She was about to set her foot down, when she felt light-headed. Suddenly the din of the large chamber faded, her eyesight blurred, and a recognizable tension knotted her shoulders. All at once the crowd that was in front of her vanished, and she found herself at Bracken Ridge. She stood on a rocky cliff, looking down into a tapering pass.
Across from her, a slew of highlanders had paused at the top of the ridge for a heart-stopping moment. Then as if they were a wave that crested, they crashed down over the rocky incline, spilling down into the narrow pass. Right at the bottom of the mountain, hundreds of English knights awaited with their weapons drawn. The glen soon echoed with blood-curdling screams, frantic shouts, and the sharp clanging of metal against metal. She covered her ears, trying to block out the noise. But it was useless. The sound of war cries, and the loud skirl of bagpipes penetrated through the barrier. And while she knew that she should shut her eyes, the horrific sight before her held her captive. Without a doubt, many of the highland warriors would meet their doom this day.
Nay!her mind screamed in denial.My kinsmen must nae die.
She clutched at the clasp that was pinned to her shoulder, the cool bloodstone digging into her palm. As her heart rate slowly returned to normal, a sense of sadness began to cover her. How many of the highland warriors would return to their wives and loved ones?
But then the sights and sounds of fighting vanished, and she abruptly found herself on familiar territory. For a moment, she blinked rapidly, making certain that she really was back to her reality. When she realized that everything seemed in order, she slowly allowed her shoulders to relax. New wisdom that appeared to her was normally incomprehensible. Yet she understood that the abilities she possessed were unusual. Many times her mother had convinced her that her flights of fancy were the reasons why she saw and heard peculiar things. At first the mystifying pictures came in her sleep. But then the occasional dreams came true. It was easy to brush aside the sequence of events as mere happenstance. However she was now bombarded with nightmares and coincidences, and she didn’t know what to believe anymore. Still, the vision at the Ridge seemed real and somehow significant. Was it too late to convince Rory and the others that if they gathered at Bracken Ridge, they would forfeit their lives? And would any of the men listen to her? For some reason she didn’t think so. The most they would do was to laugh at her warning.
As if Mairead could sense her turmoil, she reached over and touched Adrina’s sleeve. “Are ye feeling unwell?” she asked.
“The lairds dinnae look too happy,” Adrina said, glad for the interruption from her disturbing thoughts.
“Aye, I understand that the English are near,” Mairead said. “And I daresay that the clans are verra displeased about that. However I dinnae ken if they’ll tell us how they plan tae defeat the enemy.”
“Whatever they decide tae do will affect us all,” Adrina said, swallowing. “’Tis only fair that they should reveal their strategies tae everyone here. Then we can decide whether the course of action is an advantageous one.”
“I believe ye are right,” she said, twisting her lips thoughtfully. “About a month ago Duncan had spotted a large English cavalry near the Scottish borders. I dinnae ken what other information that the men have discussed.” Her eyes lit upon one of her brothers. “Come, perhaps Griogair can shed some light on our ignorance.”
“We want tae ken what’s going on, Griogair,” Mairead said as they came into his earshot.
“And what is it that ye want tae ken?” he asked, recovering from his momentary surprise at seeing them at his elbow.
Adrina studied the sizable warrior. He was large, solid and appeared more brawny than his brothers. When he moved, his shirt seemed to stretch across his muscular chest. Yet despite his brawn, his demeanor made him appear approachable.
Adrina offered him a smile. “When will ye be leaving for Bracken Ridge?”
“How do ye ken about Bracken Ridge when this news hasnae been revealed?” he asked, startled.
Adrina’s mouth went dry, realizing too late that she had voiced something that was yet unknown. She should have remembered that not many women were interested in the politics of war. Nor did they receive unearthly whispers in their heads. She licked her lips. “I must have overheard someone mentioning it,” she lied.
“’Tis possible that this detail was spoken carelessly, Griogair,” Mairead said, coming to her aid. “But now that we ken that ye are heading tae the Ridge, why nae tell us more?” When she saw him hedging, she leaned closer to her brother. “What harm will it be for ye tae tell us now? Wouldnae Rory announce the plan in a wee bit anyhow?”
“All right, I see nay harm in it,” he shrugged. “The clans are tae gather at the Ridge. And from there, we lie in wait for the enemies tae arrive.”
***
For the umpteenth time, Duncan looked over, and saw Adrina still immersed in conversation with Mairead and Griogair. As much as he tried, he was unsuccessful at keeping her out of his brain. Almost without thought, he tracked her movements, and no matter where he stood, every nerve in his body seemed acutely attuned to her presence. At the moment, she was slightly off to the side, and appeared curiously serene in the crowded hall. She stood underneath a torch which hung on the wall, its soft glow falling on her glossy, unbound tresses and reflected off her lovely face.
Duncan excused himself from the women at his side, and made his way over to the small group. He was almost upon them when he overheard her soft musical voice. Even though he was an arm’s length away from her, her sweet womanly scent drifted over to him, teasing his senses.
“’Tis a foolish enterprise tae try tae ambush the English at Bracken Ridge. Think of the lives that would be lost…” she said, her voice faltering as if she was overcome with emotion. “The men make these decisions which affect the lives of every woman and bairn. Some of these decisions about going tae war isnae in our best interest.”
“What do ye ken about war?” Duncan asked his tone mocking as he came to stand beside her. “Do ye think ye have a better strategy for annihilating our foes?”
She spun her head around to the sound of his voice. And when she recognized him, her tawny eyes flashed with annoyance.
“Aye, as a matter of fact, I think that I would have a better strategy. First of all, I wouldnae go tae war tae begin with. ‘Twould eliminate the needless death of our warriors.”
His breath left him briefly as he caught a glimpse of something fiery from within her, something akin to dislike. But instead of this repelling him, it intrigued him. For as long as he could remember, he had never known a woman to despise him with no just cause. In fact, he was slightly taken aback by the force of her animosity.
“Then ye would allow the blasted English to gain sovereignty over our bonny land?” He placed a hand to his chin, stroking it while watching her reaction.
“Nay, of course nae.” She folded her arms across her chest. “If I held a position of authority, I would go tae King Harold, and negotiate a peace treaty.”
“And ye think ‘tis possible,” Duncan said, arching one thick brow. And then finally, unable to contain it, a grunt of disbelief burst from his lips. “Nae only are ye naive, but ye are delusional as well. Verra few English are tae be trusted. If we did as ye suggested, and made a pact with Harold, he would stab us in our backs, and everything would be lost.”
Her amber eyes glittered with defiance and anger, and for a second he wondered how she would be in his bed. No doubt she would be as fiery as her disposition.
