Page 55 of A Knight To Call My Own
“Not now, lass. I must needs find Lady Lynet. Hie yourself into the keep and get yourself safe,” Ian said briskly, dismissing the girl.
“But my laird…’tis about the Lady Ly-”
The sound of her voice faded as Ian hurried ahead into the hall with Angus and Connor close behind him. He attempted to make quick work of dodging servants and villagers alike who were hastily filling the chamber to over-flowing, but ’twas near impossible. Clansmen and women were everywhere, and it appeared most had reached the safety of the keep.
Finally, making his way through the mass of humanity, Ian raced up the turret to reach Lynet’s side. He was only half-way down the passageway when he noticed blood pooling from beneath a chamber door. Pulling his sword from the scabbard at his side, Ian carefully started to push upon the heavy oak, only to have to shove harder in order to make the door open. The cause…the dead body of his Uncle with his throat slit had been hindering it opening smoothly.
“Bloody Hell, who would do such a ghastly thing,” Angus muttered, making the sign of the cross. “He may have been a greedy fool, but no one should die in such a manner.”
“Lynet!” Ian bellowed, leaving the room to head to his own chamber, only to see his door was slightly ajar. Pushing the door wide, it should not have surprised Ian in the least to see Calum and two of his men standing there with a look of bewilderment on their faces.
“By God’s bones, the stench,” Connor gagged, covering his mouth.
Angus came to stand next to Ian’s side, but his laughter only angered the men afore them. “The garderobe? Ye chose the garderobe tae gain access tae the keep? The smell alone would have alerted us all tae yer arrival, ye fools.”
“What the hell have you done with my wife?” Ian roared, ignoring the odor that assailed his nostrils.
Calum practically choked on the laugh that escaped him. “I have done nothing with her, as you can plainly see, if you but care to take a closer look. The woman has eluded me, yet again,” he sneered with contempt.
“Where is she?” Ian shouted once more, looking about the room, but seeing for himself, his wife was not within their chamber. Angus and Connor moved about the room to guard Calum’s men and hold them at sword point.
“Damnation, man, I do not have her! If I did, do you think I’d be standing here in an empty room, contemplating life’s mysteries, instead of making my getaway in order to collect her ransom?”
“Harrumph! Have you not seen for yourself Urquhart’s condition? I barely have enough monies to see us fed through the coming winter, let alone pay a ransom,” Ian retorted fiercely.
“If I canna get coinage from you, I am sure Dristan of Berwyck will pay me most handsomely to see his wife’s sister returned safe and sound.”
“Dristan no longer has claim upon the Lady Lynet. She is mine,” Ian proclaimed, trying to calm his anger.
“And yet, you do not seem to know of her whereabouts, now, do you? ’Tis no fault of mine if you canna keep your wife where she belongs, and you have misplaced her…again,” Calum mocked. Ian’s fury rose, not only from losing Lynet, but from the audacity of the bastard in front of him.
Ian swung his clenched fist, punching Calum hard in the face. The man stumbled backward from the blow, falling into the men that stood behind him whilst Angus and Connor moved to place their blades in a location that would ensure they would not see another day if they did not yield. Ian turned and pointed his sword at Calum’s throat when the man tried to rise.
“Do not insult my wife, sir,” Ian snarled.
Calum put up his hands in surrender, but Ian knew better than to trust him. He motioned for Calum’s men to help their laird to his feet, which they did after a moment of hesitation.
“Take them to the dungeon,” he ordered his men. “But leave him.”
Calum smiled evilly as his men were shoved from the room.
“Do you really want to fight me, boy?”
“I am no boy. Draw your sword, and we shall see who wins this day.”
“Is this revenge you seek?” Calum said with a shrug. “I did not steal your wife.”
“Nay, you did not, but ’twas your intent.”
Ian charged forward, but Calum easily dodged him, elbowing him in the face. Ian fell against the wall, facing his enemy who drew his sword confidently. Instead of engaging in a fight, Calum darted from the room like a coward, which was not what Ian was expecting. Yet, Ian was quick to follow, and Calum began swinging his sword like a mad man. Ian’s blade rang out as it encountered Calum’s. A crossroads perhaps, but Ian got the advantage when he pushed Calum away. The passageway was dimly lit, but there was enough light to see every bit of movement.
The battle between them went on down the corridor towards the stairs. With every attack Ian performed, Calum countered it ’til he ducked beneath Ian’s arms, leaving Ian dangerously close to the edge of the stairs. Once more, Ian brought his sword forward, and the sound of the metal connecting resounded in the air. He stared into the face of his nemesis.
“Give up,” Calum said, pushing Ian closer to the edge of the stairs.
“Never!” Ian shoved him away, but received another blow to the face, leaving him stunned. He collapsed to the ground and spit out the blood that pooled in his mouth. Calum was chuckling as he took a moment to circle Ian, like an animal stalking its prey. Ian wiped his lips and reached for his sword, but Calum kicked it away.
“You have become weak, lad. I expected more of a fight from a knight who has trained with the Devil’s Dragon. Has your woman made you so soft that you forget how to battle someone superior to you?” he said with a sly grin of satisfaction. Calum squatted down to face Ian afore grabbing his hair to tilt his head and get a better look at him, as though he knew he had already won. “How did you think you could ever beat me?”
