“We should go,” Maggie announced. “I’ll go to the kitchen to ask Mary for some food and supplies. You go to the stable and get the horses. I’ll meet you in the courtyard.” She gave Dylan a quick peck on the cheek and quickly left the room.
“Chester, take good care of Angus. We’ll be back soon.” The dog lifted his head and uttered a low bark in response.
Leaving the room, Dylan hurried towards the stables. He trusted Maggie implicitly, but he was a little apprehensive about this undertaking. He shook his head at himself. Who was he kidding? He was a lot apprehensive.
***
They met in the courtyard—Dylan with the horses and Maggie, accompanied by Mary and what seemed to be enough food to feed an army. Mary was quite proud of her efforts and Maggie had decided it was better not to argue with her about what they needed to take. Mary was used to equipping the men—all of the men—with whatever they might need for a journey awayfrom the castle. She had packed far more than Maggie felt was necessary, but as Mary was the one with the experience, Maggie had quietly accepted her decisions. Along with copious amounts of food, Mary had rounded up clean plaids and a bottle of Sir Robert’s finest whiskey. Maggie quietly smiled to herself as she watched Mary handing things to Dylan, who packed them expertly into their saddlebags. They rolled the plaids and tied them to the saddles and while Mary nervously fidgeted, Dylan found a safe spot for the bottle of whiskey.
Just before they were ready to leave, Maggie thanked Mary for her help. “’Tis nothing. I wish ye a safe journey. Take care and come back safely to us.” Mary seemed ready to cry as Dylan threw an arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. She covered her face with her hands and hurriedly left them, rushing back towards the kitchens.
“All set?” Dylan asked.
“All set.” Maggie adjusted her saddle and with a leg up from Dylan, climbed atop her horse.
“Where to?” Dylan mounted and then nudged his own horse towards the gates.
“Something is telling me we should take the road back towards the bridge. I believe that’s where we’ll find her.”
“Let’s go, then.”
As they approached the gate, Robert, Cailin and Cormac came rushing from the castle.
“Wait!” Robert ordered.
Maggie and Dylan stopped dead in their tracks and turned in their saddles to look back at the others. The three men came rushing to their side. “If yer going in search of the witch, we’ll be joining ye,” Cormac announced firmly.
Maggie and Dylan exchanged questioning glances before Maggie looked back down at Cormac.
“That wouldnae be a good idea,” Maggie said. “Ye must stay here. Brielle may come back and ye’ll need to be here, to defend Breaghacraig.”
“Jenna will be most upset if some harm comes to ye, Dylan.” Cormac took hold of Dylan’s reins.
“Don’t worry, Cormac. We’re going to be fine.” Maggie did her best to sound as if she believed in what she was saying. “We’ll be back, before ye know it.”
“I left Chester here with Angus. Take care of him for me, will you?” Dylan reached out to clasp Cormac’s shoulder and for a long moment, Maggie wasn’t certain Cormac would agree.
“What if ye cannae defeat Brielle?” Cailin asked. “What will happen then?”
“That’s why ye need to be here. All of ye. I have faith that I can stop her, but just in case something goes wrong, ye must stay here to finish the job and to protect your home from her.”
Cormac reluctantly let go of Dylan’s reins and Maggie breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed they were going to let them go off on their own and Maggie would prefer it that way. In her time at Breaghacraig, she had seen how they all loved one another unconditionally, and would be deeply scarred by the loss of any one of their clan. The thought of Ashley, Jenna or Irene being left without the men they loved, wasnae something she wished to have resting on her shoulders. She was going to take care of this. It’s what she had been training for and what she now understood was her destiny. No matter what happened, she had confidence that she would prevail. She was surprised by the level of her confidence. When she had first started this journey, Maggie had been apprehensive and unsure of herself, but now she had a newfound sense of who she really was and what she was capable of achieving. She also knew what was at stake if she were to lose to Brielle. With Dylan by her side, Maggie was sure this was onebattle she would win. With that thought firmly in mind, they left Breaghacraig behind and began the search for Brielle.
Chapter 15
“Well, mother, I am off to undo the damage I have done.” Sir Richard sat atop his large black destrier, tall, handsome and dressed all in black. “I will be back as soon as I can, but in the meantime, I know you will run the castle as smoothly as if I were still here. If you need any help, Edward will be of assistance.” He nodded to his brother, who stood protectively by his mother’s side. Edward was young, but he was capable. He was already as tall as Richard was and still growing. He was going to be a fine man, and Richard hoped he would be a man unscarred by life’s emotional upheavals.
“I am so proud of you, Richard. You are a good man, no matter what you’ve done in the past. You will make it right and then you’ll come back home and we’ll find you a wife to love.” Lady Catherine watched her son with a mother’s love in her eyes. Richard could see it and for the first time in a long time, he thought himself worthy of that love. He bowed very formally to his mother, a sign of the respect he had for her and the regard he held her in, and then trotted off through the gates.
As he rode, Richard felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Of course, he had absolutely no idea how he was going to stop Brielle, or if the MacKenzies would be able to forgive him, but it didn’t matter. What really mattered was that he had experienced an awakening of sorts and he was very happy about it. It was as if he had suddenly, and very unexpectedly, grown a conscience. He attributed it to the nightmares that had plagued him, but where once he had cursed them, now he was grateful, for they had allowed him to see the error of his ways. He had chosen to make this journey alone and he was glad he had. It gave him the peace and quiet he needed to think. He was also more aware of the beauty of his surroundings, enjoying the scenery he was passing and humming to himself as he travelled. It was a perfect day and nothing could spoil it for him.
***
Brielle sat perched among the branches of a large pine tree, hidden from view. From her hiding place, she watched as Sir Richard approached. Was he smiling? She did not recall him ever looking happy in their past acquaintance. If she remembered correctly, a scowl was more likely to appear on his face, than any other expression. And what was that noise she heard? Was hehumming? Her face pinched as she silently observed him. This was an extremely unusual state of affairs. What could have put him in such a good mood? Her curiosity was growing by leaps and bounds, but caution dictated she should wait and observe, before she made her presence known. Until then, she would simply follow his progress.
She was playing a waiting game on all fronts today. Brielle was also awaiting the arrival of her enemy, Maggie.I know she seeks me out, but she will only find me when I want to be found. I’ll teach her a lesson she will never forget. How dare she thinkshe can destroy me and live to tell the tale?Anger bubbled up inside Brielle’s chest. This was supposed to have been much easier. She had no idea when she had proposed this arrangement that Maggie would be such a worthy opponent. Brielle wanted that bridge and she was determined to get it. She would destroy Edna in the process, along with anyone else who got in her way. Then she’d be respected and feared by everyone. She snickered to herself for a moment, and then transforming herself into a hawk, she soared off to find another spot from which she could spy on Richard.
***
