Chapter 3

Chapter Three

The wind cascaded across the tall stone walls of the castle, sending that all too familiar whistle down the halls. The night was clear, clouds sparsely floating gently through the night sky. The clan land was quiet, everyone in bed, fast asleep, resting before the next day's chores. Blair was laying on her bed, staring at the small flickering flame in her bedside lamp. She had turned the light down to a barely noticeable level, just in case Bram or one of the guards happened to wander down the hall. She didn't want anyone to know she was awake inside the room.

When Blair first retired to her room, she was determined to force herself asleep, knowing her time at the castle was growing short, and there was no need to continue doing anything that would jeopardize her sisters' safety. She knew her uncle wouldn't directly harm them, but he wouldn't stop Bram from tormenting them. The older he got, the more evil he became, and the more hatred brewed inside of him for her and her sisters. She didn't understand it, but she had a gut feeling that somewhere within the trials and turmoil, secrets fueled the mistreatment.

Her emotions were heightened, though. All she could think about was her uncle's speech, the way he referred to her as baggage, unneeded things, tossed out to make room for his family. Blair thought the anger was fueled by those words, by the mistreatment, but that was nothing new for them. In reality, her anger was ablaze because of the marriage she was being forced into. For the distance that would be between her and her sisters when she would be ripped from the only home she knew, and cast out to be forgotten and traded, like a broodmare for mating.

Panic was slithering in and out of the wild waves of anger. Blair knew that once she was gone, she may never see her sisters again, much less be able to guide and protect them. She had hoped the youngest would have grown older before anything like that happened. Most of all though, the helplessness clawed at her like a wild bear, along with desperation to find a way out of this dreadful situation. All of the secret training, the nights with hidden swords in the clearing behind the castle had done nothing to help her. She was utterly at the whim of her uncle, and soon, the man she was betrothed to.

The emotions inside of Blair reached a fevered pitch and she threw back the covers, revealing she was still dressed, changed from her dinner clothes back into her plain skirts and tunic. She left her feet bare, knowing there was a chance her restlessness would be too much. Quietly, she tiptoed across the cold stone to the window and looked up at the moon. It was nearly midnight or later, and the courtyards were empty. In a short time, the guards would do their change, so she knew if she were going to sneak away, it was then or never.

Sneaking out of the castle had become a regular thing for Blair, something even her sisters weren't privy to. She always tried to set a good example for them, and sneaking out wasn't something she knew would go over well with them. The last thing she needed was for one of them to follow her lead and get caught. Blair lifted up the thin mattress on her bed and pulled out several neatly folded blankets. As she had done a million times, she clumped and twisted them, molding them in the bed to look like a body beneath the covers. Blair wasn't sure if anyone ever checked on her, but if they did, they would only see the silhouette of a body in the bed and leave satisfied.

Pulling the covers up and placing her bonnet just barely sticking from beneath the blankets, she turned off the oil lamp and grabbed her black cloak from the closet. She tied it around her shoulders and pulled the large hood up, hiding her face within the shadow of the fabric. Taking one last look outside, she hurried from her room, locking her bedroom door behind her, and tucking the key in the small pouch she tied at her waist and tucked inside the top of her skirts.

Having lived there her whole life, and spending most of the last eight years maneuvering in the shadows, Blair knew the castle better than anyone. She was sure she could make the trek through the halls and down toward the guard quarters blindfolded. She knew every nook and cranny, every space she could tuck herself into to avoid being seen, and every sound that the castle made in the darkness of the night.

Every hall was different, the main portion of the castle becoming lighter and fuller before dimming again the closer she got to the archway leading to the guard's quarters. James' room was at the back, the last heavy dark wood door before the exit into the back gardens. Blair glanced back and forth down the hall and then hurried across, keeping close to the wall as she passed beneath the lit torches held above her with steel braces her father himself had made long ago.

Having reached James' room, she glanced back and then gently ran her nails across the middle of the door, tapping three times, very quietly by the handle. It was their signal to each other, letting James know she was ready for her lessons. Most nights she would leave, meeting him at their spot, but since she had told him she wouldn't be going, she wasn't sure if he would even be alert enough to hear her.

Blair stepped to the side in the darkened space next to the door and waited for several moments. Sadness began to creep over her thinking that she might have seen James for the last time. She had been so upset earlier, she hadn't even thought about spending time with him again before she left. James had been the only one she could trust completely, and he had watched out for her and her sisters since the first day he arrived. He was her closest friend, yet she knew so little about him. She could talk to him, and sometimes she did, but mostly he was a face of comfort to her, a silent partner in a dangerous land. She was closer to him than anyone else she had ever known, even her sisters.

The handle of the door clinked and Blair's eyes widened with relief. James backed quietly out of the door and locked it, turning and gasping as he stared Blair in the face. "Jesus, why did you wait?"

Blair glanced around and took James' arm, pulling him through the doorway and quickly across the lawn toward the woodline. He was dressed in a cloak as well, both of them knowing the direct path through the yard that would avoid all watches by the guards. They spoke not a word, keeping quiet in their footsteps and breath, until they disappeared into the forest beyond, the branches covering their path.

They stayed quiet for several moments, heading deeper into the forest, the light of the moon shining through the canopy, brightening their path just enough to feel their way along. When they were completely clear of the steady eyes watching for enemies, James pulled a small glass lamp from beneath his cloak, pausing to spark a flame inside. He adjusted it and looked up at Blair as she pulled her hood back. Her wavy chestnut hair was down and full, and her eyes were tired, an ominous stormy gray, darker than normal.

"I'm sorry I scared ye," Blair whispered. "I wasn't sure ye'd be awake to hear me, so I figured I'd wait and see."

James took a deep breath, pulling his hood back. His hair was kept short, and the golden locks held small hints of auburn that Blair had noticed when they were out on the grounds during a warm sunny day. He kept his face clean shaven, and Blair always thought he was an incredibly handsome man. Even when he was younger, just joining the clan, he was well groomed, stood tall, and his green eyes sparkled vibrantly.

"I had a lot on my mind," he replied, shifting his eyes away from Blair. "I didn't expect tae get much sleep tonight. I'm glad ye came to get me. I was feelin' restless."

"I was as well," Blair whispered, taking the lead down the path.

One thing that Blair had always felt sure of, was the feeling of safety when James was near. She never had to worry about him leaving her, or revealing their meetings. Yet, that night, she glanced over her shoulder several times as they made their way through the woods. It was almost as if she feared that he would suddenly disappear, leaving her alone. Blair knew it was silly, but she was facing a future alone, one with waves of uncertainty, one without James' protection. The only solace she had was knowing he would look out for her sisters as best he could. But he could only do so much against her cousin.

Blair bent down, ducking beneath a low lying branch as they entered into a small clearing in the forest. It was a mossy area, the trees opening up revealing the brightness of the moon. She undid the tie to her cloak and watched as James walked to the other side, pulling back a branch and reaching into a pile of leaves. He pulled out two swords, wrapped in leather sheaths. There had been three, one being her father's, but James had to sneak it back into the castle in case her uncle began to look for it.

James gave Blair a kind smile, handing her a sword. She neatly folded her cloak and laid the leather sheath on top, holding the handle of the sword with two hands. She had been using it for years, but it still felt heavy to her, even after all that time. James stretched his arms out, holding the other sword. He smiled, centering himself in the clearing.

"I didn't think you'd want to practice anymore," he said with a grin. "Though I suppose you'll miss losing to me every day."

She chuckled, and though she felt like crying, she forced a smile. James did the same, his lip twitching as he tried to keep the notion of her pending marriage in the back of his mind. Blair walked up to him and tilted her head from side to side, stretching her neck as the anger and frustration began building inside of her again. "I'm not here for practice as much as to avoid doing this very thing inside of the castle."

Before James could reply, Blair was swinging her sword, using the very base of her emotions to propel the blade forward and back again. James lifted his own, the sound of the blades clashing, echoing through the forest. It was a good thing they were far enough away from the castle to avoid anyone hearing them. Blair was in a mood that night, and instead of growing tired with each swing of the sword, she grew stronger.

James sparred with her, not saying a word. He had taught her to use that sword, hoping she would be able to protect herself if it came to that. But that night, Blair swung for her sisters. Blair swung for her father and mother. Blair swung, trying to expel the anger and sadness inside of her. She moved with ease, a dance that almost hypnotized James as he watched her. She was far more than impressive, and a better swordsman than some of the guards. James had always been impressed by Blair. She was strong willed, smart, and so very brave.

Blair swung, this time missing James' blade, her own striking hard into the ground. She paused, breathing heavily, wiping the sweat from her forehead. James knew it wasn't the moment to ask if she needed a break. She knew herself better than anyone, and treating her like a doll only made her more stubborn. Still, he didn't know what he was going to do there without her. She had been his rock and he had been hers. The nights would be long without their training and meetings.

They sparred and sparred, paying little attention to the time or their surroundings. James didn't want Blair to leave, and from the wild emotions flowing through her, pushing her to swing harder, it was obvious she didn't want to. Neither of them said a word about it, though, Blair getting all of her anger and anxiety out as he moved around the clearing.

When the sun threatened to reveal them, lightening the darkness of the sky, Blair handed James the sword and put her cloak back on, fanning the heat from the back of her neck. As always, James would leave first, with Blair taking a longer route to avoid any questions by the guards, in case they were roving near the forest's edge. However, after stowing the swords, James walked up to Blair and stared at her, not finding the words or the courage to say what he wanted to say.

Blair could feel the unspoken strain coming from James and reached out, taking his hands in hers. "I want to thank you. I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. You have been my friend, our protector, and never once wavered in your loyalty to me and my sisters. I have no right to ask this of you, but please, watch out for them when I am gone."

James swallowed hard, feeling his heart crackling in his chest. "Of course. I may even eventually talk Jocelyn into putting down her book and coming out here to learn."

Blair chuckled. "I'm afraid my sisters are far too fragile for any of that. I'm just glad that I was not. Thank you for teaching me. If my uncle or cousin knew what you did for us, you would lose your head."

They both stood there for several silent moments before the distant toll of the change of guards signal echoed out. James gave a nod and took a deep breath. "Right, then. Off ye go. With the Captain in London, ye shouldn't have much issue when ye return."

Blair nodded, paused, and then threw her arms around James and hugged him tightly. Before he could fully embrace her, though, she ran off in the opposite direction, pulling her hood up and disappearing from the clearing. James watched until he could no longer see her, his heart breaking where he stood. He knew right then and there, it didn't matter what the odds were, or the dangers involved, he wasn't ready to let Blair go.

He wasn't sure he would ever be ready for that, especially knowing where she was heading.