Knight of the Highlander (11 page)

"Ah, off for a wee ride are ye?" His gaze dipped lower and his gaze changed into a leer.

"Aye." Arywnn nodded then wrapped her plaid around her more firmly, hoping to stop his unwanted attention to her body.

"Dinnae' cover yerself so tightly, lass. Dinnae' ye ken? I'm the one who'll find the traitor and ye'll be warmin' my bed," his voice dipped into a low whisper and he leaned in, breathing deeply.

"Tis my father's choice. I'll abide by his wishes, alone." Arywnn added a steely resolve to her tone as she glared defiantly at Rian.

"For the time. But soon, dear Arywnn, Ye'll be abidin' by mine." He gave her one last leer and then started to walk away. "Enjoy yer ride. I'm surely lookin' forward tae mine." He called over his shoulder before whistling and sauntering away.

Arywnn's skin crawled, and her face heated with embarrassment and anger. She glanced over to the forge, and met Colin's furious gaze. Her heart stopped. Was he angry with her? Did he think she was welcoming Rian's attention? She glanced down and closed her eyes. When she glanced up again she saw Colin striding toward her, a compassionate expression on his face.

"Are ye well?" he asked in his rough voice, husky from the smoke of the forge.

"Nay, but I will be after a moment." She shook her head softly.

"Can ye meet me tonight?" Colin asked in a low whisper.

Arywnn's gaze shot up to meet his. To ask such a question when they could easily be seen and create suspicion was indeed strange. He must have a good reason. She nodded.

"Midnight. The Loch," he whispered. His eyes searched hers, and a fierce internal battle seemed to wage behind his tortured expression. He raised a hand and then flexed it twice, before letting it fall to his side. "Midnight." He nodded then backed away, searching first her gaze then the road for anyone who might have witness their interlude. He nodded to her as if satisfied at their secrecy, and then he disappeared into the forge.

Arywnn collected her thoughts and rushed to the stables. In a flurry of activity, she readied Garten for a ride. When she reached for the bridle, she noticed a scroll of paper attached to the bit. It was cleverly hidden, and she almost had missed it. Carefully she unwrapped it from its hiding spot and went to the side of Garten so she'd be hidden.

Arywnn my love, you're graceful like a dove. Though your heart is sad, your smile makes me glad. Your lips are so sweet, they are truly a treat. Meet me tonight and increase my delight. Always yours, your Knight.

The poem was written in an elegant script. Arywnn held the treasure to her chest. A broad grin tilted her lips as she re-read the sweet little poem. But soon she remembered that tonight was already spoken for. What if she went to meet Colin, but met Knight instead? What if Colin found her with Knight? Her chest constricted as her dream from earlier invaded her memory. Who held her heart? Why was she struggling to decide when she knew that Rian could speak the truth? The only way to find out would be to meet both Colin and Knight tonight. Till then, she would let her heart rest in its indecision. For how did she choose when her heart was so divided?

****

The day ended, and Colin forced himself to keep a steady pace as he headed home from the forge. He glanced about for anything suspicious, anything that would foil his plan. The sunset was drenched in warm reds and oranges, but Colin didn't pause to soak up its beauty. In a few hours he would meet Arywnn, both as Knight and as Colin. Tonight she would choose her fate. Tonight would determine his own. Tonight the truth would be revealed, for better or worse.

Quickly he worked, digging up his buried orders and the money he'd need to secure passage. The darkness was his ally, hiding his efforts. Once everything was in order, he hiked through the darkness till he reached the starting point for his journey; one he hoped and prayed Arywnn would partake in. He hid his knapsack next to a large bolder and behind a sprawling fern. Next came the horses, but he'd have to wait till the stable hands were asleep. He glanced at the moon, and then ran into the darkness.

Garten nickered softly as Colin approached the stall. Colin had changed back into his smithy clothes so that any passerby would assume him to be working late into the night on the Laird's daughter's errand. He led Garten out into the night without a soul noticing. For good measure he paused at the forge, and waited for a few moments. He then took Garten out toward the gate.

"Where are ye goin' with the lass' beast?" Rian called from behind him.

"Poor animal tossed a shoe. I refitted him, but a portion of his hoof was damaged. I'm makin' sure he's fit tae ride and not drawin' up lame."

"I dinnae' realize ye to know so much about beasts…" Rian's voice was laced with suspicion.

"Tis simple sense. The Laird would slit my throat if I cause the only heir to fall from her horse because I wasn'ae doin' my job," Colin called back, waiting patiently for Rian to accept his answer.

"Verra well." Rian sauntered off, a slight sway to his steps.

Colin shook his head. Thankfully Rian was deep in his cups, and wouldn't be a threat in watching for his return. He would be waiting a long time. Colin wasn't coming back.

****

Arywnn's foot bounced nervously under the wooden table. As each moment passed, it brought her one step closer to seeing Colin, and then seeing Knight. Or perhaps she'd see Knight first and then—

"What has ye all wound up tonight? Ye can't sit still!" Annie leaned over and whispered in Arywnn's ear.

"'Tis nothin'. I'm just a wee bit restless I suppose," Arywnn lied, then glanced down at her lap. With a deep breath, she stilled her nervous twitching and turned to face Annie.

"Do ye think yer father has news of the traitor? Could that be why he called the meetin?" Annie asked in a hushed tone as her brown eyes scanned the room full of clansmen and women.

"I dinnae' ken. Tis possible." Bile rose in Arywnn's throat at the thought. She had been so preoccupied with her own meeting tonight; she hadn't given a thought to the one she was attending now. Could they have found Knight? Was he in chains down in the dungeon even now? Her heart raced at the thought as she began to scan the room for a sign of her father.

"Rian's surely watchin' ye."

"I dinnae' care what Rian does," Arywnn spoke in an angry tone.

"I dinnae' care much for the man myself, but I thought ye'd want tae know." Annie shook her shoulder, and turned to her meal.

Arywnn's father walked into the hall with a purpose -filled stride. The slow dull roar of voices hushed as people noticed his entrance. He strode to the head table and spread his hands over the top, leaning forward slightly and narrowing his eyes. Immediately all other hushed words were quieted as the Clan waited.

"Clansmen, I have news of our traitor."

Arywnn stopped breathing and her fingers began to tingle. After a few moments she breathed in again, forcing herself to remain calm.

"'Twill be over soon. We know the man responsible and ye dinnae' worry any longer. I willnae' say more. But 'twill be a feast at the blackguard's hangin'!" Shouts of approval rang throughout the hall as men lifted their ale into the air.

"We'll be feasting on the morrow! So prepare yer families, yer homes! For tomorrow we celebrate!" Her father shouted. The crowd erupted into another cheer. Arywnn glanced about nervously and then cheered as well, wanting to blend in and not create suspicion.

When her father sat down in his chair, the people began to go back to their conversations and celebratory remarks. Arywnn fought against the overwhelming sensation of failure and hopelessness. Not only was Knight in danger, but she was sure that any chance she had at securing her own husband was now obsolete.

"Why the sad face, Arywnn? Didn't ye hear yer father's words? We're safe!" Annie shook Arywnn's shoulder, and offered her a bright smile.

"Aye, tis grand news." Arywnn forced her tone to be light, cheerful even though her heart was breaking.

"Tae think of the celebration tae come! And ye! Ye will be married tae the braw warrior that brought down the traitor!" Annie gave Arywnn a brave smile, one that was laced with sympathy.

"Indeed." Arywnn nodded.

Arywnn excused herself from the table as soon as possible without creating suspicion. She took the stairs two at a time till she reached her room. Just as she reached her door, her father's voice called her.

"Ye will be weddin' Rian on the morrow. I'll not havin' ye sneakin' out tonight. Ye may not be a worthy prize, but Rian finds ye promisin'."

"So Rian found the clan's traitor?" Arywnn asked with a steady tone.

"In a manner of speakin'. T'wouldn't have mattered. He was to succeed me anyway."

Arywnn tilted her head as she studied her father's arrogant grin. Anger burned within her chest, yet she kept the tone of her voice detached from the violent emotion welling within her.

"So when ye said, when ye agreed that I could—"

"I still can't see what Rian finds desirable about ye, ye dinnae' have the sense of a gnat. Do ye think that a woman, that ye could find and secure the traitor? Nay. I knew ye might draw his attention and lead him closer for Rian tae find. But ye never were a threat to my plans." He shook his head as if amused at his daughter's gullibility.

Arywnn's blood boiled, then chilled. He meant to marry her to Rian, and he had known all along. Hadn't he said as much earlier, on the way to the stables? Surely her fate was sealed!

"Go tae yer room. I'm tired of seeing yer pitiful face," he grumbled then turned, glancing back with a glare till Arywnn entered her room.

Once she locked the door, she flung herself on the bed and wept bitterly. Was this it? She was given a taste of love only to now live with it's loss? Rian. She wanted to scream at the thought of being married to him, of having children by him. The thought disgusted and repulsed her. Yet what hope had she? Indeed she had been a fool to believe her father.

She thought back over her father's words, hoping she missed something that could give her hope. He had said the celebration was tomorrow, and he didn't give them the traitor's name. He said they knew, but he didn't say they had captured him. Could it be true? Did she still have tonight to warn Knight, and send him away from certain death?

She would warn him, give him a chance to live. The only thing worse than her fate was to know that Knight no longer lived. In that moment her heart knew. Indeed it was love, a love that would selflessly sacrifice itself to save the other. She would find him, warn him, and send him away. In the morning she would bravely face her future, for she could carry on knowing he was still alive, still breathing. Her heart could continue to beat knowing that his did as well.

Furiously wiping the tears from her eyes, Arywnn stood and began to dress in her warmest clothes and thickest plaid. The hour grew late, but not late enough to meet Colin. If she could meet Knight first, she could warn him and give him plenty of time to escape. With a determined straightening of her shoulders, she crept to the window and glanced out. Tonight she would not take any chances. There would be no one to see her in the hall and follow her. Tonight she would climb through the window, down the tree, and disappear into the night.

What she should have done all along.

Her heart stilled. What if he was found because of her? Arywnn shook her head against the nauseous feeling that crept in at the thought, and began to walk along the ledge. Once she reached the tree, she carefully climbed down and waited behind the fat trunk till two men passed by. When the path was clear, she ran to the secret opening in the wall, praying she would make it to Knight in time.

Colin waited in the shadows by the loch. The sound of the leaves rustling from the slight breeze was the only sound he could hear. When would she come? Would she expect to meet Colin first? Or Knight? Who did her heart beat for? Colin shifted restlessly from one foot to another as he scanned the stars in the night sky.

The woods had been strangely quiet. He glanced down at his attire, the attire of Knight rather than the blacksmith Colin. An uneasy feeling crept in as he began to wonder what he had missed in his efforts to prepare for his — hopefully
their
— journey. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone running. Quickly he swung himself on a low branch and into a heavily leafed oak. He climbed higher till he was well hidden and closed his eyes, listening. The person was coming closer and he was confident the delicate footsteps belonged to Arywnn, but he would take no chances.

She burst into the clearing by the loch with abandon. She doubled over and gasped for breath. As she stood she brushed the hair away from her face and she walked forward toward the water. Colin watched her, drank in her beauty in the starlight. Yet why had she run? What could have caused such urgency? He listened for a pursuer, for someone following but he heard no other sounds. Just to be safe, he decided to wait and watch, as he had done for so many torturous years.

When Colin was sure Arywnn was alone, he carefully lowered himself from the tree. Arywnn's back was turned to him. After a moment, she began to pace the short span of the shore while wringing her hands. The previous uneasy feeling that had settled in Colin flared to new life. Indeed, something had happened.