Knight's Legacy (32 page)

Roderic moved about with more ease the following morning. He could not allow the army he had trained so well to be without purpose. Arranging to send a message to Kincaid, he stood ready to fight.

Gavin, his arm still bound, joined him in his chamber. “Ye gave Cameron the command,” he accused.

Roderic smiled wearily, his face gray. “Your shoulder has not healed. Someone must command lest they attack before I take counsel with Kincaid, and the pain in my head is still a nuisance.”

“Pain of body, or pain of spirit? Ye are beset with melancholy for the loss of that wench!”

“That wench is my wife, Gavin. I will find her.”

Gavin sighed. “Alas, it may be best ye leave her from whence she came! She be a contrary, strange lass, no matter how pleasant she be to bed. Never forget, my friend. Take your comfort in a woman. Sink into their blessed softness, take the gift of their beauty, and their carnal joy, but dinnae ever give them your heart, laddie. For that is the folly of a weak mon.”

As her father's illness progressed, Cat spent every day with him. The date on the newspaper Merlin had given her told her his death was imminent. He could no longer ride, and this in itself brought a harsh realization for Cat.

Howard was a man that had spent a lifetime on horseback, and it was hard to watch the disease ravage his body. The last three days Sierra put him on an intravenous drip of morphine. He was able to press a button to inject the medication if the pain was severe. Cat was grateful that at least, in this small way, he was in control.

She sat in a chair near his bed. Sierra woke her at three o'clock in the morning to say he was having trouble breathing. Cat did her best to endure the devastating last talk with her father. Gripping his hand, she struggled hard not to break down in tears. His hands had always been so strong. Now they were thin and weak.

“I love you, Dad. You know that, don't you?”

“Yes, and I love you, too. Be strong when I'm gone. I'm ready.”

Cat broke down and, knowing how emotions embarrassed him, was thankful that he went to sleep. Slipping into a coma, Howard died later that night.

The funeral was not as she had expected. Howard had made all arrangements months before. Cat felt numb with pain, but was relieved his suffering was over. Sierra stayed with her for several days after the funeral.

Three weeks later, Merlin appeared. Preparing her for their departure, he gave her two days to get ready to leave. She was allowed to bring the drugs in the satchel, and Cat longed for the moment when she would once again see Roderic and the baby.

She thanked Sierra profusely for all her help, and as she did so, Sir Raven appeared before them. It was time. He led them outside the house. It was near twilight.

“You take care of yourself, Lady Montwain,” Sierra said. She turned to the old man.

“Sir Raven, visit me and tell me news of this one. But be sure and knock first, so I don't call the cops!”

“Farewell, Lady Casslin,” he said.

Sierra stood and watched them disappear in a stiff wind of mist and light.

Sir Raven brought her back in the forest west of the castle. They stepped lightly, hearing the army encamped nearby. It was twilight, and the evening sun danced through the trees. He bid her to stay across a small stream while he threw up the dark hood of his robe, and seemed to disappear into the mist.

Cat lost track of time as she waited, her sword in her hand. Small sounds of the forest were a comfort. Then a tall black form appeared at her left side.

Cat pulled herself up short to silence a scream, patting her chest. “Where were you?”

“I brought you proper clothing, a gown and a robe. Be silent, for there is a council inside the Kincaid tent. Roderic speaks with the Laird, and yet …”

Cat interrupted. “I know. I mustn't be discovered, not

Darkness had fallen; Cat stayed close to Merlin as they made their way to the meeting tent. She set the heavy satchel down. Listening to the sounds of the Kincaid army, the soft laughter and the clank of weapons in practice for war, they settled on the grass near a tall tree behind the structure. Cat hurriedly dressed in the gown, her sword hidden inside the black robe.

She drew a hasty breath when they heard the familiar tone of Roderic's voice.

“Kincaid, I know nothing of your brother's death.”

“Nay, you lie. Ye killed them because she favored Alastair. The priest sent word to me from Melrose Abbey when they returned his body to rest on our land. The Mackay lass has disappeared, and is also thought dead. They upset your plans. Ye lost face with the King, so ye ordered one of your own to murder them. If it cost the death of every mon that stands with me, I will avenge my brother.”

Mackay was not allowed at the council, and had wisely commissioned Kincaid to speak for them all.

“I was betrayed by Mackay. He gave me a young woman as my wife, an imposter. I was just informed of the truth not long ago. Do you think I knew of the trickery? I laud your desire for justice, and hold my own as dear. If 'Tis my death you seek, so be it. But, let there be no war. The noble Scots that follow me will not die for vengeance brought against me. I lay my soul down willingly …”

“Ahh! No!” The harsh words came from Gavin.

“Be silent!” Roderic said. He spoke once again to Kincaid. “I'll lay my soul down willingly, if I have your word no other blood will be spilled.”

“Ye speak with no authority! Ye must make this known to our council to sanction,” Gavin said.

Roderic's voice, though quiet, had an ominous quality. “My warriors will obey my command.”

Cat made the attempt to rise, and Merlin reached out to hold her back.

“No,” she whispered. “He can't do this, Merlin, he can't.”

The older man put his thin hand on her mouth. “Be silent, lady, lest you forever bury the hope of setting a trap for the traitor. The one who betrayed Roderic is not merely free, but in his council. You must not make yourself known. The man would have to kill you.”

Cat knew he was right, but it did little to quell the panic she felt inside. She must get to Roderic before he turned himself over to Mackay and Kincaid. They would not hesitate to kill him. Roderic would give his life for the loyal men that followed him. Cat must sway him from being martyred.

Once again she heard her husband's voice. “Do I have your word?”

Cat held her breath as she waited for Kincaid to answer.

“Ye speak to your council. I will speak to mine. War may come with the tide of this hatred, no matter we wish it naught,” Kincaid said.

Merlin pushed her aside out of sight behind the tree as Roderic and Gavin came out of the tent. Cat raised the black cloth and peeked through the small space to gaze at Roderic. How she missed him! She longed to go to him, but Merlin was right.

“It is imperative we expose the traitor at the proper time. Maybe Roderic and I can set a trap for him. When does the King arrive?”

“Soon. ‘Twas my hope he and his army had even now joined Roderic.”

“What about the abandoned cottage? Can I stay there until you bring Roderic to me?”

“ 'Tis no longer cast aside. Glyniss was given the cottage. I will take you there. Glyniss is a true healer and will not cause suffering. You can trust her, Catherine.”

“I agree. Glyniss would sooner die herself than hurt another.”

“She can be an ally to you in this conflict. Lest ye forget, you furthermore face one with your husband.”

“I do not forget. I am hoping his regard for me can withstand our obstacles. The main one has been conquered. I'll never leave him again. You could help by telling him it was your decision to intervene.”

“Aye, so I shall. But you, lady, should make use of the charm at a woman's hand to cool his anger.”

She smiled. “Aye, I will. If I have the time before he throttles me.”

Glyniss greeted Merlin with suspicion. He called himself “Sir Raven” and asked that she take a message to Roderic. Her sharp eyes went to Cat's bandage on her shoulder, and she pulled her inside, beckoning Sir Raven to follow. Shutting the door abruptly behind them, she twisted to face them, and her silver eyes pinned Cat relentlessly.

“Ye be on the mend, I see. Could ye not send a message that ye be breathin'? Sir Roderic kens ye be a corpse! Half mad himself with worry, he has torn the castle apart in a search for ye, in spite of the siege we face!”

“I know, Glyniss! I could send no message and I can trust no one at the keep.” She glanced at Merlin. “Sir Raven saved my life, but the traitor is very close to Roderic. I must see him alone before he gives himself to Kincaid in ransom for the clan! We have just heard his plans.”

“Aye, I have no doubt of it. The mon's spirit is crippled since he thinks ye dead! His own treasure of life be spoiled. Tell me now. Does he hold any power over your heart?”

Cat fought the tears that welled in her eyes. “Aye, Glyniss. I love him so much I have left all that I know to be with him always. If he will have me.”

Glyniss let out a very unladylike snort. “Have ye he will, lass, for though ye be imposter, he would have fought Mackay, Kincaid, and verily the King himself to keep ye. He be a good mon for the clan, and he has my fealty which be no small feat, so if ye hurt him again, I'll beat ye myself!”

Cat chuckled softly. “I am certain you would, Glyniss. Maybe you would relish the deed. My husband inspires loyalty in those around him. But, we must see him alone, Sir Raven and I. He must know who the traitor is, so that we may set a trap for him. Only then can he be prepared to fight him.”

“Best ye be quick, lady.”

Glyniss picked up her heavy cloak. “I'll do as ye bid, and bring him back alone.”

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

~Song of Solomon 1:2

R
oderic was annoyed as Glyniss beckoned him to follow her to the buttery behind the kitchens, but he tolerated her insistence.

“Your wife has returned, Sir Roderic. She awaits at my cottage,” she whispered fervently.

Roderic clutched her forearms, lifting her as he studied the sober expression in her gray eyes. “She is alive?” His heart surged with joy and hope.

Glyniss nodded. “Please, she trusts no one, and bids ye come to her alone. She knows the mon that attacked ye both in your bed, and wants to warn ye.”

Roderic thrust away from her without an answer, making his way to run through the trees. He teemed with desire to see Catherine, touch her, secure his own belief that she was truly unharmed. But his ardent longing was coupled with rage for both the man that hurt her, and the one that had taken her away.

Roderic burst into the cottage, and drank in the wondrous sight of his wife sitting by the hearth. Shutting the door and approaching her in a rush, he pulled her up from the stool with such violence it tipped over. He held her in a fierce grip bringing his mouth down on hers. Cat held his cheek, wincing.