by Sky Winters
Without thinking, Catriona grabbed her discarded knife from the ground and ran into the fight. She had no idea what she was going to do, she could only move forward. Throwing herself at the man, Catriona managed to leap on to the man’s back. He exclaimed in anger and confusion as he tumbled to the ground. Arran watched with shocked amazement as Catriona dug the knife into the enemy’s arm - it wasn’t sharp enough to do much damage at this point, but it was enough to keep him from picking up his sword. The man howled in pain. Catriona pulled out the knife and gazed in disbelief at her work, but there was little time to pause. Suddenly Arran had his arm around her and was pulling her away, staggering as they both ducked for cover and made it out of harm’s way.
They collapsed on the grass, far enough from the fight. Arran panted. “Conall would never forgive me if I let you stay out there,” he said with a strained laugh.
Catriona removed her cloak, all she had at hand, and began to dress Arran’s wound. She looked back at the field distractedly, her terror growing - how many more would be hurt, or be killed before Hector would retreat? As if he could hear her thought echoed across the field, Hector appeared before them, his sword dripping. He spotted Catriona, and a flame seemed to burst in his eyes; he hefted his weapon in his hands and began to charge the woman and the injured man. Catriona took hold of Arran and turned her face away, closing her eyes tightly. But a vicious growl was heard, and Catriona turned her head again to see Conall - at last - crashing into Hector with great force. Conall pinned the Lord to the ground; the body of a man was nothing when weighed down beneath the huge body of a wolf. Conall sunk his teeth into Hector’s arm, forcing him to release his sword. Hector cried out in agony, clawing at the great wolf with his other hand, but it did little. Conall then brought his face close to Hector’s, baring his teeth so that the saliva dripped from them onto Hector’s clothes. The wolf’s hackles stood on end, his ears back, nose wrinkled and drawn. Hector gazed up at the creature before him in terror - trapped.
“Hector!” Catriona called to him, her own voice turned into a growl.
He looked to his former wife helplessly.
She offered no help, only this; “Leave this place - leave Scotland or you will die here.” To back up her statement, Conall snapped his teeth, causing Hector to yelp in fear. The words barely made it from his throat - but he swore, swore to retreat, to remove his men and return to England without word of what had happened there that day. It was that or have his head torn from his body - and Catriona knew how fond he was of keeping it there.
Chapter 7
The battle had not been without its losses. The bodies of the fallen were gathered, and Catriona’s heart stung as she saw Lenox’s face among them. Conall reassured her that the man would have been happy with such a death, but the words would take time to truly sooth her. She leaned into Conall and let him hold her tight. They had driven Hector’s men away at last. Catriona thought grimly that more armies could come. Word may still spread of their presence in the mountains, if not the story of their supernatural secret. But as she thought of the child that would soon grow within her, Catriona could only look to the future with hope and happiness.
That night beneath the stars, they held another celebration. More somber but still with spirit. The clan made a bonfire for their lost ones, honored them with story and song - and most importantly with drink. Catriona sat with Conall, a sweet sadness in her chest as she watched the people who had so quickly become her new family say farewell to Lenox and the others. Conall placed his hand on hers and Catriona looked to him.
He brushed a few strands of hair from her face and tucked them behind her ear. “You know, I do have to thank Hector for something.”
Catriona balked. “What on earth could you possibly have to thank him for?”
“You.” Conall smiled. “Had I not ended up being captured - like a fool, I must say,” he chuckled, “we never would have had the chance to meet.”
Catriona blushed despite herself. “That is true. I have to congratulate you on being such an incompetent little rebel.” She needed him, poking her fingers into his ribs.
Conall laughed and grabbed Catriona, keeping her from any further attacks. Catriona squirmed with delight, giggling. “Unhand me!”
“No, I’m afraid you’ve wounded my pride while I was trying to be romantic,” Conall teased, holding his grip.
Catriona kicked her legs, managing to push them both over onto the ground. With a bit of effort, she pushed herself closer to Conall’s face. He looked up at her coyly.
“Well, if you shan’t let me go, I shall simply have to overpower you,” she said with a smirk.
Conall was going to reply with another clever quip, but before he could do so, Catriona kissed him. He breathed another laugh and released his hold on her. Catriona pulled her head up.
“Oh, you give up so easily!” She exclaimed. But Conall shushed her and pulled her back to his lips with a smile. They kissed tenderly, not with the excitement of the night before but with the contentment of knowing they were safe, and in each other’s arms.
The fire burned brightly, warming the two lovers, and the rest of the pack. That day marked a new life for them all - Catriona had found her new home, and the clan had at last laid claim to one of their own. Who knew if the future would bring more enemies, more fights to be fought - but they knew where they stood, and the clan would never let another army drive them away.
THE END
Bonus: More Highland Shifters
Bear of the Highlands
“Go faster, you infernal beast,” Lady Murdina yelled at the horse she had stolen from the stables of her childhood home.
Though it was already furiously galloping through the thickest parts of the forest, causing her to duck branches, it just wasn’t fast enough. She could see the knights her brother had sent closing in on her from behind. They would be on her in no time if this animal didn’t go faster. Her only hope was to lose them in the trees before the clearing up ahead. If she failed, she would be dragged back to her brother’s castle and handed over to Lord Cannon as his betrothed. She had rather die on the cliffs than have that happen.
Lord Cannon was well known to be a sadist. She would be his sixth wife in only five years. The first had not survived the night, it is told. Two of the others were locked away in the mad house and one had disappeared. Whether it was the woman’s own doing or his remained a speculation, but a body had yet to be recovered. It was commonly believed that she escaped, but no one knows to where. Talk of a dungeon and cruelty beyond measure was said not to be embellished, but rather watered down for the innocent ears of those who knew naught of such things.
Just ahead she could see a clearing, she headed towards it, but quickly banked left and ducked back into an adjoining section of trees, heading southeast at an angle. Hopefully, the knights would be well across the clearing before they realized she had changed course and was long gone. She barked at the horse to move faster as it continued its dangerous pace through low hanging limbs and treacherous footing.
As the forest grew darker and thicker, she slowed and paused the horse, letting them both catch their breath as she listened for hoof prints. Hearing none, she began walking the horse slowly through the blackness of the obsidian woods. It would be daylight soon and she would be more visible to those who followed her. The further she could get away in the darkness, the better, but she needed to give the horse a break. Unfortunately, the turn had resulted in her becoming a bid disoriented and she was no longer sure which direction she was headed. The tree cover prevented her from seeing the moon and stars above, so she had no guide other than instinct.
“Okay, we can’t keep walking fellow. Just hang in there with me and I promise that you will be the most spoiled horse in the land for getting me out of here alive,” she whispered to the stallion beneath her, smoothing the hair on his neck with her hand before digging in her heels and sending him charging forward again.
There were no sounds t
hat she could hear as they rode, so she thought she was in the clear. Still, they made their way quickly along toward a part of the woods with which she was unfamiliar. There was no hesitation in charging right into it. Whatever was in there was still bound to be better than the cruelty that awaited her at home. Speed was of the essence now.
“What is wrong with you?” she said to the horse as she suddenly pulled short and side stepped what appeared to be a clearing in the woods. Murdina climbed down and looked ahead of them, discovering that they had reached a deep chasm that could not be seen for the thick woods that grew all the way up to its very edge. The horse had seen it and stopped.
“Good boy, but we can’t stay here,” she said, smoothing his nuzzle as she looked around and listened. Not too far off, she heard the crunch of branches. It could be anything, including her brother’s knights. There was no doubt they would pursue her until there was no hope of her being found. Their fate in returning to her brother without her in their clutches would be decidedly final in nature.
She climbed back on the horse and followed the forest along the edge of the deep ravine until she arrived at a clearing in the trees. There was no sign of the knights as she cleared the woods and began galloping quickly across the meadow ahead of her. She topped a slight ridge and her face fell. Facing her were a good portion of the knights, apparently having figured out what she had done and fallen back to track her back into the woods. She turned, too quick, and the horse came out from under her. It stumbled away as she struggled to get out from under its faltering feet.
“Well, look who decided to turn back up,” Sir Hooson said, climbing off his horse to retrieve her. Murdina scrambled toward the edge of the chasm.
“Stop! Come any closer to me and I’ll throw myself over the edge!” she screamed at him.
“Go ahead. You’ll save me the trouble of hauling you back to your brother kicking and screaming,” he laughed as he continued toward her.
Murdina took a deep breath and said a silent prayer as she stood on the edge, preparing to jump. Suddenly, strong arms were around her, pulling her upon the back of a black stallion headed deep into the woods. She barely had time to register what was happening as she was rushed into the dark part of the forest where no one dared go by a strange man she had never seen before. They were miles away before he stopped and climbed down, helping her off the horse before pulling the hood of the long dark cloak her wore away from his head. She stood looking up at his dark, handsome face and broad shoulders as he looked down upon her softly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t have time to see if you were okay, but it appeared you were between a rock and hard place back there. Well, a mob and a hole might be more apt,” he told her with a smile.
“I’m . . . fine,” she hesitated. “Are we safe from them? I can’t go back with them.”
“You are safe,” he replied, putting his hands on her shoulders to calm her. She felt a shudder go through her entire being as he touched her. Whoever he was, he had saved her.
“Thank you so much. I was in dire straits,” she told him.
“It certainly seemed that way. Why are those men after you?” he asked.
Murdina considered the question, but was hesitant to answer. She had no idea who this man was. Just because he saved her didn’t mean he was a good guy. He could very well turn around and ransom her back to her brother if he knew who she was.
“They wanted to trade me for favors from a man with which they do business,” she replied.
“Sounds like nasty business, that. Where were you planning to go to get away from them? I can help you get there,” he replied.
“I didn’t know. I stole a horse and just took off on it. I was just trying to get far away and then sort out where I would go after that,” she replied.
“Well, our camp is not far. We are mostly men, but there are some women. You are welcome to stay with us for as long as you need. You will be safe. We only ask that you do your part,” he told her.
“That would be overwhelmingly kind of you. I would appreciate it very much,” she replied, feeling relieved.
“Very good. I’m Rory of the Clan McKordia,” he told her, looking at her softly.
“Anna,” she lied.
“Just Anna?” he asked.
“Yes, just Anna,” she told him.
“Well, Anna, let’s get you back to camp before those men decide to venture into the darkness to find you,” he replied.
Murdina knew that the men would not venture into the darkest part of the woods to look for her. At least, not at this late hour. She could go to Rory’s camp with him at least for the night to figure out what she must do from there. Tomorrow, the men would surely return with reinforcements to retrieve her. Climbing onto the back of Rory’s horse, she held onto him as they rode quietly through the thick part of the forest. She felt safe and secure with him, despite his being a stranger to her. Hopefully, he wouldn’t betray that simple trust and she would make it to some far away land where she could feel completely at ease.
“Here we are,” he told her as they rode into what appeared to be a makeshift encampment.
Looking around, Anna could see huts that were erected with whatever materials were handy. They were built all along the banks of the river that ran through the forest and ended in a waterfall of the cliff on the other side. The cliff jutted out so that three sides of the camp were protected by the steep climb it would take to reach it from below. The only way in was through the deepest part of the forest where very few dared to venture. There were tales of many who had done so and never returned. Even the cliff itself was obscured by a heavy bank of trees that enclosed the somewhat open area along the water’s edge
“This is quite the place you have set up here,” she remarked.
“Yes, it is. We aren’t really welcome in most of the established areas of Scotland. It is in our best interest to keep to ourselves the best that we can. You are lucky that I was out bartering with a nearby trader when I came across your situation,” he said.
“I was lucky. I don’t know that I can ever thank you enough,” she replied.
“It was nothing,” he replied, stopping and climbing down off the horse. As before, he reached up to help her down.
Anna looked awkwardly around, not sure what to do next. She had no place here. All her life she had lived behind castle walls. It would be obvious to them that she was not a commoner the moment she attempted to do any menial task. Her short lived relief gave way to panic.
“Where will I stay?” she asked nervously.
“I don’t know. I have room, but that would be inappropriate. Let me get my horse unpacked and we will find a place where you will be comfortable. Have you eaten today?” he asked.
“No,” Anna replied, shaking her head and looking at the ground. She felt like a beggar.
“Then, let’s get you something to eat while I work on everything else,” he told her.
“I don’t know what to say,” she said, feeling ashamed.
“Don’t say anything, Anna. Pretty much everyone here was in your shoes at some point. Some of us are kinsmen that came here together, but a good many of the people are just like yourself. They were on the run from something or someone when they wound up here. Some hadn’t eaten for days and had nothing to call their own. They came here and made a new life. You can find a place here, if you choose. If not, then you are welcome to our good graces while you figure it out. As I said before, we only ask that you do your part while among us,” he told her gently.
A tear rolled down Anna’s face. She couldn’t imagine living in these conditions for very long. Then again, she had nowhere else to go. At least it would give her time to come up with a plan. She nodded silently toward Rory, not able to say anything at the moment for fear she would burst into all out tears.
“Very good. See that woman right over there with the giant black pot over a fire?” he asked. Anna nodded again and he continued, “Go over there and tell her you want a bowl o
f whatever she is making. Tell her I sent you.”
“Okay,” Anna replied, starting toward the woman. She stopped suddenly and turned back, only to find that Rory was still watching her walk away. “Um, thank you again, Rory.”
“My pleasure,” he replied, turning away to begin unpacking the horse.
Anna hurried over to the woman, a large pie faced peasant that she ordinarily would not have so much as glanced at. She relayed what Rory had told her to say and the woman beamed at her, fishing a large wooden bowl off a nearby table. Filling it with a healthy portion of the porridge she had prepared in the large iron kettle, she retrieved a hard crust of bread and a small block of cheese to place on top, handing them to Anna and directing her to a nearby rock where she could sit and eat.
“There you go, love. Welcome to our home,” the woman told her with a large grin as she handed her a large stein filled with fresh milk. “Just wash your things when you are done and return them to the table.”
“Thank you so much!” Anna told her, taking her food over to the large flat rock and sitting down to eat. She had never tasted food like this before. It was quite delicious, full of unusual spices and consistencies. She had forgotten how hungry she had gotten and was done with the food in no time. She swilled down the last of her milk and sat looking around at the people working on various things around her. Feeling quite gluttonous, she took her empty vessels over to the edge of the water and began rinsing them in the flowing stream. Rory met her as she returned.
