Page 49 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
“What of your wife?Do you want her found?”Raeb asked.
Rhuad’s neck heated.
“Of course, I want her found, she’s my wife and I....
“Yes?”Raeb leaned forward.“And you...?”
“And she,” Rhuad corrected.He wasn’t about to confess the nature of his feelings for Seona until he could speak with her.“She helped form the attack plan for when we had only twenty men.Most of the searchers are MacKai men.They know my wife and understand why I allowed her to help form the plan."
Raeb smirked but did not pursue the question.“I'm surprised you were willing to listen to her," Raeb remarked.
“It took less than a week for me to learn that she’s very intelligent.”
“Aye,” agreed MacKai.“For a woman she is that.”
For anyone, Rhuad thought, but in the interests of peace between families he did not contradict his wife’s brother.
***
WHEN SEONA AND LADYLabhra got to the door opposite the chapel, Seona noticed the latch had a bit of green yarn tied to it.“How convenient.The abbess left us a clue as to which key should be used.”
There were only two keys with green yarn tied to them.The lock snicked free when Seona tried the second key.
She made to open the door but was forced to jump out of the way when it swung wide.She moved just in time to avoid adding a nasty bump on her forehead to her other injuries.
Armed men poured from the opening.One of them stopped and pointed a sword at Seona and Lady Labhra.
Other men rushed past him aiming for other doors that flanked the courtyard.
“Explain yourselves,” the man with the sword said.“Who are you, and what do you here?”
“I am Lady Seona MacFearann and this is Lady Labhra MacFearann.We were about to find her mother then set free as many other prisoners as possible.”
The knight pointed his sword to the floor and knelt before her.“Forgive me, ladies.I did not recognize you because I am of clan Marr.”
“Then rise,” Seona ordered.“Marr is friend to MacKai, and I was a MacKai before I hand fasted with Lord MacFearann.”
The man stood.“I must get you to safety and tell lords MacFearann and MacKai you are found.”
“My brother is here?”Seona was reaching the end of her endurance and wanted to see Raeb as well as Rhuad before she collapsed.
“Aye Lady.”
“First get some men to help Lady MacFearann to safety.Take her to the abbess’s chambers.Take the abbess too.”Lady Labhra ordered pointing to the bound woman on the travois.Then Labhra took the keys from Seona.“I must see to my mother’s safety before I seek my own shelter.We will join you in the abbess’s chambers.”
The Marr knight called over a dozen men.Six went with Rhuad’s sister.The knight and five of the other six men remained with Seona and the abbess.One man was sent to find the two lairds and a healer.
“Come with me, my lady,” the first knight said.“You men.Two of you guard Lady MacFearann at flank and behind.You other three take charge of the litter and the woman on it.Lady, what would you have us do with the litter and the abbess?”
“She is my captive and is not to be released under any circumstance.Please have the men bring her with us.Where are we going?”
“Happen we are going to join the other Lady MacFearann.She said I could find her in the Abbess’ personal chambers and told me how to find them.I will assure your safety until we arrive.The lady has a number of other men with her for safety’s sake.Once there, I may have to leave for a time and assist with arresting any guards who have not yet surrendered.”
“I’ll want to hear the tale of the battle,” Seona said.
“There will be much to tell.Let us go, Lady MacFearann.You look like you could use a chair, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
“How could I mind when you say the truth.”She gave him the office to lead and followed, guarded by stalwart men.
