Ceci Giltenan(82)
“Fingal, my son, ye misunderstand—”
“No, Laird, ye misunderstand! Tis my misfortune your seed resulted in my birth, but my father was Alastair MacIan and my brother is Laird Niall MacIan and it is to him I have sworn my fealty. I want no part of ye or your craven scheme.”
He started to turn his mount away, but stopped and warned, “If your army continues to approach Duncurra, ye will be driven back and I will pierce your black heart myself if need be.” Then Fingal turned and galloped back to the Chisholm army, leaving Malcolm and Eithne astonished and staring.
Twenty Eight
When Niall’s army neared Matheson land, they found the Matheson army had assumed a stationary position on the western edge of a stretch of the moorland that straddled their border. The MacIan army rode hard across the heath, prepared for battle, when Niall saw Katherine, surrounded by Matheson guards at the forefront. He signaled for his men to halt. “What in the hell is he doing?” Niall roared, “Is he trying to get her killed?”
As they reined their horses in, some distance away from the Matheson’s position, Diarmad saw the white flag. “Laird, they appear to be surrendering, do ye see the flag?”
“It has to be a trick. This is the bastard who slaughtered animals and burned buildings. He is capable of hiding behind a white flag, or even a woman, it seems.”
“I don’t think this is a trap, Laird. Matheson’s warriors surround Lady Katherine, but Tadhg Matheson is in the open, well away from his men. Ye could kill him before they ever reached ye. Perhaps ye should move closer and see what he wants.”
Although terrified for Katherine’s safety, he knew Diarmad was right. He also knew Matheson could have Katherine killed before his eyes, and he would be too far away to reach her. There was nothing else to do, he had to ride forward and talk to the bastard. “Diarmad, ye are in command until I return. If I give the signal, show no mercy.”
Niall rode forward and stopped his mount about twenty paces from where Tadhg Matheson sat on his horse, well in front of Katherine and her guard. “What is the meaning of this, Matheson? It isn’t enough ye take my wife, and slaughtered her MacLennan guard, now ye hide behind her skirts?”
“Slaughtered? MacIan, ye have been woefully misinformed. Laird MacLennan was nowhere in sight, and the six knaves who were supposedly guarding her practically handed her to me without raising a blade. The most impressive resistance came from the lass herself. The worst I did to her guard was leave them trussed on the road, and steal their horses.”
“Why are ye lying about this? I received a message from Malcolm yesterday saying most of his men were killed, and he himself was gravely injured.”
“Laird, ye have been deceived and I suspect Laird MacLennan is behind it. If your army will stand down, I will let Katherine come forward and she can tell ye herself.”
“Ye will let her come forward? She is my wife, ye bastard,” Niall roared.
“And she is as stubborn as ye are, which is why she is here, against my better judgment. However, unlike the MacLennans, my guard have sworn to protect her with their lives, and until I am sure your hot temper is not going start a war in which she could be injured, she will stay where she is.”
Niall could not believe what he was hearing. Matheson was protecting Katherine from him! “Fine,” Niall ground out. He signaled for his men to stand down and dismounted. A very small part of Niall was grateful Tadhg appeared to be protecting her, but only a very small part.
Tadhg also signaled for his men to stand down, dismounted, and motioned for the guard to bring Katherine forward. Katherine flew off Eachann’s back and into Niall’s arms in a flash.
After the message he had received from Malcolm, Niall had imagined the worst. “Katherine, are ye all right? I swear I will kill him now if he hurt ye.”
“I’m fine, Niall. Laird Matheson has treated me as a guest. But there is no time to waste. Ye must listen, love, what he said was true. Malcolm abandoned me, and my guard simply surrendered. It was as if they expected an ambush, and I suspect they did.” As quickly as she could, Katherine explained what she and Tadhg had pieced together.
After hearing it all, Niall said, “Katherine, ye are accusing Malcolm of the unthinkable. He is a trusted friend and ally. Ye would have me believe these heinous accusations because Matheson, the man who kidnapped ye, said he didn’t lead the raids on my land? He could have as easily made up the story of how he knew ye would be traveling to Brathanead.”
In a gentler voice, he added, “Ye look for the best in people, sweetling, and are too willing to trust. That was my father’s downfall, he trusted Eithne and she nearly ruined us. Why can’t ye see Fingal is behind this? He is in league with this devil.” Niall glared at Tadhg. “Matheson will see us both dead and Fingal as Laird MacIan.”