by Barbara Bard
Christian nodded. “Yes. A very difficult fight, indeed.”
“But we maist win.”
“Yes…We must…Come, now. We need to leave.”
They slid back down the hill, quietly, carefully, trying not to make the slightest bit of noise as they could, though the Sassenach were a significant distance away. They then made it to their horses, mounted them, and returned to the village as fast as they could in just a couple hours’ time.
Finlay greeted them upon their arrival and spotted the tension in both of their faces. “They draw near,” he said. “Aye?”
Gavina nodded. “Aye…quite near indeed…”
Chapter 36
“The attack is imminent,” Gavina said. “We all ken this tae be the case. We cannae wait any longer…it is time to begin mounting our defense.”
The Bairdsmen stood at attention as Gavina addressed them, prepared to deliver them the dire news of Ava’s fate that Finlay had told her.
“Before we dae,” Gavina said, “there is something that I maist tell ye all…” she breathed. “Ava has perished.”
Tessa’s eyes went wide. “What? When?”
“Lord Torstein witnessed the cottage we had left her in burn tae the ground. She did naw emerge from it.”
“Ye cannae say fer sure if she is dead,” Lachlan protested.
“Lord Torstein gave his word,” Gavina said. “And I am maist inclined tae believe him. Unless some twist of fate brings Ava back tae us, we need tae accept the fact that she is gone…”
Heads hung as Ava’s death was processed. All in attendance couldn’t even recall how many times a friend or loved one was lost. But no matter how many times it continued to happen, the sting of it never became diluted.
“So,” Tessa said. “What noo?”
“As I said,” Gavina began, “the fight against the Sassenach and Sir Jessup is imminent. A plan has been made, and the village has been fortified. The reason I say this tae ye all is because we all ken well that we, the Bairdsmen, are the first line of defense in this village. There are many competent warriors here, but all of them will be looking tae us when the time comes tae draw the sword.
“Each of ye has served this clan well, and I would like to think that all of it has been building toward this moment. This fight, this battle that we are on the cusp of fighting is the culmination of a lifetime’s worth of war. People in this village will be looking tae ye tae make the right decisions. Lead them. Show them what the willpower of an unforgiven Highlander is like…”
Moments later, Gavina went to Finlay’s cottage and began to discuss with him what her and Christian had seen after their hunt.
“You could naw get a solid headcount of their numbers?” Finlay inquired.
Gavina shook her head. “Naw. It was too far away. But it seems tae match closely tae what Lord Torstein had told us. He also said they possess fire, for tips of their arrows and otherwise.”
Finlay sighed. “That will prove a challenge…We should inform the blacksmith—”
“I already hae,” Gavina said. “He is in the process of forging the weapons that we need.”
“Very good. We should set about informing all those who hae agreed tae take up arms that the fight is upon us…”
Finlay then told Gavina to gather everyone in the village back in the courtyard. Most were already in attendance, still practicing their swordsmanship or archery skills under the close supervision of the Bairdsmen.
Lachlan, instructing several men on the finer points of parrying, stood at attention as Finlay walked up to him.
“How are we looking?” Finlay asked.
Lachlan nodded. “They are as trained as we can make them,” he said. “There is nae much else that we can dae tae better prepare them.”
“Very good. Tell everyone to gather at attention. The time has come tae take up our defense.”
Lachlan raised his voice so that all could hear and called everyone to attention as Finlay stood on a box so that he rose slightly above everyone’s head.
“Me friends,” Finlay said. “The time has come fer us tae mount our defense. Sir Jessup and his forces draw near. I trust that each of ye kens of yer job and kens full-well what is expected of ye. It is important tae stay close tae the men and women next tae ye. If one of ye falls, the other maist be ready tae take up their position immediately. We cannae afford tae hae any gaps in our defense, for the Sassenach will exploit that and use it against us. We cannae give them any kind of advantage.”
Finlay scanned the pensive faces in attendance. He didn’t see fellow clansmen—he saw warriors, each of them prepared to do what needed to be done to preserve their way of life. He felt proud to know each of them, and even more proud to see that the attitude he and Isla possessed had been passed down to each member of the clan in attendance.
“I ken,” Finlay then said, “that we are all fearful of the coming plight. I am as well. Fear is nae something that can be removed from the situation. Embrace it. Use it. Allow it tae fuel yer fight and ye will find yerself a victor over the Sassenach.”
Finlay gestured around the village, at the buildings and the homes that all had fought so hard to preserve. “This is our home,” he said, “and we will nae give it up without a fight!”
Everyone cheered and clapped, raising their weapons high to the sky as Isla joined alongside Finlay.
“I want tae thank ye all,” Isla said. “I ken that ye hae all fought hard and long, but I promise ye, the time has drawn near tae make our final stand. And we will nae fail…we maist nae fail.”
Finlay nodded. “Man yer posts,” he said. “Stand at the ready. Sir Jessup and his army’s arrival is imminent. Watch each other, be ready tae sound the alarm when the time comes. This will all be over soon.”
Everyone waited in eager anticipation like a pack of wild horses preparing to be set loose.
“Gae,” Finlay said. “And may God be with ye…”
The villagers dispersed, all of them taking up their predesignated positions throughout the village and standing at attention with swords and bows in hand.
As the morning turned to afternoon, and the afternoon turned to evening, Gavina and Christian, posted up together on the rooftop of Finlay’s cottage, both felt the slightest bit of fatigue settling in as they kept a close eye on the horizon.
A few minutes later, Finlay climbed the ladder resting against the cottage and joined them. “Both of ye,” he said. “Should get a couple hours rest, if it can be spared.”
Gavina shook her head. “Sir Jessup’s forces will arrive at any moment.”
“Aye, but ye will naw be able tae fight them if ye are fatigued. Gae. Gae and rest. I will sound the alarm if Sir Jessup approaches.”
Christian and Gavina descended the ladder and went into the second bedroom of the cottage. No one else was in the domicile, save for them. As they entered the bedroom, and Christian slowly closed the door behind them, Gavina quickly walked up to him and began slowly and passionately kissing his neck. No words needed to be spoken to indicate what she was pining for.
They slowly removed their garb, naked within a matter of moments. Christian then picked up Gavina and moved her to the bed, laying her down gently before kissing her from her neckline down to her naval.
They wasted no time, knowing that Sir Jessup’s arrival was imminent, Christian placing himself inside of Gavina and moving with slow, calculated thrusts. Their love-making was passionate, but without its usual flurry and hectic nature. It was slow, delicate, both of them moving in sync as they felt the pleasure centers of their brains explode with a pleasant tingling of ecstasy.
Gavina then slowly sat up, resting on top of Christian’s lap as they moved and thrusted together. Her arm rested delicately on Christian’s neck as he kissed and nibbled at her neck. The two of them could not help from staring in each other’s eyes as they made love, holding onto the moment for as long as possible, the silent fear between them that this could be their last night together fue
ling their lovemaking.
They coiled their limbs around one another, desperately seeking comfort as they closed their eyes and allowed the euphoria of pleasure washing over them. They moved around in different positions, never resting on one for more than a few minutes and giving over completely to the uncoordinated frenzy.
Once again, Christian was on top of Gavina, his thrusting increasing as they felt the moment of climax upon them. Gavina nodded, indicating to Christian that she was ready to finish. Christian confirmed that he was ready as well as he gently planted a kiss on her lips and held it there as he increased his thrusting. He went faster…and faster…and faster…and finally they collapsed as they breathed out in ecstasy. They laid there for only a moment before two knocks sounded at the door.
“It is time,” the voice of Finlay called out.
Both Christian and Gavina drew deep breaths and nodded before getting dressed. Minutes later, they were back on the rooftop, Finlay looking out intensely toward the horizon with a glint in his eye.
“Dae ye see something?” Gavina inquired.
Finlay nodded. “Aye…I believe that their forces hae arrived.” He pointed, Christian and Gavina then following his finger and seeing a flickering of torches not far off in the distance.
Christian sighed. “Yes,” he said. “That is most definitely them…”
***
On the other side of the field, around three-hundred yards away, Sir Jessup, mounted on his steed at the head of his army, saw the Baird’s village just off in the distance.
One of Sir Jessup’s knights came alongside him. “Is that it?” he inquired, nodding to the village.
Sir Jessup huffed. “Of course it is…”
A beat. Nothing but sheer tension filled the air.
“Do we charge now, Sir Jessup?”
Sir Jessup took a beat to answer. “Not yet. We wait.”
“For what?”
Sir Jessup leered at the knight. “For me to give the order. Get to the back of the formation. I will tell you when it is time.”
The knight returned to the back of the formation as Sir Jessup kept his gaze intently on the village.
***
Finlay, sensing that Sir Jessup, though he was a distance away, felt the man’s eyes staring straight back at him.
“What dae we dae, Finlay?” Gavina inquired.
Finlay drew a deep breath. “I dinnae believe,” he said, “that Sir Jessup will strike during the night.”
Christian nodded. “You are right in thinking that. Sir Jessup is one that prefers the daylight. He wants to see all.”
“So…we wait,” Gavina said.
Finlay nodded. “Aye. We shall allow him tae make the first move.”
A moment later, one of the villagers ascended the ladder leading up to the roof, poking his head over and saying: “Finlay. Are those the Sassenach off in the distance?”
“Aye, lad. It is. Tell everyone tae stand at the ready. It will nae be much longer…”
The villager climbed down the ladder and set about running through the village to each person bearing arms. “The Sassenach are here,” he said, repeating it over and over as he hustled through the village. “The Sassenach are here…”
***
An unbearable tension filled a deathly silent village. Sir Jessup’s army, formed and ready, waited for their leader to give them the command.
After thinking through his choices, Sir Jessup turned to the knight next to him. “We shall wait until dawn,” he said, dismounting his horse. “Do not set up camp. I want everyone at the ready in case the Highlander’s attempt to strike first.”
The knight nodded and then spread the word to the rest of his fellow warriors. Sir Jessup then stood with his hands on his hips, surveying the village three-hundred yards ahead of him, praying that the violence he was all but certain would arrive would not happen—but he knew that it would.
The fight was imminent as both sides stood at the ready—the proverbial calm before the storm.
Chapter 37
Dawn had arrived. Sir Jessup and his army were still in their same positions that they were during their arrival the night prior. A skin-goosing chill overcame the area, and all those in attendance eagerly waited for the other side to strike.
Gavina, still on the rooftop with Finlay and Christian, sighed. “It has been several hours,” she said. “Why does Sir Jessup not make his play?”
Finlay shrugged. “I dinnae ken. Perhaps he is waited fer reinforcements?”
Christian shook his head. “No. That is all of Sir Jessup’s men. Every last one of them. There is no more than can come to his aid.”
They heard a noise on the ladder leading up to the rooftop, and moments later, Lord Torstein reared his head. “Still no movement,” he said.
Finlay nodded. “Still no movement,” he echoed.
“Perhaps we should send someone out,” Gavina said. “Attempt tae speak with Sir Jessup?”
“I don’t know if that is wise,” Lord Torstein said. “Who knows what he is planning.”
“So,” Christian added, “we just wait here interminably until he strikes?”
“That is all we can dae,” Finlay said. “We cannae make the first move. It might end up serving as a mistake.”
Everyone continued to hang on as they kept their gaze fixated on Sir Jessup’s army off in the distance.
***
Sir Jessup, seated on the ground and looking at the Baird’s village like a painter analyzing his subject, felt the impatience of his men growing in grunts, silent whispers, and side-conversations kept at low tones. One of his knights then approached, keeping a few feet of distance from Sir Jessup for fear of riling him up.
“Sir,” he said. “The men wish to know when the time to strike will be.”
Sir Jessup took his time answering. He did not feel the need to fight. He felt the need to try and negotiate a peace…but he feared it was something the Highlanders would not indulge.
“Sir,” the knight pressed, standing a few inches closer now. “What is our next move?”
Sir Jessup stood up and faced his knight. “What part,” he said, “about me being in charge do you not understand? I told you that I would give the order when I give the order.”
“I know, Sir, but—”
“But nothing, my friend. I will strike when the time is ready. I am merely wearing down the enemy. I am making sure that things seem uncertain for them. It will wear down their minds. Trust me when I tell you this.”
The knight sighed. “Sir, I—”
Sir Jessup grabbed the knight by his chainmail and pulled him in close. “Perhaps you would prefer if I spilled your blood first, no?”
The knight shook his head. “No. No, sir.”
Sir Jessup shoved him off. “Then silence.” He looked around at the other knights. “All of you. I will not have anyone further question my methods. Is that understood?”
Silent looks of acknowledgment were passed around. Sir Jessup then turned away and once more looked back at the village.
***
On the rooftop, Finlay stood up and gestured to Christian. “Come with me,” he said. “I want tae speak with the other villagers. See how their morale is holding up.”
Christian nodded and followed after Finlay, winking at Gavina as he climbed down the ladder, leaving Lord Torstein with Gavina as they stared out together at Sir Jessup’s army.
“Are you well?” Lord Torstein asked.
Gavina nodded. “Aye. As well as one can be.”
Lord Torstein cast a look over his shoulder. “Things seem to be progressing well with Christian.”
Gavina tried to hide her smile. “Aye…they very much are.”
Lord Torstein nodded. “Christian is a good man. A strong man. You have chosen a good suitor.”
Gavina looked at Lord Torstein. “Dae ye hae a wife?”
“Once upon a time. Yes. But she is no longer with us.”
“I am sorry tae hear that.”
“Enough time has passed.”
“Does that mean ye hae forgotten about her?”
Lord Torstein shook his head. “Not at all. I miss her quite dearly, every day that passes. She was…she was my everything.”
“Did ye ever think tae marry again?”
“No. Another marriage is not for me.”
“What of that woman? Eirlys?”
Lord Torstein waved his hand in the air. “She is merely a friend. A good friend, at that. I am certain that she saved my life.”
