~~~
When they once again came upon woods, they stopped for the night, the sun near to setting. They did not enter it, for if they did they would leave the Dark Dragon’s land. They set up camp and settled for the evening and waited for the rabbits, a couple of warriors had hunted, to cook.
Guards were posted as usual and apprehension settled over the men. They all knew that once they entered the woods, there was nothing to prevent the McLauds from attacking. A battle was inevitable and they would be outnumbered.
Hunter sat beside his mum, watching the men cast glances at Patience, sitting speaking with Edward.
“You look worried,” Una said, resting a hand on her son’s arm.
“They expect a miracle from her,” Hunter said angry and turned to his mum. “I want you to leave here with Ewan and his sons in the morning. They will keep you safe. This is not their fight. Greer will not bother to go after you. He will be too busy with us.”
“We shall see,” his mum said.
“I mean it, Mum,” he insisted.
“Look,” his mum said, smiling and pointing.
Hunter saw Ewan step out of the woods and hurry over to Patience. He got up and walked over to join them, Beast trotting alongside him and caught his wife’s words as he approached.
“The ghost warriors have returned but they make no contact with you?” Patience repeated as if she had not heard Ewan correctly.
“They make their presence known.”
“What good does that do me? I want answers.”
“They are not ready to give them,” Ewan said.
“I do not care,” she said and pushed past him.
Ewan took hold of her arm. “You do not mean to confront them, do you?”
Patience yanked her arm free. “I will accept no more excuses or delays. I will have answers now.”
Her warriors stood when she positioned herself in the middle of the camp.
“I cross the land border alone,” she called out. “Not that I think warriors lie in wait for us, not here, not so close to the Dark Dragon’s land. Mind the camp well. I will return shortly.”
Hunter fell in step with her, and she stopped. “Did you not hear me?”
“Do you not remember what I told you? I will never again be separated from you? And before you waste a breath arguing with me, know that nothing—absolutely nothing—will stop me from going with you.”
Ewan stepped forward. “I go too.”
Beast barked as if letting them know he would go as well.
“Very well, but do not get in my way,” Patience said, striding forward.
“She is a determined one,” Ewan said to Hunter as the two men followed her.
“You mean foolhardy, stubborn, impulsive—”
“Do not forget beautiful,” Patience called out over her shoulder.
“I was getting to that,” Hunter said.
“It should be first on your list,” she corrected.
Ewan laughed. “Just like a woman.”
“Not just a woman,” Hunter said, “a warrior woman.”
Patience smiled, not that the two men could see it, and said, “You are forgiven.”
“And here I was prepared to truly make it up to you,” he said teasingly.
“Believe me, husband, you will.”
Ewan laughed aloud. “You two are perfect for each other.”
“That we are,” Patience and Hunter said in unison, and Ewan laughed again.
It did not take long to return to the spot where the ghost warriors had made themselves known, but this time they did not show themselves.
“With their message delivered, I suppose there is nothing else left for them to say,” Ewan said.
“What message?” Patience asked annoyed. “That they let us know they are here and yet say nothing? That is no message.” She stepped away from the two men and shouted, “I know you can hear me. I want to speak with my sister and know she is safe and unless the Dark Dragon wants blood spilled on his land, he better bring her to me. You have until tomorrow morning.” She turned and started walking away.
Ewan caught up with her while Hunter remained a few steps behind to protect her should anyone surprise them. Beast walked beside him, his senses alert and his eyes roaming the land around him.
“You cannot threaten the Dark Dragon,” Ewan said.
“Why not? He threatens me.” Patience halted abruptly, thinking she saw a shadow pass by. “I know you are watching us.” Her shout echoed in the woods. “Blood will spill if you do not give the Dark Dragon my message.”
They returned to camp without any further incident and Beast went to Una as did Ewan.
Hunter grabbed his wife by the arm when she went to walk away. “What did you hope to gain by that threat?”
“To turn an enemy into an ally, if only for a short time.”
Chapter Thirty
Heavy gray clouds dawned with the day and reflected the somber mood of the camp. All knew that a battle was inevitable and all knew that the small troop would be outnumbered, leaving death on everyone’s mind.
Patience sensed her warriors’ unease and called them all together. She stood in the middle and spoke with confidence. “You are honorable warriors every one of you and, know now and without doubt, that I will do whatever is necessary to see that you get home safely. You have my word on it.”
Nods and smiles circled the camp and the sun peeked through the clouds as if confirming her promise.
As the warriors drifted off, their moods lightened and Hunter approached her. “How can you promise that?”
Patience wrapped her arm around his and walked him away from the camp to a more secluded area. She took a step away from him. “It occurred to me that for some unknown reason the Dark Dragon wants my sister.” She shuddered. “I cannot imagine why, nor do I want to, but if Heather has escaped him, then he would be concerned as to her whereabouts, which would mean he would not want war waged in any areas she might be hiding.” She turned a smile on him. “So I intend to turn a foe into an ally for the time being and ask for his protection in returning home.”
“And if he does not agree?” Hunter asked, though had no doubt his wife would make it so.
“Then I know that he stills holds Heather captive and we wait on his land until reinforcements arrive.”
Hunter stepped toward her, his arm reaching out to snag her around her waist and pull her against him. “Your leadership skills amaze me.” Her frown disturbed him. “I compliment you and you frown?”
“My father advised me once that most men would not appreciate my exceptional warrior skills and it might be difficult to find me a husband.”
Hunter brushed her lips with a kiss. “If you have not noticed, I am not most men.”
She chuckled. “That you are not.”
“And I am glad that your father had yet to find you a husband, since I am the perfect husband for you.” He tucked her closer against him.
“I cannot argue with that,” she admitted, resting comfortably against him.
“It takes a wise warrior to know when an argument is futile.”
“Or when the truth has been spoken,” she said, laying her head on his chest.
Hunter rubbed her back. “You are tied.”
“I have no time to be tired, there is much I must see to.”
“Your husband being one of them,” he teased.
“I will always look after you,” she said, slipping her hand inside his shirt to stroke his warm, naked chest.
Hunter braced himself, her gentle strokes arousing him. He warned himself to push her away or soon he would not be able to. But he did not listen to his warnings, her touch felt much too good.
Patience wished they were home, locked away in her bedchamber where no one would disturb them. “I cannot wait to return home.”
“My thoughts as well,” he said, thinking how he would keep her locked away in her bedchamber for a day or two or more. “We may never leave your bedchamber.�
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She looked up at him. “I would not mind.”
“We think much the same.”
“Then you know I ache terribly for you right now,” she whispered.
“Not as bad as I do for you.”
“I would not wager on that,” she said with a laugh.
“Patience!”
She jumped away from her husband the sharp sound of her name and turned to see Ewan waving her over.
Hunter followed along with her.
Patience’s eyes followed Ewan’s nod to the edge of the woods, where stood a line of ghost warriors, their faces painted white.
Her warriors were in formation, ready to fight and she ordered, “Stay as you are.” She walked toward the ghost warriors and one stepped forward. She stopped a few feet from him.
“You will return home. You will be contacted with the time and place to meet with your sister.”
She knew then that Heather had escaped the Dark Dragon. She fought to keep the joy from her voice and the thrill from her green eyes. She took a quick step forward, jabbing her finger in the air at the warrior who remained frozen in place. “I warned him blood would be spilled if I could not see my sister and it will be if I am forced to return home. There are those who wish to see me, my husband, and my entire troop dead. They will hunt us down like animals and see us slaughtered. The blood spilled whether on his land or not is still on his hands.” She straightened her shoulders and held her head high. “If the Dark Dragon wants me to return home, then I demand his warriors escort us.” She let her remarks settle in for a moment, then took a step back. “I will wait for his answer.”
The line of warriors retreated into the woods, Patience watching them merge with the shadows.
She heard the men mumbling behind her and as she turned, Edward approached.
“You embrace the enemy, something I would have never imagined doing,” Edward said with admiration. “The men are impressed and relieved. They now feel they have a good chance of surviving our return home.”
“And so they shall.”
“You are that confident that the Dark Dragon will agree?” Edward asked.
“I have no doubt he will,” she said with a firm nod. “Have the men hunt for food and settle in for the day. We can all use a day of rest.”
Edward smiled, “Aye, that we can, though it will be good to get home.”
“You amaze me,” Hunter said after Edward walked away.
“And here I thought you were amazing me.”
Hunter laughed. “Is your mind forever on coupling?”
She felt her cheeks heat red and she turned away.
Hunter grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. “I did not mean to embarrass you. I love how hungry you are for me, for I feel the same for you.”
She drifted closer to him and kept her voice low. “Is it right for me to feel this way or am I being sinful?”
“I love how sinful you can be,” he teased and kissed her cheek.
She gave him a playful punch to the arm. He winced, though it was she who should be wincing, since her fist had hit hard muscle and stung.
“And we are going to continue being sinful for as long as we live.”
“Promise?” she whispered her lips close to his.
“You have my word, wife.”
“Patience!”
She turned, annoyed at being interrupted again and was surprised to see Ewan, nodding once again at the edge of the woods. There stood a lone ghost warrior and Patience walked over to him, her hand pressing against her husband’s chest before she did to let him know she would do this alone.
Hunter let her go, but remained close enough to follow quickly if necessary. He would never take the chance again of letting her out of his sight. He watched and waited, prepared to do whatever was necessary to keep his wife safe.
“We will see you home,” the warrior said.
And before he turned to disappear once again into the forest, Patience asked, “My sister?”
“In time.”
“I have his word on it?” she asked.
“You will see your sister again,” the warrior said as if he had just decreed it and turned, the forest swallowing him up.
Patience stood there, not sure what to make of his response. The warrior seemed confident that she would see Heather again. Had his confidence been renewed because Heather had been found? If so why would the Dark Dragon have his men follow her troop home? Could he want her as far away from her sister as possible?
Frustrated at her chaotic thoughts, she swerved around and walked right into her husband.
He grabbed her shoulders to stop her from toppling over. “Disturbing news or thoughts?”
She shook her head. “I cannot be sure, though the ghost warriors will follow us home. It is my sister’s situation that worries me. I cannot be sure if she has escaped, and I fear more than ever for her safety.”
“She will do well.”
“You cannot know that.”
“I know that there is a part of you in her and that is all she needs to survive.”
She hugged him, then stepped back. “I do love you.” Then she walked off and called her men together. “We have the added protection of the ghost warriors on our way home. We rest today and leave at first light tomorrow.” Patience surprised Hunter when she turned to him and said, “Is there anything you would like to add.”
Hunter stepped forward. “My brother and his cohorts do not fight fair, be prepared for anything.”
“Now rest for the day, for we will travel hard and fast starting tomorrow and God willing, we will be home in four days’ time.”
The men wandered off smiling to sit around the various campfires, while some prepared to go hunting and others saw to caring for their weapons.
“Why wait the day? Why not leave now?” Hunter asked as they walked off together.
“I am hoping that word was received of our plight and that Macinnes warriors are on their way or the MacThore clan and that we will meet up with them. I will rest easier having more warriors around.”
“And will you rest today as you instruct your warriors to do?” Hunter asked.
“Your grin tells me that you already know the answer.”
His grin grew. “I am shocked that you do not pay heed to your own advice.”
“Tease me all you want, but it is what makes me worthy of being laird.”
“Your father must recognize your exceptional skills,” he said and took her hand to walk her over to a fallen branch where they could sit.
Patience had to laugh as she sat beside him. “It would be impossible for him not to since they were evident from the moment I took hold of a weapon.”
“And when was that?” Hunter asked curious to learn anything he could about his wife.
“According to my da, it was when I was four years and I picked up a stick and brandished it at someone who was teasing me. After that my da says he could not keep anything out of my hands that could be used as a weapon. He finally relented and had a small wooden sword fashioned for me.” She laughed again. “My father’s warriors were forever chasing me away from the practice field. They told me repeatedly that lassies do not belong there, it was not proper, and I was to stay away.”
“And, of course, you did not listen,” Hunter said, thinking that when they had a daughter he wanted her to be as brave, resilient, and beautiful as her mum.
She laughed again. “I haunted them. My father was so upset with me that when I was about ten years he told me that if I could best his best warrior in a sword fight, then I could train with his warriors.”
Hunter looked at her skeptical. “A ten year old lass could never best a warrior.”
Patience grinned with pride. “I did.”
“How?”
“I knew the warrior my da would choose and I knew his weakness and used it against him.”
Hunter scrunched his brow. “This I must hear.”
“My father chose his best friend
and best warrior James. I knew at first he would tease me and let me think I might best him, and then he would knock my sword from my hand with one easy blow and stand over me as if about to deliver the final blow, teaching me a lesson and proving I was not fit to train as a warrior.”
Hunter waited anxiously to hear the outcome.
“When he did as I expected, I fell to my knees, my head bowed as if in defeat. I heard the warriors that circled us laughing and snickering amongst themselves, not a one of them paying attention to me while they reveled in their humor. James moved to stand in front of me and raised his sword and as he did I swiftly placed the dagger I had slipped from my boot and stuck it between his legs and told him that I would cut off his balls if he did not drop the sword and surrender to me.”
Hunter stared at her speechless, his mouth hanging open.
“He looked at me the same way you are looking at me right now,” she said with a laugh.
“What did your father do?”
“He was furious, but James came to my defense. He told my da that if I had enough courage to do as I did that I deserved to train with his warriors, and so my training began.”
“I am curious as to what was James’s weakness?” Hunter asked.
“Me,” she said with a thump to her chest. “He made the mistake of thinking of me as the lass that was like a daughter to him, instead of a foe that was out for the kill.”
“You are more than worthy of being laird of your clan... you deserve the title and all that goes with it,” Hunter said. “And I will make that clear to your father.”
“I do appreciate that, but it will be my father’s decision as to who becomes the next laird of the Clan Macinnes.”
“But if not you, who?”
Patience shrugged. “Possibly you or whoever weds Heather, since I think my father would put more stock into the laird being a man rather than a woman.”
“My father spoke highly of your father, insisting he was a fair and good man. And since he sent you to settle this dispute, I would say he has confidence in you and respects your abilities. I would not be so quick to judge that he would deny you what you have earned.”
Patience smiled and took hold of her husband’s hand. “No matter the circumstances, I am truly glad I wed you.”
Highlander's Rebellious Love Page 26
