Page 95 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“You have my word on it,” he said. “Now it’s time we get out of here in case the storm should intensify again.”

Ryland went first, looking around to make sure no one was in sight, then he helped Esme out.

“There is enough of the half-moon’s light to help us find our way,” he said, taking her hand. “And we will not be staying long at the village. We return home where I can keep you safe. We are too vulnerable here.”

“We must stay long enough to find out what we can about your mother,” Esme reminded.

The distinct crack of a branch halted them both and Ryland eased Esme behind him, his other hand ready to draw his sword until he spotted the person on the horse and more men behind him.

“Finally, I feared the snowstorm, or the mercenaries got you,” Brack said, relief in his eyes and annoyance in his voice. “You cannot leave without telling me where you go or without protection, and she—” He nodded at Esme. “Needs to be punished for disobeying you and her selfish act that could have cost you your life.”

“Watch your tongue, Brack,” Ryland warned taking on the commanding persona of Torrance. “I and no other decides my wife’s fate. Is that clear?”

“Aye, my lord, but?—”

“Did I not make myself clear, Brack? Do I need to shout it in your face?” Torrance snarled.

“Nay, my lord,” Brack said with a bob of his head.

“Esme will ride with me back to the village. We will talk after I see her settled and fed,” Torrance said in a tone that left no room for anyone to challenge him for reversing his previous orders that she get nothing but bread and water until he said otherwise. But now, he was saying otherwise.

Brack waved his hand and Torrance’s stallion was brought forward.

Torrance looked from the stallion to Brack. “It is good you had enough confidence in me that you brought my stallion. Otherwise, I would have questioned your loyalty.”

“Never would I be disloyal to you, my lord.”

“What I like to hear,” Torrance said, the annoyance still noticeable in Brack’s voice.

Esme didn’t say a word until she was in Ryland’s arms on the horse, then she whispered, “Friends are foes and foes are friends.”

Ryland nodded at her reminder and held her close.

Ryland walkedto the meeting house, two warriors following him and several warriors stationed throughout the village. He had waited until food was brought to Esme to make sure he kept his promise that she would get fed and only then did he take his leave. But first he kissed her, a slow and easy kiss. He smiled as he licked his lips, the faint taste of the generous honey she had spread on her bread and eaten just before he had kissed her still lingering there.

He entered the meeting house to find Brack there alone, sitting at a table close to the firepit.

Brack stood as soon as he spotted Torrance and only sat after Torrance did.

Torrance took a strong breath, needing to make sure he spoke as Torrance would and that would be with annoyance or full-fledged anger. He chose annoyance since it might grow into full-fledged anger.

“How did you know mercenaries were in the area and that they knew where I might be?”

“They were spotted in the woods by a sentinel, four of them, taking a respite before continuing their mission. The sentinel heard a few words the mercenaries exchanged between themselves that this time they would catch Torrance unaware.”

“And how did you come to learn where Esme and I were?”

“I wouldn’t have needed to learn that if you made me aware of your intentions,” Brack said unable to keep the annoyance out of his voice.

“That’s not what I asked,” Torrance snapped, his eyes sparking with anger.

Brack took a breath, then spoke. “I gathered the villagers and threatened them if someone did not step forward and tell me where you went. They were silent at first until I warned that I’d start using a lash on the lot of them until someone spoke up. A woman stepped forward and told me that she delivered a message to Patrick that Breann had given her from Esme and it was to go Lord Torrance. Patrick was the most forthcoming with information since I left him no choice. By then the snowstorm had worsened and I couldn’t search for you. Once it did, I came looking for you. Why did Lady Esme go see a woman who is believed to be a witch?”

“That doesn’t concern you,” Torrance warned with a heated glance.

“I cannot keep you safe if you keep me in the dark,” Brack argued, frustrated.

“There are some things I trust to no one.”

---