CHAPTERELEVEN
Bile stung her throat, but Lorna gritted her teeth. She could do this. She would look upon a dead man and help the men to solve another likely case of murder. It was one of many ways she wished to show her mettle to her parents, to her brother, and even to Kyla and Bryce. Her talk with Bryce that morning had helped to give her courage as she looked down at Conan, covered in dirt and leaves. He looked dead, very dead, and yet she still tried to keep looking at him, trying to focus on how and why he could have gotten there.
Bryce’s touch on her elbow gave her comfort, but it also irritated her. Despite all his efforts to treat her differently, she could still see that he thought of her as a child, so fragile and innocent. When would he understand that she was so much more than the little Lorna of the past?
As Bryce, Tobias, and the soldier discussed how best to heave the man onto a wagon, Lorna stepped back so that they could begin to remove him from the pile.She backed up into her father’s grip.
“Ye are coming with me, lass. Ye shouldnae be here,” he whispered in her ear. “I donnae ken what ye think ye are doing by coming outside tae look at this evil which seems tae surround us. And I ken that Bryce is at the center of it. I donnae trust him.”
There were too many things to argue about at once, but Lorna tried to pull her arm from his grip, but he held tight and began to push her toward Kyla at the edge of the stables. “There is nae need tae treat me like a child any longer, Father. I can handle things myself. Do ye nae wish me tae be able tae handle all matters when I become married and perhaps lady of a clan?” Lorna hoped that was the one argument for her freedom that he would understand.
“There will be nae chance of marrying ye, Lorna, if ye persist in doing foolish things such as choosing tae look upon dead bodies and wandering along the riverbank when men like Bryce MacDowell,” he spat, and Lorna was so surprised that she said nothing else until he dumped her beside Kyla.
“Kyla, take Lorna inside. There is much work tae be done in preparing Mrs. Creech’s funeral, I believe.”
“Aye, Laird.” Kyla gave a trembling curtsy and led a shocked Lorna away from the stable and toward the castle. The beauty of the day had been tainted, and in more ways than one. By the time they reached the open castle gates, Lorna had found her voice.
“I cannae believe me own father would speak tae me like that,” she said, swallowing back the sudden tears which were ready tae rush out. “I mean, I suppose I cannae be surprised, but he said it with such vehemence, almost dislike, and apparently, now he has nae patience with Bryce. Even though Bryce is here tae assist.” Lorna’s shock and sadness were soon replaced with a simmering anger.
“Well,” Kyla said slowly, measuring her response. “I believe he is angry because of the walk ye took with Bryce out by the river. And it was only made worse by finding the body.”
Lorna knew that was the case, and yet, it didn’t make sense. “I don’t care why, and I respect that he wishes tae keep me safe, but it also infuriates me that he makes it seem as if I am soon tae be a tarnished object! Unfit for sale if I keep acting the way I do!”
She grew louder, and Kyla touched her on the arm. “Come, Lorna, surely there is something we can do tae help ye think of other matters. Ye will nae change men, unfortunately.” She smirked. “I ken that very well, and so it is better tae fight back in smaller, less noticeable ways. They will have nae realization of what ye are doing, and ye will get yer satisfaction.”
Lorna turned to her friend, eyes afire, as she realized what Kyla was saying. “That does sound attractive,” she conceded. “Perhaps ye could assist me with a few ideas. And aye, I think that a good bout of fighting will do me a world of good before we are tae have dinner. I donnae think I can look upon me father’s face just yet without being filled with fury.”
“Good, then. Tae the training grounds.” Kyla led the way to the door which led to the central training area of the keep. The sounds of men got louder as they neared, and Lorna held her breath, afraid that Athol would try to keep her from doing what she loved now that she was getting older.
I will simply have tae draw a sword and force him tae parry.
Smirking at that image, she watched as Kyla opened the door, and they saw the men milling about, sharpening swords, talking, laughing, eating. Lorna had known many of them since they were children, and she got a few nods of recognition as she made her way through them to Athol. He was in conversation with his second, until he turned and saw Kyla and Lorna.
“Och, what a lovely surprise,” he said, his eyes lingering on Kyla for a moment. Lorna pulled Kyla just a bit closer to her. She had noted Athol’s interest in her companion for quite some time, but she wasn’t sure that Kyla enjoyed it all that much. She would protect her if she could.
“Athol, I wish for a bit of sparring.” She looked around. “If ye donnae mind sending the men tae their duties, so that ye and me may fight without being observed.” She waited, expecting Athol to disagree with her, but he nodded.
“Of course, sister. It has been a little while since we sparred.” He turned to his second. “Send the men on their duties. Some may wish tae visit the village as well. I want the whole of the training grounds empty for me and my sister since we have finished our morning training.”
“Of course, sir,” the second bowed and with a few yells, the men began to leave, taking their weapons with them. The training grounds were soon empty, save for some equipment.
“Choose yer sword, sister. Are ye sure ye will be able tae spar in those heavy skirts?” He glanced a teasing eye at her woolen gown, and Lorna laughed.
“That is the power of women, brother. We are so very used tae overcoming obstacles, and so I will spar with skirts with nae trouble at all.”
He laughed, and Kyla took a seat on a low stone wall to watch them. Lorna watched as Athol’s gaze followed Kyla’s movements. She snatched up a sword lying against one of the far walls, it was thinner and lighter than a broadsword but still heavy in her hands.
It was no matter. She had been wielding a sword since she was young, thanks to her brother and father. It was the only way to keep her from getting into trouble. She had been so wild and energetic as a child and learning to fight had channeled that energy elsewhere. Now she was eager for the exercise. To fight in body felt like it represented the war she wanted to make in body and spirit. She called to Athol to draw his attention back to her.
Lifting her sword and taking her stance, she said, “Athol, let us begin.”
* * *
“Good luck tae ye, lad. In the village,” Bryce said to Tobias before the soldier went off, wearing a grim expression.
Tobias left the castle soon after the body was brought there to lie alongside Mrs. Creech in the cold storage cellar. They made a rather tragic pair, and Bryce covered Conan up with a thick, woolen blanket just as he had done for Mrs. Creech. It seemed the man’s throat had been cut.
Again, a knife was used. Perhaps the killer carries the weapon with him?
