"Iain has been closely watched since the first attack though I think he doesnae oft notice."
As she thought about that her eyes widened. It only took a short search of her memory to see the truth of Tavis's claim. Although never intrusive there had always been an armed man near Iain. The moment he was not in the company of others he was shadowed by Murdo or one of his men-at-arms. She had thought it by Iain's orders but now suspected otherwise. MacLennon had reached Iain at court, but only by coming in through a window so high up and treacherous it had been thought inaccessible. To a sane man it would have been so.
"Look out your window or chamber door some time in the middle of the night and ye will find well-armed mon."
"They are muckle quiet about it."
"Aye. We wish no complaint from Iain. After this day, ye too will acquire an extra shadow."
"T'would be nice if they catch that madman so that there would be no need.” Her voice held little hope of that and she found none at all in Tavis's solemn expression.
Iain studied the tracks at the edge of the gorge for the fifth time but there was no denying the message they relayed. “He leapt the gorge,” he muttered, amazement tinting his voice.
Phelan shook his head. “The man is quite mad. Do ye think he made it?"
"The only way to be sure is to go and look upon the other side."
"Aye and by the time we ride around to that side it will matter little for he will be an hour gone."
"Ye could always try the jump yourself."
"I may lack some sense at times, my friend, but I am ne'er that great a fool."
"He had a dead mon's courage,” grumbled Murdo.
"Aye.” Iain shook his head. “He cares naught for life so laughs in death's face as no sane mon would."
"An’ he did not clear the gorge then he died in the waters below."
"'T'would be cause for celebration if that is what happened, Phelan."
"I will take the ride round to gain the answer. T'would be best if we can know one way or t'other. Best ye get back to your wife, Iain.” Phelan grinned faintly. “I should think she would prefer you to nurse her hurts."
After watching Phelan ride off, Iain took one last look at the gorge and shivered faintly. How did one deal with a man mad enough to try such a jump? If he made it to the other side he did so upon the wings of luck alone. There would be no reasoning with a man who so clearly lacked all reason and fear. This could only end when one of them died.
When he reached Tavis and Islaen, Iain sighed. He could read the hope upon their faces. So too could he see that Islaen did not like to hope for a man's death and cursed MacLennon for causing her that turmoil.
"He leapt the gorge,” Iain reported flatly. “Phelan goes now to see an he made it across or fell into the waters below."
Tavis said nothing, simply shook his head. When Iain moved to dismount, Tavis shook his head again, silently urging Iain to stay where he was. After helping Islaen to mount in front of Iain, Tavis swung himself up behind Murdo.
Once back at their future home, Islaen and Iain mounted their own horses. Little was said as they headed back to Caraidland. Islaen was a little hurt by the way Iain ignored her. He had not even inquired about her wound, slight though it was. She understood what had put him into such a dark silent mood but it still pinched at her heart.
It also frightened her. She could almost hear the gates to his heart locking tighter than ever before. This attack would add weight to his beliefs.
Meg hurried her off to her chambers when they arrived at Caraidland. Partly she wished to join the others in the hall to hear all that was said or planned concerning MacLennon, but she was also more than willing to seek her bed and be coddled by a fretting Meg.
"'Tis but a scratch, lass,” Meg said as she tucked her in. “I dinnae think t'will e'en scar ye."
"Ah, weel, if ‘tis but a wee scar my freckles will hide it,” Islaen jested weakly.
"I dinnae understand why he seeks your death. Ye have done naught to the madmon. Ye didnae e'en ken that lass."
"I am wed to Iain. ‘Tis enough of a crime in that mon's eyes. In truth, I am but something by which he can further hurt Iain. I hope he died in that gorge, may God forgive me.” She snuggled down beneath the covers. “Either that or those who now talk of him come up with a way to end his murderous attacks."
Iain finished off his wine and refilled his tankard. He knew getting drunk was no solution but he needed to wash away the bitter taste of frustration. When Phelan entered the hall he tensed, only to curse viciously when the young man shook his head. He had not realized how badly he had wished to hear that the man had died at the bottom of the gorge. It would have denied him the pleasure of killing him, but it would also have put an end to the whole problem.
"I stared at the tracks for near to half an hour but there was no denying their message,” Phelan said wearily as he sat down and accepted a tankard of wine from Storm. “He made the jump."
