From: adrianrchl@aol.com (AdrianRchl)
Date: 23 Mar 1998 00:25:58 EST
“They’ve killed him, Kate.”
“The price they pay will be heavy, indeed..........” The grim set of his mouth convinced her that this night would end in a grisly fashion. “I’ll no longer be needing that berth.” The catch in his throat nearly tore at her heart, as he swiftly steeped to the back stair, and disappeared from view.
Thwarted Ambition
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From: adrianrchl@aol.com (AdrianRchl)
Date: 23 Mar 1998 00:28:51 EST
“Gimme thet key, Sarah, an’ you’ll be glad you did,” growled a scraggily bearded, unkempt man as he turned toward a door in the hallway upstairs.
Producing a key from deep within her bodice, the buxom barmaid accompanying him giggled charmingly as she pressed it into his palm, her eyes glowing brightly with seeming anticipation. Grasping her roughly, he pulled her to him, squeezing her tightly against his lean frame as he fumbled with the lock. As the door swung slowly open, he pushed her into the darkened room, following with unconcealed impatience. Grasping her shoulders, he pressed feverish
lips to hers, his fetid breath mingling with the delicate rose scent of her skin skin.
Suddenly, his head jerked backward, neck extended, a glint of metal drawing swiftly across the exposed surface. The startled look within his eyes faded as the lifeblood poured from the gaping wound, and his lifeless body thumped to the floor.
Sarah’s eyes gazed calmly at the intruder, his presence quickly becoming naught but a silouette upon the windowsill. Her longing eyes stared long after his departure.
“Twas a swarthy Portugese left my window this eve. Travel well, my sweet....”
Date: 23 Mar 1998 00:28:51 EST
“Gimme thet key, Sarah, an’ you’ll be glad you did,” growled a scraggily bearded, unkempt man as he turned toward a door in the hallway upstairs.
Producing a key from deep within her bodice, the buxom barmaid accompanying him giggled charmingly as she pressed it into his palm, her eyes glowing brightly with seeming anticipation. Grasping her roughly, he pulled her to him, squeezing her tightly against his lean frame as he fumbled with the lock. As the door swung slowly open, he pushed her into the darkened room, following with unconcealed impatience. Grasping her shoulders, he pressed feverish
lips to hers, his fetid breath mingling with the delicate rose scent of her skin skin.
Suddenly, his head jerked backward, neck extended, a glint of metal drawing swiftly across the exposed surface. The startled look within his eyes faded as the lifeblood poured from the gaping wound, and his lifeless body thumped to the floor.
Sarah’s eyes gazed calmly at the intruder, his presence quickly becoming naught but a silouette upon the windowsill. Her longing eyes stared long after his departure.
“Twas a swarthy Portugese left my window this eve. Travel well, my sweet....”
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From: adrianrchl@aol.com (AdrianRchl)
Date: 23 Mar 1998 00:31:14 EST
Stepping from the outhouse, the second brigand never saw the instrument of his own death, as the longsword cleaved a path, a gaping hole where his head had once been.
Date: 23 Mar 1998 00:31:14 EST
Stepping from the outhouse, the second brigand never saw the instrument of his own death, as the longsword cleaved a path, a gaping hole where his head had once been.
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From: adrianrchl@aol.com (AdrianRchl)
Date: 23 Mar 1998 00:34:49 EST
The door closing heavily behind her, the swordswoman made her way to the stable, a brooding scowl upon her face.
“Damn the ruddy buggar anyway, if he choose a common barmaid over me!” Her foot lashed out, sending a rock spinning into the barn wall. Hearing a sound behind her, she ducked into the stable, pulling her dagger quietly. Hawkish eyes peering out of the shadows, she started visibly as the low tones started from the darkness behind her.
“Ah, there you are, Goddess of the night. I thought I’d never find you alone.”
Spinning, she backed into the moonlit doorway, years of experience evident as she tried to coax him into the light, the better to see the possible threat.
“Goddess! You must be blind, for I know I am no beauty,” she snorted disdainfully.
“There is beauty, and then....... there is beauty, my pet.” The voice’s source coming slowly closer, she crouched in readiness. A dusky silouette stood just inside the shadows, his mesmerizing voice continuing smoothly across the expanse. “Those who posses fairness of face may bloom for a time, but you..... now there is true beauty.” Stepping just into the circle of light, his slow, fluid movement forward exuded sensuality as he disarmed her with his
words. The point of her dagger slowly lowered, without her being completely aware of it. “Tis evident in the flash of your eyes, the prideful tilt of your head, the fluid motion of each muscle......” his voice lowering to a mere whisper, he stepped forward, running one gentle finger softly up her forearm, ending with his hand resting lightly in the crook of her neck. “ Raw passion....purely sensual....” Breathing shallowly through her mouth, she
gazed into his warm blue eyes as their lips nearly met, her heart beating rapidly at the unaccustomed attention. Sliding his other hand up her back, his eyes turned suddenly icy as his fingers closed about her throat, the sound of her neck snapping bouncing off the walls of the stables.
Date: 23 Mar 1998 00:34:49 EST
The door closing heavily behind her, the swordswoman made her way to the stable, a brooding scowl upon her face.
“Damn the ruddy buggar anyway, if he choose a common barmaid over me!” Her foot lashed out, sending a rock spinning into the barn wall. Hearing a sound behind her, she ducked into the stable, pulling her dagger quietly. Hawkish eyes peering out of the shadows, she started visibly as the low tones started from the darkness behind her.
“Ah, there you are, Goddess of the night. I thought I’d never find you alone.”
Spinning, she backed into the moonlit doorway, years of experience evident as she tried to coax him into the light, the better to see the possible threat.
“Goddess! You must be blind, for I know I am no beauty,” she snorted disdainfully.
“There is beauty, and then....... there is beauty, my pet.” The voice’s source coming slowly closer, she crouched in readiness. A dusky silouette stood just inside the shadows, his mesmerizing voice continuing smoothly across the expanse. “Those who posses fairness of face may bloom for a time, but you..... now there is true beauty.” Stepping just into the circle of light, his slow, fluid movement forward exuded sensuality as he disarmed her with his
words. The point of her dagger slowly lowered, without her being completely aware of it. “Tis evident in the flash of your eyes, the prideful tilt of your head, the fluid motion of each muscle......” his voice lowering to a mere whisper, he stepped forward, running one gentle finger softly up her forearm, ending with his hand resting lightly in the crook of her neck. “ Raw passion....purely sensual....” Breathing shallowly through her mouth, she
gazed into his warm blue eyes as their lips nearly met, her heart beating rapidly at the unaccustomed attention. Sliding his other hand up her back, his eyes turned suddenly icy as his fingers closed about her throat, the sound of her neck snapping bouncing off the walls of the stables.
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From: xoxokthrin@aol.com (XOXOKthrin)
Date: 28 Mar 1998 02:44:37 EST
Her hands were chilled as she heard the common room ringing with laughter. Confident that Adrian would prevent Sarah from having to go through with the ruse, she willed her body to become hard and unforgiving. A strangely lifeless shadow filled her eyes as she removed the finely-honed blade from her bodice once again.
She reached for the wetstone that resided beside the assortment of kitchen toolery and spat quickly, unsure of how much time she was being loaned. Her wrist moved with a hypnotic rythmn as she began to swirl the metal's edge against the stone. All that she had ever known of the captivating, and now slain, laird dissolved into the glimmer of steel that was now dancing in tiny circles against the spittle and gray.
Date: 28 Mar 1998 02:44:37 EST
Her hands were chilled as she heard the common room ringing with laughter. Confident that Adrian would prevent Sarah from having to go through with the ruse, she willed her body to become hard and unforgiving. A strangely lifeless shadow filled her eyes as she removed the finely-honed blade from her bodice once again.
She reached for the wetstone that resided beside the assortment of kitchen toolery and spat quickly, unsure of how much time she was being loaned. Her wrist moved with a hypnotic rythmn as she began to swirl the metal's edge against the stone. All that she had ever known of the captivating, and now slain, laird dissolved into the glimmer of steel that was now dancing in tiny circles against the spittle and gray.
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From: xoxokthrin@aol.com (XOXOKthrin)
Date: 04 Apr 1998 23:57:10 EST
The hairs on her neck rose slowly as the old oak door creaked on its coarse hinges. Without looking, Kathryn knew who it was and the smile that pulled at her lips was anything but cordial. Her thumb slowly tested the steel's edge.
"Wha' took ye so long?" she murmered softly, her spine straightening slightly as the adreniline surged through her limbs.
The crude bark of a laugh assured her of her assumption.
"I knew ya wanted me.. yer mouth said no, but yer eyes were beggin' fer me to ignore yer words", a drunken voice replied, his steps softly scrapping the well swept kailroom as he approached her.
"I ne'r said I wanted ye, Sirrah.." she hissed, nerves drawn tight with closely reigned energy. Her hand clutched the dirk tighter, as she prepared to accomplish her final favor for William.
A heavy hand landed on her shoulder, as the unwashed mercenary wrenched her around to face him.
With lightening quick speed, Kathryn thrust the blade forward, reaching upward as she hoped to pierce his chest.
With an unexpected burst of sobriety, the fellow blocked her blow with his forearm, sending the dirk flying from her hand and clattering onto the flagstone floor. His smile showed as little mirth as the dark, glowing eyes that were shrouded with thick, black brows.
"Come now, whore. Ye showed me your little knife earilier, don't ye remember?" he smirked as he smashed the back of his forehand across her left cheek, sending her sprawling to the floor.
The white spots that blinded Kathryn gave the man time enough to assess the situation and, seeing it to his liking, he jumped atop of her, hands riping at the scantily cut bodice. With a cry of outrage, Kathryn fought through his gropping, arms and feet flailing with all her might as she fought the terror of his weight on her.
Hot breath blew in her ear as he laughed.
"I knew ye would be a grand rowter, darlin'", he laughed, as the sound of ripping fabric added to the chaos. His knee smashed against her thigh as her legs kicked violently against the pressure. Kathryn's mind raced, as she fought to keep calm.
~ Think, damn ye... think! There must be somethin' ~ She clutched at thoughts, ideas while struggling for air as he tried to crush her mouth with his own.
Biting down hard, she tasted the warm blood as he wrenched his head back, howling in pain. In that instant, Kathryn pulled every last ounce of her strength and flung him over, sending him hard onto his back, and she above him. Without hesitation, he reached up to grab at her hair, but she had already stretched across him, fingers outstretched to the custom made hilt of her dirk.
"Ye wee witch!" he roared. "If rough is how ye like it, rough is how it'll be!"
He dug his fingers into the hair on the nape of her neck, dragging her face before him, his torn lip bleeding profusily. She glared at her assailant and, just as he started to pull her mouth down to his again, she spat on his face.
The sound of his outrage reverberated off the walls and he yanked her head back, bringing his other fist up to sink into her face.
At that split moment, she leaned forward to thrust her blade into his throat, the cartilage parting for the unrelenting steel as it sunk deeply into him.
His eyes widen as though surprised, and he blinked slowly... once... twice... before the gurgling sound became noticible.
Pulling the blade free from his dying body, Kathryn quickly pushed herself off him and stood up, her knees weak from the horror as much as the attempted rape. Quickly arming herself with a unperceptible expression, she looked down into the dying man's eyes.
"This is for the Mutoah... William Fraser", she said.
Date: 04 Apr 1998 23:57:10 EST
The hairs on her neck rose slowly as the old oak door creaked on its coarse hinges. Without looking, Kathryn knew who it was and the smile that pulled at her lips was anything but cordial. Her thumb slowly tested the steel's edge.
"Wha' took ye so long?" she murmered softly, her spine straightening slightly as the adreniline surged through her limbs.
The crude bark of a laugh assured her of her assumption.
"I knew ya wanted me.. yer mouth said no, but yer eyes were beggin' fer me to ignore yer words", a drunken voice replied, his steps softly scrapping the well swept kailroom as he approached her.
"I ne'r said I wanted ye, Sirrah.." she hissed, nerves drawn tight with closely reigned energy. Her hand clutched the dirk tighter, as she prepared to accomplish her final favor for William.
A heavy hand landed on her shoulder, as the unwashed mercenary wrenched her around to face him.
With lightening quick speed, Kathryn thrust the blade forward, reaching upward as she hoped to pierce his chest.
With an unexpected burst of sobriety, the fellow blocked her blow with his forearm, sending the dirk flying from her hand and clattering onto the flagstone floor. His smile showed as little mirth as the dark, glowing eyes that were shrouded with thick, black brows.
"Come now, whore. Ye showed me your little knife earilier, don't ye remember?" he smirked as he smashed the back of his forehand across her left cheek, sending her sprawling to the floor.
The white spots that blinded Kathryn gave the man time enough to assess the situation and, seeing it to his liking, he jumped atop of her, hands riping at the scantily cut bodice. With a cry of outrage, Kathryn fought through his gropping, arms and feet flailing with all her might as she fought the terror of his weight on her.
Hot breath blew in her ear as he laughed.
"I knew ye would be a grand rowter, darlin'", he laughed, as the sound of ripping fabric added to the chaos. His knee smashed against her thigh as her legs kicked violently against the pressure. Kathryn's mind raced, as she fought to keep calm.
~ Think, damn ye... think! There must be somethin' ~ She clutched at thoughts, ideas while struggling for air as he tried to crush her mouth with his own.
Biting down hard, she tasted the warm blood as he wrenched his head back, howling in pain. In that instant, Kathryn pulled every last ounce of her strength and flung him over, sending him hard onto his back, and she above him. Without hesitation, he reached up to grab at her hair, but she had already stretched across him, fingers outstretched to the custom made hilt of her dirk.
"Ye wee witch!" he roared. "If rough is how ye like it, rough is how it'll be!"
He dug his fingers into the hair on the nape of her neck, dragging her face before him, his torn lip bleeding profusily. She glared at her assailant and, just as he started to pull her mouth down to his again, she spat on his face.
The sound of his outrage reverberated off the walls and he yanked her head back, bringing his other fist up to sink into her face.
At that split moment, she leaned forward to thrust her blade into his throat, the cartilage parting for the unrelenting steel as it sunk deeply into him.
His eyes widen as though surprised, and he blinked slowly... once... twice... before the gurgling sound became noticible.
Pulling the blade free from his dying body, Kathryn quickly pushed herself off him and stood up, her knees weak from the horror as much as the attempted rape. Quickly arming herself with a unperceptible expression, she looked down into the dying man's eyes.
"This is for the Mutoah... William Fraser", she said.
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From: xoxokthrin@aol.com (XOXOKthrin)
Date: 07 Apr 1998 00:00:39 EDT
Quickly, with the stealth of a ship rat, the shaking woman knelt beside the still form, not pausing to see if he was yet alive. The death rattle was growing dimmer with each labored breath and Kathryn knew he would never be a threat to anyone again. She ran her fingers nimbly over the grease-stained tunic. A tale-tell bulge revealed his purse snugly tucked beside the inner pocket of his jerkin. She picked it from the still warm torso
and slipped it between her own bulging cleavage, allowing the heavy pouch to naturally settle beneath her ribs. Her eyes narrowed as she continued her search, knowing well that the item would be on him, somewhere.
She patted his waist and hips distainfully but paused the second a small object was felt beneath the coarse wool breeches.
Her smile was strained as she reached quickly into his leegings and withdrew the intricate Celtic silverwork.
"There... ye can tell'em I got in yer pants noe, love.." she murmered icily, looking over at the glassy, lifeless eyes that now stared up at the soot covered beams of the kitchen.
With one liquid movement, she rose and slipped the precious clasp under her belt. She paused, taking one last look at the cooling ardour of her would-be assailant. As though in a final gesture of goodbye, she kicked the lifeless body.
Pulling her tattered clothing about her, she stepped around the pooling blood and out into the kirkyard, grabbing the hanging bratt as she shut the heavy door behind her. The wind was whistling through the trees and on it rode the hint of a storm. With her face set in grim determination, she wrapped the thick plaid about her and headed to her mare.
She must locate Adrian and bring him the fruits of her labors. And there was only one place the tormented man would go now...
Date: 07 Apr 1998 00:00:39 EDT
Quickly, with the stealth of a ship rat, the shaking woman knelt beside the still form, not pausing to see if he was yet alive. The death rattle was growing dimmer with each labored breath and Kathryn knew he would never be a threat to anyone again. She ran her fingers nimbly over the grease-stained tunic. A tale-tell bulge revealed his purse snugly tucked beside the inner pocket of his jerkin. She picked it from the still warm torso
and slipped it between her own bulging cleavage, allowing the heavy pouch to naturally settle beneath her ribs. Her eyes narrowed as she continued her search, knowing well that the item would be on him, somewhere.
She patted his waist and hips distainfully but paused the second a small object was felt beneath the coarse wool breeches.
Her smile was strained as she reached quickly into his leegings and withdrew the intricate Celtic silverwork.
"There... ye can tell'em I got in yer pants noe, love.." she murmered icily, looking over at the glassy, lifeless eyes that now stared up at the soot covered beams of the kitchen.
With one liquid movement, she rose and slipped the precious clasp under her belt. She paused, taking one last look at the cooling ardour of her would-be assailant. As though in a final gesture of goodbye, she kicked the lifeless body.
Pulling her tattered clothing about her, she stepped around the pooling blood and out into the kirkyard, grabbing the hanging bratt as she shut the heavy door behind her. The wind was whistling through the trees and on it rode the hint of a storm. With her face set in grim determination, she wrapped the thick plaid about her and headed to her mare.
She must locate Adrian and bring him the fruits of her labors. And there was only one place the tormented man would go now...
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From: adrianrchl@aol.com (AdrianRchl)
Date: 13 May 1998 00:59:13 EDT
His senses heightened by adrenaline, Adrian couldn't miss the faint crunch of a booted foot on the gravel outside the stable door. Pulling a dirk from his boot, the large man crouched in the shadows, waiting, his nerves stretched as tightly as a violin bow. A tiny vein rhythmically throbbed in his temple as he held his muscles in check, willing himself to stillness. With the grating squeal of rusty hinges, the door began to swing open.
Lunging forward, his armed hand before him, he was surprised to find himself falling backward, the victim of a timely leg sweep. As he fell, he swiftly grasped the hair of his assailant, the momentum throwing them both to the ground. He landed with a heavy thud, his assailant pinned beneath him. A string of epithets spewed breathlessly up at him, the sultry voice they belonged to making him chuckle.
"I've often pictured you in this position, Kathryn, but never took you for the hayloft type."
Date: 13 May 1998 00:59:13 EDT
His senses heightened by adrenaline, Adrian couldn't miss the faint crunch of a booted foot on the gravel outside the stable door. Pulling a dirk from his boot, the large man crouched in the shadows, waiting, his nerves stretched as tightly as a violin bow. A tiny vein rhythmically throbbed in his temple as he held his muscles in check, willing himself to stillness. With the grating squeal of rusty hinges, the door began to swing open.
Lunging forward, his armed hand before him, he was surprised to find himself falling backward, the victim of a timely leg sweep. As he fell, he swiftly grasped the hair of his assailant, the momentum throwing them both to the ground. He landed with a heavy thud, his assailant pinned beneath him. A string of epithets spewed breathlessly up at him, the sultry voice they belonged to making him chuckle.
"I've often pictured you in this position, Kathryn, but never took you for the hayloft type."
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From: adrianrchl@aol.com (AdrianRchl)
Date: 24 May 1998 23:07:22 EDT
Pushing himself up with his arms, Adrian shifted, ever so slightly. The tension of the evening wearing her patience thin, a deceptively seductive smile crossed Kathryn's features as she brought her knee up -- hard.
"Had we more time, 'darlin', I'd give you more of a taste of my type!"
His eyes watering, Adrian could do nothing but gasp for more than a few seconds. Filled with remorse, Kathryn leaned down to help Adrian to his feet at the exact moment he began to rise. The resulting thud of his head upon her chin had them both reeling, before they dissolved into stifled giggles.
"I'm beginning to think we should take this act on the road, and travel with the mummers!" Adrian chortled as he wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve. He began to rise, violently waving away her offered hand. "I'd prefer death or dismemberment at the hand of an enemy, if you don't mind."
"Bite your tongue, Richelieu!" The sound of approaching hoofbeats prompted Kathryn to half drag the still recovering man into the stable and behind the partially open door. The door was roughly pushed open from without, effectively pinning them behind it. For Kathryn, it took an effort of extreme will not to move, as Adrian's height had strategically placed her nose..........beneath his armpit. Noting her distress, he chuckled inwardly as he quietly
encircled her waist and raised her up his length until they faced eachother. Noting that the action had caused her bodice to lower to less than decent depths, he glanced at her scowl and lightly shrugged his shoulders.
"Hell and damnation!" A growled oath from the stable suddenly caught and held thier attention.
Date: 24 May 1998 23:07:22 EDT
Pushing himself up with his arms, Adrian shifted, ever so slightly. The tension of the evening wearing her patience thin, a deceptively seductive smile crossed Kathryn's features as she brought her knee up -- hard.
"Had we more time, 'darlin', I'd give you more of a taste of my type!"
His eyes watering, Adrian could do nothing but gasp for more than a few seconds. Filled with remorse, Kathryn leaned down to help Adrian to his feet at the exact moment he began to rise. The resulting thud of his head upon her chin had them both reeling, before they dissolved into stifled giggles.
"I'm beginning to think we should take this act on the road, and travel with the mummers!" Adrian chortled as he wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve. He began to rise, violently waving away her offered hand. "I'd prefer death or dismemberment at the hand of an enemy, if you don't mind."
"Bite your tongue, Richelieu!" The sound of approaching hoofbeats prompted Kathryn to half drag the still recovering man into the stable and behind the partially open door. The door was roughly pushed open from without, effectively pinning them behind it. For Kathryn, it took an effort of extreme will not to move, as Adrian's height had strategically placed her nose..........beneath his armpit. Noting her distress, he chuckled inwardly as he quietly
encircled her waist and raised her up his length until they faced eachother. Noting that the action had caused her bodice to lower to less than decent depths, he glanced at her scowl and lightly shrugged his shoulders.
"Hell and damnation!" A growled oath from the stable suddenly caught and held thier attention.
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From: xoxokthrin@aol.com (XOXOKthrin)
Date: 31 May 1998 00:38:56 EDT
Making a mental note to offer the brawny noble a bath once circumstances permitted, Kathryn placed a finger over his lips. Adrian's expression grew deadly as the voices drew closer, the stamping of horses hooves adding to the growing sense of trepidation that she felt mounting deeply within her.
Through the crack of the stable doors, they watched the riders crowd into the already cramped building. Kathryn strained in her confinement, desperate to hear what and who the new arrivals were. She didn't have long to wait.
"Donough isnae anywhere aboot, sir," a thick, coarse brogue broke through the sounds of the heavy breathing of the riders. The creaking of the horses' tack, as well as the jostling animals themselves, added to the mayhem. The two hidden figures glanced at eachother as if to confirm the name, a questioning expression mirrored on one anothers face.
"Weel, keep looking", a low nasal retort answered. "Do you wan'a tell the Laird tha' we've failed him? MacLaughlin, see aboot th' horses. Quick, to th' pub, then, men".
Kathryn looked at Adrian, her eyes widening in an adrenaline rush. Sarah.....
Kathryn
Date: 31 May 1998 00:38:56 EDT
Making a mental note to offer the brawny noble a bath once circumstances permitted, Kathryn placed a finger over his lips. Adrian's expression grew deadly as the voices drew closer, the stamping of horses hooves adding to the growing sense of trepidation that she felt mounting deeply within her.
Through the crack of the stable doors, they watched the riders crowd into the already cramped building. Kathryn strained in her confinement, desperate to hear what and who the new arrivals were. She didn't have long to wait.
"Donough isnae anywhere aboot, sir," a thick, coarse brogue broke through the sounds of the heavy breathing of the riders. The creaking of the horses' tack, as well as the jostling animals themselves, added to the mayhem. The two hidden figures glanced at eachother as if to confirm the name, a questioning expression mirrored on one anothers face.
"Weel, keep looking", a low nasal retort answered. "Do you wan'a tell the Laird tha' we've failed him? MacLaughlin, see aboot th' horses. Quick, to th' pub, then, men".
Kathryn looked at Adrian, her eyes widening in an adrenaline rush. Sarah.....
Kathryn