Mysty McPartland (22 page)

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Supper almost over and still there was no sign of Trista and Rieph could not help the uneasy feeling that something had happened to her. She was all alone, for she left her great dog behind sleeping by the fire. After he asked everyone in the hall if they knew where she was, they only told him they saw her going towards the village and that had been around noon.

Deciding to go to searching for her, he would ask door to door if he needed too. After knocking on half a dozen, he found out that she went down to the stream. A feeling dread washed over him and his gut telling him it was too late. He took off at a run going to the spot he knew she favored.

He knew in his heart that he would find the place empty. He stood for some time feeling the loss of his wife overwhelm him. Falling to his knees and hanging his head, the anguish was nearly unbearable as it tore through his heart. When he realized that he may never see her again he was paralyzed with heart piercing devastation.

Even though he
knew Payne, Quinn and Gabe followed him, and now stood some distance away. He ignored them. He didn’t care if they witnessed his suffering, because he knew whoever had taken his wife would not treat her at all well and she would suffer terribly at their hands.

While Rieph and the others were away from the hall, Trista and Jaccy’s father Lord David Russell arrived on a lathered, tired horse. Without ceremony, he rushed into the hall calling for his daughters and laird McKay.

Surprised at hearing her father shouting, Jaccy came running and flew into his arms. “Oh, father, I am so happy to see you. Please come and sit down and tell me what has bought you here.”

“
No, daughter, just tell me where your sister and her husband are. I need to speak to them at once.” He frantically searched the hall and did not see either of them anywhere.

“
Oh he went in search of Trista when she was so late in returning.” She said worriedly as she stared at her father.

“
It is as I feared I am too late then. Hurry, daughter, and send someone to finding laird McKay. It is most urgent.” He stressed.

Feeling that something was awfully wrong, she quickly did as he ordered and both waited impatiently for him to return.

When he heard his name being called, Rieph slowly climbed to his feet. His face devoured of any emotions except for the deep pain in his cloudy blue eyes.

Breathless, Big John stopped when he saw his laird. “My Laird, our lady’s father is here and says it is most important that he sees ye at once.”

He did not need to hear what his father-in-law wanted to say, he knew already and nodding. he hurried back to the hall, hoping that the man would at least have some vital information about Trista.

Nobody left the hall and they all waited to hear what the laird would do about his missing wife.

“
As I said, Laird Rieph, I have a man watching Lord Phillip and when he gathered some of his men I knew he would be coming here. So I had him followed and I came straight here. As soon as my man knows what is happening he will come immediately to us.” David spoke softly, but clearly worried.

“
Ye are a verra astute man, Lord Russell. I have also expected some sought of action from the bastard and I may ken who may be aiding him. So this is what I plan to do. Quinn do ye think that ye could bring some of ye men here to help defend my home?” Even though he was filled with anxiety for his wife, he would do anything to get her back as quickly as he could. First though, he needed to see to the defense of his home and clan.

“
Aye, I can have two hundred men back here by dawn if I leave at once.” Quinn stood ready to ride.

“
Thank ye.” He shook his hand and watched his friend leave before he turned to Gabe. “Gather a hundred men and be ready to ride at my word.”

Gabe jumped to his feet and did as his laird commanded.

Quickly standing up, he addressed the hall in a loud voice. “’Tis as I feared, our lady has been stolen from us. And I fear ‘tis a trap to lead me and our men out so that McGovern can attack. I want ye to spread the word to those that are nay here to defend their home. My brother will act as laird and ye are to follow his orders until I return with our lady.” No sooner did he finish speaking, everyone stood and bellowed out the clan cry before they rushed out to prepare for battle.

Payne stood beside his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Thank ye for ye faith in me, Rieph. I will defend our home with my verra life and I ken ye will bring ye bonny wife back home where she belongs.”

“Aye
, I ken ye will protect everyone here and our home as well. And dinnae fear I will bring my sweet wee Trista home again. Now I have a message that I must write to the king. Find me someone who will ride fast and hard for me, brother.”

“I’ll take it.”
Lord David stood up.

“
Nay, Sir, ye have ridden long already and are tired also I ken it would be best if ye stay here with lady Jaccy and I ken that when I bring Trista home, she will be pleased to see ye.” He placed a hand on the older man’s shoulder and went off to write the note to the king.

It was near midnight when a lone rider came through the gates and once he spoke to him, knew his assumptions were right.

****

Kevin McGovern with his arm wrapped around Devena’s waist stood on the battlement and watch Lord Phillip and fifty Englishmen approach. “Ye were right, lass, the Sassenach dog wants revenge just as much as we do.”

Devena laughed without humor. “Aye
, I knew he would. Now let us go down and greet our English partner, who will help us destroy the Black Warlock once and for all.”

Lord Phillip gazed superiorly at the woman and man standing in front of him. If he did not need
their help in getting his revenge against lady Trista and her family, he would not be here at all. However, he must admit their plan, if it succeeded, would be the ultimate in revenge. So, he would act the cordial visitor to these heathens and when he finally could have his hands on the bitch that spurned him, he would leave here gladly.

              Chapter Twenty

Nearly two weeks had passed since the argument between
her and Rieph things have gone from bad to worse. Now, Trista did not even think an apology from her would help matters at all. She came down to the stream to be alone with her thoughts and her unhappiness. She needed to think of a way to bridge the gap that was widening between them before there was nothing left and any future happiness was completely destroyed.

Despondently
, leaning back against the tree, she closed her eyes willing the tears away. The next instant, she was struggling against the hard hand pressing against her mouth. The punishing arm bound tightly around her waist, squeezed the air out of her lungs.

Her eyes flew open and she
fought like a wild cat and thought how foolish she was in not letting Zana, her pet come with her. Then without knowing who held her, pain exploded when she was clipped hard on the chin and blackness engulfed her.

She slowly woke and found herself lying over the back of the horse. She knew with her hands and feet were bound, it would be useless to struggle. Lifting her head, she tried to find out who would dare take her, but could not see a thing through her fallen curtain of hair.

B
y their voices though she knew that they were both English and Scottish and fear gripped her heart. Because she knew deep down inside, she was now in the hands of Lord Phillip. She wondered which laird betrayed his Scottish heritage by taking sides with the enemy the English and when the horses were stopped, she did not have long to find out.

Dragged from her
animal, her bonds cut, she lifted her head and sneered. It was Kevin McGovern, Rieph’s former lover lady Devena and the one that caused the most terror in her heart, Lord Phillip.

A
ll were smirking at her in malice. It was Lord Phillip that stepped forward and spoke. “So, traitorous harlot, we meet again.” He took another step forward and grasped her chin tightly.

Refusing to cower or show how frightened she was, she glared back with loathing. “Traitor nay ‘tis ye who whispered spitefully in the king’s ear and had him make me marry the Black Warlock. Harlot aye if I were forced to wed ye.”

Infuriated, Lord Phillip dropped her chin and slapped her across the face. “It has not taken you long to become a heathen just like the one you married. Take warning though, Lady, for every insult against me you will suffer.”

Proudly lifting her chin, she sneered in contempt. She would never cower before this man. “And for every bruise ye put upon me
The Black Warlock
will make ye pay thrice.”

Once again, Lord Phillip struck her so hard that it cut her cheek and felled her to her knees. “I warned you, woman, and as for the Black Warlock. You will not see him again in this life time.”

Painfully struggling to her feet, she faced him defiantly. “Ye are daft if ye think such a foolish thing. What belongs to
The Black Warlock
he will kill to keep and I am
The Black Warlock’s woman
and ye will die for ye deeds this day.”

Knowing that
she enraged Lord Phillip beyond his endurances, she readied herself for the blows to come. But no matter how much she was prepared, she staggered under the fists hammering at her. They finally sent her to the cold ground again and into blessed unconsciousness.

Still furious, but feeling immense pleasure at quelling the defiance in the lady at least for the time being, Lord Phillip turned to lady Devena and laird Kevin. “Now that one part of our plan is complete, let us get on with the rest.”

As Kevin with his men watched the Black Warlock’s woman being beaten, for the first time since he concocted this plan, he was beginning to realize that he had betrayed his family, his name and his heritage. He could tell by the disgusted expression on his men’s faces that they felt the same.

T
o them, here was a hateful enemy of many years, beating the wife of one of the most powerful lairds in the Highlands. He very much regretted what he had done, but it was far too late now to change it. He knew though that he just lost the respect of his clan, for he lost it for himself.

Devena
was ecstatic that the first part of the plan succeeded so well and soon she would be the one to console Rieph. Little did either Kevin or Lord Phillip know, the man they sent to watch the Black Warlock was indebted to her and she made sure that he would not return to tell them of Rieph’s movements.

S
o, neither would know what he was up to and either one of them could fall, but to make sure it was not Lord Phillip, she needed to get him and the bitch away from here quickly. “I think, Lord Phillip, mayhap ye best course is to leave as soon as ye can. Before the Black Warlock discovers who has stolen his wife.”

Lord Phillip eyed the woman thoughtfully, it might be a good idea, the heathen, Black Warlock was not a man to take too lightly. Or, to forget that he was a man that would kill for the slightest offence. Turning to his men and then down at the unconscious woman at his feet, he glanced over the detestable Scotsmen and saw the hatred in their eyes.

“
Men, prepare to leave as soon as we are ready. Tom, you will take care of the lady.” He turned back to the Scottish couple and smiled coldly. “If you don’t mind I will leave here within the hour and I must thank you both kindly for your help in this matter. I hope that I was of service to you both.”

Ecstatic that the Sassenach fool would go along with her plan stepping forward, Devena smiled. “Please, Lord Phillip, come and join us for some refreshment before you leave.”

Reluctantly he agreed and followed the couple inside, hoping that his men would be ready ride as soon as possible. He did not want to remain this place any longer than necessary.

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Rieph was nearly about to ride out when some of his men came through the gates dragging a man between them. He ignored the blood and bruises the stranger sported and turned a curious gaze at his own men. “Who is he and what does he ken?”

One brawny man stepped forward. “We caught him sneaking around and when we saw that he wore the McGovern colors we bought him here.”

“
Good work, men, and I will see that ye are rewarded. Now man, ye best tell me what ye ken or else it will go verra badly for ye.” He stood in front of the man threateningly and was pleased to see him cower. “Tell me what ye ken and ye may live.”

Peter prayed for his life when he was shoved in front of the Black Warlock. “Please, my Laird, I dinnae mean anything lady Devena sent me. I was to tell her when ye went after Lord Phillip.”

Enraged over the information his arm shot up and delivering a powerful blow sent the man flying. “Take care of this sniveling cur. Dinnae let him get away. Come on, we’re going to bring our lady home.” Swiftly mounting his horse, his men doing the same, he rode out. He already planned where he would wait for the English bastard and wanted plenty of time for him and his men to be in place.