“I knew you would come.”
Jamie’s voice trembled with fury.“I needonly a name and I will avenge this terrible deed.Tell me whowielded the dirk.By nightfall your enemy will lie in his ownblood.”
“Nay.It is more than vengeance you mustseek.”The hand that grasped Jamie’s sleeve was surprisingly weak.The man, who had withstood assault from armies, who had enlargedhis fortress in the Highlands and had defended it against allattack, was now too weak to clench a fist.Brice’s eyes, thoughglazed with pain, fixed Jamie with the old familiar look ofcommand.“Listen well.Your first concern must be our queen, whowas the true target of this attack.”
“Ruthven would kill our queen?”
“Not just Ruthven.”Brice struggled to speakover the pain that raged with each word.“I do not trust Darnley.Ido not trust anyone to see to the queen’s safety but you.”
“Darnley!How do I place myself between thequeen and her own husband?”
“I know not.But you must find a way.”Bricetook several deep breaths, then forced himself to continue.“Ourpoor land is in disarray.The Highland lairds are in turmoil overthis treachery.Unless someone steps forward to unite the clans,there will be an orgy of killing, the likes of which has neverbefore been witnessed in our land.”
Jamie’s tone was low with anger.“Look whatthey have done to you.How can you speak of uniting the clans?Whatwould you have me do?Thank them for not killing Meredith and thequeen as well?”
“Listen to me, Jamie.”Brice’s voice falteredfor a moment, and Meredith, alarmed by the drain to his energy,hurried forward to kneel beside Jamie and touch a hand to herhusband’s brow.Brice waved her hand away and took a deep,pain-filled breath.“I have known, from the time you were but alad, that you were destined for greatness.”
At his words Jamie went very still.
When Jamie began to shake his head Briceclutched at the younger man’s arm and forced him to meet his gaze.“You must take command of this ravaged land and protect our queenat all cost.First you must see to the queen’s safety.Take intoyour confidence the Cordons, who are the most powerful among theHighland chiefs.Douglas Gordon’s mother, Sabrina, was a favoritecousin to our queen’s mother.When Mary’s safety is secured, call acouncil of all the Highland lairds.Demand that they unite to keepthe peace.Else this great land will not have to fear an attack bythe English.We will be destroyed from within.”
Jamie could see the wisdom of Brice’s words.But the thought of uniting the warlike Highlanders was a dauntingone.
His voice was deep with passion.“You know Iwould do anything for you, Brice.I will beseech them in yourname.”
“Nay.Not in my name.”Brice’s eyes closedfor a moment, and Jamie thought he had drifted intounconsciousness.But a moment later his lids opened.The meresthint of a smile touched his lips.“You will entreat them in yourown name.And however unwilling they may be, you will lead them.You shall be a leader like no other.And when Mary is safelydelivered of her child, the name Jamie MacDonald will be reveredthroughout our land.”
Jamie stared at the hand still clutching hisarm.Placing his hand over Brice’s, he said, “So long as you askit, it will be done, Brice.”
“Aye.I knew I could trust you with thisheavy burden.”
The burr in Jamie’s voice thickened withemotion.“It is no burden, Brice.I am honored by yourrequest.”
Brice’s hand dropped heavily to the pallet.His lids flickered, then closed.
For several moments Jamie studied this manwho, years before, had opened his heart and his home to a poor,bewildered orphan.Brice Campbell had taught Jamie every value heheld dear.If Brice had ordered him to cut off his own hand, hewould do so without question.Though he doubted that any of theHighland chieftains would heed his summons to a council, he wouldsend riders at once with the message.And if he could place hissword and his life in service of his queen, he would do soproudly.
With a last look at the sleeping Brice, hegot to his feet.“I ride to do his bidding,” he said softly toMeredith.
“You must sup before you begin thejourney.”
“Nay.There is no time.”
“You must take time to rest, Jamie.Else yourheart will simply stop beating.”
“Have you not heard?”He shot her a roguishsmile.“I am called the Heartless MacDonald.”
She saw the weariness in his demeanor as hedescended the stairs and made his way to those who waited below.Heembraced Brenna and Megan and greeted their husbands.The children,recognizing the red-bearded giant, launched themselves into hisarms.For a few moments his tension eased as he tossed them in theair and hugged them close before releasing them.
Within minutes he had made his way to thedoor.Meredith dropped her arms around the bairns, who clutched herskirts.From the doorway she watched as Jamie wearily draped theplaid around his shoulders.He had been in the saddle for hourswithout rest.And now, at Brice’s request, he would push himselfbeyond exhaustion.His queen needed him.His country needed him.And he would give his last breath if necessary.
From the surrounding forest a great shaggyhound suddenly emerged and raced toward Jamie MacDonald.When thebeast was a few feet away it paused.Jamie spoke softly to it, andthe animal cocked his head as if understanding every word.
From her position in the doorway Meredithcalled, “Your hound would not join the others indoors since youleft us, Jamie.Neither would he eat what we tried to feed him.Hehas prowled the forest, living like a wild creature, awaiting yourreturn.”
For a moment the man and beast faced eachother.Jamie gazed at the hound, whose muted coloring of gray,ombre, brown matched the shadows of his Highland forest home.Witha practiced eye he studied the lean, battle-scarred body, the furmatted with blood.
“So, Wolf, you give your loyalty but once,”Jamie muttered.“We are two of a kind.You may as well journey withme into the unknown.”
