The Devil's Laird Read online

  “Show him in,” Cinge barked. He straightened his jacket, so he’d look presentable instead of desperate. He ran his hands through his brown hair, slicking it back away from his face.

  In no time, Lord Malcolm strolled into the library and Cinge motioned for the man to take a seat. Malcolm reminded Cinge of a fat rat with his beady eyes. “Would you care for something to drink?”

  “I’ll have what you are drinking.”

  Cinge poured another glass of red port into a goblet and refilled his own, then sat the bottle on his desk. When he handed Malcolm his glass, Cinge asked, “What can I do for you?”

  “It’s what I can do for you.” Lord Malcolm laughed at the shocked look on Cinge’s face.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I know you lost Berwick Castle along with a sizable income,” Malcolm said each word with the certainty of a man who was determined to get what he wanted. “I’m here to offer you a deal.”

  “Go on.”

  With a casual nod, Malcolm said, “I want your daughter.”

  Cinge tried to hide his surprise at Malcolm's request. Cinge blinked several times before he said, “My daughter has been a thorn in my side for years. Why would you want her?”

  Malcolm laughed. “Well for one, I hear she has grown into a beautiful woman. I’ve also been told that she can lead me to the Holy Grail.”

  “The Holy Grail has been lost for years, man. There have been many quests for the Grail . . . all ending in death.”

  “Death, maybe.” Malcolm shrugged. “Yet none have found the cup. Once it’s in my possession then I can make you a very wealthy man.”

  Cinge nodded. “I like what I’m hearing but Siena is with Laird Scott, so I will have to get her back on English soil.”

  Malcolm leaned forward and placed his glass on the desk. He refilled his glass, then asked, “Do you have the men to take her from the laird?”

  “Hell no!” Cinge shrugged matter-of-factly and then thought better, not wanting to show his weakness. “Well, not on his ground, but I do have something the man wants more than anything. I think Laird Scott will hand over my daughter without lifting a sword.”

  Malcolm astonishment was obvious, but he recovered and asked, “Then we have a bargain?”

  Cinge stood and raised his glass in salute to Lord Malcolm. “We have a deal. I’ll send a message right away.”

  One spring morning, Roderick told Siena he was going on a raid with two of his brothers. She bade him to be careful and vowed to herself that she was going to find Michael while her husband was gone. As she watched Roderick ride away, she had the strangest feeling that she’d never see him again. She shook her head to get rid of the silly feeling. He wouldn’t be gone that long. He had said so himself. She would make her husband happy again as soon as she discovered where Michael was located.

  Two days later, Siena returned to the keep from her morning walk, she found a messenger standing in the entryway with the steward standing in front of him with his arms crossed. Martin, Roderick’s steward, more or less ran the household and had been very nice to Siena since she’d arrived. She assumed the men were having a discussion, so she made her way down the hall leading to the stairs that led to the great hall, knowing she wasn’t needed.

  Martin turned and said, “Milady, the mon says he has a message for Laird Scott.”

  Siena paused and then went back to stand next to Martin. “I’m Laird Scott’s wife. I’ll take it.” Siena held out her hand.

  “Ye can read, milady?” Martin asked, a surprised look on his face as most women and men he knew couldn’t read and he most certainly couldn’t.

  “Aye, I can.”

  The messenger, who she noticed was dressed in her father’s colors, handed her the small note. She immediately recognized her father’s seal; however, she didn’t bother to comment or show any outer expression as a chill ran up her back. She knew that this couldn’t be good.

  “Is there a reply, milady?” the messenger asked.

  “Tell him, Laird Scott will be back in a couple of days. He will send his reply then,” Siena managed to say in a strained voice.

  Her feet felt like lead as she went down the stairs into the great hall. Once she was alone, she walked over to one of the chairs by the fireplace and sat down. Siena realized she was shaking from head to toe so she took several deep breaths to calm herself before opening the letter. Quickly, she scanned the hateful words.

  Agatha strolled in from the kitchen with two cups of hot spiced milk and sat them on the table between the two chairs. “I thought you might like something warm this morning, milady,” she paused and peered at Siena. “What’s wrong? You look like you have seen a ghost.”

  “I wish I had seen a ghost.” Siena held up the slip of paper. “This is a letter from my father who I assure you is very much alive.”

  Agatha gasped and set her cup back down before she dropped it. “What does it say?”

  “Father has Michael.”

  “That’s wonderful. The laird’s son is not dead. Laird Scott will be so happy.”

  “Yes, that part is great news. However, Michael is still in the hands of my father. I hope he hasn’t mistreated the child, but I fear he probably has.” Siena paused and took a sip of milk, her mind spinning. “He wants Roderick to make a trade . . . his son for me.”

  “Laird Scott will never agree.”

  “How could he not make the trade?” Siena asked. “He wants his son more than anything and I want Michael back with his father. Nothing in the world would make Roderick happier.”

  “But the laird loves you, milady, I’m sure he will think of something. He would never make the trade.” Agatha frowned. “I don’t like that look in your eye, milady. What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know. I’m going to sit here a few minutes and think,” Siena said as she stared into the fire wanting the fire to speak to her. Then she remembered the stones. She slipped her right hand into her pouch and slipped the four stones into her hand. She held them tightly in her hand and murmured, “Speak to me. Show me the boy.”

  In the middle of the flames, she could see the child. He was in her old bedroom. Michael was very thin, pale, and crying. Her heart ached for the child. He looked so frightened. She definitely knew how that felt. Then the flames produced her father’s face and she jumped back bumping the back of her head on the chair. He was talking to Henry, his first in command.

  “We will look like we are going to make the exchange, but once the boy is almost to his father you will shoot an arrow into the boy’s back and kill him. Let Roderick feel what is like to truly lose a son. I’ll have no more use for the boy.

  “What about your daughter?” Henry asked.

  A slow smile spread on her father’s face. “I do have use for her.”

  Siena was breathing hard when she jerked back to the present. She peered at Agatha who was sitting on the edge of her chair. “It’s a trap.”

  “What did you see?”

  “My father is planning to kill the boy in front of Roderick to even the score for my brother’s death.”

  Agatha gasped. “But you did the killing, milady.”

  “Aye, but I’m not sure he knows that I killed my brother, however, my father needs me, so he cannot kill me. Of that I am sure.”

  “Milady, we must do something.”

  “Do you remember that there is a passage in the back of the castle?” It was built because my father didn’t want to see servants running around the castle.”

  “Aye.”

  “I think I can get into the castle and get the child out without anyone seeing me.”

  Agatha shook her head, then gasped. “It is awfully dangerous, milady.”

  “I don’t want Roderick doing battle with my father’s men. I don’t want to be the cause of men losing their lives when I can make a difference. I can get Michael and we can head back toward Black Dawn.”

  “But they will notice the child is gone and come after
you.”

  Siena looked around the room as if she was trying to find the answer. “I know.” She swung back. “The kitchen staff has always been loyal to me. I will get some food from them and ask that they keep up the pretense that the boy is still in his room for a little while. Father wouldn’t bother to check on the boy every day. That will give us a little time. Before I leave, I’ll dispatch a messenger to Roderick telling him what is going on. With luck, he will meet us on the road home, and no one will get caught.”

  “But what if you are caught?”

  Siena frowned. “I’ll tell them that if they let the boy go then I will lead them to the Holy Grail. They have been looking for it for years.”

  “You know where it is?”

  “Not exactly.” Siena stood up with a half-smile. “But I have confidence now that I can find it.

  “I need to go see the fairies.”

  Chapter 16

  After explaining to Agatha that she could not go with her, Siena grabbed her cloak and hurried to the kitchen where Alva stopped her to approve the dinner menu. Siena nodded, knowing she wouldn’t be there to enjoy the meal. She didn’t want the household to know she was leaving Black Dawn. She sighed, then she hurried out the back door.

  Siena knew she had the strength to rescue the child. She would not fail. Across the lawn, she saw a puff of smoke drifting up in the air and knew that Elen, too, was visiting the fairies.

  “Hello,” Siena said, once she reached them.

  Elen jumped, startled. “Oh, lass,” she said, grabbing her chest. “Ye gave me a fright.”

  Siena saw Elen’s face was bright red, so Siena asked, “Are you feeling poorly?”

  “Something isn’t right, lass,” Elen said, shaking her head. “I’ve no felt like this since we were attacked, and then I dinna move fast enough to warn everyone.”

  Barra fluttered in front of Elen, bobbing up and down. “Aye, Elen is correct and I bet you can tell us what is wrong, Siena.”

  “Actually, I can,” Siena replied. “I’ve come to ask for your help, Barra.”

  “Help?” Elen grabbed Siena’s arm. “What are ye talkin’ about, lass?”

  “M--Michael is alive!” A sense of power came to Siena and she rushed on, “My father is holding him at the castle where I grew up.”

  “How do you know this?” Barra asked.

  “A note came for Roderick today. Since he isn’t here, I opened the message. It said that my father wants to exchange the boy for me,” Siena paused, “but he lied. He will kill Michael for revenge for my brother’s death.”

  “So, this is why my head hurts,” Elen said. “When something affects the clan like this, then I always get these terrible headaches.” She took a couple of puffs from her pipe. “Dinna fear, our laird will know what to do.”

  “No!” Siena shouted. They both looked at her. “I don’t want anyone to lose their life over me.”

  “But Laird Scott will no want ye in danger,” Elen argued.

  “It’s better to lose me than to lose his son. Besides, if my plan works, we both will escape and no one will die,” she spoke with firmness, then she peered at Barra. “I need to able to use my magic if I’m going to rescue Michael, and I’ll need your help.”

  Barra fluttered up and down. “How may I help you?”

  “You have given me the stones which are how I know what my father is planning. But can I go and get Michael and bring him back here?” Siena held her hand out and Barra landed on her palm.

  “You have always had the power to go where you want to.”

  “But how?”

  “All you have to do is think hard about the place where you want to be, close your eyes and you will be there.”

  “But what about coming back?”

  “You can come back, but you cannot bring someone else with you.”

  “That won’t work. I need to get Michael back safely.” Siena thought for a moment. “I know. The castle has many back hallways and passages. I’ll go and get Michael and then escape out the back of the castle, but we will need horses.”

  Barra giggled. “I can help you there. I’ll come with you, as I don’t count as someone else,” she giggled again. “I have my own powers so I can get the horses you need to return. I’ll also stay with you for a little extra magic.”

  “I would hug you,” Siena said. “If I were not afraid of damaging your wings.”

  “That’s all right,” Barra said with a magical laugh. “I’m glad to help.”

  “Are ye both crazy?” Elen said, jerking her arms straight up in the air. “Ye will be in the enemy camp with many men. Ye should wait for our laird.” Elen shook her head. “He will no be pleased.”

  “Roderick will forget about his anger once he sees his son.” Siena clenched her jaw to kill the sob in her throat. “And I’ll be accomplishing his greatest wish . . . to have his son home safe and sound.”

  “I’m one hundred and ten, lass. Ye should listen to me. He’ll no be happy if ye are killed in the process.”

  Siena hugged Elen, wondering if Elen truly knew her own age. “Thank you for caring, Elen. I’ll send word to Roderick as soon as I leave so that he might meet us on the way home. Everything will work out. Wait and see.”

  “Ye have powerful magic,” Elen paused, then continued, “it will take everything ye have to accomplish this task.”

  “I know,” Siena replied.

  Siena hurried back to the castle to talk to Agatha. She explained to Agatha what she was going to do and persuaded her to switch cloaks as Agatha’s was a dark color and would draw less notice.

  Siena ran upstairs to retrieve Michael’s rabbit and then rushed back down.

  After assuring Agatha that she would be all right, Siena instructed her to send word to Roderick and tell him what has happened, then she went back to the fairy mound and waited for Barra.

  “Are you ready?” Barra asked, in her little girl's voice. The other fairies fluttered around like flies, wishing them well.

  “I am,” Siena replied. Barra flew over and sat on Siena’s shoulder. Siena spun around three times. Everything grew black as the air rushed past them and then they were sucked into nothing . . . no sight … no sound … no feeling.

  They landed behind her father’s castle at the edge of the woods. Siena felt like a feather floating through the air. It would have been the perfect way to escape with Michael, however, Barra had explained that you had to be magical to fly from one place to another and the child wasn’t magical.

  The gray walls of Balan Castle loomed ahead of them, and luckily the soldiers were not patrolling the back wall. The small door couldn’t be seen unless you knew where it was located, so Siena didn’t expect any problems.

  She looked at Barra, “Will someone see you?”

  “Nay. Only children and special people can see fairies. I’ll go and get two horses and wait for you here in the woods just in case there is a patrol.”

  Siena nodded.

  “And do be careful, Siena, as they can see you.”

  Siena smiled. It felt good to have someone worry about her, she thought as she turned and headed toward the wall. Once there, she ran her hand across the cold stone until she felt the small knot in the wall. She pressed the knot and the door popped loose. With her fingertips, she pried the door open, leaving it cracked so she could see in the dark tunnel. She entered and reached for the torch and the flints, but the flints were not there. She wondered who had moved them and prayed that maybe she didn’t remember correctly, surely no one knew about this passageway.

  Siena clutched her stones, took a deep breath, and blew on the end of the torch and it glowed brightly with orange and yellow flames. Her magic had served her well today. Perhaps she was getting better using her gift. She lit the other torch and left it in the bracket by the outer door, then she closed the door, leaving the outside world behind her.

  Carefully, she walked down the stone passageway, ducking spider webs. It was cool and dark. Her breath sounde
d loud in her ears as she went deeper and deeper in the passageway until she reached the stairs. All her senses were strained, expecting every minute to be discovered. She started to climb the two flights of stairs until she came to the end which opened behind a chest in her old bedroom. She placed the torch in a bracket so they could use it on the way out, then she listened at the door to see if anyone was in her old room.

  Nothing.

  Slowly she inched the door open, so as not to scare the child. “Michael, pull the chest away from the door.” Luckily the child did as he was told. When she had the door open enough to get in, she slipped into the room, and immediately put her finger over her lips so Michael wouldn’t scream. His eyes were as big as saucers, but thankfully he remained quiet.

  Siena knelt down so she’d be at eye level with the child. “Do you remember me, Michael?”

  The child nodded. He jumped into her arms. “I want to go home. That mean man said my da didn’t want me anymore.”

  “Such nonsense. Your father has been worried sick about you.” She hugged the child tight, trying to reassure him. “I have something for you.” She pulled out his rabbit and handed it to Michael. He latched on to it as if it would protect him from anything.

  “I’m here to take you home,” Siena said as she rocked the child back and forth. “But you will have to be very quiet and brave because we don’t want to get caught. If my father comes in before I can get you out, then you must pretend I’m not here. Do you understand?”

  Michael pulled back. “He is your da?”

  “Unfortunately, he is but he doesn’t love me as your father loves you.”

  A spark of hope entered the child’s eyes. “Is my da here?”

  “He is not but he will meet us on the way home.” She prayed that what she said was true and Roderick was on his way. “He’ll be so excited to see you. He had no idea where you were all this time, and he feared you were dead.”

  Michael smiled. Siena thought it probably had been a long time since the child had done so. Now there was hope in his eyes instead of sadness.