Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

All night long, James pushed his hand, attempting to get it to work. He couldn't tell whether it was broken or not, but he didn't think so. He could still move it, but it was definitely painful. The storm outside continued to rage for what seemed like hours, but it only drove James to push harder. He wasn't going to let his brother best him, not after all of those years. When the thunder had slowed, James sat down against the wall, resting his body.

He closed his eyes and pictured the vision he had seen with the old wise woman, taking in the pain and death around him in the lands his father had worked so hard to protect. He pictured his home when he was a child, the summer evenings in the orange glow of the fields. He could almost feel the warmth of the setting sun against his cheeks. He pictured Blair as a young girl, the first time he saw her, and then moments through the years. James loved training Blair, watching her get stronger, both physically and in will. He pictured her sisters, anger trickling into his chest.

James knew if he lost that day, he wouldn't just doom his clan and Blair, he would doom Blair's sisters as well. He didn't just look out for them for Blair. He looked after them all of those years because he had come to care for them like they were his own sisters. In some ways, James cared for them because he left those he was supposed to care for behind. But he couldn't rewind and do it over. What he could do was win the fight that day, work to make it up to the people of his clan, and help to rescue Blair's sisters.

The sound of metal scraping brought James back to the present. When he opened his eyes, he realized the cell was brighter. Above, Shamos and McCleary stood holding a lantern.

"Mornin' sunshine," Shamos said, unlocking the door and swinging it open.

James smiled. "They actually gave ye the key?"

Shamos scoffed. "Not in a million years. The old scarred bloke, they call him Boar. He fell asleep drinkin' ale in the guards' quarters and I lifted it right off of him. It's time to come get ye anyway. We got some preparin' to do before ye head down to kick Angus' ass."

McCleary walked in behind him, kneeling down next to James. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a piece of bread and some cured meat wrapped in a cloth napkin. "My wife sent this fer ye. I ran down to the cottage to let them know what was happenin' and to ready them in case Angus pulls some shady shite and…"

"I die? ye can say it. That or I'm just not as good as him anymore," James replied.

Shamos snorted. "Please, the man practices more now, but he has no clue what he's doin'. The only way you'll lose is if he cheats."

"Which is probable," James grunted.

McCleary got up and walked out of the cell, coming back with a bowl and rags. As James ate, McCleary washed the blood from James' hand and face, and wrapped a torn cloth around his palms and knuckles. James took a deep breath, handing the unfinished food back to McCleary. "Thank you. You remember yer promise, right?"

"Yeah, but ye better win," McCleary grumped. "My wife is not happy about havin' to run off into the wilderness."

Shamos chuckled. "And I don't like the idea of a beheadin'. Especially a beheadin' that involves my own head."

James smiled, taking both men's hands to stand up. He hissed as he stretched his ribs before throwing back the blanket and grabbing the sword. As soon as his hand met the hilt, the sound of trumpets blaring outside drew their attention.

"Looks like it's time," Shamos said. "Come on. And better let me carry that until we get out there."

James handed Shamos the sword and followed them out of the cell. The entire time they made their way up and out of the castle, James replayed his thoughts from the night before. He wanted to envision all the things he was fighting for. As he exited the castle, though, he realized that wouldn't be too difficult at all. Lining the path back to the guard training area were clan people dressed in dirty clothes, skinny, sick, all nodding in support of James. He knew they had risked their lives coming there to support him.

He reached out to touch as many of them on the shoulder as he could as he walked. Guards lined the end of the path, stepping aside for Shamos to walk him into the arena. McCleary stepped to the side, inching his way through the crowd of people, over to where Blair stood, holding the hand of the servant from the night before. James looked over at her. Her face was flush and her shoulders stiff. She gave him a forced reassuring smile. He smiled back at her before walking into the dueling area with Shamos.

As he took his place, Angus shrugged off his tartan and spat, grabbing his sword from his servant. He looked across at James and grinned. They both walked up to the middle where they were supposed to bow, but neither did. Angus chuckled as his eyes hit the bandage on James' hand. "Whatever happened last night?"

James rolled his shoulders. "Not much, just two morons that couldn't handle me one on one, so they took the coward's way."

Angus sneered as they backed up. Another trumpet sounded, and the duel began. The two men took their stances and began to circle around, watching each other move. Angus, being one lacking a serious amount of patience, raised his sword over his head and charged at James. As the blade came down, James raised his, meeting the steel mid-air. Angus swiped the sword right and left, James blocking him each time.

Backing up, Angus gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead. James raced forward, slashing his sword right and left. Angus grunted, his feet teetering as he blocked him, before slicing his sword toward James' head. James ducked, the blade having missed him, and spun in a crouch, backing up a bit from him. As James stood, Angus swung at him but James jumped back. They both stood with their swords raised, staring at each other. Angus moved to the right and James followed, then back to the left, mirroring each other's movements.

James swung again, right and left, walking toward Angus with each step. He swung at Angus' stomach but Angus jumped back, barely missing the tip of the blade. Laughing with false surety, he stormed forward, raising his blade over his head. He swung down, hitting James' raised sword, pulling back in short bursts, hitting the blade over and over. James was a bit surprised by Angus' strength, but as Angus swung again, James pushed back with his blade, digging his feet in, pushing Angus' own blade toward his neck. Angus stumbled backward, finally getting his footing. He gritted hard, pushing back, lifting his leg and slamming his foot into James' stomach.

James stumbled back and down to the ground onto his back. Angus ran forward swinging his sword down at James, but at the last second, James rolled to the right. Angus' sword hit the dirt, and James slammed his leg into Angus' ankle, buckling him at the knees. Angus hit the ground and James jumped up, backing away to catch his breath. Angus grunted, using his sword to lift himself up. James glanced over at Blair who had her mouth covered, watching with bated breath.

James readied himself and walked forward as Angus stood, lifting his sword. Suddenly, Angus flung his hand out, throwing dirt into James' face. For a moment, James was blinded. He stumbled, back wiping his eyes. Angus took advantage of the dirty trick and sliced his sword prematurely. He caught the tip of his sword on James' shirt, ripping a hole in the front. Before Angus could swing again, though, James met him again, blocking each of his swings.

Anger rushed over James, reminding him the duel was not some fun match between brothers. Angus was ready to kill him, and would do anything to make that happen. With a surge of energy, James yelled out, charging Angus head-on. He swung his sword with speed and precision, like he had so many times before. With each and every swing, a vision of someone he cared for flashed in his mind. He saw people from his clan, each of Blair's sisters, and then Blair. As she flashed in James' mind, he roared, swinging with all of his might. As he hit Angus' sword, the blade flew from Angus' hand, sliding across the ground to Shamos' feet.

Angus tripped and fell onto his back. James raced forward and thrust out his sword just inches from Angus' throat. Angus swallowed hard and slowly raised his hands up by his head. "Do it! Come on James, do it. Ye've wanted to fer many years now. Finish it."

James' muscles moved to thrust the tip into his brother's neck, but he felt a hand on his shoulder. Blair had raced out into the ring, stopping James. She whispered to him as he stared at his brother. "Don't. Ye know if ye do, you'll regret it. We've seen enough death in our days. He lost. I think a little time in the dungeons would do him some good."

James breathed heavily and angrily. He pushed the tip of the sword against Angus' neck. "Ye've squandered yer power fer too long. Ye were given the chance to be the man our father was, our grandfather was, but ye failed them. Ye failed the whole clan. Ye deserve to die in the dirt, but death would be too quick. Death would not bring these people justice. You'll live in the dungeons, and one day, if ye can prove ye've learned from yer evil ways, you'll spend yer days servin' the members of this clan."

Angus slowly nodded, the point of the sword still in his throat. "I understand. Ye were always more merciful than me. Thank ye brother."

"Ye'll never be my brother again. Guards, take him and his henchmen to the dungeons."

James dropped his sword and sighed, turning and putting his arm around Blair's waist. He looked out at all of the clan people gathered around. When he lifted his sword up, the people cheered, thankful for the end of almost a decade of suffering.

"James! Watch Out!" McCleary yelled, pointing behind James.

James turned around, finding Angus grabbing a dagger from one of the guard's belts. As he pulled back to throw it, James flipped his sword and by holding the tip, reared back and threw it as hard as he could. The sword flew through the air and slammed, tip-first, into Angus' chest. It sank deep into his body, pushing him back into the guard's arms. The dagger fell from his hand into the dirt.

Slowly, James walked up to him, shaking his head. "I had mercy, and just like it was seven years ago, I never should have. This time though, I won't save you."

James gripped the hilt of the sword and slowly pushed the blade in further. Angus' eyes widened, and his mouth opened, blood trickling down his chin. He wheezed for several seconds before his body went limp. James yanked his family's sword from his brother's chest, and shook his head as his dead brother's body hit the ground.

"James," Blair cried out.

James handed his sword to Shamos and ran over to Blair, gripping her face in both hands. Tears flooded down her cheeks and she gripped wildly for him. He brought her in and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. Pulling back, she shook her head, lifting her hand to his face. She rubbed a smudge of dirt from his cheek.

"You won. You…you saved everyone."

The crowd around them cheered as more clan people poured in, the guards moving to the side. James looked back at his dead brother, breathing heavily. "And now the people of this clan can start a new prosperous future. And you…"

Blair gazed up at him with big crystalline eyes. James chuckled, putting his hand to her cheek. "You and I have a lot of work ahead of us."

"Both of us?" Blair asked.

James nodded. "Marry me, Blair. Become Lady McFerguson, the right Lady McFerguson."

Blair giggled and nodded. "What about my sisters?"

James took Blair's hands in his and knelt down on one knee. "I promise you Blair, we will do everything and anything we can to get your sisters to safety. I not only want you by my side, but I want them there too. You are my family, my true family."