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CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
As they watched, riders appeared on the road ahead, several dozens of them, riding at speed, charging as though they were pursued. Murdina and Kin held their ground, standing shoulder to shoulder, preparing to fight.
“They will nae kill us–my father’s orders will be to take us,” Murdina said, but Kin laughed, his sword poised, a defiant expression on his face.
“To take ye, aye, but nae me,” he said, as now the riders came in sight.
“Then we shall fight together,” Murdina replied
The lead soldier spotted them, his horse rearing up on its hind legs, but as he did so, Murdina gave a cry of recognition, lowering her sword as the rider leaped down from the saddle.
“Murdina, what are ye doin’ here?” Cillian exclaimed, staring at her in wide-eyed astonishment.
“And I might well ask ye the same question–what haste is this?” Murdina asked, a wave of relief coming over as she sheathed her sword and ran to embrace her friend.
“There is terrible trouble abroad. Murdoch McGill has returned and with him Iver Doherty. Yer father… he is to allow Freya and Iver to marry. The castle is filled with his men–there is treachery afoot, Murdina. I, and these loyal men, have fled. We make for the north to bring reinforcements. Yer father is in the power of those devils, and I fear for the Jacobite cause,” Cillian said, shaking his head sadly.
“And you are right to do so,” Kin said, stepping forward as he sheathed his own sword.
“Why, what dae ye know of it?” Cillian asked, staring curiously at Kin.
The last time Cillian had set eyes on Kin, he had been a man without memory, a man who could not be trusted either way, and Murdina gave a brief and potted account of their adventures since leaving the castle, including the revelation of Murdoch and Iver as traitors to the cause, and the fact of the letters proving as such, all of which were hidden in her breeches.
“And that is why we have come back,” Murdina concluded.
“I knew I was right to be suspicious,” Cillian said, shaking his head, “but yer father dismissed me out of hand. He said I knew nothin’ of what I was talkin’ about–tis’ always the same, foolish Cillian who knows nothin’ of the world.”
“Well, ye have been proved right. Was my father angry when he discovered I had left?” Murdina asked, and Cillian nodded.
“Aye, but nae with ye. He believed Kin had abducted ye, taken ye by force. He would hear nay suggestion of ye havin’ gone of yer own free will,” he replied.
“Well, he was wrong in that. I left entirely of my own free will, and I am only glad I did. Had I stayed…” she said, a shudder running through her at the thought of Murdoch and his previous demands.
“Be that as it may, what dae ye intend to dae now?” Cillian asked, and Murdina glanced at Kin.
“I must return and stop this wickedness. My sisters are in terrible danger. If Murdoch cannae have me, then he will have Ella, of that, I am certain,” she said.
“But tis’ too dangerous to return. They will capture ye,” Cillian exclaimed.
“But what other choice dae I have? We shall slip into the castle unseen. We shall make my father understand,” she replied, even as she knew the folly of her plans.
But whatever happened, Murdina knew she had to do something. She could not flee, not when her two sisters were in danger. She thought of Aoife, and that thought spurred her on, the bravery of her sister an inspiration. She was Murdina McFadden, master swordswoman, and it was her duty to protect her clan–even from itself.
“Take care, Murdina–these are dangerous times. And if what ye say is true about Murdoch and Iver, then tis’ more dangerous still,” Cillian replied, shaking his head.
“And what will you do now?” Kin asked.
Cillian pondered for a moment, glancing around at the others.
“These men are loyal to our cause–they followed me when Murdoch and Iver’s men took possession of the castle. We shall gather reinforcements, men loyal to our cause–and we shall return. But until then… ye must use yer own wits. We shall leave some food with ye,” he said, and Murdina nodded.
“Ye have always been the noblest of friends, Cillian, and now ye prove yerself again,” she said, reaching out and placing her hand on his shoulder.
He blushed, shaking his head, and turning away.
“Tis’ the clan which means everythin’ to me, and ye, Murdina–I shall always be yer loyal friend,” he said, glancing at Kin.
“Then we must part ways now–ye to yer destiny and we to ours,” Murdina said, stepping back, as Cillian now leaped into the saddle and called for the others to follow him.
