Page 95 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

Niven rubbed his brother reassuringly. He didn’t really want to admit he hadn’t got a clue. Instead, he asked him something that had been on his mind.

“This pact with the English,” said Niven. For the first time, he glanced over at the chasing soldiers. They were just far ahead enough to have put some clear distance in between. And although Niven was not complacent, there was time to talk.

“Aye,” said Fingal. He was still plainly terrified and didn’t seem too keen on chatting. But Niven pressed on.

“Well, do they ken about it?” he asked, indicating the hordes of MacLean guards charging after them, “I mean, the clansmen. Do they ken about their laird’s plot to tie them to the English?”

Fingal looked unsure. “I dinnae ken,” he said softly. Niven noticed that his breath was coming in waves as if breathing was difficult. Right then, Niven wished that he could simply stop – and redress his brother’s wound. But it was impossible.

“I dinnae ken, but one thing’s for certain, the other lairds in the alliance dinnae ken about it. That MacLean plays things very close to his chest… An’ he definitely doesnae want any of them knowing…”

“Right,” said Niven, looking back at the men chasing him. Finding he still had MacLean’s sgian dubh in his hand, Niven stared up at it, amazed.

All this time, and he hadn’t used it! Without a second thought, Niven lobbed it in the direction of the crowd – knocking one of the soldiers stone dead in a single hit.

MacLean’s men were so stunned that they all but fell away. This allowed them the chance they needed to pull forwards. Pushing hard, Niven helped Fingal to get free of the laird’s men.

Finally, they were turning a corner. Now they had reached a section of tunnel, where it divided into five separate ways.

Niven knew this spot well, and hopefully, the MacLeans did not. Ushering his brother into an alcove, he nudged him swiftly. By pressing themselves in, they were able to remain out of sight.

Fingal’s eyes reached around into his. They were in a darkened semi-circle, which connected to all the main arteries of the tunnel.

With a nod to Fingal, he pushed him across to one of the tunnels and quickly shuffled up beside him. Before MacLean’s men could see, he dived after him.

After that, they both ran like their lives depended on it. But although they weren’t out of danger yet, Niven was fairly sure he had outfoxed them.

Now they had the chance to catch their breath, Niven turned to Fingal. After checking he was alright to continue, he smiled.

“So, this proof, brother… where is it…?”

But Fingal looked at him with uncertainty on his face.

“Well,” he said hesitantly. Niven didn’t like the sound of his tone. “This is where it gets tricky…”

Niven eyed him unsurely. “Aye?”

“Well, I dinnae actually have it. It’s on MacLean himself…” Fingal looked sheepish, “The papers, letter sent from the English commander, he keeps them on him at all times. He doesnae even trust his servants with them. If we’re going to get them – we’re going to have to kill him first…”

Fingal cast his gaze downward as if he didn’t hold out much hope.

But Niven was not phased at all. “Kill him first? Well, brother, I think that can be arranged!”

* * *

Her heart in a royal panic, Deva sat up, snatching the bedclothes around her naked shoulders. She was sweating, beads of perspiration trickling down her face like rain.

Gasping for breath, she threw the sheets from her and sat bolt upright.

“Oh,” she moaned. The dream that had filled her head was still there. It seemed every time she shut her eyes, Niven’s face was there.

He was in windows of the houses as she rode by, reflected in the stream she’d sailed on. He was even there, trapped inside the looking glass in the narrow bedroom.

“Miss?” came Allyth’s voice, sleepily, from the bed beside her. Allyth stirred slightly from her sleep. She always was a light sleeper.

But Deva was still battling to get her stuck throat to breathe. In a panic, she brought her hands to her throat as if throttling herself. Then, eventually, the blockage cleared itself, and she exhaled.

“Are ye alright?” said Allyth, sitting up.