland and stood to gain by having him removed. But just how far would that gain go? Would circumstances change in the future so that Richard would find it more profitable not to support Branan?

If Branan failed at this, Strickland would kill him.

he
She shivered, pulling a blanket from her bed and wrapping it around her shoulders.

What if Richard decided it would be more profitable to betray Branan to Strickland? She had not seen the wording of the betrothal contract. What loopholes existed that Richard could exploit?

What if Branan succeeded? Would he claim his inheritance only to discover himself with a massive financial debt to Richard? Would Richard use the power of that debt to gain control of Branan and the Wardenship of Inglewood?

Catriona knew Richard would only support Branan as long as he found it profitable to do so. If that should change, Branan’s life was forfeit.

What could she do to see that Branan succeeded?

Catriona sighed, rubbing her eyes. She could think of only one solution. She would have to keep an eye on Branan and her betrothed. If she involved herself, then the fact that Strickland could persecute her as well as Branan might keep her betrothed from doing something foolish. It wouldn’t be easy, especially considering Richard’s slight regard of her, and his overwhelming desire to shut her off from everything. But she had to do this. Strickland was dangerous enough to Branan, she had to make sure Richard did not become a danger as well.

****

Branan, Gavin, Duguald
,
and Courcy sat in the small study late that evening, enjoying a pleasant fire in the hearth and good wine in their cups.

“
As foster-brother to my betrothed,
”
Courcy said to Branan.
“
You may stay here as long as you wish. I have the workers building temporary shelters at Thistlewood. Eventually, you will move to the tower as I do not wish to direct too much suspicion to Brackenburgh. I will help as much as I can
,
but this project will take a lot of organization and I cannot afford to spend too much time at Thistlewood.
”

Branan nodded.
“
Our goal is to divert attention away.
”

“
I must say, learning you are a laird has allayed my previous reservations of your organizational skills
,
but I remained concerned as I do not know your military experience. Currently, the mercenary raids I am conducting against Strickland are keeping him quite busy. Our ranks grow daily. Do you have the skill to organize these fighting men into an army?
”

“
o mfont>
Of that,
”
Duguald said before Branan could reply,
“
I hav’no doubt. I trained the lad myself.
”

Courcy nodded.

“
And I will be with you too, Branan,
”
Gavin said.

“
But what o’the manor house, Gavin? Surely
,
ye need to rebuild it.
”

Gavin winced, his jaw flexing.
“
I fear rebuilding the manor house will only draw Strickland’s eye back to us...and to you
”
He paused and shook his head.
“
Nay
,
Branan, the manor house will wait until the true heir of the Wardenship returns to his proper place.
”

Branan nodded, seeing the wisdom in Gavin’s choice.

“
Tomorrow,
”
Courcy said.
“
I will fetch my steward and you can look at the records. They will give you a solid grasp on what I have started.
”

“
We willna be able to do much against Strickland until spring. But I plan on putting the time until that day to good use.
”

“
Well said, MacTavish. With you taking over the endeavor I will be able to turn my attention to planning my wedding. I have a feeling four months will prove shorter than we think.
”