Chapter 43

DUN RINGILL CASTLE - SEPTEMBER 28, 1385

L éo eased through the hole in the dungeon and crept up the corridor. After finding Angus on the shores outside Dun Ringill, it'd taken him less than an hour to fight his way through the foothills and into the forest surrounding the tunnel. He should have felt fatigue in his muscles, the way he always did after heavy fighting, but all he felt was rage.

Moving through darkened dungeon, he was struck by how quiet it was inside the keep. Everyone within was gone. Picking up his pace, he climbed the stairs, moving past the kitchens and hearing low voices from Isobel's room. Quietly, he knocked upon her door.

"Isobel. It's Léo."

Shuffling sounded within and he heard the bar slide back. With wide eyes she waved him inside.

On a narrow bed beneath the window, Ardis lay moaning, battered almost beyond recognition. Isobel hurried back to her and crouched down, taking her hand and whispering to her. "Ardis, love. Léo is here."

Ardis moaned again but couldn't respond. Her jaw was swollen to thrice its normal size.

"What happened to her? "

Isobel wiped tears away from her cheeks. "Niall came home from Cràdh last night in an awful state. Called her up to his room and…and…" Tears choked her voice and sick understanding soured his stomach. "Then he beat her again. Finlay carried her down here this morning just before he fled along with everyone else when they warned about the boats on the horizon. I couldnae leave her. No' like this, with Niall about."

Crouching beside the bed, he brushed a hand over Ardis's hair, and she whimpered. "I'm here to get you out now."

Tears leaked out of her swollen eyes, and she groaned.

Isobel wrung her hands. "How will you get us out? It sounded like hellfire until about thirty minutes ago. Whose forces are these anyway?"

He took a deep breath. "Mine."

Isobel's eyes went round with shock. "Yours?"

"Aye. I've come to claim my place as chief as Father granted me sixteen years ago. Niall, Fingon, and Malvina are done. The field is lost."

Isobel gave a sigh of relief. "It's about time."

From the bed, Ardis trembled and tears leaked from her eyes in a fresh stream. His heart broke for her as he leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Is it all right if I let one of my warriors in to take you somewhere safe?"

Ardis gave an almost imperceptible nod.

He moved back to the door and whispered to Isobel. "Bar the door, and don't open it for anyone until I return. I'll knock twice."

She nodded and he slipped back into the corridor and hurried back the way he came, finding Angus pulling himself through the hole Maman had created in the dungeon wall.

"I need your help. Come quickly."

They made their way back to Isobel's room, and after hearing his knock, she opened the door.

"This is Angus MacKay. He's the Chieftain of the MacKays of Islay."

Angus took one step into the room and looked at Ardis's mangled face. "By the saints. What's happened to her?"

"Niall. "

Angus breathed out an angry breath. "What do you need me to do?"

"Carry her through the tunnel away from what's happening. Wait by the pond until I come for you. Keep her and Isobel hidden away."

Angus's eyebrows came together. "What about your brothers? You cannae go up there alone. I know you're hurting because she's gone, but getting yourself killed isnae gonna fix things."

The pain he'd been trying to keep away rushed in with a scorching burn. "Do as I say and help them out of here."

Isobel wrung her hands. "What does he mean go up there alone? Who's gone? Not Moira. Please don't say Moira."

Angus's voice became gentle. "Aye. She died this morning, at Cràdh prison. Drowned trying to escape."

Hands came around Isobel's mouth, and tears spilled over Ardis's cheeks as she moaned.

A fissure of agonizing grief split his chest, and he found himself tightening his jaw trying to keep his composure once again.

Isobel's soft voice carried deep understanding of the pain crushing his heart. "Léonid."

He looked at Angus and tried to hang on to the anger which had driven him for hours. "Go. They need to get to safety."

Angus crouched beside Ardis and put his hands on her shoulders. She recoiled in on herself as sobs racked her swollen mouth. Discernment washed over his face. "I'm so sorry, lass. I need to touch you to carry you out. We must get you to safety."

Floods of tears flowed over her bruised cheeks, and she nodded, mumbling what sounded a bit like sorry.

"Don't apologize. I know you've endured the worst. You heard what Léo just said. He's gonna go take care of the monster who's done this to ye and Moira. When you're ready, put your arms out and I'll take you straight out of this hell."

Taking a deep breath, she put her arms out. Gently, Angus scooped her into his arms, and she cried out.

Pounding began in Léo's chest. "I know it hurts, Ardis. But I need you to stay as quiet as you can. You can't see it but the keep is deserted. Any sound you make will carry straight to Niall." She clamped her mouth shut.

Isobel grabbed a small bag and threw a few items in it, then nodded. "Let's go." She began to follow Angus out, and at the last second turned and wrapped her arms around Léo's middle. "God go with you, lad. There's an anointin' on you. Go take your inheritance."