Page 44 of A Fearless Rebel

“Who with?”

The boy shrugged. “I do not know. I only helped her get a horse saddled.”

Keithen knew exactly where his wife was headed. She was going to find out about her mother and brother.

His father would advise him to remain there and not look for her as she’d probably be safe going to her family’s lands. However, with a battle just ending, there was the danger that MacDonnells continued to be hidden in the forest waiting for an opportunity to strike again.

Gallant was more than willing to leave the confines of the corral. The horse’s giant hooves pranced in place as Keithen saddled him.

Thankfully, his father was inside. Broden and Ewan busy were with their men. The guardsmen in the keep all knew their assignments and were now at sword practice, so there was little need for him to be about at the moment.

Guiding Gallant through the gates, he hesitated at noting tents being erected and a central bonfire built already. People hurried about performing all the necessary tasks to ensure everything would be set and prepared by nightfall.

His chest expanded with pride in the resilience of his clan. They worked hard to support him and his family and came together without hesitation to ensure everyone’s safety.

Not wanting to attract attention, he guided Gallant to keep a slow pace until they were out of sight. Then he urged the horse to a gallop.

He rode for hours, not seeing any sign of anyone. It was strange in a way. He’d expected to have to hide from Mackenzie guards out patrolling.

It was early evening when he spotted riders and guided his horse to hide behind trees. They were Mackenzie guardsmen.

Not overly watchful, the men spoke loudly as they headed east and away from where he was. Nonetheless, he waited for a while to ensure they could not turn and see him before once again heading toward Mackenzie Keep.

Keithen was unsure what he would do once he got closer as he could not very well knock on the door and ask if his wife was there.

The forest became silent and he slowed the horse at noting the lack of sounds. Wildlife usually quieted at the presence of a horseman or other unnatural sounds.

It could be his own presence that caused it, so Keithen stopped his horse and listened intently just to be sure.

A rustling to his right caught his attention, just a second before he was tackled off the horse.

Cursing for not drawing his sword, Keithen grappled with the man. But then he was hit from behind by another man.

Keithen swung wildly and managed to punch one of them in the face. But his victory was short-lived when a third man appeared on horseback.

A hard hit to the back of his head dropped Keithen to the ground, his vision blurring. Gallant neighed and kicked in the air. Keithen pushed up from the ground to his knees and shook his head. He did his best to remain conscious. A hard kick to his side made him fall flat again.

“Tie him up,” came a command.

Arms yanked back, he groaned at the pulling of the stitched-up arm. They tied his wrists together and then yanked him to his feet.

“Better keep up if ye do not wish to be dragged,” the mounted man said.

He was not able to walk very long and ended up dragged twice before they gave up and threw him over the back of a horse.

Keithen threw up, his stomach heaving over and over again.

When he got loose, he would not hesitate to kill them.

“Should we take him to the laird directly?” one of the men asked.

“Why would we not?” another replied.

There was a grunt. “If he killed our laird, we should punish him a bit first. Why let the prison guards have all the fun?”

Despite finding himself beaten and bound, Keithen felt better about the situation at hearing them. Being taken to the prison guards meant he would be close to the man with the red mark.

Unfortunately, a few moments later, he was yanked from the back of the horse. They untied his hands while standing in a circle around him.