Brotherhood: The Warrior Part 12

They paused their discussion at his approach.

"Forgive my intrusion. I'm trying to locate Stryder of Blackmoor."

Two of the men burst out laughing while the others appeared less than amused.

Lochlan exchanged a confused look with Catarina before the one of the laughing men sobered.

He cleared his throat. "Stryder is on the field. If you want to speak to him, you'd better don armor. He's not exactly in a friendly mood."

His words brought more laughter from the others.

"Is there something I should know about the man?"

"Aye, he's been fighting with his wife all week. She's holed up in the castle while he stands in the list. He's in the foulest of moods, so unless you come bearing a peace offering with Rowena, I doubt he'll be interested in anything you have to say."

That wasn't something he wanted to hear. d.a.m.n. The last thing he needed to do was walk into the midst of a marital spat.

Catarina pulled him away from the men. "I have an idea."

Before he could ask after it, she headed for the castle. "Catarina?"

"Trust me, Lochlan."

Did he have a choice? She was quickly making her way through the crowd, oblivious to everyone around her. What the devil was she about?

In fact, she didn't pause until she was inside the hall, where a small group had gathered. Lochlan hesitated as he heard laughter and music.

Catarina approached a guard to their right. "Beg pardon, sir. Can you tell me where I might find the Countess of Blackmoor?"

The man smiled down at her. "Hear that voice that sounds like an angel in heaven? That be she, milady. She's in the hall singing."

"Thank you."

Lochlan finally understood what Catarina was about. What better way to tame the lion and bring him to heel than to win over his lioness? It made sense to seek the lady out first and since Catarina was also a woman, no one would think it untoward of them.

Catarina headed for the small gathering of n.o.bles. Lochlan stood back, afraid of disturbing them.

Or worse, fearing one of them might wish to cause more angst between Rowena and Stryder and report to the earl that Lochlan had been seen speaking to his wife.

But luckily the countess was all but finished. She sang the last note and then handed her lute over to a young man to her left. He had to give Stryder credit, the countess was as beautiful as she was talented. With long blond hair and bright eyes, she was definitely striking.

The crowd applauded and cheered for her. She took her bow, then started away from them.

"Countess?" Catarina called.

She paused. "Aye? Do I know you?"

"Nay. I've come here with a friend." Catarina glanced back at him and motioned him to move closer. "We must needs speak with your husband."

The countess's eyes sharpened as anger darkened her cheeks. "Then I suggest you don armor and seek him on the field as that is the only place that man cares to be." She started away from them.

"Please," Catarina said. "'Tis of dire importance. Lord Lochlan is seeking information on his brother who vanished in the Holy Land. He was told Lord Stryder was the last to see him alive."

Those words succeeded in making the countess stop. "Outremer?"

Lochlan nodded. "We thought Kieran was dead. But a man bearing his plaid was killed in Scotland. I was told Lysander once--"

"Lysander," she breathed. The anger fled her face. "Exceptionally tall and dark-haired?"

"Aye."

Cat froze as she realized something. The countess was very concerned and if her husband had once been a captive in Outremer like Lysander...

She lowered her voice so that no one could overhear them. "Is Lord Stryder a member of the Brotherhood of the Sword?"

Rowena cast her gaze about furtively. "How do you know the Brotherhood?"

"Lysander and Pagan were like family to me. I traveled with them."

Recognition lit the countess's eyes. "Are you Cat?"

"Aye."

All the suspicion left her face and was replaced by instant friendship. "I've heard many stories about you. 'Tis a pleasure to meet you finally."

"Thank you." She held her hand out toward Lochlan. "This is Lochlan MacAllister, laird of the clan."

And again her face lightened as she heard his name. "You would be Lord Sin's brother?"

"Aye."

"Then we're all practically family, eh?" Rowena grimaced as if she'd had a sudden thought. "But this means I must go make amends with the devil. Plague on the man and all his principles.

Fine. 'Tis for a greater good. I do this for another and so the Lord in all his mercy will bless me."

She let out a frustrated breath. "At least He'd best bless me. Heaven knows the last thing I want to do is cater to the devil's ego. I've had my fill of it."

Cat glanced to Lochlan, who appeared as baffled as she was. "The devil?"

"My warring husband of course. Now come before I regain my senses and leave you on your own."

Cat laughed at the woman. She didn't know why, but she really liked her. "Thank you, Countess."

"Call me Rowena." She started for the door, looking very much like someone about to call for Last Rites.

Lochlan trailed after the women, trying not to get his hopes up. It was possible that Stryder knew nothing of Kieran's whereabouts. But what if he did? What if, by some miracle, Stryder had seen him recently?

It was hard to keep himself in check. This was the closest he'd been...At last, he might have an answer to his brother's fate.

Rowena led them straight to the tourney field. Without stopping, she went to the tent that was set up just on the edge of the lists. It was solid black and guarded by a well-muscled man who snapped to attention as he saw Rowena's approach.

She inclined her head to him. "Good day, Val. Is the boor inside?"

"More like a boar with a raging tusk, my lady, if you take my meaning. Please have mercy on us all and speak with him."

"Unfortunately, I must. But I promise you, it won't improve his mood if I can help it."

The man looked pained. "Thanks, my lady. Your kindness knows no boundaries."

"And I'll remember that tone when next you beg favor from me."

"I am quite sure you will."

"Counsel your tongue when you address my wife." The surly growl coming out of the tent sounded like thunder. "That is your lady you speak to. You'd do well to remember it."

Rowena looked less than pleased. "Don't think taking up for me is going to get you back in my good graces, Warmonger."

Stryder left the tent like an emerging dragon. His long, dark, wavy hair hung just past his shoulders. And even though he was angry, he had kind and intelligent eyes. "Think you by now I don't know that? You'll not be placated until I make an a.r.s.e of myself before the entire court. I've done that once and..." His voice trailed off as he realized they weren't alone.

"Ha!" Rowena said triumphantly. "Look, you've already made a fool of yourself. What's a little more humiliation?"

Stryder grimaced at his wife.

Cat suppressed her smile as she took a step forward. "Please forgive us our interruption, my lord. But Lord Lochlan would like a word with you in private."

Stryder glared at his wife before he started away. "I haven't time for this."

Arms akimbo, Rowena put herself in his path. "You can run innocent men through with your lance later." She picked up his gauntleted hand and held it in hers. "He has important"--she squeezed his hand tight--"business indeed."

Understanding lightened the earl's eyes. "Please join me in my tent."

Lochlan allowed the women to go first before he followed the earl inside. The tent was surprisingly large, with a nice-sized bed and table set up. Stryder indicated the women to sit down before he faced Lochlan.

"Are you from Outremer?" Stryder asked him.

"Nay. I was told my brother knew you there."

Stryder scowled. "Your brother?"

"Kieran MacAllister."

The was no mistaking the pain that flared deep in the man's blue eyes. Rowena actually stood up and moved to his side. She didn't say a word, but she patted his back affectionately and it was obvious the man took strength from her touch.

"You must be his brother Lochlan. He said all his brothers were dark-haired save you."

Emotions flooded him at those words. It was true. Stryder had known his brother and Kieran hadn't died in the loch after all. He could almost cry in relief, but that wasn't in him. "Aye. I'm Lochlan."

Stryder squeezed his wife before he left her to walk over to a trunk by his bed. "Kieran was a good man."

Lochlan couldn't breathe as fear a.s.sailed him. "Was?"

He nodded. "Outremer changed many of us. Not necessarily for the better. There were two Scots among our prisoners. Brothers they said. MacAllisters."

It couldn't be. "Two?" How was that possible?

"Aye. Kieran and Duncan." He pulled a small box from the trunk and returned to Lochlan's side.

He handed it over. "Kieran gave me that two days before we escaped. He told me to hold on to it in the event one of his brothers should ever look for him. It was his hope that all of you would continue to think him dead--he didn't want you to know what had become of him. But his fear would be that one of you would learn the truth, then seek him out."

His hand shaking, Lochlan opened the box and felt tears sting his eyes. It was a small silver crucifix identical to the one he carried. The crosses had been gifts from their mother as each one reached his maturity. And just like his, it bore Kieran's name engraved on the back of it.

"Kieran said you would recognize it and know that it was his."

"I do." Swallowing, he met Stryder's gaze. "Is my brother..." He couldn't bring himself to say the words. The fear of the answer choked him and he couldn't bear the thought of knowing his brother had died in the Holy Land and none of them had known it.

"Alive?" Stryder finished, "I don't know. The MacAllister brothers stayed behind and fought the Saracens while we escaped...one died that night and the other..." He flinched from the memory.

"What of him?"

"He lives in England now. Silent and hidden."

"Is it Kieran?" Lochlan's voice cracked.

"I honestly don't know. The two men looked so much alike they could have been twins. There were many times during our imprisonment that we weren't sure which one was Duncan and which one was Kieran."

"But you have to know if it's him. Surely."

"The Scot is severely disfigured," Rowena breathed. "He would have died had his brother not saved him and Stryder not carried him to Europe. The fighting claimed one life and the other...we can't tell who he is and he won't say."

Stryder nodded. "He went into seclusion and has never emerged."

Lochlan stood there completely stunned by the unexpected turn. He wanted to laugh and curse.

Catarina wrapped her arms around his. "We can go and see if it's Kieran."

"Aye." He looked back at Stryder. "Where is he?"

"He's in a remote keep in Suss.e.x. If you can wait a few days, I can take you there. It's the only way he'll allow you to approach. The Scot trusts no one. The last man who tried to broach his lands was shot four times."

Cat gaped. "Did he die?"

"Nay, but I a.s.sure you no one else has tried to visit since without a member of the Brotherhood at his side."

Strangely enough, that sounded just like something the hotheaded Kieran would do. Lochlan held his hand out to Stryder. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate this."

He shook his arm and patted him on the shoulder. "Have no fear. I have a brother myself and there's nothing I wouldn't do for him."

No wonder he was so willing to help. "Is he here?"