Mary Wine - To Conquer a Highlander

Scotland 1437, McLeren land

Fire could be a welcome sight to a man when hed been riding a long time and the sun had set, leaving him surrounded by darkness. But the sight of flames on the horizon could also be the most horrifying thing any laird ever set his eyes on.

Torin McLeren wanted to close his eyes in the hopes that the orange flames illuminating the night might not be there when he opened them again. He could smell the smoke on the night air now but didnt have the luxury of allowing the horror to turn his stomach. He was laird, and protecting his holdings was his duty.

Digging his spurs into his horse, he headed toward the inferno. Wails began to drown out the hissing flames. Laments carried on the night wind as wives and mothers mourned bitterly. The scent of blood rose above the smoke, the flickering orange light illuminating the fallen bodies of his clansmen. He stared at the carnage, stunned by the number of dead and wounded. He might be a Highlander and no stranger to battle, but this was a village, not a piece of land disputed and fought over by nobles. This was McLeren land and had been for more than a century.

A horror straight out of hell surrounded him. Mercy hadnt been present herehed seen less carnage after fighting the English. The slaughter was almost too much to believe or accept. His horse balked at his command to ride forward, the stallion rearing up as the heat from the blaze became hot against its hide. Torin cursed and slid from the saddle. Every muscle in his body tightened, rage slowly coming to a boil inside him. Hands reached out to him, grasping fingers seeking him as the only hope of righting the wrong that had been inflicted on them.

His temper burned hotter than the fire consuming the keep in front of him. They suffered raids from time to time, but this was something else entirely. It was war. The number of bodies lying where they had fallen was a wrong that could not be ignored. Nor should it be. These were his people, McLerens who trusted in his leadership and his sword arm for protection.

Justice

One single word but it echoed across the fallen bodies of men wearing the same plaid he did. Every retainer left to keep the peace was lying dead, but they had died as Highlanders. The ground was littered with the unmoving forms of their attackers. His gaze settled on one body, the still form leaking dark blood onto his land, the kilt drawing his interest. Lowering his frame onto one knee, Torin fingered the colors of his enemy. The fire lit the scarlet and blue colors of the McBoyd clan. His neighbor and apparently now his enemy.

McBoyds? It didnt make sense. These were common people. Good folk who labored hard to feed their families. Every McLeren retainer stationed there knew and accepted that they might have to fight for their clan, but that did not explain the number of slain villagers. There was no reason for such a slaughter. No excuse he would ever swallow or accept. McLerens did not fear the night, be they common born or not. While he was laird, they would not live in fear.

There will be justice. I swear it. His voice carried authority, but to those weeping over their lost family, it also gave comfort. Torin stood still only for a moment, his retainers backing him up before he turned and remounted his horse. He felt more at home in the saddle, more confident. His father had raised him to lead the McLerens in good times and bad. He would not disappoint him or a single McLeren watching him now.

Well now, let us see what the McBoyds have to say for themselves, lads.

Torin turned his stallion into the night without a care for the clouds that kept the moonlight from illuminating the rocky terrain. He was a Highlander, after all. Let the other things in the dark fear him.

***

Shannon! Wake up, girl, and quickly.

Shannon McBoyd opened her eyes to nothing but a single candle flame offering light against the dead of night. Outside the glow of that single flickering flame there was nothing but blackness. The yellow glow cast the features of her clanswoman in enough light to make out the pinched look on her face. Tension prickled along Shannons neck and down her back.

Here now, Gerty. Whats the fuss about at this time of night?

Shannon rubbed her eyes and shivered. The night was frigid, almost unnaturally so, and the small window across her chamber had its wooden shutters closed tight, but wind still blew through the center of it where the shutters met. The candle flame danced as Gerty moved in front of the window, and she gasped, turning her back to shield their only source of light.

Come now, out of bed.

Shannon pushed her bedding back. Her shift was thin and worn, providing her little protection against the darkest hours unless she remained in her bed. Old Gerty didnt seem to notice the chillthat, or she was ignoring it. The old servant pushed the bed curtain aside, barely keeping the flame of the candle she held away from it.

Yer father is calling for ye. Hurry up, girl. Hes got the whisky out.

Shannon felt her stomach clench because it was not a natural time for her sire to be demanding her presence. The last remains of slumber evaporated as she tried to think of what her father wanted from her at this time of night. She crawled out of the bedding quickly because her father was never kind when kept waiting. Randal McBoyd expected obedience and promptness. Never mind that it was the dead of night, best left to ghosts and other unholy things.

Hurry, lass.

Gerty didnt wait for Shannon to comply. The old servant was moving faster than Shannon could recall. Gerty dropped a loose gown over her head before Shannon had fully raised her arms. At least the dress was bulky enough for her to wiggle her arms into the sleeves. The fabric held the chill of the night, making her shiver again. Gerty handed a girdle belt to her and reached for the hairbrush. The servant pulled the bristles through her hair only a few times before dropping the brush back on the table. She grabbed the strands and forced them into a braid, making Shannon wince as the woman pulled too hard, but she could not appear below with her hair loose. That would start rumors that she didnt need attached to her name. She reached for her linen cap, which was sitting beside her bed, and tied it beneath her chin, grateful for the warmth it would help keep inside her. When it was blistering hot in the heart of summer, she detested the cap demanded by her father to preserve her modesty.