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  "Domnall, send a man-at-arms to follow my soon to be son-by-law." His face hardened and his eyes hooded and glinted with menace.

  "I already have. I'm waiting for him to return."

  Broccin nodded and pointed. "Then remove this yammering girl afore I smash her like a bothersome fly."

  o0o

  Later the next morning, Graemme pulled his mount to a halt and held up his hand for quiet as he eased out of the saddle and stretched out on the ground, his ear pressed to the road. He wasna sure, but he felt it in his bones. Someone followed after they left Raptor Castle.

  He pointed to Colyne, then to his own eyes and then motioned to the tallest tree. Colyne nodded. In a few quiet moves, the man was perched atop the highest strong branch without even having made the tree sway. He grinned down at them and held up one finger before he returned to the ground with as much ease as what he had climbed.

  "Hm. One man, eh?"

  One man meant Chief Broccin's purpose was to learn where he went and not to beat the shite out of him before he carved him up as he would a stag for the fire pit. Elyne had kept her mouth silent. No doubt in fear he would declare he wasn't the first to possess her. His cock still throbbed and tried to swell, reminding him of her insult.

  "Aye. He was riding hard until he came to the place where we last took a piss. How in Hades did he know such?" Colyne scratched his head.

  A bark of laughter burst from Brian. He grinned as he said, "Mayhap he heard our friend here comparing the length of his cock to our own."

  "What caused yer sudden worry, Graemme, hmm?" Brian's blue eyes sparked with mirth.

  "Did yer future wife take a peek to see if the curse left yer prick intact to pleasure her?"

  Graemme felt heat begin in his neck. He knew Brian fought to keep his expression solemn.

  "Shite!"

  "Well, Lucifer's wicked funny bone!" Colyne crowed. "That's it!"

  "Dinna be a fool." Graemme pressed his horse into a trot.

  "Ye were right, Colyne," Brian nodded and grinned. "Not since the day we doused his father has he even thought to have a pissing contest."

  "Ye are both blatherin' like lasses. If ye talk less and pay attention to the path, we will make better time."

  Graemme urged his mount to a canter and pulled ahead of them. When they quickened their pace, he near put the horse into a gallop to avoid the discussion.

  o0o

  At dusk two days later, they came out of the woods atop a rise. The land sloped downward from there, nearly bare of trees. A lush valley spread before them. At the far end at the foot of the next rise rose the walls of what could only be the Convent of Mary Magdalen. Though several buildings stood within the walls, it was smaller than an abbey would be. From this distance, he made out a narrow tower over the entrance gate. A large, wooden cross stood above it.

  "Come. We must pretend we have come upon the convent by surprise. Search along the walls and pretend ye look for a postern gate. Look upward and study the battlements as if seeking a weak spot."

  "What is the point, Graemme? We learned yesterday the villager's cousin had talked about seeing a man a sennight ago wearing a strange helmet. It could only be Magnus'" Colyne said.

  "To be sure Magnus has a good start before anyone knows he took Muriele, lackwit." Brian cuffed his friend on the shoulder.

  "Aye. We aim to mislead anyone following us. It will give Magnus extra days to get ahead before someone tries to waylay him. Besides, we wouldna want Raptor's man to return without something to report." Graemme eyed the convent and made up his mind.

  "Colyne, take the left side of the convent and circle around it. Brian, take the right around to the back. I'll take the area surrounding it." Graemme removed his helmet and cupped it in the crook of his arm. "Once I'm done, I'll apply at the gate and ask for shelter during the night."

  They made a show of examining the surrounding area and the walls. When they rang the bell at the entrance gate, an old man appeared to question them. Once assured they sought only a place to lay their heads for the night, he returned with a man who appeared to be the gardener. He lifted first one heavy bar and then pulled a second from its iron holders.

  Graemme learned the old monk lived out his days helping protect the good sisters and women sheltered there. The second man who looked like the gardener caught Graemme's interest. Mainly because once they entered through the convent gates, he never left them out of his sight. He plied them with conversation. Not just as a man thirsty to talk to another. If Graemme were less cautious, he would not have noted the skill with which the man sought information. He protected someone or something.

  While Graemme was near a prisoner with the tall monk, Colyne and Brian talked with the old man. When Colyne caught his eye and gave an imperceptible nod, he knew his friend had learned something of import.

  He did not need to question anyone. When he needed to relieve himself, he made his way through the kitchens leading outside. A cook's helper handed one of the sister's a tray. Atop it was a bowl of the hearty chicken soup together with hot bread. She talked low, but he picked up bits of pieces of what she said. "'Tis strange...eating more now...confined herself...commune with God."

  He felt a surge of relief. Magnus had come to his senses and left Muriele at peace here in the convent.

  When he returned, the gardener made it a point to show him to a pallet near his own, separating Graemme from his men.

  The next morn when they rode out, his feeling of ease died a sudden death.

  Chapter 9

  "Ye learned what?"

  Graemme's relief scattered faster than snowflakes during a winter storm.

  "A man who must have been Magnus came to the convent over a sennight ago. He led a second horse with a cloaked woman on its back. The old man likened her hair to summer's grass." Colyne shook his head over the poetic wording by the aging monk.

  "And?" Graemme drew his lower lip between his teeth and worried it. Satan's arse! He opened his teeth and snapped them shut again. Without the lip.

  "He asked for a night's rest. The woman slept in a cell alone, and he resided in the stable." He looked at Graemme and shrugged. "The same empty stall where we spent the night."

  "No guard, eh? Before we arrived at Raptor, they had no cause to be wary." Graemme pulled at a hank of black hair falling over his eye. He had left off his helm to enjoy the fresh air on his head.

  "I think not. The woman, either." Colyne slapped his hand on his chest and let loose a loud belch. "The soup," he said, in way of an explanation.

  "They left early the next morn, afore they broke their fast," Brian added. "The old monk said the woman must not have been feeling well."

  "I asked what made him think she was feeling poorly," Colyne said, "He said the man had to hold her around the shoulders to help her walk. His companion lifted her up into her husband's arms. She appeared too weak to help herself mount."

  "Did he see her face?" Magnus hoped the answer was yes.

  "Nay, but he saw her hair. He said even though the sun was not as yet up, it looked lighter in early morn than it did in the evening light." Colyne leaned to the side, lifting his left buttock off the saddle.

  "How much of the soup did you eat, man?" Brian, who was half a length behind him, waved his hand in front of his face.

  "Shite!" Graemme stuck his thigh with his fist.

  "Did not! 'Twas only gas," Colyne said, indignant.

  Graemme rolled his eyes. "Not that. I'd hoped Magnus realized his vow was not worth the smallest finger on Muriele's hand. But, nay. My brother has to see everything as black and white!"

  If he had been on the ground walking, Graemme would have kicked his foot and sent stones flying.

  "There's nothing for it, then. We'll have to overtake him afore he forks off to go to Kinbrace. Should he take her there, they will kill her. Slowly. We'll split up to make sure we dinna miss them." He pulled to a halt so they could talk quietly.

  "Colyne, cover to the west. Bria
n, go the eastern route. Make all haste and find out all ye can. If ye see no signs of him, make yer way to the fork in the road leading to Clibrick. 'Tis likely he will head due north. I'll take that route."

  They snapped their reins and set their mounts into a gallop. Graemme was glad the paths were now familiar.

  A sennight later, Elyne studied horsemen thundering toward the castle. She put her hand up to shade her eyes so she could see who they were. Riding at the lead was her brother's black mount. She grinned, for dressed all in black with his cloak flying in the wind her brother did look to be a huge black raptor.

  "Aunt, 'tis Ranald," she shrieked. She near tumbled Lady Joneta over as she hurtled across the front bailey.

  "Watch it, Imp." Ranald ordered as he sidled his huge horse away from his sister. "Ye know Satan's Spawn is as bad-tempered as the Chief is when he's deep in his cups."

  For a flash in time, seeing the comely left side of Ranald's face, it was as if Moridac laughed down at her. It was oddly comforting knowing how her other brother would have looked if he had been happily married and had children. But then, if Moridac had escaped the hunting accident the morning he was to wed, she would never have known Ranald still lived. He was beauty and darkness all within one man.

  Elyne grinned up at him as she backed away from the black horse and waited until he turned and handed the reins to the Stable Master. She near leapt into her brother's arms. Always glad to see him, she was more so than any time in her life. He would be her savior. Ranald would talk some sense into her father and stop this craziness about her wedding a savage Highlander!

  Once he and his men greeted everyone and Ranald, Aunt Joneta, her father and Elyne settled in her father's solar to enjoy a private meal, Elyne thought her head would burst from Broccin's shouts.

  "The daft lass sprawled atop Angus of Clibrick's son Graemme." He scowled at her. "All but nekid. Her bare arse shined in the moonlight bright as the rising sun," he shouted as he slammed his fist on the solar table.

  "I did not sprawl on him. Blessed Saints! I fell out of the tree." Elyne was satisfied her shout was every bit as loud.

  Hearing her shout, Squat came running into the room leaving muddy paw prints in his path and looked at his mistress then over at the Chief.

  "Nay! Ye did not sprawl. Ye were swiving, his hands doing the guiding!"

  "Lass, how oft did I tell ye spying on men would some day cause ye grief?"

  The dog cocked his head and turned his attention to the cause of his mistress' anger. He went behind the Chief's chair and stealthily crept up to Broccin's boots under the table. Balancing on one bandy leg, he lifted the other and let loose with a hot stream of piss. His aim was at the top. It didn't take long before the warmth alerted the chief. As he sprang up, shaking his leg and cursing the dog, Squat skittered away to hide behind Elyne's skirts.

  Ranald shook his head and looked stern. At least the scarred side of his face looked stern. His lips twitched at the corner on his comely side, and Elyne could swear she heard the rumble of a subdued chuckle.

  "I hadn't meant to spy. I had no place to go but up the tree. I thought to hide myself until he was gone, but the fool grabbed my foot."

  "The Chief can do naught else but see ye marry the man. The whole castle, nay, even the distant villagers know of yer mishap."

  "Ye jest!" She slammed back in her chair. Surely, a cloud of doom, complete with lightning and thunder, floated above her head.

  "I fear not. I was no more than halfway here when I heard the tale."

  "Huh! But would ye wish me to marry the man who has gone to steal Muriele out of Mary Magdalen?"

  Ranald's head whipped around to look at Broccin.

  "Brodie followed them," his sire sad. "They searched the woods then his men spent the night in the stables. The man ye sent as gardener to watch Muriele kept his eyes on them. He had young Graemme sleep in the pallet next to him. They left the next morn."

  "Alone?"

  "Alone. Brodie didna return until the men were well on their way to Clibrick Castle."

  "Well, Elyne, had they been after Muriele, they would not have left. I think 'tis time ye married and had bairns to keep yer adventurous nature busy."

  "But I don't want to marry him! For certs, he is the man who ruined Muriele's back."

  "I'll talk to her. It should set yer mind at ease." He looked at Chief Broccin and saw his rare nod of agreement.

  "Aye, do. I would be less fearful if ye find she fares well." Elyne could not expect anything more.

  When Ranald and his men arrived back at Raptor's drawbridge several days later, the sun hovered over the horizon. Riding behind one of the men was a woman in a long, black cloak. Wind whipped golden hair with flecks of brown from beneath her hood. It swirled around her face. An unfamiliar face. Elyne's heart sank, for there was no way Muriele had changed that much in little over eighteen months.

  Elyne stared. She did not recognize the woman. What she did recognize was the anger on Ranald's face. His eyes sparked with fury, causing wherever he gazed to heat.

  Once they had dismounted and were within the keep's great hall, Ranald finally spoke.

  "Muriele was gone and this lass was in her place. Elyne, see she has a place to sleep tonight. Once she's settled, come to the Chief's solar. We need to talk.

  The woman looked exhausted. Pity welled in Elyne's heart. From her haunted eyes and white face, Elyne saw she was more than a little frightened. Whatever had happened, for truth, Graemme was behind it!

  As she led the exhausted woman to her bedchamber, she tried to put her at ease.

  "I am Elyne of Raptor, daughter to the Chief. Come, ye may share the room with me this night. Did, uh, my brother say how long ye will reside with us?"

  "Thank you, my lady. He did not. I am Ysabel.

  "Ye look much like Muriele, the woman taken from the convent." Elyne couldn't help but stare at her. "Where did Sir Graemme find ye and how did ye come to agree to do such a thing?"

  "I know nothing of Sir Graemme. The one who found me in a village at Stow was named Sir Magnus."

  "Ye dinna look like a village woman. How came ye to be there?"

  "I lived at a castle near Clibrick until two years ago. A band of unruly men whose leader looked to be one of God's angels, raided the castle. He killed my husband. When they had their fill of me, they turned me out." Shame and sadness pinched her face. She blinked, trying to keep her tears from falling.

  "Why did ye not seek help at Clibrick?"

  "I heard the man who killed my husband bragging he had everyone there under his heel. Instead, I spent many months making my way to the Lowlands. I settled at a village in Stow."

  "The man who found ye, did he force ye to work for him?"

  "I had recently arrived in the village and lived with an old man and woman on a farm. I had no talents other than with the sewing needle. People in the village's canna waste their earnings on clothes. Truthfully, though, this Sir Magnus paid me well for the deception. He even provided farm animals for the old couple. I cared not for the coins he gave me. It was enough to again be treated and dressed as a lady. Even for such a short time."

  Elyne's heart melted on seeing tears slip down her cheeks.

  "Ysabel is a lovely name. One not often heard."

  "Tis an old family name." She stopped and looked around her. "I have heard of the Black Raptor. I feared he would throw me in the dungeons when he arrived."

  "Nay. My brother would never be so cruel." Elyne gulped, for indeed, Ranald had once tortured a man then tended his wounds to see he lived to remember what he had lost. To her, such a thing was beyond cruel.

  When they reached Elyne's bedchamber, she directed Ada to bring water for Ysabel to bathe. Elyne laid out a cotton smock and a soft, green tunic for her to wear. "Fresh clothing and a good meal will lift yer spirits. I will have a tray sent from the kitchens for ye."

  Elyne hopped from one foot to the other, anxious to meet in the solar to find out what had happene
d. "Cleanse yerself and relax. After ye have eaten, go to bed and rest."

  Before Ysabel could answer, Elyne was out the door and closing it. When she found a guard posted there, it surprised her. She didn't stop to question why. She'd find out soon enough from Ranald.

  Elyne burst through the doorway of her father's solar and skidded to a stop. The white cloth on the table fluttered. The tapestries and banners around the room flapped softly. There was not a hint of a breeze through the window opening. The castle doors remained closed, too.

  Ranald paced back and forth. One look at his tight face gave her the reason why. He was more than upset. He was angered.

  Were he any more so, the cloth and all the food atop it would be flying to the floor.

  Elyne stopped halfway into the room.

  "Father, I told ye I should not wed Graemme. He may not have stolen Muriele away but this dreadful Magnus did. They are Highlanders. Would ye wish me to marry into such a cruel clan?"

  "Graemme did naught wrong." Chief Broccin snorted and glared at her.

  "But Muriele is now on her way to be tortured or worse!"

  Elyne was beginning to get a sinking feeling her troubles with wedding Graemme were not over. "This Magnus who stole her away. Who is he to Graemme?"

  "His brother."

  "He has a brother?" Elyne's heart gave a sickening lurch.

  "Aye. Two years his senior."

  Believing she could save Muriele, she had given herself to Graemme. For naught! Naught but insults! Bile surged to her throat. She wanted to heave. Swallowing, she took a deep breath. Realizing Ranald studied her with an appraising eye, she tried to appear only curious.

  "Graemme never said anything about him, did he Father? Perhaps his brother stole Muriele to protect her from Graemme?"

  "I already told ye, Graemme had naught to do with it," her father's voice rose in irritation.

  "Still, I willna marry a man whose brother treated a woman crudely as any unruly serf."

  "He didna, lass," Ranald broke into the conversation before it became any more confusing. "Your Graemme and his brother Magnus didna harm Muriele. 'Twas Magnus' foster brother Feradoch who did."