Free Knight of the Highlander by Kristin Vayden Page A

brilliant. Offer an unattainable prize to all the men, and send them into frenzy. They would all certainly do their best to ferret out the traitor and gain the prize of Tanist and Arywnn's hand. Yet, secret the true Tanist to the plan, and have him come out the victor regardless — a Tanist by choice, and by victory.
    But then hadn't Arywnn said her father agreed to allow her a prize as well, a measure of freedom, if she were to succeed in finding the traitor? Surely he wouldn't lie to his own flesh? Shaking his head in fury, Colin pieced together the puzzle. Something must have made Rian and the Chattan Chief certain they knew the spy's identity. But what? His previous suspicion that someone from England had sent word flamed to life once again. That was the only explanation, wasn't it?
    He sighed heavily and focused on Rian's retreating form. Just when Rian was out of sight, Colin began to ease from the dark. Through the deserted streets he lurked in the shadows as he followed Rian's stumbling silhouette. When he arrived at the back entrance to the keep, Colin waited. Rian knocked six times in quick succession, and then slumped against the door. It opened, and he fell forward into a man's arms. The man grunted against the weight then shoved him away. Rian groaned, then followed the man inside.
    Colin regarded the stone structure of the keep. From the side, he could easily climb into the broken away turret that would give him a small window into the Laird's study. With a quick glance around to ensure that no one was out, he rushed the building, jumping and placing his hands on the jagged stones. Hoisting himself and climbing the wall diagonally, he continually glanced back from his vulnerable position. He swung himself into the smaller hole, and carefully crept over the rubble and down the heavily sloped stairs. Quietly he bent down and placed his ear over the small hole that gave a bare glimmer into the Laird's study.
    Sure enough, after a few moments of waiting, Rian was ushered into the room.
    "Ye promised! I willnae' let ye strip from me what's rightly mine!" He fumed, slamming a fist onto a chair and knocking it down.
    The Chattan Laird cleared his throat. "I despise a man who cannae' hold his ale. Ye are nothing but a whelp."
    "Ye insult me as well! I challenge ye! Here! Now!" Rian shouted, clearly agitated.
    Colin heard a chair scrap the floor, as he assumed the Chattan Laird stood. Silence, followed by the shuffling of feet that was soon broken by the sound of metal swords clashing. Grunts and shouts were called, but less than minute later it was silent once again.
    "Ye will give me what ye promised, or I'll take it now," Rian slurred.
    Had he won?
    "I willnae' give ye—"
    "Aye, ye will. See? Here's a wee bit of yer blood, coloring my dagger. I'll not hesitate tae spill more. The only reason I ask is I'd rather have ye give me the clan's support, than fight fer it."
    The sounds of heavy breathing stretched on for a few seconds.
    "Aye. Ye'll be Tanist. But…"
    "Aye, what do ye say old man?"
    "But I need a traitor tae give tae the clan. Yer plan failed. Ye had the missive from the thieves but ye dinnae' give me the traitor that sent it."
    "T'was that bastard Gareth! He foiled my plan! I had it worked out! But I—"
    "Ye had nothin'. Not a one in the clan would 'o believed ye concerning Gareth's kin. Ye had tae be daft when thinkin' on that plan."
    "I'll get ye yer traitor. I'll frame one if need be," Rian hissed menacingly.
    "Perhaps ye will make a good Laird after all." The Chattan Laird chuckled, and then broke into a coughing fit.
    "Get up old man! Go back on yer word again, and I'll not hesitate tae make yer lass Fatherless." Rian swore.
    "Ye have my word… but I want the traitor in a fortnight's time."
    "Agreed."
    Colin heard Rian's retreating footsteps, and the groaning's of the Laird as he rose. His mind spun as he reviewed the newly gathered information. His cover was clearly blown, yet thankfully they hadn't