Page 22 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

“I hope so because ye will be the worse for it if ye ever forget! Yer to be wed, an’ that’s all there is to it. An’ it’s my job to make sure yer still pure. That means – until the wedding, ye’ll be locked in yer room!”

“Faither!” protested Deva, her heart beating deep. She didn’t usually interrupt her father, but this was too much. “But the tournament…?” she pleaded.

To hell with the tournament, Deva’s heart banged out. I’ve got to see him again.

Surprised, the laird paused. “Apart from that, but yer to have a guard, at all times. An’ then, ye’re nae to set foot outside this keep!”

And with that, he burst out of the great hall, slamming the heavy paneled door with a tremendous bang.

Beside her, she stared at Allyth, tears brimming her eyes.

“What now, Allyth? Will I ever see him again?”

* * *

“Ye’ll exhaust the horses afore ye even get to the tournament, master Niven!” exclaimed Dughall, struggling to remain upright on his horse, as they galloped on to the MacLean keep.

“It’s the only way if I’m to make it in time!” Niven said, his long hair unfurling in the wind like a flag. He was riding so hard that Dughall struggled to keep up.

But Niven barely noticed. He was lost in his own thoughts. And despite the excitement of the tournament, the only thing he could think of was her.

Allyth.

Her prettily framed cheekbones flashed into his mind. It had only been a couple of hours since they had parted, but already it was like a month. How on earth was he going to get through an entire week?

Niven was so preoccupied that he almost didn’t notice his counselor’s horse buck and nearly catapult him from the saddle.

“Och,” Niven sped quickly over to him to lend him a hand. He cocked an eye at the geriatric horse that Dughall was riding and bit his tongue. Tapping the reins of his own horse, Niven slowed the excitable stallion to a trot.

After checking that Dughall was alright, Niven waited with barely concealed impatience for him to get back into his stride.

To keep his mind at bay, Niven surveyed the vista in front of him. The MacLean keep was just within glimpse. Straining his eyes, Niven could just about make out the outlines of the castle against the sky.

Bit by bit, he could pick out the detail: the waiting crowd, the field, the pipers. There were no faces yet, but it was clear something was happening.

“Dinnae say they’ve already started without me!” he said fearfully. He knew he couldn’t expect MacLean to delay the contest indefinitely, but he had hoped for some breathing space.

“Och, come on, Odin,” urged Niven, leaning in deep to his horse once more. He was just about to crack the whip to go fast again when he leaned over to the counselor.

“I will meet ye doon there,” he said to them, firmly. And from the look in his eyes, none of them were going to challenge him. But really, Niven just needed a few minutes to himself.

It was him, not them, Rory had entrusted to the tournament, and there was no way he was going to be persuaded to turn back now.

So, Niven set his eyes ahead and rode like he had never ridden. Trees and valleys sped by in a haze of green as he pressed on towards the MacLean keep. Now he could hear cheering. A roar was coming up from the field outside the castle. And as he grew near, Niven heard shouting and wild jubilation from the crowd.

They were there to see him! Panic flashed into Niven’s eyes. He had spent weeks in training for this day, and now, at the last minute, it seemed as if he may not make it!

Unable to tell what was going on, Niven tried to get a grip on his emotions. There was nothing that mattered more to him at that moment than getting there on time.

Niven paused. Maybe there was one thing that mattered more than the tournament.

Allyth.

If it hadn’t been for her, he would be dead in a ditch somewhere now. Literally.

Niven approached the MacLean keep, his eyes intently ahead. It wasn’t far, but the harder he rode, the longer it seemed to get. Frustrated, Niven finally rounded the bend towards the keep. Now it was getting closer, and Niven could see more detail.

In front of them was the field, where the tournament was to be held. Approaching them faster, Niven took in the scene of riders parading around the field.