Free Knight of the Highlander by Kristin Vayden

didn't reach his eyes.
    "Then what troubles ye this early in the morn'?" Colin asked as he went over and began to stoke the forge's fire. He waited in silence as the coals glowed brighter, waiting for Gareth to speak his mind.
    "Ye ken of the traitor, aye?"
    "Aye, I think all know about the traitor… and the prize." Colin glanced back at Gareth with a raised eyebrow. He turned once again to the fire, knowing that Gareth would explain.
    "The prize… 'tis a brilliant plan. There's nae a man not vying for that prize. But I wasn't concerned about the lass. 'Tis Rian."
    "Rian?" Colin turned to face Gareth.
    "Aye, Rian." Gareth shook his head and pierced Colin with a sorrow filled expression.
    "He thinks he's found the traitor."
    "Does he now?"
    "Aye, he said he was bringin' proof tonight tae the Laird."
    "I'm afraid I dinnae' understand. Why is this so troublesome tae ye?" Colin furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
    "The man Rian accuses is no traitor. 'Tis my daughter's husband." Gareth hung his head.
    "No. T'would be folly fer Rian tae accuse yer kin. Yer son-in-law was born and raised in Clan Chattan. There's nae a way he'd have ties back tae England. Why would Rian go tae all this work unless he was desperate? What does he want from yer family Gareth?" Colin squared his shoulders and gazed at the top of Gareth's hung head.
    "He doesn't want anything from my family. I dinnae' ken why he would accuse one of his own clansmen." He paused and glanced up at Colin. "Would ye ask around? See if there's something my old ears have missed. He has two weans. Ye ken that the Laird would run him through on the slightest evidence."
    "Aye, indeed the Laird would," Colin mumbled then closed his eyes. "I'll make ye no promises, yet I'll let ye know if I hear something about Rian or yer son-in-law."
    Gareth nodded and strode forward. With a grateful slap to Colin's arm, he said, "I thank ye," and then left, his shoulders sagging in defeat.
    Colin rubbed his bearded chin with his gloved hand. Time was running short. He hadn't much time till he would need to leave. His mission was compromised as it was, he didn't need the innocent blood of Gareth's son-in-law on his conscience as well. With a heavy sigh, he turned back to the forge. So much for his plans. Tonight he wouldn't meet a lovely lass; tonight he would search out the rat. Rian.
    The evening approached, and Colin headed home. All day he had listened for news or whisperings concerning Gareth, Rian, or spies. The village was strangely silent on all three subjects leading Colin to greater suspicion than before. Once home, he waited till full dark, then shrouded himself in black and covered his face. Going through the back entrance of his home, he snuck into the forest. After climbing a few trees and waiting in the dark, listening, watching, he made his way back to the front gate. A loud shout drew his attention. Drawing closer, he listened intently. Another shout rang out, this time closer. A commotion began on the inside courtyard, so Colin ran quickly through the trees and ducked into the secret entrance, not fully entering the courtyard. The pitch dark of the corridor hid him from watching eyes, and he leaned around the wall cautiously.
    Rian was the one shouting. In one hand was a sword, and the other held a torch that continued to swing dangerously close to a straw-laden cart. He stumbled around, clearly drunk and growling.
    "He promised! All ye listen! T'was I that was tae be named the Tanist! I was tae bed the lass! T'was I he promised! She's mine! The wench Arywnn is mine!" he called wildly. He backed away from the cart, as if realizing his near disaster, and walked away.
    Colin's heart beat fiercely when he heard Rian's words. Though clearly deep in his cups, he was a man scorned and undoubtedly shouting the truth. Was it all a ruse, the 'prize' for the man finding the traitor? He gave a disgusted snort. He wasn't surprised. Yet as much as it disgusted him, the plan was quite