Page 75 of Highlander’s Evil Side

“Who’s there?” Murdo called. “Boyd? Malcolm? Is that ye?”

“Boyd?” called a haughty voice Fraser did not recognize.

Red hair glimmered in the torchlight, and one blue eye stared back at Fraser, the other covered by a black eyepatch. The man was dressed in Dunbar colors. He twirled his sword, the tip stained with blood, and smirked at Murdo.

“Is that who ye think me be after all this time?” the man said, lowering into a low fighting stance. “I thought ye would remember me. How unfortunate.”

“Hendry Dunbar,” Murdo whispered, horror splayed across the elder man’s face. “How-Why—”

Scott stepped into view, pointing his sword at Murdo’s neck. “Take nae step further,” he said. His gaze flicked to Fraser, and he sighed in relief. “Yer alive.”

“For now,” Murdo muttered.

“Beitris wrote to me,” said Hendry while edging towards Murdo. “Somehow, I knew if I found ye, I would find Laird MacClery.” Hendry held up a coin, the edge melted on the right corner. “As soon as Scott showed me this, I knew ye were involved.” Hendry tossed the coin into the air. It landed in front of Murdo’s feet. The elder man didn’t bother to pick it up. He scowled at Hendry while unsheathing his sword. “It was foolish of ye to return here, Murdo.”

“I didn’t think the likes of ye would get involved.” Murdo ground his teeth, his gaze flicking between Hendry, Scott, and Fraser. His hands fisted, his arms shaking with anger and worry. “Ye couldn’t stay well enough away,” Murdo spat while lunging, striking his sword against Hendry’s while waving his torch in the laird’s face.

Hendry gasped, jumping back and swing his sword against Murdo’s. “I told ye long ago to stop this nonsense.” Hendry slammed his sword against Murdo’s and kicked, his boot hitting Murdo in the gut.

Murdo stumbled backward, dropping his torch onto the stone floor. “Never,” he rasped. “I will not stop until the Dunbars burn. Until all of the highlands burn.”

Scott moved, running towards Fraser. “Apologies, my laird, for taking so long,” he said while crouching and taking out a short blade from his boot, cutting quickly at the rope binding Fraser’s arms. “But I knew there was something wrong the moment yer double returned. I know ye better than he thought, apparently.”

“None at all.” Fraser wiggled his wrists, the ropes falling away. “‘Tis good to know ye always have my back, Scott.” He stumbled to standing, using the wall behind him as support. His body was weak from lack of food and water. He didn’t know how much help he could be to Hendry. Groaning, he watched Scott run to Gavin and Kenneth, cutting at their binds and helping them up.

Fraser searched for a sword, wanting to help Hendry, despite how weak he felt. The clash of metal against metal echoed through the cavern. Hendry was fast, moving gracefully. Water splashed around them as they moved away from the stone path.

“I gave ye a chance, old man,” said Hendry. “Why couldn’t ye let it go? Why couldn’t ye start anew?”

Murdo scoffed. “I will never move on. Naething will bring me more pleasure than seeing yer demise.”

“Ye have a family. Peigi and I—” Hendry bit back his words, and Fraser could see the pain lurking in his gaze. “Nevermind. I suppose ye don’t care.”

Murdo chuckled. “Yer right, Laird Dunbar. I don’t.”

Hendry twirled his sword. Murdo lunged, but Hendry sidestepped him, kicking up water that got in the elder’s eye. Murdo roared, his eyes clamping shut against the salt stinging his gaze.

“I will destroy ye!” Murdo shouted. “Ye and yer whole family. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. I will take everything ye love.” Murdo opened his bloodshot eyes and swiped his sword.

Hendry lowered into a fighting stance. “Then let us finish this now.”

Murdo shouted, lunging forward and swinging his sword, but Hendry blocked him easily. With one move, Hendry sliced his sword through Murdo. He gasped, stepping backward and onto the stone. Murdo swung his sword, but all it struck was air. He coughed, and blood spattered onto his chin. His sword fell, clanging on the ground. He doubled over, clutching at his wound while looking around, wide-eyed and confused.

“I will- I will,” he gasped, more blood spilling from his mouth while he fell to his knees. He scowled up at Hendry. “Curse ye, Dunbar.” He grimaced, falling forward onto his stomach. His hand reached for his sword, his body crawling towards it. His fingers touched his hilt, but they were unable to grasp his blade. He twitched, his eyes staring up at Hendry before all life left his gaze.

Hendry crouched low, staring at Murdo with a pained expression. He shook his head, muttering something Fraser didn’t quite catch under his breath. Rising, he turned to Fraser. “We must move quickly, MacClery.”

“Is Beitris alright?” Fraser asked as he ran after them through the cave.

Gavin groaned, his hand clutching at his shoulder while Kenneth helped him through the water.

“I pray she is, my laird,” said Scott. “But I do not know. I left as soon as I could.”

Fraser grimaced while holding a hand up to his face as the sunlight blinded his vision. His gaze drifted to the dirt path, finding several of Murdo’s men lying in their own blood. The seawater was rising, and soon their bodies would be hidden from view as well as the cave. Looking around, Fraser’s men were gone, all except for Gavin and Kenneth, who stood at his side waiting for his orders. His horse was gone. His sword was taken. Hendry’s men stood at attention, waiting for instruction.

“Hurry, my laird,” said Scott, quickly mounting his horse and holding out a hand for Fraser to take. “Before it’s too late.”

“It just may be,” Fraser breathed while staring out at the sea and the sun hovering above it. He pushed away the desperation, the loss demanding to take hold of him. All was not lost, he told himself. He could still do something. He could still save Beitris.

Fraser took Scott’s hand and gracefully pulled his body onto the horse behind his guard. He was vaguely aware of Kenneth and Gavin being aided by Hendry’s men. They urged forward, galloping up the harsh terrain and into the fields. He was so happy Beitris had written Hendry, had asked for help, but he didn’t know if it would be enough. He didn’t know if he would return to Castle Dunnegan in time.