Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

" D id you learn anything from the captives?" Shade asked when she reached his side.

Quint glanced at his wife briefly, his eyes going back to the joyous scene of the family being reunited. "I learned that Asher keeps things to himself which means he trusts no one. Anything learned about him is overheard or whispered about which means it cannot be a reliable source of information. I am counting on Dru to return with the truth about Asher."

"You sent Dru to get information for you?" Shade asked, shaking her head, not believing what she heard. "How could you, she is?—"

"A thief wise enough to take care of herself. Besides, she has never failed to gather information for me. She has proven herself trustworthy and her information accurate."

Shade leaned against her husband, glad for the comfort of his tender embrace. "I cannot help but think how vulnerable she is, a lone, petite woman, and the dangers she faces. Dru cannot continue to survive like that. One day she will come against a situation she will not be able to escape."

"You have survived on your own," Quint reminded.

"Not entirely on my own. I have a home, family, friends, and my healing, and I still felt lonely at times, as if I was missing something?—"

"I was what you were missing," he said teasingly.

"Aye, it was you I was waiting for." She smiled and spoke in a playful tone. "Though, I can honestly say that being wed to The Monk makes me yearn, at times, for a bout or two of loneliness."

He gave her waist a playful squeeze. "Are you saying The Monk is too much of a challenge for you?"

She laughed softly. "He is more of an adventure that I find quite enjoyable, and I look forward to the life we will share together."

"I will do my best to give you a good life, Shade," he whispered near her ear then kissed her cheek.

"Together, we will make a good life for ourselves. Always together." Her smile faded. "We have each other. Dru has no one. She is entirely on her own and I can only imagine how difficult that must be. She must grow lonely at times. She needs a home."

"I have expressed the same concern to her, but she insists she will live her life as she pleases. Talk with her yourself when she returns. Advice from a woman might make her see things differently."

"What if she doesn't return?"

"Then I will go search for her which is exactly what I told her I would do if she doesn't return in a few days."

Laughter drew their attention and Quint smiled, seeing the two lasses chasing after each other in play.

"They are a happy family," he said.

"Is that what you hoped for with Amara?" Shade could not help but ask.

Quint hugged her closely. "Aye, I had, and I may have lost it, but I am grateful I now found it with you. You are all I need, Shade."

He kissed her and her heart filled with joy, though guilt poked at her that she might never give him a child.

"That is a ridiculous idea," Quint said.

"I believe it is a brilliant idea," Caleb said.

"I agree. Nug's idea is brilliant," Ula said, "and I am sure the clan would have no objections. What say you, Shade?"

"I would fear for my husband's safety but then everyone's safety in the clan is presently in jeopardy."

"It will work," Nug insisted. "Word, no doubt, is already spreading that mercenaries have been taken captive here by The Monk. If word followed that The Monk arrived here and took command of the clan in Lord Torrance's name, few would dare venture here."

"But what happens when word reaches Lord Torrance?" Shade asked, worried about her husband taking on such a dangerous task. "Surely, he will send his warriors after The Monk and take charge of the clan."

"Not if The Monk sends word that he rules Clan MacLeish in Lord Torrance's name and that he imprisons mercenaries who are trying to take what rightfully belongs to Lord Torrance. And The Monk will continue to do so until he arrives to establish his rule here," Nug said. "Lord Torrance would have no reason to send mercenary thugs here after hearing that and it would give Ryland time to carry out whatever plan he has to free the clan from Lord Torrance's rule."

"Nug is right," Caleb said. "Lord Torrance must have his hands full after the battle, appeasing the mercenaries and nobles who helped him see victory. He would probably be only too pleased to have The Monk siding with him."

"I assume Lord Torrance wouldn't mind giving Chieftain Ryland time to heal so that he could administer his own brutal punishment and eventual death," Nug said. "And he would see it done in front of the entire clan so that they would fear him enough to obey him without question."

"This is not an easy task you ask of my husband," Shade said, her worry mounting that he might agree to it and if he did, what then would happen to the life they hoped to share? "He would risk his life to do this for you since once Lord Torrance discovered the truth, he would see The Monk dead."

"Which is why we cannot remain idle or helpless. We need to find out where Ryland is and what he has planned and how we can help him defeat Lord Torrance," —Nug turned to look at Quint— "We need to know if you will help us."

"It isn't that you ask much of me, for I know how thirsty one can be for revenge. It is that you ask so much of my wife when she has already given endlessly of herself to help you. Now you ask that she take the chance of losing a husband she has barely been wed to and the life they hoped to share together."

Ula got teary-eyed. "Oh, Shade, how selfish of me to even consider it when you risked your life coming here to help us, and only after you just wed, and then working tirelessly to help the wounded."

"Ah, we are selfish like Ula says and grateful for your help thus far," Nug said, "but think of what life would be like in these parts if Lord Torrance continues his thirst to gain more land and power? No one would be safe from his cruelty."

Nug's warning awakened a worry in Shade, and she saw the same worry in her husband's eyes and knew his thought was a similar one. What would happen if Lord Torrance decided he wanted her to serve as his healer? What would he do, not to her, but to her family and friends if she refused him?

"We think the same, wife, so you know I have no choice but to do this," Quint said.

While Caleb and Nug appeared confused, Ula gasped. "When Lord Torrance hears of Shade's exceptional healing skills, you worry that he will demand she become his clan healer."

"And he would once the news reaches him about how she has helped heal the wounded at Clan MacLeish and she also is helping Chieftain Ryland to heal," Nug said, offering his concern.

"It is a wise decision," Caleb said, exhaustion heavy in his voice and in his eyes that he fought to keep open.

"Enough for now," Ula ordered. "Caleb needs sleep."

Shade and Quint followed Nug out the door and after he shut it, he looked from Shade to Quint. "The Monk should view this as an opportunity to prove he is not the madman everyone believes him to be. No one will be able to deny he is a good man if he helps Clan MacLeish, and they will begin to doubt that he could have killed those monks."

"I will consider it," Quint said.

"Do not take too long," Nug advised. "Time is not on our side."

Nug hurried off and Quint took his wife's hand. "We need to talk."

"Aye, this is not an easy decision to make," she said as he hustled her away.

Quint spoke after reaching their bedchamber and closing the door. "I disagree. This is an easy decision to make."

Shade shook her head at his incredulous remark. "You cannot be serious."

"But I am. It could easily lure Asher and Lord Torrance into a trap. I would get to have my revenge against Asher after learning who hired him to kill Amara and the monks, and Clan MacLeish will get another chance to defeat Lord Torrance."

"Asher might feel the same, having you somewhere convenient where he could end your life with little difficulty and with the help of Lord Torrance," Shade argued.

"But I will be ready for him. I won't need to go searching for him and I won't face him alone. I have the whole Clan MacLeish to help me while I, in turn, help them."

That more than appealed to Shade. It would mean her not having to bid him goodbye and worry that he might never return if his hunt for Asher went badly.

"Though it would be prudent if we waited for Dru to return and see what she learns about Asher before a decision is made," Quint said.

"On that I agree," Shade conceded and walked toward him, his arm reaching out for her after taking only one step.

He embraced her as he always did with warmth and strength that comforted her. She felt like she did when she stepped into her cottage, that she was home. Quint's arms, his strength, his love was now her home, and nothing could be more welcoming.

"Tell me how I am to trust you when you went behind my back and did this," Quint demanded of Nug.

"It is the only way, and we have no time to lose," Nug said in defense of his actions.

Quint glared at Nug, ready to ring the man's neck. "I specifically asked you to wait until Dru returned with news."

"She is already a day late. It could wait no longer," Nug argued.

"But you never waited. You sent Rufus three days ago, only two days after we discussed this, with a message for Lord Torrance that I would rule Clan MacLeish in his name until he arrives. And who informed me about this? My wife. Rufus's daughter Bethy told my wife how much she misses her da and she can't wait until he comes home. It didn't take much to realize where he had gone or who might have sent him since he would have never left his family so soon after reuniting with them."

"Rufus' family does well, and he is grateful. The lass' hearing has greatly improved since Shade cleared her ears of the wax with her ear pick. Several others in the clan who have difficulty hearing have gone to her and have had good results as well."

"That may be so, but changing the talk to his daughter's hearing will not help the matter. You were wrong, Nug," Quint said, ready to lash out in anger at the man for being so foolish but knowing it would not help the situation.

"I had no choice. I had to protect my clan, and Rufus was the obvious choice in who to send. He's proven trustworthy."

"Trustworthy? Or was it the incentive for him to accept the task since his wife and daughters reside safely here and would continue to do so? Something I have no doubt you reminded him about."

"He saw the wisdom in our plan and offered to help and, aye, it was because he wanted his family kept safe just like we all do."

"I hope you advised Rufus wisely so that Lord Torrance doesn't force him to return to the mercenaries while he sends another in his place."

"I did. I told him to let Lord Torrance know that The Monk trusts him and his word and that he should tell him that The Monk did take some mercenaries prisoners since they were being greedy, trying to take what rightfully belonged to Lord Torrance. I also told Rufus not to worry if Torrance sent some men with him that we would take care of them when he arrived home."

" Home . A word he no doubt cherished."

"Don't we all?" Nug asked.

The door opened and Shade entered. "Why do I hear whispers of The Monk ruling the clan? Had we not decided to wait on Dru's return to decide?"

Quint cast Nug an angry glance.

"I may have mentioned something to one person," Nug confessed.

Shade looked at Nug bewildered. "One person is all that is necessary to spread news in a clan."

"Nug was just about to take his leave," Quint said, dismissing the man.

Shade said nothing, realizing her husband would speak with her alone to explain.

Nug nodded and walked to the door.

"NUG!" Quint shouted, stopping him.

He turned to face Quint and paled, the angry scowl on his face rushing a fright through him.

"This is your one and only warning. There will be no reminders, no forgiveness. Go behind my back again and I guarantee that you will not like the consequences. And since I now rule Clan MacLeish, nothing will be done without my command."

"Aye, sir," Nug said and hurried to close the door behind him.

Worry had Shade's stomach churning as she hurried to her husband. "I fear that he uses you out of desperation to save his clan and cares not what happens to you because of it. I do not like this plan, Quint."

"It has already been set in motion. There is no changing it now," he said, running his hand down her arm in a tender caress. "Nug took it upon himself to send Rufus with a message to Lord Torrance. I can't say I blame him since he fights for the safety and future of his clan. All we can do now is wait until we receive a response and see where we go from there."

"What if Lord Torrance sends a troop of his own warriors with Rufus?"

"If the offer is accepted, then the warriors will have no choice but to obey my commands. If not, they can join the other prisoners in the dungeon."

"This unsettles me. You are one man. You cannot go against a troop of men." Shade turned away from him, shaking her head. His hand closed firmly around her arm, stopping her from putting any more distance between them, and she turned to look at him.

She expected to see a storm brewing in his blue eyes and what she saw surprised her.

Concern. Concern for her.

He inched closer to her as he eased her toward him. "I am confident this will work to my advantage."

"And I am confident that your unquenchable thirst for revenge could harm more than appease." She rested her hand on his chest. "Promise me that you will seek no more vengeance once you are finished with Asher. That it will be over, and we will be free to live our lives."

"I will never be free and either will Amara until I have all the answers and that includes knowing why Asher wanted Amara dead and the monks as well. I need to know if it was only Asher or if others were involved. I need to do this, and I will."

"What if the tentacles become never-ending? What if the cost is too high? The consequences unbearable?" she asked, forcing him to realize what his need for revenge could cost them and making him consider if it was worth it.

He had to step away from her, an ache to hold her only making things more difficult. When she wasn't in his arms or their hands were not laced, he felt apart from her even if she was near. Holding her and her touch brought him a peace he didn't think he ever knew. It was as though a part of him had been missing and had finally been found just as she had explained. He felt whole with Shade, and he did not want to lose that. He did not want to ever feel he had lost a part of himself again.

He rubbed the back of his neck to keep his hand from reaching out and snatching her into his arms. "Before meeting you, I was willing to give my life to see Amara revenged, to join her wherever she had gone. While I still intend to see her avenged, I do not want it to be at the cost of losing my life or losing you. I cherish you and our love, Shade, beyond anything I thought possible, and I always will."

Shade rushed to him, throwing her arms around his waist and hugging him tight as she pressed her face against his chest. His arms settled around her just as tightly and she looked up at him. "The only thing that can part us permanently is death and I would fight death itself to keep you with me."

"You are one brave, tenacious woman, but you will never, not ever, put yourself in harm's way for me. You will live and survive for us both." He kissed her softly.

"Isn't that what Amara would expect of you?"

"Aye, she would want me to live, but with her own words she spoke of revenge."

"She did. Revenge on the men who had taken her life, not anyone beyond that. Was her intention to keep you safe from the evil man who had robbed her of so much, fearful he would do the same to you? Please, Quint, I don't want to lose you."

"I must see the evil who took Amara from me die, so that it can never again cause harm to anyone."

He kissed her and she relished the love she could feel in it and prayed that love would triumph over evil.