Highlander's Promise Read Free Page B

the guard who had limped away, then she turned her attention to the closed door and waited.
    ~~~
    Cree heard several footfalls approach long before the group reached his cell. He was on his feet when the cell door swung open and when the guard entered with a torch, he stumbled back upon seeing Cree standing there as powerful as ever.
    Sloan entered along with Elwin, Minnoch following them in.
    Minnoch approached Cree. “Tell your men why you are rotting in my dungeon.”
    “Tell them your lies yourself,” Cree said.
    Minnoch turned and spat the words out with anger. “He stole from me.”
    “What lies do you spew?” Sloan demanded.
    “Not lies,” Minnoch said and stretched his hand out to one of his soldiers. The man dropped something into Minnoch’s hand. “I left him alone in my solar for a moment and I returned to find he had broken the seal on my chest and had these in his hands.”
    Cree was the only one who did not glance at his hand. He knew what he held, rubies and emeralds that Minnoch himself had taken out of the chest in his solar.
    “King Alexander insults me, sending a thief to see if I am truly loyal to the crown. I will show the King just how loyal I am by beheading the man who no doubt would steal from the King himself,” Minnoch said.
    While Elwin drew everyone’s attention by protesting loudly, Cree looked to Sloan and without a word being exchanged, gave Sloan a barely noticeable nod.
    “Your complaints are useless. This thief will die in three days’ time and Loudon Village will celebrate,” Minnoch said.
    “I will have time alone with Lord Cree,” Sloan demanded.
    Minnoch laughed. “So you can attempt to plan an escape? I am no fool. Say your good-byes, for the next time you see him will be when the axe comes down upon his neck.” He turned to one of his men. “Take them out of here.”
    Sloan and Elwin protested loudly as they were led out, while Minnoch remained behind with two warriors.
    “The King underestimated me as did you. I will see you dead and claim your lands as mine and the King will have no choice but to grant me them for ridding him of such a dishonorable warrior.” He turned to go, then stopped and turned to face Cree once more. “As for your wife, I have wondered what it would be like to poke a voiceless woman.” He laughed and turned to go.
    “Minnoch,” Cree said with such command that the man could not help but turn and face him. “I am going to enjoy killing you.”
    Minnoch could not stop the shudder that ran like a cold chill through his body when for a brief moment he believed that Cree would see him dead, and he was relieved when the key turned and clicked in the lock behind him.
    ~~~
    Dawn glanced around while she waited, taking in all she could, from the constant stream of sentries on the walk wall, to the double guards at the dungeon’s entrance and the continuous presence of guards wherever one looked. From what she saw, the prison was a stronghold and she wondered how she would ever get inside let alone get Cree out.
    The door suddenly swung open and Sloan burst out, Elwin behind him, both men angrier than she had ever seen them.
    “You cannot be serious,” Sloan said, turning on Minnoch when he joined them outside.
    “Cree stole from me and will pay the price... death. I will lay claim to his lands just as he did with Dowell, and the King will thank me for it.”
    “You falsely accuse Cree and plan to behead him before the King can even be made aware of it, and you think the King will be pleased? And you think the King will allow you Cree’s lands? Are you a fool?” Sloan asked as if he could not believe the man’s ignorance.
    Minnoch took a brisk step toward Sloan. “Never dare to call me a fool again. Your chieftain will suffer the executioner’s axe in three days’ time. I will seize all his holdings and as for his wife and children? Their fate will be at my discretion. And if you think the King will bother himself with such a trivial