Ann Carr (17 page)

Chapter Thirty-Three

“Elizabeth”, Richard interrupted her as she helped set up makeshift beds in the great hall.

Bent over in her task, Elizabeth didn’t even spare a glance in her brother’s direction. “I don’t want to talk to you Richard”, there was no expression in her statement, only weariness and sadness that her brother could betray her in such a way, “I don’t want to see you again or have anything to do with you at all!”

“Elizabeth I...” he reached out to her.

“No, don’t Richard!” she pulled away, she didn’t want or have the energy to fight with him, “just leave me be Richard” she said wearily as she bent back to her tasks, trying to ignore his presence.

“I didn’t open that gate tonight!” he insisted.

“And why should I believe that!” she thundered, rearing up to stare him down, “how can you expect me to believe that!” it wasn’t a question for there was no answer to be had!

“You know me Elizabeth! I wouldn’t betray you that way!”

“No Richard! I thought I knew you! I defended you! I took your side over that of my own husbands!” she yelled, now angry at her own misplaced trust.

“So you should! I am your brother! We grew up together! He’s nothing more than a damn Scot that can’t be trusted!” she was taken aback by the venom in his voice. How had she not seen it before? Why had she been so blind?

“From now on my loyalty is to
Duncan, and Duncan alone!” she thundered, “He is my husband, my family, and the only one who hasn’t lied to me throughout all of this!” she raged.

“I am not lying to you now! I didn’t let down that damn drawbridge!” he yelled back.

“Shh” she admonished as curious gazes were cast in their direction, whispering fiercely she demanded, “if not you then who? Tell me who?” she paused, “No? can’t think of anyone?  Well neither can I! You are the only one with a reason for doing this!” she paused, turning away. “Just get out of my sight Richard, I don’t even want to look at you”.

"Think about this Elizabeth. If it was me then what am I doing standing on this side of the wall? I had plenty of opportunity to meet them on the other side but here I am standing in front of you now!" On that quiet piece of logic he walked away leaving her more confused than ever.

“Did he do it?” she didn’t need to ask who or what it was, instead she shook her head in confusion at the man standing beside her.

“If you’d asked me that earlier then I would have said yes”, she watched as her brother moved through the crowd of people, helping set up beds, “but now I’m just not sure at all”.

When no answer was forthcoming she turned her gaze up to John who in turn was watching her brother, “no argument?” she questioned.

“If it was him then I dinnae know what he’s still doing here now. But on the other hand we still dinnae know what he’s been doing these past two days”

“Plus, if Richard didn’t let down that drawbridge then exactly who did?” she scanned the room.

“Is everyone accounted for?” his sober question earned her full attention.

“I don’t know. Everything is in such confusion. Do you think whoever did this might be on the other side of that wall?”

“Possibly. It wouldnae hurt to discreetly make sure no one is missing. Is there anyone ye wholly trust who can help?”

“Yes, I’ll go now and ask
Mrs MacTavish to help me” she began to leave, “John? I’m so pleased that Duncan left you behind, I don’t know how I would have coped with all of this by myself”.

“I think ye would have done a fine job Elizabeth. Besides Duncan would kill me if I let anything happen to
ye!” he tried to coax a smile.

“I hope he returns soon!” she said with feeling.

John did too, he had caught a glimpse of the gathered English soldiers outside of the walls and it didn't look good. He didn't want to worry Elizabeth but if they were to have any chance of surviving this then they would need backup, and quickly at that!

Chapter Thirty-Four

Scanning the room John watched for any suspicious behaviour. It was almost dawn and he felt certain that the coming day would bring with it a mighty assault from the English. So far, apart from the first half-hearted attempt to knock down the inner gate, all had been quiet outside of the castle walls. No doubt the men were resting, readying themselves for the coming battle.

Inside the castle there was a completely different scene playing out. Few adults were sleeping, all were too aware of the peril they now faced. There was no option to flee so all would have to fight to differing degrees. All of the men had stepped up, prepared to defend each other, and also many of the women had volunteered to take up arms while others would look after the children, feed the men and tend to the wounded. Everyone had banded together, they were now fighting as one unit, fighting for each other. John just hoped that it would be enough, that they would be able to hold the English off for as long as possible.

Over at the other side of the room John saw Elizabeth's bustling figure, closely followed by her brother who was trying to gain her attention without any luck. Making a decision John crossed the room towards them; they wouldn't have much time until daylight John estimated, but hoped that they would have long enough for a few questions to be answered.

They gathered in the library and John perched on the edge of the solid table which served as a desk, he leaned back as he watched brother and sister face each other like two combatants about to fight.

“Where were ye these last two days?” he directed the question towards Richard.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell Elizabeth all night! If she wasn’t so stubborn then you’d have the answer by now!” his exasperation was beginning to slip into anger.

“The answer Richard or more lies?” Elizabeth injected equally as angry.

“The truth God damn you! When I came back from my morning ride the stable was deserted so I began take care of my horse myself. Before I’d even dismounted everything went black. The next thing I remember is waking up with a terrible headache; obviously someone had whacked me over the head and then moved me and bound my limbs!”

“Where were ye then? How did ye free
yerself?” John inserted logically.

“When I came to I heard two people whispering a short distance away, I couldn’t make out what they were saying but I do know that they were two people talking! I didn’t know where I was, it was dark, but I came to the conclusion that I was still inside the castle walls, I knew I was inside of a building and from time to time I could hear the whispers of voices as people passed by me unaware. Immediately I started trying to loosen my bonds, it took an age but eventually I managed to work myself free. When I could move I found my way out of my prison and came directly to find you.” he looked at Elizabeth.

“Where were ye kept?” again John questioned.

“Up in the loft of the stable!” he stated and heard Elizabeth’s gasp, John merely nodded.

“If you still doubt me then look!” he extended his wrists towards her so that she could see for herself the marks that the ropes had left as they had dug into his tender flesh.

“Oh Richard!”
Elizabeth cried, “I wanted to believe it wasn’t you, I’m so sorry that I ever doubted you” she threw her arms around his neck.

Richards’s eyes met those of John’s over Elizabeth’s shoulder, but he quickly looked away at the knowledge lurking beneath those eyes.

“So we now know that they are two traitors!” was John’s comment when he eventually spoke.

“But who John?
Who would betray Duncan in such a way? Who would have contact with my brothers from inside these walls?”

“I
dinnae know. What I do know is that we must find out quickly! Have ye told anyone else this information?” he demanded. At Richard’s shake of the head he continued, “did ye and Mrs MacTavish notice if anyone was missing?” this was directed at Elizabeth.

“No. Everyone is accounted for. Which means that they are here amongst us doesn’t it?” her eyes went huge.

“Aye, and we must find them! I dinnae think we should share this with any of the others, the less people who know the better!” he decided.

They all lapsed into silence, thoughts racing through their minds, each wondering who the traitors were, each wondering how they could find them.

“Couldn’t we get word to Duncan?” Richard inserted into the silence.

“How?
There are hundreds of Englishmen outside of the castle gates in case ye hadn’t noticed!” John answered sarcastically.

“What about sending someone out of the escape tunnels?”

“What escape tunnels?” Elizabeth questioned, “I’ve not heard anything about any escape tunnels!”

“I mean surely there’ll be an escape tunnel. Every castle has an escape route!” he covered but not before John had picked up on his slip of the tongue.

“Is there?” Elizabeth questioned.

“Aye!
I dinnae know why I dinnae think of it sooner!” John’s mood picked up, “the tunnel doesnae surface until deep in the western forest. The English troops willnae be anywhere near there will there?” he asked.

“No!” Richard answered.

“Whoever goes should be perfectly safe, probably safer than we are in here!” he commented.

“Elizabeth should go!” Richard inserted, wanting only his sister’s safety.

Seeing that John was about to agree, Elizabeth stubbornly proclaimed, “No! I will not run away! In my husband’s absence I am in charge of keeping our people safe. I will not leave them. I will not run!”

“If ye will not leave then perhaps we should send Ewan” John inserted.

“But would he be safe? I don’t want to send him into danger!” she didn’t know, couldn’t decide.

“He’ll be safer out there than here!” John declared, “
we must decide quickly Elizabeth, there is only a short time until daylight, he will be even safer if he leaves under the nights darkness!”

“But he can’t go alone! Someone will have to go with him!” She decided, not willing to concede this point.

“Who would you send?” Richard queried, “who can you trust?”

“What about William?” John decided.

“Isn’t he too old?” Richard wondered at the choice.

“He might be old but he can still ride a horse like the best. He will take care of Ewan I
dinnae doubt that; he’s been here since before Duncan was born. He’ll get word to Duncan or die trying!”

“That’s what I was worrying about!” Richard said without
humour.

“William’s an excellent choice!” Elizabeth seconded, “he knows the land between here and Malcolm’s home better than anyone. If anyone can get there swiftly and safely then he can!”

“I’ll go ready everyone. We don’t have a minute to spare so we must act swiftly!”

Without another word all three of them left the room to put their plan into action, all three totally unaware of the gleaming eyes peering after them from their hiding place.  

“Are you alright Elizabeth?” Richard quietly asked a short time later as they watched William and Ewan swiftly ride out of the tunnel before disappearing into the forest. Once their decision had been made, they’d wasted no time in putting it into action, knowing that time was not on their side.

“No!” her voice quaked, “I hope I’ve done the right thing!” she said tearfully as she watched her son disappear.

“Ewan will be fine Elizabeth!”

“God! I hope so!” she smiled as she remembered his excitement upon hearing his mission. All she could do was pray that he would make it to Duncan, once there Duncan would make sure he was safe.

Chapter Thirty-Five

The three figures stumbled along the dark, stale tunnel towards the heart of the castle. Elizabeth walked blindly, too lost in her thoughts to care which way her feet moved, she was guided by the protective arm that Richard had placed around her. There was barely enough room for the pair of them to walk side by side through the tight tunnel, they both trailed behind John, who kept the pace swift, eager to get back to his men. Above him, John carried the fire torch which threw a golden glow on the damp stone engulfing them, affording them just enough light to highlight their route home.

“What’s that?” Richard gasped. John quickly spun around, looking for the threat, waving the fire in front of him in stilted movements.

“No! Stop!” Richard reached up to place his hand on the torch next to John’s and guided it lower, moving it from side to side until he found what he was looking for. “There!” he exclaimed releasing the torch so that he could bend down to take a closer look.

“What is it?” Elizabeth peered over his shoulder but couldn’t make out what he was looking at.

“Paper!”

“Let me see!” John pushed Richard aside and reached down to pick up the scrap of paper.

“Is it dry to the touch?” Richard questioned.

“Yes”

“What are you talking about? Why are we wasting time looking at a piece of paper? We need to get back to the castle!” she failed to see the significance.

“There’s something written on it” John squinted down, lowering the torch to give more light.

“Let me see!” Richard moved closer to peer down at the writing too. In the next heartbeat both men exchanged a look of mutual understanding, both realising the significance of finding this fragile scrap of evidence. Together, they turned their gaze towards Elizabeth. The serious expression in their shadowed faces caused her a moment’s panic.

“What?” she gasped, taking an instinctive step back, not liking the look in their
eyes.

“Look at this!” Richard thrust the offending object at her.

Looking down at the scrap that she now held in her own hands the tension began to ease, “Why! It’s only a letter!” she still didn’t understand.

“It’s the same as the one that Duncan received from Malcolm.” John explained.

“So what are you saying, that Duncan was down here and dropped it himself?”

“No. Duncan
dinnae come down here, and he had the letter with him when he left last night. I saw it with my own eyes! This must be a copy!”

“How could someone have a copy of a letter that Malcolm wrote?” 
she questioned, still not understanding its significance.

“There
couldnae! Unless Malcolm dinnae send the message” John paused for the implication to finally sink in and the silence was deafening.

“So who?”
Elizabeth mumbled to herself, “we are the only ones who have been down here.....NO!” she swung around to face her brother, “you promised me!” she screamed at him.

“I didn’t do it!” his voice came out shrilly, the evidence was damning.

“He dinnae do it Elizabeth!” John backed him up.

“What? You?” she was dumbfounded, she had never suspected.

“No, not me!” he said quietly, gently.

As reality dawned on her she slowly turned to look down the tunnel from where they had just come.

“No!” she screamed, dropping to her knees, “what have I done?” she shouted in despair, the only response was the echo of her own voice.

The two men looked at each other, not knowing how to deal with the woman at their feet. Before they had time to act Elizabeth jumped up and started running blindly down the tunnel to where Ewan and William had disappeared only a short while ago.

“Elizabeth! Elizabeth!” Richard caught hold of her, halting her headlong run through the darkness.

“Let me go!” she was frantic now, but his grip only tightened.

“We’ve got to go after them! We’ve got to get Ewan back!” she struggled.

“We wouldn’t catch them now!” Richard shouted back, trying to make her listen.

“It’s still too dark to track them!” John injected sombrely.

“Please! Please do something!” she begged, feeling dizzy with the hopelessness of the situation. Her mind was anxiously grappling for any solution. “Duncan!” she exclaimed, “We’ve got to get word to Duncan! He’ll find Ewan!”

“Do ye think ye’ll find yer way to castle MacGregor?” John directed his question to Richard.

“Yes!” his voice was filled with determination, for he knew the importance of his mission, “but how will I convince Duncan to believe me?”

“Give him this.” Elizabeth injected, holding out her wedding ring with unsteady fingers.

“Come back and ready your horse, but you must hurry. Daylight isn’t long away and by then it will be too risky.”

Needing to put their plan into action as quickly as possible, they turned and ran up the tunnel, through the darkness, their minds now completely focussed on the mission ahead of them.