Chapter 1

1

B right spring sunshine streamed through the high windows of the healing room at Castle Rottrich, illuminating the scene taking place within. A young, fair-haired woman dressed in the simple garb of a village wife was sitting on a chair next to a large table, smiling as she bounced a gurgling baby on her knee.

Next to her stood another young woman of about the same age. She was small and slight in stature, wearing a green sprigged gown covered by a voluminous white apron. Her long, wavy, dark-brown hair was tied back from her face by a green ribbon. She, too, smiled as she bent to tickle the baby's rosy cheeks, apparently delighting in his toothless chuckles.

"Well, little Michael's looking right bonny now, Sheena. I think—" she began, only to be cut off by a loud echoing bang coming from somewhere below. She frowned, then shrugged, recognizing it as the sound of the heavy keep doors slamming.

Some careless person had either entered or left without regard for the disturbance caused to others.

"As I was saying, I think he's recovered from the infection—" Daisy started again, but this time, she paused and looked towards the door, as did Sheena.

The sound of raised voices and hasty footsteps could be heard growing louder as they came down the hallway towards the healing room.

"What is that commotion out there?" Daisy muttered, growing concerned, for the scuffle had an urgent air.

She decided she had better cut things short with Sheena, just in case.

"Just keep up the good work, Sheena, and he'll be running around, playing the wee devil before ye ken it," Daisy told the young mother, hurriedly bidding the pair good day and seeing them out the door. She waved after them as they set off down the stone-flagged hallway, peering curiously beyond them for the source of the voices and rapid footsteps.

It soon became clear when she spotted her elder sister, Dakota, the Lady of Castle Rottrich, hurrying towards her. Daisy was surprised to see that she was accompanied by a red-faced young man dressed in what appeared to be the travel-stained livery of a messenger from her home, Castle McGunn, where their brother Dominic was Laird.

The pair were talking rapidly together in low, urgent voices as they walked.

Feeling a touch of apprehension at the sight of the messenger from home, Daisy watched as the pair paused to allow Sheena to pass them on her way to the staircase before continuing their progress towards her. Her fine features creased into a frown to see their air of urgency, and she wondered what their business could be.

"What is it, Sister? Has something happened? Is someone hurt?" Daisy asked anxiously when the pair drew level with her and stopped.

She looked curiously from one to the other. Dakota was slightly out of breath, her dark-brown eyes filled with worry. Daisy noticed that the messenger's face was covered with a thin layer of grime from the road, evidently after a fast ride. Her apprehension turned into an anxious knot in her belly.

Dakota gestured towards the messenger. "Aye, 'tis an urgent message from Dominic," she said, her tone urgent.

"What is it?" Daisy asked, a tendril of fear snaking through her as she regarded the messenger.

He bowed hurriedly. "Lady Daisy, the Laird says ye must come home at once. Lady McGunn is very sick, and ye're needed right away to come and heal her," he told her.

"What?!" Daisy exclaimed, the knot in her belly tightening as apprehension became outright fear. Her hand flew to her mouth as she turned to her sister and said, "Ach, what can be so wrong with Violet for Dominic to summon me like this? She's one o' the best healers in the land, so it must be something serious if she cannae cure herself."

Their sister-in-law, Violet, was one of the people Daisy loved most in the world, along with their brother Dominic. Daisy had started her official career as a healer under Violet's tutelage nearly five years ago. She owed her success to her, and she knew Dominic would be devastated if anything happened to his beloved wife.

"I have to get home, to help her, as soon as I can," Daisy said decisively as Dakota gripped her hands and squeezed them.

"Aye, ye must hurry. We cannae lose Violet. Dominic will go mad," Dakota urged.

Daisy squeezed her elder sister's hands back before dropping them and casting about her wildly, trying not to panic as thoughts raced through her head. "I must leave today as soon as I can be ready. Could ye have a horse prepared for me, Sister?"

Dakota nodded. "Aye, but ye're nae traveling alone, Daisy. The roads are full of dangers, as I ken from me own experience. I'll get William to organize some armed men to escort ye. With good going, ye can be back at Castle McGunn by sunset tomorrow."

"Aye, thank ye," Daisy told her.

She was just about to add something when she saw over her sister's shoulder a portly, middle-aged woman with steely gray hair and a stern expression approaching them. She was dressed in a black gown covered by a large, stained cotton apron and was carrying a basket of greenery slung over her arm.

As soon as she saw them, her stern expression turned into one of deep concern, and she hastened to join them.

"M'lady," she said to Dakota, bobbing a respectful curtsey before peering questioningly at Daisy. "What is it, lass? Not bad news, I hope," she asked.

"I'm afraid it is, Margie," Daisy replied, then briefly explained the situation to the old woman, who had been the principal healer at Castle Rottrich for almost fifty years and had taught her much.

"Well, of course, ye must go at once," Margie told her without hesitation.

"But what about ye? Will ye be able to manage without me for a wee while?"

"Wheesht, lassie, of course, though I'll miss ye. Ye ken I've been training wee Hannah up, so she'll come and help me if needed. Now, dinnae ye worry about us. Ye just get back to yer home and do what ye have to do," Margie reassured her. "Why d'ye nae go and find Clodagh and get her to pack ye a few things? I'll make sure ye have everything ye need in yer medicine box, eh?"

"Och, thank ye, Margie," Daisy told her gratefully, a thousand thoughts of what she needed to do before leaving rushing through her mind. "I dinnae need many clothes, for I still have most of them in me chambers back at Castle McGunn, but I'll need something to change into in case the weather turns, and a warm cloak, too. Though the days are getting warm, these April nights can be chilly," she said almost to herself.

Dakota nodded. "I'll go and see William to make the arrangements for the escort for yer journey. I'll meet ye by the door of the keep as soon as ye're ready."

"All right, Sister. I'll be ready as soon as I can," Daisy promised.

"I'll take this lad down for a wash and something to eat. He can follow ye back in the morning," Dakota added, beckoning to the messenger.

The young fellow offered Daisy a quick bow of farewell before obediently following Lady Rottrich back down the hallway. The pair soon disappeared around the corner, heading for the stairs.

"Right, I'm away to find Clodagh," Daisy told Margie, intent on finding her faithful lady's maid for assistance in preparing for the long journey home. She practically ran down the hallway towards her chambers, hoping the maid would be there.

"Aye, and dinnae forget to come and collect yer medicine box before ye leave, and say goodbye," Margie called after her.

"I willnae!" Daisy's voice echoed as she hastened, her heart beating fast as she struggled to marshal her thoughts.

Within the hour, Daisy, dressed for traveling, was at the door of the keep, bidding farewell to Dakota and William and her precious nephew and nieces.

"Hurry back, Auntie Daisy. I'll miss ye while ye're gone," five-year-old Abigail said in a quavering voice, her arms squeezing Daisy's neck.

"Aye, wee one, I'll be sure to do that," Daisy promised, kissing Abigail's plump cheek while also making room for seven-year-old Margaret to join in the hug. She embraced her eldest niece warmly, and the pair exchanged pecks on the cheek.

"Please send me love to Uncle Dominic and tell Auntie Violet that I hope she gets better soon, Aunt Daisy," Margaret said.

"Aye, I will, me lassie, and I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise ye," Daisy reassured her, setting both girls down gently.

She wished she felt as confident as she was trying to sound. She felt a great deal of anxiety about what she would find when she got back to Castle McGunn.

"Aye, and give them me love, too," her nephew Timothy, a fine young man of thirteen, chimed in, kissing his aunt on the cheek.

Next, William, Laird of Rottrich, embraced Daisy warmly. When he stood back, he told her, "I've put Fergus in charge of yer escort, so ye're in safe hands."

"Thank ye kindly, William," Daisy said before turning to her sister.

She and Dakota had always been close, and now they fell into each other's arms and hugged tightly.

"Safe journey, little sister, and dinnae forget to give Dominic our letters, and write to me as soon as ye arrive. I need to know ye're safe, and send me news of Violet as soon as ye can manage," Dakota murmured in Daisy's ear.

"I promise, Dakota, and thank ye for everything."

The sisters kissed and parted.

Daisy joined the party of men already mounted and waiting for her, their horses restless and already chomping at the bit. Their leader was William's formidable sergeant, Fergus O'Finlay, a warrior of repute. Feeling she certainly was in safe hands, she smiled at him as he stowed her bag and medicine box in the saddle bags of her favorite mare and handed her into the saddle.

As she settled herself, Fergus mounted his magnificent gray stallion.

"Make sure ye guard her well," Willaim commanded him.

Fergus nodded. "Aye, M'laird, I will."

Fergus raised his arm and made a gesture with his hand, and the escort moved forward, with Daisy at its center. The clamor of jingling harnesses and the clatter of hooves accompanied the party towards the towering archway of the guardhouse, where the portcullis was already up, and the vast wooden gates opened onto the beautiful vista beyond.

Through the gates, in the far distance, Daisy could see the tops of the mountains still glittering with snow despite the warm weather. The glorious landscape, part cultivated and part wild heather-covered moorland, unfurled before them like a richly colored carpet.

Her heart brimming with a mixture of emotions, Daisy looked behind her and waved to the family she was leaving behind. They waved back, calling their farewells after her. She held back her tears as she and her escort passed through the gates and set off on the two-day journey to Castle McGunn, the place where she had been born, the youngest daughter of the now-deceased Laird of the powerful Clan McGunn.

The sun was high in the sky as they turned east and inland. Daisy hoped the weather would stay fine. Fergus had assured her that, in good conditions, with the horses carrying them at a steady walk, even accounting for navigating the tricky craggy passes and low glens on the route, they would cover the thirty-five miles between Castle Rottrich and Castle McGunn by sundown the next day.

Daisy was lost in her thoughts, Violet's illness at the forefront of her mind

It was hard for Daisy to think that her former mentor was now sick herself, and even more worrying that, according to Dominic's message, Violet had been unable to heal herself.

As the journey progressed beneath the bright spring sunshine, Daisy felt the weight of responsibility resting heavily on her shoulders. An underlying current of anxiety flowed through her, making her want to race ahead, whatever the dangers of the road. She bit her lip and forced herself to stay calm, like the Laird's daughter she was.

After many hours of traveling and a few brief stops to refresh the horses, the sky began to darken as the sun sank slowly towards the horizon and dusk drew in.

"We'll make camp for the night up ahead," Fergus announced.

Daisy looked where he indicated, recognizing the spot as one where they had stopped before on her journey to Rottrich. It was a natural spot to make camp, near a fast-flowing burn and sheltered by rocks and fragrant pine trees. She dismounted along with everyone else, handing her reins to one of the men, who led the beast down to the water's edge to drink and graze with the rest.

She stood looking at her surroundings. The warm sun lit the campsite brightly, and there was no doubt it was a pretty spot. Yet, for some unknown reason, a feeling of foreboding seized her. She frowned as goosebumps suddenly broke out on her arms, and she hugged herself and rubbed them, trying to brush off the feeling.

Fergus posted two guards, while the other men gathered firewood. Before long, a fire was blazing, for the chill of the Highland night had already begun to descend from the mountains as the sun's warmth faded.

Daisy fetched a blanket, her cloak, and some provisions from her saddlebags and sat down next to the fire with the others to eat. She finished her bread and bacon, drank some cold tea, then settled down to sleep. Exhausted as she was by the long ride and worry, slumber soon took her.

As if to soothe her troubled mind, kind sleep took her back to her childhood. Her father was there, laughing as he threw her in the air and caught her, whispering to her that she was his special wee girlie, while her siblings, Dominic, Dakota, and Delilah, clamored for his attention. Each wanted to be his favorite, and he would tell each of them in turn that they were. But much as she adored her brother and sisters, Daisy knew it was really her.

Suddenly, without warning, her sweet dream was suddenly punctured by loud voices shouting and the sound of restive horses. Panicked, she sat bolt upright and looked frantically around, trying to make sense of what was happening. In the semi-darkness of breaking dawn, she spotted Fergus flanked by the men of her escort, standing in front of her as they faced down a group of about a dozen armed riders who were pulled up just outside the camp.

Her blood seemed to freeze in her veins as she took in the man seated at their head on an enormous horse, which pawed at the ground impatiently. The man was huge, with broad, muscular shoulders, his dark, saturnine features half hidden in shadow. Over one massive shoulder was a tartan plaid whose pattern she could not quite discern in the half-light.

"We dinnae want a fight," he declared in a deep, rumbling voice that sent shivers of fear down Daisy's spine. "We just want the healer, so just hand her over, and we'll leave ye in peace."

Her heart skipped a beat.

Me. They want me.

"There's nae healer here, Bellamy Kane," Fergus lied commandingly. "Aye, I ken very well who ye are. Ye have the wrong party. I advise ye to be on yer way."

Daisy could only watch and listen as the man called Bellamy Kane sighed, as if he had been expecting the denial and was bored by it. "And I ken ye, Fergus O'Finlay, and I ken ye have the healer with ye," he replied with icy calm.

As he spoke, he jerked his head towards Daisy, who cowered behind the protective shield of the Rottrich men. One glance from the dark, shadowed pools of the giant's eyes set her teeth chattering with fresh terror.

"Now, if ye dinnae want to die along with all yer men, send her over here, now! I willnae hurt her."

"Ye willnae have the chance. Leave, if ye dinnae have a death wish," Fergus countered, unsheathing his sword.

The rest of the escort took it as a signal to do the same, filling the quiet air with the zing of iron on leather.

"I thought that's what ye'd say," Bellamy replied calmly, though Daisy could have sworn his features darkened further. "Come on, man. See reason. There's nae need for a slaughter here today. All I want is the healer."

"Then ye give me nae choice," Fergus spat. "For the sons of McGunn, advance!" he suddenly cried, raising his broadsword and lunging forward to engage the enemy, followed by his men, who echoed the cry as they, too, surged forward.

Daisy stared, transfixed by terror, as a fearsome claymore, the mighty double-edged sword of the Highland warriors, appeared in Bellamy Kane's hand as if by sorcery, accompanied by the harsh music of a dozen more behind him.

She started violently as he pointed his weapon to the sky and unleashed a bloodcurdling roar. "Hounds of Murdoch, come feast on yer foe's flesh!"

She backed away, instinctively seeking partial shelter behind a large tree trunk, watching helplessly as, in the red light of dawn, the two foes clashed amid loud roars and the ringing of metal upon metal. Even with her ignorance of battle, Daisy knew at once that Fergus had made a grave tactical error, for his men were on foot, while Bellamy Kane's were on horseback.

Though the men of Rottrich fought with all their might, slashing at the legs of the mounted men with their dirks, aiming to pull them to the ground and finish them with their swords, they were just as quickly cut down, screaming in agony, swathed in their own blood, to the ground.

In a liquid movement, Bellamy himself slid down from his saddle, landing on his feet, poised to fight, claymore in one hand, dirk in the other. He sprang forward to engage with Fergus.

"Run, Daisy, run!" Fergus shouted as the two men clashed, ferociously exchanging blow for blow and feinting with their daggers.

Run? Where?

Daisy desperately looked about her, her mind numb with panic as she sought an escape route, but her eyes were dragged back to the hellish scene being played out before her. The screams of wounded and dying men filled her ears, and the nauseating smell of blood pervaded the air as her escort was slaughtered before her eyes.

Her eyes were drawn to Fergus, who was battling ferociously with the taller, bigger Bellamy Kane. The giant wielded his sword like an extension of his muscular arm, his mighty blows gradually forcing Fergus backwards. She stared in terror as her protector fought bravely in her defense yet fell slowly back under the rain of relentless blows hammering down on him.

She began to sob when, with a final flourish, Bellamy parried Fergus's answering strike, then rammed his dirk up to the hilt into the sergeant's heart, eliciting an anguished, choking scream as Fergus dropped to his knees, clutching his chest.

Bellamy then put his foot on Fergus's belly and pulled the blade free, wiping it on his trews and smoothly re-sheathing it. Panting with exertion, the devil then turned and looked in her direction.

Run!

Daisy leaped to her feet and took off into the trees, praying he hadn't really seen her but knowing he had been looking right at her. A terrible, cold fear gripped her as she dashed as fast as she could through the trees, tripping and dodging branches, looking left and right for a hiding place.

If he catches me…

The sounds of him crashing through the undergrowth, swearing and grunting under his breath, spurred her on. She made it to an earthen bank and began the ascent, thinking if she could get over the other side, she might be able to hide well enough so as not to be found.

But as she scrambled upwards, a fist of steel suddenly closed around her ankle and dragged her back down.

An unearthly shriek split the air, and she realized it had come from her. Her entire body felt like it had been drenched in freezing water as she desperately fought to free herself. But the fist only tightened painfully as she kicked and struggled.

At last, exhausted and sobbing in terror, her heart pounding in her ears, she turned her head, to see the terrifying figure standing over her. It was dripping with blood, its shadowed features dark and hollow in the dim dawn light. It was the visage of a demon from a nightmare.

The face seemed to split open, revealing a fleeting flash of white amid the gloom. She realized it was grinning.

In a rumbling voice like gravel, Bellamy said, "Got ye."