Page 70 of Highland Spy

There was a noise behind her and she spun around to see Sorley standing there.

“Sorley? It’s ye who sent me that missive?”

“Bridget?” he asked. “What do ye mean? I received a missive last night sayin’ to come here, but it seems to be missin’ this mornin’. Was it from ye? Did ye send it to me sayin’ ye ken my secret?”

“Yer secret?” she asked. “I thought ye sent it to me, sayin’ ye kent my secret.”

“I dinna ken what ye’re talkin’ about. But I dinna like yer threat to harm my loved one.”

“What are ye sayin’?” she asked. “Ye said that to me.”

“I did no such thing,” he told her. “And I dinna ken about any secret ye may have.”

“Well, I dinna ken yer secret either,” she told him. “What is this all about? If we didna send them to each other, who did?”

“So glad ye both came.” Valan walked out of the shadows, holding a sword in his hand.

“Valan!” shrieked Bridget. “I should have kent it was ye. Get away from me.”

“Me, too,” said Sorley.

“I’m afraid that’s no’ goin’ to happen unless ye both give me what I want. After all, I ken both of yer secrets, and I’m ready to spread the word.”

“I dinna care what ye want, ye willna get it from me,” spat Bridget.

“Me, either,” added Sorley.

“Oh, I think ye will, because if ye dinna do it, I’m afraid I’m goin’ to have to kill yer faither, Bridget. And also kill yer special travelin’ companion, Sorley.”

“Ye willna touch my faither. I will no’ let ye,” Bridget answered bravely.

“If ye two dinna put me in yer chronicles, I swear I will kill them,” Valan threatened. “I’ve already got them hidden away as my prisoners.”

“Nay!” cried Bridget.

“I saw Sim no’ ten minutes ago, so ye lie,” said Sorley. “He is up on the dais.”

“Is he? Why dinna ye take a look out the door and tell me if ye see him. But I warn ye, if ye try to escape or to call out for help, I will run ye through with my sword.”

Sorley slowly walked to the door with Valan right behind him, sword still drawn.

When Sorley gasped and turned back, Bridget could tell by the look on his face that his friend, indeed, had been abducted.

“What do ye want us to write in the chronicles?” asked Sorley.

“I want ye both to put me into the books sayin’ I have a half-dozen bastard sons.”

“What?” gasped Bridget. “Why would we do that? And what would yer wife say about that?”

“He’s no’ married,” said Sorley.

“He’s no’?” This was news to Bridget.

“I’ve been recordin’ events for the past ten years and I can tell ye that he has been married three times and had each marriage annulled because his wives were all barren,” explained Sorley.

Bridget could not believe what she was hearing. “I’m gettin’ the feelin’ that I’m no’ barren after all, am I, Valan?”

“Of course, ye are,” snapped the man. “I just have bad luck in choosin’ wives, that’s all.”