FLAME ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS (28 page)

Reaching out she clung to him, trying to still the black dots that danced in her head. "I'm all right!  Just a bit shaken up!"  She scurried to her feet, leaning on him for support. 

"We'll both ride my horse and..."

"Nae!"
The reality of the situation could not be denied. They could never escape now.  "Listen to me, Ian.  I willna hae ye sacrificing yerself to save me.  Tell them I broke free of my room and ye were chasing after me. Say it!  I willna deny it." 

"I will not lie!"

"I will!  Let Duncan think ye are a hero in capturing me.  Then perhaps all willna be lost."  Brianna hushed as the horsemen swiftly encircled them.  Pushing at Ian's chest, she made great show of fighting him.  "Ach, ye damned Campbell!  Let me go!  I willna go back."

"Aye, ye will!" 

Brianna recognized that voice at once and damned the man. Perth. Like a cursed hound, he seemed to be always following in her tracks. "Ha!  I should hae ken it would hae been yer horsemen following after me." 

"I wonder
ed if my instincts were right. They were. I know ye set her free, Ian. I watched and waited.  This time I let her get past the gate, just so there would be no mistaking yer intent." At a nod of his head four men surrounded Ian, grappling him to the ground.

Striking out blindly, Brianna did her best to pull
Perth's henchmen from Ian.  She tried to claw at them. She kicked out, baring her shaply thighs in the tussle. "Nae!  Nae! He was chasing after me to bring me back to the castle!" In anger she  whirled around, her eyes darting fire at Perth.

His thin lips curled up in a
snarl. "Ye are a liar. I willna doubt my own eyes. I saw what I saw.  And now he will suffer for it."

"You black-hearted bastard!"  Even in his defeated position, Ian
's countenance blazed defiance.  "I tell you to let the lassie go!"

"Go?  She'll go nowhere but back to the castle.  And as for you......." 

"I am tanist!  You have no right to overrule me."  Struggling against the men who held him, Ian stared his adversary down.

"Tanist?
Not when it is found out what ye hae done." Malice oozed from Perth's one eye. "Ye've brought yerself to this end.  Ah, how I hae hated seeing ye get all the honors, glowing in all the glory when it's I who hae been Duncan's right hand man all these years.  I've wanted to bring ye down and now I hae." His voice lowered. "I've a claim to be Duncan's successor too.  I'm his cousin, though he seems to enjoy putting it out of his mind."

"God help us if a man as cruel as you would
ever take over as chieftain." Ian winced but did not cry out as Perth struck him. In the utmost show of disrespect he spat in his clansman's face.  "Ye'll never wear the chieftain's feathers as long as I am alive."

"Then we'll hae to see to hurrying yer demise!"  Giving Ian a shove he commanded, "Take them away!"
             

Chapter Thirty-Four

The dank stench of the dungeon assailed Ian's nostrils as he was shoved inside. "I swear, Perth, you will regret this! I will see that you pay." he swore, his eyes darting back and forth for any means of escape.  There was none.  He was being heavily guarded. Like a mouse by three large cats, he thought wryly.

"By sending that dwarf to wreck vengeance?  I'll swat him like a fly." As if to give an example
, Perth clapped his hands.  The air resounded with the slapping sound.

"You had better hide yourself when I am let out,
Perth, for I will see that you pay!" In furious anger, Ian lashed out, only to be kicked back down into the dark hole. The clank of the door put an end to any other threats.

It was a tiny, cramped cell, more cellar than prison ,with a  stone and iron
-barred trapdoor that could be locked from up above. Ian was familiar with the dungeon. There was no way of escape, of that he was certain.  Even if he could crawl up the wall there was no way he could remove the stone from the hole. He was completely at his uncle's mercy, as was Brianna.

Duncan
had been livid when Ian's duplicity had been revealed.  He had vowed to keep him imprisoned until Brianna was safely married, to use him as a pawn in whatever twisted game he was playing.

"Ye seem to hae a fondness for my elder nephew
that hae driven ye to boldly cross me, girl," Duncan had said to Brianna. "Well, I make ye this bargain.  If ye try to leave here again it will go hard on him, do ye ken?  I will seek punishment on
him
."

Brianna had gone quite pale.  "I ken!"

"But if ye conduct yerself like a good little lassie and tell yer father that it was for love of yer groom that ye hurried here to accept my hospitality, then as soon as the marriage ceremony is finished and ye are
bedded
wi' yer husband, then I will set my traitorous nephew free."

"Then I will do as ye ask.  Hae I any choice?"  B
rianna had looked at Ian then, love shining in her eyes.  "Aye, I will marry Robbie but not for love. My heart belongs to you, Ian. Now and forever, my own dear love!"

"My own dear love, " she had said. She was going to marry Robbie to save
him
! "Noooooo!"  The cry which tore form his throat was like that of a wounded animal.  Sagging to the ground, he grasped his knees, hugging them with his arms as he had when he was a small boy and his mother had left him.  Rocking back and forth, he sought to fight the demons that tore at his heart.  Brianna belonged to him!

He didn’t resent the boy—Robbie.
In this matter he was as much a pawn as they.  But that didn't ease the pain. It would be that young boy who would glory in her body, that beardless lad who would  be her husband, share her life, plant his seed. Why?  What drove Duncan to such an end? What kind of man locked up his own kin?  Questions he asked himself over and over, and of aulay as well.

“I dina ken, Ian, but I will find out what is going on. Yer uncle has a strange obsession with the laddie that I will soon find out.” With a whispered promise through the cell opening to seek
duncan’s sister out and find out about Robbie’s relationship to his uncle, aulay had left.

Ian seemed to lose track of time as he languished in the cell-like room.  It was dismal, 
uncomfortable and humiliating. It was a disgusting hell hole.  Walls of dirt infested with all kinds of vermin.  Spiders,worms and bugs of unknown origin.  He thanked God for his plaid for it was long and thick enough to be a warm blanket to shield him from the damp cold.

"Brianna!"  Her eyes haunted him, her voice seeme
d to whisper in his ear. "By God, I'm nearly as addled in my head as Duncan.  Something sinister urged
him
.  Something evil.  Ian could not say what it was but he knew there was more to the matter than at first was visible.

"Ian!"  It was Brianna's voice, he had not been imagining it.  A circle of light appeared above his head as the grate was opened. He stood up, reaching up as if to caress the face he saw hovering above his head.

"Brie!"

"I begged
Duncan to let me see ye one more time. Be...before the wedding."  She stretched out her fingers and brushed his with the poignancy of a kiss.  "To tell ye that I love ye."

His voice was choked with misery. "Don't marry Robbie, Brianna."

"I must!"

"Not for my sake.
I don't care what Duncan has threatened to do to me.  He would not kill his own nephew.  Please!" 

"Ian!"  She whispered his name in a long, drawn out sigh wishing oh so desperately that she could be with him.
If only they had consummated their love that night, at least then she would have something of him to remember. More than anything in the world she wanted his arms around her, wanted his lips touching hers, but it was not to be.  "I...I came to wish you happines.  I...I want that for ye Ian."

"I'll never be happy now.
Not without you!"

She forced a laugh.  "Aye, ye will.  Ye know very well that ye are a handsome laddie wi' all the lassies chasing after ye.  Ye'll soon forget me."  Just the thought made her die a little but she
forced herself to laugh again. "I know that ye will."

"Never!"

"I want ye too.  I do!  Duncan is sending Robbie and me away after the ceremony, to a castle farther south. And...and he told me that even though ye tried to help me ye still will be his heir.  So there is no harm done."             

"Harm?  Indeed there has been.  His stubborn obstinance has create
d a great deal of unhappiness. For that I do not think I can ever forgive him."  Standing on tiptoe he clasped her hand with urgency. "Something is amiss Brianna.  I don't know what, but even a fool could see that my uncle's obsession is not right."  He threw back his head. "If only I could get out of here."

Perth
's face replaced Brianna's at the opening. "Get out? I wouldna be thinking it to be very soon.  So sad that ye will miss the wedding, Ian, but then Duncan is being very careful just who he invites ye see.  Bad enough that the MacQuaries will be present!" he growled.  “‘Twas one of themt that cost me my eye."

"And I will cost you the oth
er if you anger me any further. I swear it, Perth!" 

"Ye'll no' be costing anybody anything!"  There was a threat in his words that Ian understood all too well, though Brianna might not.  Ian was at the mercy of a man who had no honor, no scruples.  There was every possibility that it was at
Perth's hands that he would die.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Never had Glenn
felt such fear as she did today! Alastair’s combat was to be held in the same field where the games had been played for the betrothal feast. It was a level stretch of hard ground covered with a dusting of wild grass and surrounded by rocks upon which the spectators sat. Glenna's heart was in her throat as she watched  the men file onto the field.  Alastair was to have three adversaries - Jamie, Erskine and a brawny young man from Clan MacGregor she had never seen before.

Three opponents, she thought giddily. 
Where was the fairness in that? Surely her father was a hard man. Alastair would be pushed beyond the endurance of a man who stroked a harp instead of wielding a sword.  Surely he would be overpowered.  And yet it was a chance!  Glenna clutched the talisman in her left hand.   She would not even let herself contemplate what would happen if Alastair lost. 

Voices rose in a cheer as Alastair and Jamie took their places, removing their plaids and throwing them on the earth.  Just as the warriors in battle did
, they would fight nearly naked and Glenna blushed at the sight of Alastair's lithe but well-muscled body, remembering what Jeanne had said to her that day about tall men being well endowed. It was most obviously true.

Alastair
determined the form of combat and chose, much to Glenna's horror, to fight with swords. The clansmen roared their approval but she felt panic grip her heart.  She'd been certain it would be a bare-handed fight, wrestling.  Clearly he would be in danger.  The sword looked huge and cumbersome in his hand, an instrument capapble of maiming or killing.

"Father!  He knows naught of weaponry.  Ye canna let him risk his life!"  Running to her father she gripped his arm.

"It was his choice."  He cupped her chin in his hand and though there was stern resolve written on his face, there was kindness also.  "Yer bard said he was willing to die for ye.  I hae taken him at his word." 

There was no chance for argument.  All Glenna could do was whisper a prayer.  "Be safe, Alastair!  Be safe, my dearie," she breathed as she watched him prepare for the battle.  As if feeling the heat of her gaze
, he turned and gave her a hesitant smile.

The eerie drone of the bagpipes silenced all talk as the two adversaries advanced, swords leveled.  Like a grotesque dance
, they bent and swayed. The air rang with the sound of blade on blade. It was a brutal fight. Glenna hung on tightly to her talisman moving, her hand back and forth as if to give Alastair aid.

The sun beat down full force as the two men lashed out at each other.  Sweat ran into Alastair's eyes.  Glenna could nearly feel his pain as the tip of Jamie's blade tore the flesh of his arm.  Covering her mouth with her hand
, she stiffled her cry.  Despite his torment, however, Alastair used his wits.  He pressed in, driving Jamie back as he tried to maneuver him onto the rough ground and over the rocks.  Alastair plied him on the right side, then on the left, moving with the grace of a mountain cat.  Glenna blinked her eyes and in just that short span of time Alastair had Jamie on the ground, the blade of the sword pressed against his neck. The clansmen roared their excitement. 

"Perhaps this willna be a rout after all," a young boy shouted out.

"Riannon's charm!" Glenna whispered, breathing a relieved sigh.  There could be no doubt. It had given Alastair strength.

The MacGregor was a short, stocky lad who struck out at Alastair again and again. It appeared that there was a fierce power behind his sword, enough to send the bard to the ground. As the crowd gasped, he rolled away from another strike which was thrust into the soil justinches from his head.

“Blessed Saint Michael!”

Alastair pulled himself from the ground, keeping his eyes on his adversary’s sword, feeling his head grow light as sthe blade whistled before him. He could feel his breath hammering inside his chest and knew that he was winded. His arm felt so heavy that it took great effort to lift it. One glance at Glenna, however, gave him a new surge of strength. For love of her he would win!

“Ye willna escape me so easily this tim.” Disappointed that his weapon had not drawn blood, Alastair’s foe threw himself upon him. Locked together in combat, the two men rolled upon the ground as the clansmen rumbled their excitement.

“By God! I had no idea the mon could fight. He’s been wasted.”
Lachlan’s eyes held a new respect.

Freeing himself from the large man’s grip, Alastair stood up. This time it was he who initiated the assault, diving for the MacGregor’s legs. With a sudden burst of strength he tore the sword from his adversary’s hand and hurled it away. Was the crashing in his ears from the onlookers or from his heart? He fought to catch his breath, certain that his lungs were so cramped there would be no room for any air, and yet there was to be one more battle. Could he fight on? Alastair saw Glenna’s eyes upon him and felt the depth of her love strengthen the resolve of his abused body. He had to win!

Erskine strode onto the field, but this time Glenna felt no apprehension.  She leaned back against the large rock, relaxed but anxious for this matter to be at an end. This time, however, it was not as quick a battle. 

Th
e sound of sword on sword rent the air as Alastair and Erskine fought their furious battle, a test of strength, courage and foritude.  Alastair's aching eyes seemed to imagine three men at one time hurtling toward him, lunging, striking.  Shaking his head, he sought to clear his vision as Erskin poked out with the tip of his blade.  Pain pierced Alastair's shoulder.  The warmth of his own blood seeped in a rivulet from the  fresh wound in  his arm.

"Alastair!"  He could hear Glenna's wail even from a distance.  Clansmen were on their feet
, awaiting his certain defeat, but he was equally determined that despite the blow he would win.  He sang about the power of love, now he would prove it true.

Erskine was trying to
manuever him to the slope of the ground to gain advantage of footing, but Alastair would have none of that.  Over and over again  he remembered the tales of prowess and how the heros of old had won their battles and he mimicked their daring.   Bending his knees, he leaped up, startling his opponent with a loud shout.  Grabbing Erskine by the arm he tore the sword from his hand.  For just a moment the world seemed to move slowly, hang motionless.  Hot agony clutched at him, sucking away his newfound strength.  Alastair stumbled and fell to his knees as black dots danced before his eyes.

"Alastair!"  Glenna's heart soared in wondrous flight, watching as her father walked across the field.  The bagpipes droned again and she watched with fierce pride as Alastair was carried across the field to a place of honor at her father's side. 

"As has been promised Alastair the Bard has won himself a very dear prize. The hand of my daughter, Glenna."  Lachlan's voice was gruff and he looked disgruntled, but nonetheless he forced a smile as he looked in her direction.  His announcement was met with shouts and cheers for there was none among them who did not take pride in Alastair's win.  Love had triumphed after all, just as the bards always proclaimed.  They had seen it with their own eyes today.  A bard had bested three fierce swordsmen!  It would be something to tell their children.

Glenna's eyes radiated pride as she approached her father,
She started to speak but was shoved aside by one of her kinsman.  "A messanger from Black Duncan!" the man reported, pushing a tall dark-haired man forward.  "He says that Brianna is at Dunstaffnage Castle."

"Impossible!  My daughter is here!"

"Talk wi' him yerself."

Glenna listened warily.  Brianna was safe, a guest in the
Campbell stronghold.  Duncan was calling forth the MacQuaries to come for an early wedding."

"What treachery is this!  I tell ye my daughter is
here
!"  Shuddering with outrage, Lachlan grabbed the man by his shirt.  "What trickery is being played here."

Glenna pushed forward.  "No trickery, Father.  Brianna is no' here.  She went to see the
Campbell. 'Twas I who took her place.  Just like when we were little.  That's why....?"

Lachlan's face turned bright red with anger as the pieces fell into place; Brianna's illness, the strange way his daughters had been acting.  He liked it not at all.  "I hae been deceived!  By a wayward daughter and one wi' the the charms of a wicked fairy."  He waved his hands in the air, gesticulating wildly. "
An t' Arm breac dearg
," he cried out.  It was a war cry summoning the red tartaned army, Lachlan's clan.  "To Argyll!"

"To Argyll!  Came the shout. 

Glenna crossed herself, certain that what she and her sister had done would surely be their clan's ruin.  Clutching her talisman, it was for Brianna herself she made a last wish.