Liam sat upon his horse, astounded by the formidable appearance they presented. Their arrival would likely terrify some of the king’s young rebels, and mayhap even Robert himself.
By nightfall next, they reached the area where the English were said to have camped. As wily as they could, they snuck by the enemy lines and reached the Bruce’s forces that occupied the hills beyond.
On their approach to the king’s encampment, James’ followers flanked them. They rode close, in front of them, behind them, as if they were protecting them. Liam gave a perplexing look to James.
“They know. I had to tell them who you are. Rest easy, my friends, for they are proud of what you do. All are loyal to me and now you, the king’s guard. They insisted on keeping you hidden so the king doesn’t see you. Which is why they asked to cover themselves as you do. I must go and find Robert before he comes looking for me.” James was about to take off when Robert approached.
“James, it is good to see you. And you come with many.” His scrutiny darted to the begrimed faces of James’ men. Robert leaned to the side and then the other and peered at many soot-covered men. “What is this about? Are ye mocking me, James?”
All heard of the legend of the king’s guard, and Robert made light of it. He wouldn’t own to having such a guard or confirm the legend. At least that’s what James told them. Robert appeared affronted by the fact that his followers would cover themselves as did the reputed king’s guard.
James dismounted and stood next to the king. “No, sire, they, we would never dishonor you or mock you. My men caught the tale of the legend and they thought … it would scare the shit out of the English. They do look frightening, do they not?”
Robert guffawed. “Aye, they do appear fearsome. Come, let us discuss this fray.”
James followed the king to his tent.
Liam and his comrades breathed a sigh of relief. With so many covered with soot, no one would question them and likewise, the king wouldn’t recognize them. They were free to roam about the camp at will and settle in until the call to arms came. Then their only task was to protect Robert. The night drug on and the men sat quietly, each in their own thoughts, each performing pre-battle rituals.
James returned and didn’t speak a word of the battle plan. Instead, he growled at them and bid his squire to erect his tent. He threw his saddle bag on the ground and marched to a tree to relieve himself.
Liam suspected James wasn’t fond of the king’s battle plan. He ambled toward the slope and stood upon a hill and contemplated the battle ground. Small fires twinkled in the woods beyond them.
The English.
He looked down and noticed several massive rock formations embedded in the hillsides. If they could loosen the rocks, they could use them in their effort to defeat the English. That was if they could trick their enemy into riding into the ravine. It was the perfect locale for an ambush.
James and his comrades came to stand beside him.
“By God, our king wants to ride into the English’s camp and confront them. He’ll risk his neck. I don’t want to call him foolish, och the man needs some sense shook into him,” James said, his anger hardening his words.
“I’ve thought of a better plan. Aye, a way to thwart the English’s advancement and mayhap ambush them.” He told them his plan and James set off to find iron bars to aid in the dislodgement of the massive rocks.
When James returned with his closest followers, they set about the task. Toward morning when all the rocks were ready and loosened, James left to relay Robert of their plan.
A small group of soldiers under James’s command went to draw the English from their encampment. They would lure the English forces through the ravine, betwixt the hills of rocks.
Dawn neared and the sun rose with unrushed reluctance. The king waited until the enemy reached the center of the gorge before giving the signal. Near the bottom of the highest hill, the English soldiers marched in line. The passageway narrowed and Robert raised a flag. Men on each side of the ravine shoved the rocks using the muscle of their legs, bars, and spears, toppling them upon the unsuspecting men below. Shouts of a call-to-arms came, and men ran down the hill, their swords drawn to attack any soldier that made it past the massive rocks.
Liam kept his eye on Robert, who rode ahead of him. His comrades traveled behind. Many English soldiers lay crushed by the heavy stone and the others scattered. Bellows of retreat sounded from the enemy leaders. The English withdrew.
The skirmish ended quickly with their victory. Liam hadn’t even lifted his sword once. He was a mite disappointed, for he and his comrades relished a good fight. After the fracas, those that needed tending sat around the campfires. A few were gravely wounded. The king walked amongst the men offering his appreciation.
Before he neared, Liam motioned to Graeme, Brodin, and Heath to follow him before the king got too close. He led them to the back of the crowd lest they be seen. All stood and waited for Robert.
The king made his way to the center of the crowd. “We claim victory this day. Our efforts will continue. Soon we shall run the English from our land and win our freedom. With your support we will continue to fight our way south. Take what rest you can for we will keep on our enemy’s heels.”
Liam walked farther away, signaling to James as he passed.
They stood and watched Robert progress through the crowd of blood-covered and soot-covered soldiers. Liam nodded to James. “Keep us abreast of further activity. If he aims to go south, we will be near.”
James sheathed his sword and bowed. “I shall. Seems Robert intends on increasing our attacks. I will stay with him and let you know when we mean to take up arms again. If I cannot come, I shall send one of my followers with word.”
Graeme set a hand on James’ shoulder. “We will do what we can to support his efforts.”
Brodin nudged James’ arm with the butt of his sword. “You’re calm, James. I’m not used to seeing ye like this. By now, you’re usually as intense as a berserker.”
Liam grinned for he knew James used medicinals to aid him when he warred. Many of their forefathers used medicinals when warring. James had almost gone maddened during the winter when he secretly ambushed the English and kept them from advancing north of Stirling.
“I gave up use of the mushrooms. This is serious business. Now that Robert is back, we must be clear-headed and be ready for anything.”
Graeme clapped his hand on James’ shoulder. “I’m glad to hear it. If you’re close to Dumfries, stop in and see us. We shall be ready when you call us.”
Liam followed his comrades to where they’d tethered their horses. He waited while Graeme spoke to James. Brodin and Heath rode out, and they caught up to them on the trail within minutes.
Though they’d only been gone a handful of days, Liam couldn’t get Makenna’s heart-wrenching ordeal from his mind. During the battle, he’d listened for her uncle’s name, hoping to find him and relieve his concern about her. He knew she wanted to seek her own vengeance, but women were often more forgiving than men. At least that was the case when it came to wanting to kill someone. Given time, she might come to her senses and give up her quest.
Liam’s heart weighed heavy. He wanted to help her but she wouldn’t let him. On his return, she would insist on beginning her training. Ideas formed on what tasks to set for her.
“What’s wrong with you?” Brodin asked as he sidled next to him. “You look as if the scuffle ended with our defeat.”
“I’m thinking about my wife.”
Brodin chortled with mirth. “Ah, the greatest defeat. That of a woman. I do not envy you, Liam, for the last thing I’d want is to be saddled with a wife.”
Heath laughed. “Never thought I’d hear you speak those words, Liam.”
Liam hadn’t told them about her home being attacked. All they knew of her, was he’d been betrothed to her. He didn’t want to reveal much of his past life to them, but now his past caught up to him.
He expl
ained Makenna’s dilemma and her vow … “And now the foolhardy woman wants to go after her enemy and kill him. She’s asked me to train her to use the sword.”
“For the love of God, she’ll get herself killed,” Brodin said. “She’ll need our protection.”
“I won’t let her put herself in danger. I’ll be damned if the lass touches a sword.”
Graeme chuckled. “You promised to teach her. How are you going to thwart her?”
He grinned and hunched his shoulder. “I ken not, but perhaps I’ll set her to other tasks and tell her she has to build muscle. It’s the only thing I can think of.”
Heath wore a serious expression. “You ken what I think? I believe you’re besotted with her. She is lovely. You must admit.”
Liam grumbled and swore under his breath. “I admit nothing.”
Brodin bellowed and nudged his horse closer to his. He shoved his shoulder. “Aye, ye are a smitten wagtail. Save yourself the aggravation, my friend, and just confess to the defeat.”
He’d never acknowledge such a flaw. Liam wasn’t sure if women were worth the trouble, but then he granted that he was probably more than smitten with the lass. She’d wedged her way into his thoughts and stayed there.
Chapter Nine
The day her home was invaded changed Makenna forever. She sat beside the stream, reflecting on how she’d gone from a kindhearted person to one with such hatred in her heart. A heart now filled with sorrow and turmoil. There was nothing to do to fix it until she could confront and make the knave pay.
With Liam gone, it was difficult to keep her vengeful thoughts at bay. At least she’d been able to put such disparage aside when he was close. He overwhelmed her, so much so that when he was near all she could think of was him–his smile, his beautiful face, his steely muscles, his broody nature, his gentle touch. All now firmly ensconced in her mind there to remind her that all men were not as villainous as the miscreant.
Makenna despaired when Liam left because that meant she’d be delayed in going after Hawk. She worked herself into a fretful state and couldn’t sleep through the night before or the one before that.
She needed to get to work and learn what she could, and quickly. For as long as the knave was out there, she wouldn’t rest. There had to be a way to learn the sword, and that reminded her of Gilroy. He was a squire and surely knew the sword’s use or might have begun his training with weapons. Hopefully, he would be amiable to teaching her what he knew.
Makenna walked with spry steps toward the ossuary. She stood outside the dim cavern and peered inside. Gilroy knelt on the ground near the back, his body barely visible within the obscurity. She stepped inside and kept her feet light so he wouldn’t hear her approach. He held a sack in his hand and startled when she tapped his shoulder.
“Oh, m’lady, ye scared me.”
“I do apologize, Gilroy. What are you about?”
“Nothing,” he said, and hid the sack behind his back. “What do you want?”
Makenna knelt beside him. “I came to apologize. I shouldn’t have hit you with the rock and took your coins. And I’m sorry I held the dagger to you. It’s just … I was desperate.”
“What were you desperate about, m’lady?” Gilroy rose and placed the sack of coins inside one of two crypts that sat in the center of the ossuary.
She peered inside and drew a stunned breath, but held silent about what she saw. “My home was attacked …” The tale poured out of her and of the horrors of that day, because she needed the lad’s help. “… I promised to seek vengeance for my mother, my sister, and my clan. I need your aid, Gilroy.”
“Vengeance I understand, m’lady.”
“Please, call me Makenna. I’m not a lady.”
The lad swiped the sleeve across his nose and nodded. “Aye, ye are. You’re Liam Kincaid’s wife. He’s laird to his clan. That is, when he returns to his home he will be. You are a lady.”
The talk of her station discomforted her. When Liam returned home, it was highly likely she wouldn’t be with him. She’d often dreamed of being married, being the lady of a keep like her uncle’s … If she survived, she might but wouldn’t hold such hope.
“Will you teach me what you know about weaponry? I need to learn to wield a sword.”
“I don’t know much, m’lady, but I’m happy to give you some knowledge. I’ve seen the guard train and ken their skill. I could tell you of it.”
She tilted her head and questioned him with a glance. “The guard train? I haven’t seen them do so.”
“They train every night when the sky is its darkest.”
“Why would they train at night?” Perplexed by this, she turned and faced the exit of the cave and bid him to follow.
“It’s what they do, m’lady. If you need to ken why, you should ask Liam.”
“I shall. Now about the coin … Why do you hide it? Does Laird Cameron know you have so much? I saw at least four full sacks in the crypt.”
He blanched and absently tucked an errant lock of his hair behind his ear. “I too seek vengeance. One day when I have enough coin, I will return home.”
“What vengeance do you seek?” She stopped at the bottom of the hill and watched him turn his back to her. He lifted his tunic, and revealed the bare flesh of his back. Makenna gasped at the scars marring his tender skin. “Gracious. Did someone take a strap to you?”
“Nay, knives, m’lady. My own mistress, the woman who killed my da, did this. The Bruce found me and bade me to be his squire. He saved me. I stay with the guard to honor him, but once we are freed of his service, I will find my way home. She will pay for her misdeeds against me.”
“I’m sorry she did that to you, Gilroy. You’re awful young to be wanting to go off to kill someone.”
“You’re awful pretty to go off to kill someone.”
Makenna smiled at his sweet words. “Nevertheless, I want you to promise you will at least wait until you’re older. A lad at your age should not put himself in such danger.”
He rejoined with a touch of jest to his words, “Och you’re too puny to put yourself in danger.”
She playfully shoved his shoulder. “That’s why I need to learn the sword. Now I want your promise.”
“I won’t leave until the guard is forgiven by the king. Likely by then I won’t be a lad. It could take years for them to receive his grace.”
She frowned and set a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Forgiven for what? What did the guard do to beseech forgiveness for? You know why they hide?”
“I do, m’lady, but it’s not my place to say. If ye want to know, ask Liam, and if he wants to tell ye, he will. You won’t say anything to the guard, will you? About my coins or where I will go when the time comes?”
They reached the main cave, and she grabbed her sword which she’d left by the wood pile. “No, your secrets are safe with me, Gilroy. I won’t say a word. Now, let us go to the field where we’ll have more room.” She walked beyond the cave she now occupied with Liam and stopped at the center of the adjacent field. “I am uncertain how to hold it.”
Gilroy took the sword from her and showed her how her hand should be. “Like this, m’lady.”
“I see. It is quite heavy.” She flailed it around, her wrist pulling. “I wish you had a sword so you could show me how to defend myself.”
“Sorry, but I don’t. The guard took most of the weapons with them when they left. I won’t go through their trunks … You can swipe the blade at the high grass so you can get a sense of how it moves.”
She sauntered closer to the higher grass and did as he bade. The heavy sword lagged her arm and it wasn’t easy to cut the grass. Makenna was disheartened because learning to use the weapon would be difficult. If only Liam were here, surely he would suggest easier methods to make it less exerting.
The afternoon went by quickly and she needed to return for she didn’t want to worry Kerrigan or Annag. She thanked Gilroy for his time and he left her at the main cave. She was hesitant to go
inside. The air was cool, but not overly cold. Makenna enjoyed the dusk of day the most and often spent that time outdoors when she’d been home. She’d habitually used that time to meditate, pray, and calm herself from the day’s activity or chaos.
Kerrigan came through the cave entrance, holding her bairn. She looked lovely, but a worrisome gaze set on her face. “I was coming to get you and thought something happened. Or that you left.”
“I was just about to come inside. It’s pleasant out and I wanted to spend a few moments …”
“Annag saw you and Gilroy in the field earlier. Did you learn much this day?” Kerrigan repositioned the covering over her bairn and handed him to her, and sat on the rock next to her.
Makenna hadn’t held a babe in such a long time. She’d forgotten how light they were. William was sweet faced and pleasant-natured, for he hadn’t cried much apart from at night. Holding him sent a regretful longing in her heart. She’d wanted babies, lots of them, and with her vow it was likely she’d have none.
She handed him back to his mother and touched his wee hand with her finger. The light fuzz of hair covering his head felt like the silk of a fine gown. “Unfortunately I didn’t learn anything. Well, except how much my arm hurts from lifting the heavy thing.”
Kerrigan laughed. “Come and eat some supper. You must be famished.”
Makenna joined her in the cave and ate the delicious stew Annag prepared. There was nothing to do after they cleaned up the table. Kerrigan left to tend to her bairn, and Annag sat in a chair by the hearth mending a tartan which rend. She decided to get some sleep and bid her a good night.
On the way to the cave she shared with Liam, she looked to the sky. She wasn’t afraid of being alone, for she’d spent many days walking from Kinross to Caerlaverock. Yet this night had a creepy aura as if something lurked in the nearby wood. Makenna regretted not staying in the main cave with the other women, but she liked her solitude. She hurried and made it inside the cave. There, she lit a few candles and set a fire in the hearth.
Unbreakable Heart (Legend of the King's Guard Book 2) Page 11
