Highlander's Rescue A Cree & Dawn Short Story (Cree & Dawn Short Stories Book 4) (7 page)

Cree looked out over the battlements at Hugo’s camp below. It was quiet, troops having bedded down for the night. Not that he trusted they would stay that way. Hugo was battle wise and he probably suspected that Cree’s warriors were on the way here and he would have to strike before they arrived or taste defeat.

How long Hugo would wait to make his move is what troubled Cree. Would he strike before sunrise or wait until first light? Either way, if Sloan did not arrive by that time, he would have to keep Hugo and his men from entering the keep until Sloan got here. How he would do that with a handful of warriors and servants that had few skills with weapons, he was not sure. But he would find a way.

The young lad was quick to pledge his fealty to Cree. “I will fight to the death for you—”

Cree did not let the young warrior finish. “Death wants nothing to do with me or those who serve me. Ask Tannin there,” —Cree nodded at the man standing not far from the young warrior— “He will tell you that we have been through worse than this and lived to fight other battles as we will this one.”

Cree heard Tannin laugh as he began detailing one of Cree and his warriors exploits.

Something Cree never did was admit defeat no matter how dire the situation. If warriors lost hope in battle, they lost the will to survive and once that was lost so was the battle and one’s life.

As much as it seemed they would not defeat the troop of warriors outside these walls, Cree held strong to victory. Besides, unlike other battles, he had his wife with him in this one and he would fight the devil himself to keep her safe.

He turned to go make his rounds throughout the keep and almost collided with Torr. “My sister?” Cree asked anxiously.

“She is doing well, if anyone can do well suffering such horrendous pain,” Torr winced.

“I remember well the pain Dawn suffered when she birthed the twins and I promised myself I would never touch her again.”

Torr laughed. “I am thinking the same.”

“Make no promise you cannot keep.”

Torr laughed again and stretched his arms above his head, as if he was trying to reach for the sky. “Dawn sent me to get some air and renew my strength for the delivery.” He shook his head as he brought his arms down. “It is Wintra who needs the strength.”

“Your strength is her strength. Besides, Wintra is too obstinate to admit weakness.”

Torr was silent for a moment, then asked, “Tell me what we truly face.”

“Mercenaries intent on seeing their mission succeed.”

Torr went and glanced over the battlement. He turned to Cree. “I will not see my wife suffer through horrific pain to birth our child only to lose them both in battle.”

“I never lose,” Cree said.

Torr smiled. “I am relieved to hear that and I will fight for my family and those here when the time comes.”

“Your exceptional skill with a sword will be needed.”

“You are aware that Dawn is wearing herself out, helping both women.”

“I expected she would, and I will not stand in her way of helping others as long as her giving nature causes her no harm. When we arrive home, I intend to make certain she remains abed all day.”

Torr laughed. “If you want her to rest, then she had better lock you out.”

Cree grinned and slapped Torr on the back. “You think a mere lock would keep me out?”

The two men took the stairs down, laughing as they went. The laughter ceased as soon as they heard an anguished scream.

Torr and Cree were both relieved when they entered Wintra’s room to see it was not her who had screamed.

“She suffers so much more than I do,” Wintra said with empathy for Margaret. “I fear for her and her bairn.”

Cree left when he saw another pain strike his sister, Torr taking her hand and holding firm to suffer through it with her. He went to the other room, remaining outside the door, wanting to see for himself how his wife fared.

Ardit almost collided with him as she rushed out of the room crying. Sorrow filled her eyes as well as tears and before rushing down the stairs, she said, “I stand helpless, watching Margaret and her bairn die.”

Dawn was there in the doorway when Cree turned around. They moved away from the open door to speak privately.

“Margaret and the bairn will not survive?” he asked, annoyed at the fatigue he saw on her face, though he was glad for the spark of determination in her eyes. She was never one to give up and, like him, never one to admit defeat.

She shook her head.

“You are not giving up on her.”

Dawn shook her head and stretched her arm out.

“Never!”

She gave a sharp nod as she stepped closer to her husband and placed her hand on his chest and shrugged.

Cree rested his hand over hers. “I am fine, wife, there is no need to worry about me. All will go well.” He stopped her, keeping firm hold of her hand, when she went to tug it away from him. “I will deal with the men who wait outside the keep and you will think on nothing but helping Wintra and Margaret.” He kissed her before she could argue with him and what started off as a light kiss soon turned needy, demanding, hungry.

To Cree’s surprise, his wife pushed him away and began shaking her finger at him as tears gathered in her eyes. He reached out for her, but she avoided his grasp, her hands gesturing fast. He stood a moment staring at her, then his hand shot out so fast that Dawn had no time to avoid his grip on her wrist.

He yanked her against him. “That was not a farewell kiss, if I should die protecting you. It was a promise of what was to come.” He leaned close to whisper in her ear. “And I will make you come more than once when we get home and I lock us in our bedchamber for the day.”

Her shoulders slumped as she shook her head.

“You do not want to be locked in our bedchamber with me for the day?”

Dawn smiled and swatted his arm.

“That’s better. You wear a smile well, while the scowl is mine alone.”

Her smile grew and she patted his chest and this time shook her finger slowly at him and gave his chest a light jab.

“Nothing is going to happen to me. You are stuck with me forever.”

She stretched her one arm out and shook her head.

“Forever is not long enough?”

She nodded.

“On that, wife, we agree.” He kissed her lightly and quickly, fearing if he lingered for a moment longer their passions would ignite once again.

“Dawn!” Torr shouted.

“Go,” Cree said, “and know you are safe.”

Dawn pressed her hand to his chest, then to hers.

“I love you as well,” he said and she hurried into Wintra’s room and he hurried down the stairs.

~~~

“Please tell me this bairn will come soon,” Wintra pleaded as the pain subsided and she collapsed back into her husband’s waiting arms.

Dawn smiled and nodded.

An agonizing scream startled the three of them and Dawn rushed out of the room and into the other room.

Cathan hurried over to Dawn. “Stay with her. I am going to get some moldy bread that will help stop the bleeding.”

Dawn’s brow wrinkled. Elsa had told her that moldy bread was not to be used until after the birth. Did Cathan know more than Cree’s healer? She had no time to debate it. She went to Margaret and as soon as Dawn leaned down to wipe the woman’s head with a wet cloth, she grabbed her wrist.

“You must help me. If I must die so be it, but save my child. Let no one harm my bairn. Please I beg of you.” Tears clouded her eyes. “Trust no one.
No one
.”

Another pain had her screaming once again and she released Dawn’s arm to grip the bedding. When the pain passed, Margaret reached out to Dawn once again and once again she gripped Dawn’s wrist. “I am going to tell you something and I pray it will not cost you your life.”

Dawn leaned down and Margaret began to whisper to her.

~~~

Cathan returned and saw to packing Margaret with the bread against the woman’s protests.

“Do not be foolish. It will stop the bleeding and cause the bairn no harm,” Cathan snapped.

Torr screamed out for Dawn as Margaret turned pleading eyes on her. She tapped her chest and pointed to Margaret, letting her know she would return as she hurried past Cathan and out the door.

Torr had just stepped out of the room and stopped when he saw Dawn and waved frantically. “It is time! It is time!”

Torr was right and after much encouragement from her husband, Wintra delivered a fine son without a problem.

Wintra and Torr sat cuddled beside each other on the bed, their newborn son cleaned and wrapped in cloth that Dawn had had Ardit fetch earlier to have ready for both bairns.

“He is a handsome one, is he not, Dawn?” Wintra said, beaming over her son, sleeping contently in his mum’s arms.

Dawn nodded, her smile wide.

“His grip is strong for a wee one,” Torr said his son’s tiny fingers curled partially around Torr’s large finger.

“He will be strong like his da,” Wintra said and with a yawn rested her head on her husband’s shoulder.

Dawn left the couple to share this special moment alone. Besides, she wanted to return to Margaret and help the woman. After what Margaret had told her, she could understand why she had warned Dawn to trust no one. That did not include Cree, but Cree already was aware of the problem and now she understood why he had not told her about Margaret. Now she would do the same, and say nothing of what Margaret had told her.

It was quiet in the room when Dawn entered, Margaret laying on her side, not moving or calling out in pain. Cathan stood at the end of the bed, her hands covered with blood.

Dawn hurried over to her.

Cathan shook her head. “She will take her last breath soon and the bairn is already dead.”

Dawn stood shocked, not believing it possible. She should not have left her for so long, but Wintra had needed her. She had thought there was time and her heart ached that she had failed to help the woman. She went to Margaret’s side and crouched down beside the bed. She gently pushed back the hair that had fallen and covered her face. She lowered her head to make it appear that she was offering a prayer for the woman. When actually, it was to hide her shock as Margaret mouthed,
help me
. As she turned to look at Cathan, she caught movement in Margaret’s belly. The baby was alive.

Dawn stood and went to Cathan, scooping up a cloth to hand to the woman for her to wipe the blood from her hands as she wrapped her arm around her and led her to the door. She gestured slowly so that Cathan would understand her, showing sympathy for her as she told Cathan there was no more she could do for Margaret. She had no more breath left, she had passed. She encouraged Cathan to go downstairs and rest, that she would clean and prepare Margaret to be stored for burial until the snow cleared and the ground had softened.

“I should—”

Dawn shook her head and patted her shoulder, walking her to the stairs.

“You will see it done?” Cathan asked tears pooling in her eyes.

Dawn nodded and Cathan finally relented and went down the stairs.

Dawn hurried to Margaret, praying it was not too late to save her.

~~~

After spending much time in the Great Hall, Cree made his rounds through the keep, stopping to see how Wintra was doing and surprised to see she had given birth. “You did well. Mum would be proud of you as am I,” he said to his sister. “He is a fine looking lad.”

Wintra beamed with pride.

Cree reached out to clasp Torr’s hand. “A fine son indeed and what name do you give him?”

Wintra proudly announced, “He will be named Shand after Torr’s father’s father, a skilled warrior and generous man.”

“Then he will grow into a good man.” Cree was about to take his leave and go see his wife, wondering why the door to the other room was closed when shouts echoed up the stairs, followed by the sound of clashing swords.

A servant suddenly entered the room, his face pale and his hands trembling. “They have breached the door and are pouring into the Great Hall.”

Cree rushed out of the room furious. There was only one way Hugo could have gotten passed that door. Someone had to have let him in.

Torr followed behind Cree, leaving a dagger with his wife before he took his sword in hand, thinking the same as Cree. There was a traitor among them.

Cree and Torr joined the battle in the Great Hall. Cree looked about for Hugo, though he did not expect to find him there. He had sent his warriors in first, with no regard for their lives, to slaughter as many as they could. Once there were few left inside the keep to fight, he would make a grand entrance and see the chore done he was sent to do.

Cree ordered one of the servants to fetch his warrior and the archer from the battlements and the young lad was only too glad to obey, rushing off away from the chaotic battle.

Torr followed Cree’s lead, knowing he would have formed a plan for such an attack and as he advanced on Hugo’s warriors, Cree’s warriors started falling in line alongside him. The servants did the same until they spanned the width of the room, blocking the warriors from getting past them.

Cree had fewer warriors than Hugo, but they were more skilled and with Cree and Torr fighting, and the room narrow, they were able to keep the warriors at bay, but for how long? More warriors continued to join the others, flooding through the door. Their numbers alone would eventually defeat them.

He thought of Dawn, Wintra, and his nephew, barely a few hours old, and with so much to lose, a fierce rage rose up in him. He let out a tremendous roar that echoed through the keep and shivered the enemy.

Eyes blazing with anger and muscles bulging from the tight grip on his sword, he lunged at the warriors in front of him.

~~~

Dawn heard her husband’s battle roar. She rushed out of Margaret’s room to slip into the shadows and find what she hoped was still there—a sword. The one she had knocked from the bulky man’s hand.  She was relieved when her hand closed around the hilt and just in time.

Dawn was not far from Wintra’s room when Cathan stepped off the stairs, a dirk in her hand.

“You have a sword. You must go join the fight,” Cathan urged. “I will tend Wintra.”

Dawn shook her head and took a step closer to Wintra’s room.

“Then give me the sword and I will join the fighting,” Cathan said and stepped toward Dawn.

Dawn raised the sword and took a stance, letting Cathan know she was prepared to fight.

Cathan released an annoyed sigh. “Damn! I erred somehow and you realized I was not a healer.” She shook her head. “It could not have been your arm. I am familiar with sword wounds, having tended a few. It had to have been something to do with how I tended Margaret.” She shrugged. “That does not matter now. I saw the chore done. Margaret and the bairn are dead, though Cree’s unexpected arrival almost foiled my plans. Now all that is left is to make certain no one survives to tell the tale.”

“True enough, Cathan.”

Cathan turned with a smile to greet the man whose voice had preceded him. “Hugo, I did as you asked, I saw to it that Margaret died just before the bairn was to be born. I was about to—”

She never got to finish. Hugo shoved his sword through her stomach and gave it a sharp twist before yanking it out of her. She fell to the floor dead, a shocked expression on her face.

Dawn gripped the sword she held in her hand tighter. Having seen how callously Hugo killed Cathan, he would not hesitate to do the same to her.

“Women are such foolish and useless creatures,” Hugo said, wiping the blood off his sword on Cathan’s garments. “She thought I cared for her when I was only interested in what she could do for me. If she had been as attentive to her chore as she had been to me, this all would be unnecessary. Margaret and the bairn would have died where she should have—in her home.” He gave Cathan a kick. “But Margaret realized something was amiss and took flight and was captured by a motley bunch who unfortunately knew who she was and thought to hold her for ransom.”

Dawn was cautious of his every move, not letting his words distract her.

Hugo turned a smile on Dawn. “The wise warrior that I am had another plan in case Cathan failed me. I showed interest in Ardit, Margaret’s older sister. Plain-featured, lonely, a man never having paid the least bit of heed to her, like Cathan. Men barely looked once at either of the two. It was easy to convince Ardit that I cared for her and there was a chance for us to have a fine life together. After all, her sister Margaret was enjoying herself, since she was,” —he paused a moment— “King Alexander’s mistress.”

Since Margaret had confided the truth in her, his words did not shock Dawn, though they had when Margaret had told her. That Margaret was the King’s mistress had made the whole situation more worrisome, for the person who wanted Margaret dead would stop at nothing to see it done.  Dawn, however, was surprised to learn that Ardit was Margaret’s sister. That had been why Margaret had looked familiar to her. She shared similarities with her sister, though Margaret was much more attractive. She also understood why Margaret had not wanted, at first, to involve Dawn in her problem. She had feared it would cost Dawn her life. And it appeared as if it just might.

Hugo shook his head again and gave Cathan another kick. “It was a pleasure getting rid of this one. She goes in search of Margaret and fails me again. She finds her only to make the situation worse by involving Cree in helping her gain entrance to the keep. Ardit proved the most useful in the end, leaving signs for me to follow, leading me to that old woman, Netty, who eagerly told me everything. I ended her life quickly and painlessly for being so helpful. I did the same for Ardit since she found a way for me to enter the keep while my warriors kept Cree and his men busy.

“But I waste time talking to a voiceless woman and I have little time to waste. Cree is a wise warrior, though not as wise as me. He had to have sent for his warriors and Sloan would waste no time in coming to Cree’s aid.  When he arrives, I want him to find the man he thought more a brother than friend slaughtered along with his wife and his men. It is unfortunate that I cannot claim the honor of killing the mighty Cree, but I will be well compensated. One small detail will see my mission done. When all are dead, I will slice Margaret’s stomach open and take the dead bairn, so close to birth, and present it to the Earl of MacClone who the King had wronged, or so the foolish earl believes—” He stopped abruptly as if he had said too much. “Now it is time for you to die.”

Dawn shook her head.

Hugo laughed. “You think you can defend yourself against me with that sword?” He stopped laughing suddenly, feeling a sudden jab to his chest. He looked down to see a handle of a dagger, protruding from it.

“Women are useless creatures? How is it that a woman takes your life so easily this day?” Wintra asked, stepping out of her room.  “And not any woman—Cree’s sister.”

Hugo’s sword dropped to the floor before he dropped to his knees. “My men will—”

“Die along with you,” Wintra finished and took the sword from Dawn and jammed it through Hugo’s throat. He stared at her with wide eyes as she pulled it out, smiling. He fell over, his head landing at Cathan’s feet.

Wintra handed Dawn the sword and hurried to yank the dagger out of Hugo. “He deserved a much worse death.”

They both stilled suddenly and listened.

“The fighting grows louder,” Wintra said with worry. “It can mean only one thing. More warriors have entered the keep. God help us; let it be Cree’s warriors.”

Dawn did not hesitate to take a stance to one side of the stairs to show Wintra she was prepared to fight.

Wintra immediately planted herself on the other side. “I will not have my son born only to die senselessly.”

Dawn heard her brother in her and saw that she wore the same scowl as Cree did when angry and determined. She gestured as if holding a bairn.

“Sleeping and since I am being kept from doing the same, I am going to kill anyone who dares to step off those stairs.”

Dawn smiled and nodded.

The two women waited—weapons in hand—prepared to do what they must to protect those they loved. The clash of swords continued, but they heard no one on the stairs. They continued to wait, ready to fight when it seemed that the fighting stopped suddenly.

They sent one another cautious glances, the same thought on both their minds. They wanted to believe Cree was victorious, but they would take no chance until they knew for sure.

Footfalls came rushing up the stairs and Dawn raised her sword and Wintra her dagger, both women ready to strike.

“Wintra!”

“Torr!” Wintra called out and flew into his arms as he stepped off the stairs.

Dawn smiled as the two hugged tightly, happy for them and relieved.

“Cree’s warriors arrived? All is well?"

“Dawn!” Torr shouted out, recalling he had not seen her.

She stepped forward where he could see her.

“Thank God, you are both well.” He saw the two dead bodies, then looked to his wife.

“I could not let Dawn face the two alone.”

Dawn nodded and pointed to the dagger Wintra still held and the sword she held, then gave a firm nod at her.

“Are you telling me my wife killed them both?”

Wintra quickly explained. “Hugo killed Cathan, who was helping him, and I killed Hugo, who deserved to die ten times over.”

The baby suddenly cried out, followed by another cry that had Wintra and Torr hurrying into her room.

Dawn stared after them, thinking that if anything had happened to Cree, Torr would have told her. Hurried footfalls on the stairs had her spinning around with a smile. It vanished in an instant when she saw it was not her husband.

“Where is Margaret?” the man demanded, blood dripping from the sword at his side.

Dawn raised her sword.

“You dare raise your sword against
me
?”

Dawn nodded toward him and shrugged, though she doubted that he understood that she asked who he was.

“You are Cree’s wife, the woman without a voice.”

Cree appeared, stepping around the man to stand protectively in front of his wife. “My wife speaks more loudly than those with a voice.”

Dawn lowered her sword and her smile returned, her husband obviously knowing the man and not surprised, but always pleased when her husband defended her.

Cree turned and went to his wife, taking the sword from her hand. “You did well. I am proud of you.”

Normally Cree would have had her in his arms by now, something was amiss.

“I want to see Margaret now!” the man demanded. “Remove her burial shroud so I may look upon her.”

Two soldiers suddenly appeared and stood to either side of the man and though she recognized the garments of the royal guard, she had realized who it was who stood before her when he demanded to see Margaret—King Alexander.

Dawn bowed her head respectfully and did as the King commanded. She opened the door to Margaret’s room and walked over to the bed.

The King entered the room slowly, almost hesitantly, and Cree followed him in to stand to the side. The two guards remained outside of the room, standing to either side of the open door.

Dawn eased the blanket down to Margaret’s waist.

“What is this?” King Alexander’s sharp shout had the two guards entering the room. He pointed to Margaret. “You do not have the decency to prepare her properly? You leave her resting on her side? You do not wrap her? I will see you punished—”

“You will do no such thing, Alexander, the woman saved my life.”

Dawn leaned down to help Margaret turn and sit up. It took a moment, her movements slow and laborious.

King Alexander stared at her in disbelief, as if watching her rise from the dead. “Margaret.”

She stretched her hand out to him. “I had faith you would come and rescue me.”

Dawn stepped away from the bed as the King approached.

He took her hand, kissed it firmly, and sat on the bed beside her. “I was told you died.”

Margaret turned a smile on Dawn. “Dawn let Cathan believe I died and I thought I was dying. Dawn believed differently and once Cathan left the room, she was quite vocal, in her unique way, that she would not allow me to die. She fought bravely for my life.”

“I will remember this, Dawn,” the King said, turning a grateful look on her.

A tear slipped from Margaret’s eye. “My sister betrayed me. I had little time to get a missive off to you before running for my life. I remembered meeting Cree and how you trusted him. I was on my way to his home to seek safe shelter until you could reach me when the snowstorm struck. Unfortunately, men of dubious character had taken over this decaying keep and one knew who I was. The fools thought to ransom me.” Margaret raised her hand to cover a yawn that rose.

“You are tired from your ordeal. You need to rest,” the King insisted.

“Please, Alexander, take me out of here. I cannot bear to spend another moment in this wretched place,” she begged.

The King turned to Cree. “Your keep is not far, is it?”

“If we leave soon, we can reach it by nightfall,” Cree informed him.

The King looked to his guards, though quickly shifted his glance to Dawn. “Margaret is well enough to travel?”

Dawn held her hands out as if holding reins and bounced up and down, then shook her head.

“I understand that. You say she cannot ride a horse. I brought along an enclosed wagon,” the King said. Once Dawn nodded her approval, the King turned to his guards. “See that all is ready for departure. We take our leave shortly.”

Margaret brushed at the tears in her eyes. “I do so love you, Alexander.”

“You have my love and my heart, Margaret, and always will.” He brushed her hand aside and wiped at her tears with his thumb. “I am so sorry this ordeal caused the loss of our child.”

Margaret smiled. “You underestimate Dawn’s tenacity. She not only insisted that she would not let me die, but our bairn as well.”

Dawn caught the look of surprise not only on the King’s face, but Cree’s as well.

The King looked around. “I see no bairn.”

“And nor should you. I begged Dawn to save our bairn’s life right after I gave birth. I feared Cathan might return to make certain I was dead. She paid heed to my fears and took the bairn to Cree’s sister, Wintra, in the other room. To anyone who may have entered there, it would seem that Wintra gave birth to twins.”