Keeper of the Gate (The Three Sisters MacBeith Book 1) by Laura Strickland

Author:Laura Strickland [Strickland, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-10-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

“They come. They come!”

The cry sounded from the walk above the gate and caught Moira in mid stride. A day and a night had passed since the departure of the party to MacLeod, and in her heart she’d begun to doubt they would return at all. She had sent three of her good and trusted men to their deaths.

Everyone she met believed that—she could see the truth of it in their eyes when they stopped to talk with her, to worry and question. Was it true she had asked for a truce? With Rory MacLeod, the monster. He ate babies, you ken, for his breakfast.

She received a thousand suggestions. “If our men do no’ return, ye should haul that prisoner up to the battlements and slay him there. Bathe in his blood.”

Ah well, the days of them bathing in the blood of their enemies were long gone. Were they not?

Those she met also asked after her father in an uneasy manner that argued they wished he’d grow well enough to keep Moira from her wild schemes. When she encountered either of her sisters, they said folk asked them the same. So far, Fiona had kept strum. But they would have to tell the truth soon.

“Now she heard the call and her head turned even as her heart leaped in her breast. She was moving toward the gate without conscious thought, her feet stumbling on the stones.

For a day and a night, she’d kept away from the prisoner, even though she longed to see him. She kept away because she did not trust herself and because so many eyes rested upon her. But as she climbed the steps to the parapet, her thoughts flew to him.

Did their party return whole? And what answer did they bring? What would it mean for Farlan MacLeod?

If it came to the worst, if their men returned with an outright declaration of war from MacLeod, could she protect him? And where did she owe her allegiance? To her clan, or to the man she—

Moira would not allow herself to complete that thought.

Up on the ramparts, she met Alasdair, there ahead of her. The big man appeared distraught and shot Moira one burning look before returning his gaze to the distance.

A beautiful day it was, in Glen Bronach. Not yet noon, the sun arced high overhead, playing at ducking in and out from rafts of fair-weather clouds. The wind up here blew strong, and Moira planted both her palms on the top of the wall before leaning out to look.

“They ha’ nearly reached the loch,” said someone beside her. It was Eddis, an older member of the guards. “Ye can see, Mistress, they are three.”

“Aye.” A relieved breath whooshed from Moira. “I am going out to meet them.”

“Nay.” Alasdair’s hand came up and clamped her arm. “’Tis no’ safe. What if MacLeod sends a horde o’ his men after them? It could be a trap.”

“Then I shall don my leathers and my sword before I go.” Their eyes met and she tossed her head.

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