Previous owners had obviously treated the poor animal horribly to the point that it no longer seemed to understand normal commands. The sad creature froze upon feeling threatened.
Despite being in a hurry to arrive home, for a long time, he pulled the animal along, coaxing it gently and then guided it to a creek. The horse became animated at the sight of water and, for the first time, showed signs of life. At the water’s edge, it hesitated until Ruari kneeled down to drink and then the horse took water for itself.
While the animal drank, Ruari ran his hands down its sides ensuring that there were no injuries. Then he inspected each of its legs and hooves. There were old scars, but it seemed that in the recent past, it had been groomed and fed well. Perhaps a Mackenzie had rescued the animal but given up on it being useful since it remained fearful.
Once again, he mounted and was satisfied when the horse went a bit faster, still not at a run, but at least it trotted.
By the time he was sighted by Ross guards, Ruari was exhausted. It had been three days since he’d been taken and released by the Mackenzie and he wondered if, in that time, they’d attacked Clan Fraser.
He immediately recognized three of the riders who approached. Along with guardsmen were his cousins, Tristan, Kieran and Ewan. Each of their gazes roamed over him searching for any injury.
“What happened to yer horse?” Kieran asked with a scowl, his hazel gaze inspecting the mare who shuffled sideways in fear of the warhorses they rode upon.
“Tis a long story. It is best I tell ye at the same time as Malcolm.”
The men nodded.
Ewan guided his horse alongside Ruari’s. “Are ye hurt? It looks like ye’ve been in a fight.”
“I was in a fight,” Ruari said with a huff. “With a bunch of idiots.”
The men managed not to ask any further questions. Thankfully, the mare kept up with their horses, seeming to sense she was safe.
Once inside the courtyard, Ruari did not release the mare’s reins until one of the lads he’d trained came to get it. “Treat her gently. Give her a stall in a corner to ensure she feels safe.”
The lad studied the horse, his face softening. “Had a hard time of it, have ye?” He ran a hand down the horse’s face and it settled. “I will take care of her,” he said, looking to Ruari.
“Thank ye.”
Along with his cousins, he made his way inside. Although Ruari’s stomach grumbled at the aroma of food, he pushed hunger away and hurried to find the laird.
Malcolm met his gaze and once Ruari neared, his cousin embraced him. “Welcome home. I am glad to see ye are not too badly hurt.”
As a group, they made their way to Malcolm’s study. Immediately, his cousin poured him a glass of whisky. “Sit down. Tell us what happened. I received a missive from Laird Fraser that ye went missing.”
“The Mackenzie. He sent men to get me. They were not guardsmen or warriors, probably to not arouse suspicion in case they were seen by villagers.”
“His ambition knows no bounds,” Malcolm said, his face hard. “What did he want?”
Ruari drank down the amber liquid, the warm trail traveling down his center. “For us to not involve ourselves with what happens between him and the Fraser. He wishes to take over the clan but not have any confrontations with us.”
“How did he know ye were there?” Tristan asked.
“A spy,” Ewan remarked. “Do ye have any idea who it is?”
“Aye,” Ruari said. “I think it’s the town constable. The man is transparent in his insistence they unite with Clan Mackenzie. Already, the village has taken people in who were forced to flee when Mackenzies razed their homes and killed their livestock.”
Malcolm was pensive. “The man must have been promised something. I do not understand why the Mackenzie would provoke Clan Fraser. They are a small clan alone. But if they are joined by the other Frasers, they can be a challenge.”
Tristan huffed. “Until now, the other Frasers have watched quietly, but I will not be surprised if the other Frasers decide to come to their rescue if the Mackenzie tries to overtake them.”
“I am going back as soon as I eat and get a fresh horse,” Ruari announced.
His cousins were struck silent. Finally, Tristan, the diplomatic one, nodded. “Ye should sleep and get rest first. We will send a messenger to let the Fraser know ye are well.” Muscular and as tall as him, Tristan had a fierce appearance. “I will go with ye.”
Ruari shook his head. “This is not yer fight.”
“That is not true,” Kieran said. “The Mackenzie has made it our fight when he dared to take ye as prisoner.”
“Ye will remain here and rest. Once the sun rises, ye will return to Fraser lands with fifty warriors. I will send the other Fraser a missive asking that he join with us to keep the smaller clan from being overtaken.”
Malcolm was fair but firm, always a good leader. Nonetheless, Ruari considered disobeying him.
“They could be under attack. A few hours could make the difference between…”
“Ye cannot expect to beat the Mackenzie even with fifty men.” Malcolm crossed his arms, his keen gaze narrowing.
His cousin understood there was more at stake for him. He was thinking about Esme and what would become of her if the Mackenzie had his way. However, Malcolm was right. No matter when he arrived, with only fifty, there was little he could do to save them.
In the kitchen, Ruari ate and drank his fill. Ewan sat at the table keeping an eye on him, while a couple lads prepared a hot bath.
“What do ye suppose yer betrothed thinks of yer disappearance?”
He considered it for a long moment. “Esme is intelligent. She will know I did not leave of my own accord.”
“Ye care for her already.” It was a statement more than a question.
True, he found her alluring and attractive, but they’d not known each other long enough for feeling to have emerged. Every night, he’d thought back to the night she’d come to his bed and how very passionate the interlude had been.
He’d been looking forward to bedding the lass and now he wasn’t at all sure the marriage would ever take place.
“I do care about what happens to her.”
Ewan met his gaze. “I am one of the fifty that volunteered to go to Fraser lands. I will come and live there with ye.”
Despite the situation, Ruari smiled. “If it comes to be, I am glad for it. Nothing is better than family. Having ye there will mean a great deal to me.”
“If ye plan to leave first thing in the morning,” Tristan announced, entering the space, “get some rest, Cousin.”
Ruari nodded. Although he looked forward to forging a future, he’d miss his family. “I will.”
*
Laird Mackenzie’s mount pawed the ground, the beast seeming much too large for the man astride who’d arrived at the appointed place with a great show of banners and warriors.
Despite her brother and father not wishing her to be present, Esme had ridden with the archers. Lined with the archers meant she was behind the warriors and away from where her father, brother and Calum spoke to the man.
Thankfully, the Mackenzie spoke quite loudly. “I imagine ye have conferred with yer clan and are aware ye do not have a chance if ye stand against me.”
The Mackenzie’s gaze moved past her father and brother before looking in her direction with curiosity.
“Where is Ruari Ross?” her father asked. “He was our guest and any harm that comes to him will fall on my shoulders.”
The Mackenzie’s expression was flat, as if he were bored. “Ross came to me of his own accord. He informed me that ye had asked for help from Clan Ross. After that, he left, I assume back to his family lands.”
It was a lie. His father and brother knew it. By the straightening of Keithen’s shoulders, Esme recognized her brother was on guard.
“Ye have a sennight to declare yerself to be in alliance with me.” The Mackenzie once again looked to the guard
s. “It will be that or I will consider ye my enemy.”
Hatred like she’d never felt before filled her. Esme wanted to grab the bow strapped to the side of her steed, set an arrow and shoot it directly in the man’s black heart.
The archer next to her must have noticed that her hand inched to the bow because he reached over and grabbed her wrist.
“An alliance with ye means falling under yer rule,” her father pronounced. “I have an alliance with the other Clans Fraser. I have no need for more. I ask ye one last time. Leave us in peace. There is no need for strife.”
The Mackenzie did not look away from her father, sending a trickle of fear through Esme. Keithen angled his horse to move in front of his father, protecting him from the guards who flanked the other laird.
The Mackenzie threw his head back and laughed. It was without mirth, more maniacal than joyful. “Everyone needs allies. Ye more than anyone who is surrounded by my allies must realize it. What of yer people? Do ye not care they are in constant danger?”
They’d met on semi-neutral territory, on lands between the two clans. Laird Fraser arrived with a guard contingency of fifty. And as if showcasing how much larger and stronger he was, the Mackenzie had traveled with at least a hundred men.
Her father was first to turn away, guiding his horse back toward their home. Esme itched to ride alongside him. She threw glances toward him and her brother as they spoke. It was then she caught a strange interchange between Laird Mackenzie and Calum. The laird nodded at Calum, who glanced first toward where her father was and then returned the gesture.
It was also noticeable that the constable did not hurry to ride alongside Keithen or her father as he always managed to do.
She waited for him to catch up and gave Calum a worried look. “I fear we will all be killed. Father would rather go to war than fall under Mackenzie rule.”
“There is no need for ye to be fearful. I will see that nothing happens.”
Esme shook her head. “There is nothing ye or any of us can do. My uncle will send his men, so will the Frasers of the south, but still it will be a slaughter if they do not arrive in time.”
“Certainly, battles will not begin so quickly. Ye do not know the ways of negotiations.” Calum became impatient with her and craned his neck to search out her father.
Not wanting to lose his attention, she sniffed loudly. “Reassure me. How would ye keep our clan safe?”
For a moment, he seemed to ponder how to reply. Finally, he shrugged. “I am a man who is always prepared. A smart person ensures to have good plans set in case things go badly.”
“So ye have a way to escape or avoid battle? Perhaps ye can share with father.”
His gaze narrowed and his lips curved with distaste. “I doubt yer father or brother would do anything that I suggest. They would prefer to lead men to certain death than to do what is best for the clan.”
Despite bile in her throat, Esme forced a look of sadness. “We Frasers are a stubborn but brave people. Ye should know that by now. I cannot agree with ye. We have lived in peace, with no conflicts with our neighbors. The Mackenzie’s only interest is growing more powerful at the expense of people like us.”
“Remain close to me. Ensure that I know where ye are at all times. I will keep ye from harm.” Without another word, he kicked the sides of his horse to get away from her and toward where her father and brother rode.
Esme did the same but remained just a few feet behind. Once they returned to the keep, she’d speak to her father. Something was not right. If the constable was Laird Mackenzie’s spy, there was little anyone could do to save him from her father’s ire. The only time Laird Fraser didn’t touch his heart was when punishing a traitor.
Chapter Eleven
Even before arriving at the top of a ridge, Ruari knew the Fraser keep was under attack. Archers atop the ramparts shot flaming arrows down at the approaching warriors. There were so very many. It was hard to count as the columns of men stretched quite far.
“What is happening?” Ewan asked, coming up to stand beside him. He peered across the field to where the Fraser keep was. “I will say that we may have a hard time getting inside.”
“Aye, I am sure it is surrounded on all sides. Although it seems to be early in the battle, so there may be a chance they have not discovered the back entrance as of yet.”
He motioned the men ahead. They were a small group of only fifty, twenty-five of them archers. They rode fast and hard, rounding the ridge, having to travel farther than necessary to avoid being seen.
Ruari’s heart pounded, the air rasped in an out of his lungs. His entire body was tense with anticipation. Each time he went to battle, it was the same. The sounds of nature disappeared and were replaced by a keener sense of smell and the only things he heard were the pounds of the hooves on the ground and the harsh breathing of the men astride.
When they arrived at the rear of the keep, the opposition had not yet reached it. Since the Mackenzies traveled from the opposite direction, they would have had to ride in plain sight of Fraser archers to get to where Ruari and his men were.
“I am sure they will be coming soon,” Ewan said, seeming to read his thoughts. “I pray the Fraser’s men recognize ye and allow us in.”
The Ross banner was lifted and, moments later, a man with torches signaled for them to come forward. They had to ride in a single file to reach the rear gates. Guards hurried to open the narrow opening to allow them in.
“Ye returned?” Laird Fraser hurried over to where Ruari was and he dismounted. Together, they watched as the Ross warriors rode in.
“Of course, I did not leave of my own accord.”
“I know.” The Fraser looked to the front of the keep where archers continued releasing arrows and guards atop the keep gates struck at opposers attempting to climb ladders and scale the tall walls.
“We will not be able to hold them off much longer.” The laird looked to the Ross warriors. “I am indebted to yer cousin. Will yer men fight for us?”
Ruari nodded. “We will not sit back and allow yer men to fight alone while we do nothing.”
“Come. Let us see what is happening.” Just then, someone fell into the courtyard from atop the gate, arrows embedded in his body.
“Their archers have advanced.”
Ewan, who remained astride, motioned the archers forward. “Assume secondary positions at the east wall.”
The men hurried to the wall that was not being defended.
Fury filled Ruari. There was no need for this to happen. “How many men did he send?”
“I estimate at least five hundred,” Laird Fraser replied as they rushed toward the main house. “I only have three hundred here, another fifty are defending the village.”
Ruari looked over his shoulder to the warriors who began climbing ladders to the top of the rear gate preparing to defend when the enemy made it there.
“How long ago was a missive sent to yer brother?”
“As soon as my talk with the Mackenzie ended two days ago. They should be headed here. I am just not sure how long it will take. They must cross a river to come.”
A boom was followed by the sound of cracking wood. The Mackenzies were using a catapult or large battering ram in an attempt to break in the gates. Screams filled the air as the archers continued their assault on both sides. More men fell into the courtyard as a second boom sounded.
When Ruari and the laird entered the great room, a group of women rushed to them. Lady Fraser stood tall, Esme by her side, their terror-filled gazes flew to him.
“Did ye bring men?” Esme asked. “We are not going to be able to keep them at bay for long.”
Ruari went to her and, without thinking, brought her against his side. “Aye, I did, but only a few. I did not expect to arrive to a battle.”
The laird motioned to two young guards to come closer. “Take the women. Ye must all escape. Get away through the passageway into the woods. There is a wagon there, I will see tha
t a horse is brought. Head north and to the east.”
The two young men did their best to look brave as they began herding the servant women and Lady Fraser away.
“Come, Esme, hurry!” Lady Fraser screamed. But Esme shook her head. “I will not leave father here alone. I will remain.”
“Ye should go,” both Ruari and the laird said.
Esme pushed away from Ruari and went to her father. “I am good with the bow, allow me to fight. We need every able body to do so.”
“Go!” Laird Fraser motioned to the young men and women. “I will keep her safe,” he said to his wife and then rushed to the stairs. “I must see what is going on.”
A hysterical Lady Fraser was dragged away and, soon, only Ruari and Esme remained, alone.
Esme studied his face and took in the bruising. “I knew ye would never leave of yer own accord. I would like hear what happened, but first I must fetch my bow and arrows.”
“Go up with yer father. Ye will have clean shots from there and remain out of danger. I must see what my men are doing.”
Ruari brought her against him for a short moment and covered her mouth with his. Ignoring the demand from his mind and body to keep her close, he pushed away. “Go.”
The ringing of metal against metal alerted Ruari that the gate had been breached. Fraser warriors, even with the help of his fifty men would not last long. There were too many streaming in through the gates.
Fraser guards remained atop the walls, every single one drawing out bow and arrows. The Ross archers joined the attack.
It was a good tactic for the outnumbered clan. It was impressive to see how many invaders were sliced down immediately by arrows even when holding up their shields.
Ruari looked up to the top of the keep and there were rows of archers that included Esme and her father. Arrows flew with deadly precision, like he’d never seen.
From the second-story windows, more men appeared, also with bow and arrows and began shooting into the courtyard. Ruari walked close to the building and then climbed to the rear wall.
Sword drawn, Ruari entered the fight. It was well known that Mackenzies relied on their numbers and were not expert swordsmen. It was evident by how quickly he was able to cut a path toward his men.
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