My Brave Highlander(75)

"Nay," Aiden said. "I think most of them were killed a few years ago when Da and his men hunted them down. McMurdo was the only one who escaped. But he may have recruited more men by now."

"Very well. Let's approach quietly." Sword in hand, Dirk crept through Allt Smoo, the wide, shallow river that flowed leisurely from the cave. The icy water did not penetrate his oiled leather boots but he still felt the cold of it.

A small fire burned low in the back corner of the cave but he saw no one. They had to be lurking in the inner cave which was only accessible by boat. Dirk moved toward the narrow entrance to the cave's second room. A waterfall poured inside, its roar diminished because of the time of year. One boat waited at the mooring. It would hold five men.

Dirk turned back to the others. "Who wants to go with me to the inner cave?"

"I'm going," Aiden said and moved forward. "The earl should stay here because he has no experience with this cave."

"Aiden, you truly do try my patience," Dirk said, irritation twisting through him. "You and Rebbie stay here and guard. Keegan, Erskine and Flynn will come with me."

But Aiden didn't listen. He climbed aboard the boat. "I have rowed this boat dozens of times."

Dirk rolled his eyes, vexed that the lad wouldn't listen nor did he care that Dirk was trying to keep him safe. But he couldn't exactly haul his arse out of the boat now. "If the bastards try to escape, Rebbie, you and Flynn stop them."

Rebbie nodded. "Have a care. I detest caves and that one does not look inviting in the least."

"You have the right of it." Dirk had explored all parts of this cave many times in his youth.

After Dirk and Keegan climbed aboard with Aiden, Erskine followed with the lantern and released the boat from its mooring. Aiden rowed across the water-filled cavern.

Although Dirk could hardly get accustomed to the idea, Aiden truly was a man now. Not a helpless little boy. But he still had that thin, lanky lad look about him. And within minutes he was huffing and puffing from the exertion.

"Get up, Aiden, and let me row," Keegan said, rising. The boat rocked.

"Careful you don't overset the boat," Erskine said, his voice echoing from the cave's ceiling. The lantern cast eerie reflections onto the wet walls.

The two cousins carefully switched positions and Keegan, with his brawny upper body strength, started rowing and the boat moved much more swiftly. They stayed to one side of the cave and avoided the waterfall. He was glad the water flow was low. In spring, the waterfall was so exuberant that taking a boat across was dangerous.

Within a couple of minutes, they arrived on the opposite side of the cave. Keegan jumped out and tugged the boat onto the bank and secured it to the mooring beside another boat. Someone was definitely here.

Dirk could hear no sounds, save the waterfall, and no light shined from within the third, much smaller, chamber of the cave. Taking the lantern, and his sword, he advanced toward the narrow opening.

A man rushed from the darkness. Dirk only saw the glint of light off a blade the instant before it swung toward him. He lifted his own weapon just in time, his blade taking a hard strike.

He handed the lantern off to Keegan. Dirk stood in the guard stance, his blade poised and ready to strike. Now he could see his opponent was McMurdo. His hair, once dark, was now long, gray and stringy. But physically, he still appeared strong and robust.

"How long have you worked for Lady MacKay?" Dirk asked.

"I work for no one but myself." 'Twas the same voice that had said those hated words twelve years ago… Lady MacKay sends her regards.

"I understand you bought yourself a crypt in the new church," Dirk said.

"Aye, the former Laird MacKay was a good man."

"But you are not. Do you think your donation makes up for all those people you murdered?"

"I have never murdered anyone." He grinned. "And you are an imposter."

Dirk returned a sinister smirk. "You say this because you still want to believe you killed me twelve years ago when you pushed me off that cliff."

"I know not what you mean." He lashed out with his broadsword, but Dirk easily blocked the move. Again and again their swords clashed.

The man may have been a great swordsman in his day, but he was now several years past his prime. His sword arm was growing shaky.

Dirk struck just the right way, and the other man's sword went flying.

"Aha." Dirk held the tip of his sword near the other man's throat. "Now, we're going back to Dunnakeil where you will spend some time in the dungeon. Tie his hands," he said to Erskine.

His future sword-bearer did as he asked and shoved McMurdo toward the boat. All five men climbed aboard and this time Erskine rowed while Keegan and Dirk kept their swords pointed at the criminal.