Highlander's Rebellious Love (14 page)

“If it is all right with you, Una, I have no objections,” Patience said and turned to her men. “Everything has been seen to?” They all nodded and a strong chorus of ayes was heard. “Then let us be on our way.”

Two by two they rode away from the farm and Patience knew that Hunter’s keen eye would notice that two of her warriors were not with them, each having been sent to scout the area ahead and behind them. She only hoped that Ewan was not as observant as Hunter or that Una kept him too occupied with chatter for him to notice.

Hunter rode alongside Patience and was impressed with the way her troop remained aware, but then she did as well, her eyes continually scanning the surrounding area.

“I should warn you about Greer,” Hunter said. “He is ferocious in battle, like a mighty animal intent on tearing his prey to pieces. He takes down all he can in his path and leaves some wounded to purposely suffer.”

“Would you be upset if I killed him?” she asked with all seriousness.

“Aye, I would,” he snapped. “That honor will be mine.”

She nodded at him. “Then I leave him to you.”

Hunter softened his tone. “I am grateful.”

“I have posted one of my warriors to protect your mother when the attack comes, though if Ewan is still with us, I doubt his services will be necessary.”

“Again I am grateful that you think of my mother’s safety, but you will be surprised how well-versed my mum is when it comes to surviving a battle.”

Patience turned concerned eyes on him. “Do you think Greer would truly take his own mum’s life?”

“I believe there is nothing Greer would not do to achieve his goal of power and riches.”

“Are his warriors well-trained?”

“I thought they were until I saw yours.”

“You do have a keen observation, though my warriors have been taught not to think of themselves as superior to any warrior, for there are always warriors that could prove mightier than them. The truth of my words was proven when we faced the Dark Dragon’s warriors.”

Hunter stared at her, not certain he had heard her correctly, so he asked, “You and your men went against the Dark Dragon’s warriors?”

“We did and lost, but then his warriors seem inhuman. I do not understand how they do what they do. They appear as if by magic and disappear the same way.”

“There is much speculation about the Dark Dragon. It has been said that he trained with mystics in the misty mountains here in Scotland. Others argue that he dared to cross the great sea to learn from the barbarians in the north. I wonder if there is not a simpler explanation.”

“If you had seen his warriors, you might think differently,” Patience said, recalling the unexpected attack that had taken her sister.

“If his warriors are that skilled, and yours no match for them, how do you ever expect to rescue your sister?” Hunter shook his head. “A foolish question when I have seen for myself what you are capable of when determined. And I believe you are more determined than ever to find your sister and bring her home. So it is not a question of how or if, but when?”

This sharp observation of his pleased her and she was glad that he was aware that nothing would stop her from finding her sister and bringing her home. She was also pleased to hear in his voice the confidence he had in her.

“I will help you in any way I can.”

“I am pleased and grateful for your offer,” she said with a nod. Little by little, she was beginning to like her husband more and more. He was different then she had expected and she was glad for it since it gave her hope that perhaps they could share a good life together. Still, though, she had much to learn about him.

Hunter reached out and laid his hand on her thigh. “I will always be there when you need me.” He grinned. “And even when you do not, for I find I favor your company.” He gave her thigh a playful squeeze.

His touch, as usual, sent tiny yet potent ripples running through her. She decided it had to be lust that turned her this vulnerable; it was the only thing that made sense. But was she looking for logic where logic could not be found?

She tempered her annoyance at herself and said, “Your presence is not as bad as I expected.”

“Then we are off to a good start.”

Her own annoyance stung again when he withdrew his hand from her thigh. Never had she thought she would find such pleasure in the simple touch of a man’s hand on her.

They did not lacked for conversation as the day wore on, and he noticed that though she was attentive, she also remained focused on her surroundings.

Just before they stopped for a brief rest, she turned to him. “I wonder what makes your brother think that he could kill you, leave me alive, and have everyone believe his word over mine.” She shook her head.

“Are not lies sparks that ignite the flames of war?”

Observant and intelligent, could she be so lucky to find both in a husband? She nodded agreeing with his remark.

Patience rose up on her horse, her eyes wide and focused in the distance. A rider approached and it took her a moment to catch his signal. When she did, she shouted orders that an attack was imminent.

Hunter looked around for his mum and saw that Ewan was waving one of Patience’s warriors off and hurrying with his mum and Beast to a nearby cropping of woods. He noticed that the warrior went straight to Patience. She certainly had trained her warriors well. He had not taken Ewan’s word for it, but had confirmed that it was acceptable to leave Hunter’s mum with the older warrior.

Her nod sent him off to join the others as some remained on the horses and others formed a cohesive formation with shields, bows, and swords.

Hunter reached his wife just as the scout warrior brought his horse to a halt in front of her. He was about to speak when he rose up, his eyes turning wide.

Patience and Hunter both turned to see what had caught his eye. The other Macinnes scout that had trailed behind them was riding fast toward them, signaling as the other scout had.

“They attack from both ends,” Patience said and barked orders to her men. They shifted positions to cover both ends.

Patience turned to Hunter. “You stay by me.”

“Where else would I be when my wife needs protecting,” he said with devilish grin.

“You will listen to me,” she snapped, “for I will not become a widow before I am made a proper wife.”

“And I’ll not be dying before I have made love to you.”

The sound of thundering hooves turned their attention in opposite directions. Armies of warriors, their swords drawn, their shouts echoing, charged at them from both ends.

Patience and Hunter’s thoughts were the same...
we are outnumbered
.

Chapter Thirteen

“The McDolans join him,” Hunter said as he recognized the colors of the plaid on the warriors approaching from behind. “Greer never did fight fair.” He turned to Patience and voiced aloud what they had both thought. “We are outnumbered.”

“We are,” she agreed and shouted to her men, “to the woods.”

Hunter followed and was surprised to see several of her men scale some of the trees in minutes. Their arrows poised at the approaching warriors still at a distance. Warriors on the ground formed a line with their shields and other warriors stood behind them, bows drawn and ready.

The woods would make it more difficult for the horde of warriors to attack, not to mention the arrows that would greet them from the trees. But the sheer number of attacking warriors would eventually prevail. Surprisingly, Patience’s warriors did not appear concerned. They were ready to fight and obviously to win.

What Hunter did not understand was why Greer had McDolan join him. Did he fear he would not be able to conquer Patience and her warriors with his men alone?

Patience approached Hunter on her horse. “Go to your mum and stay with her, and if it looks as if we are being defeated take your mum and hurry to Macinnes land. Someone must survive to tell my da what happened here.”

Hunter’s hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. “Listen well, wife, not now nor ever would I leave you to fight alone. We are one now and always. Ewan will see the truth gets out if need be.”

Anger stirred in his blue eyes along with determination, and Patience saw the warrior within him. She nodded. “Then you will fight beside me.”

A grin spread across his face. “Thinking to keep me safe,
mo chridhe
?”

She returned his grin. “Knowing I will keep you safe.”

Their smiles faded at the same time.

“Do you hear that?” Patience asked.

Hunter nodded. “Silence.”

They both turned and saw the Macinnes warriors staring out passed the trees and when Patience’s eyes followed theirs, she was stunned to see that the horde of attacking warriors had come to a dead stop, their eyes transfixed on the woods as if frightened to approach.

What had stopped them? It certainly had not been her warriors.

She rode toward the edge of the woods, Hunter following. She would have preferred him to remain where he was safe, out of sight of his brother, but she would waste her breath telling him so, for he would not listen.

When she reached Edward, he fell in alongside Hunter and when they came to the edge of the woods, she saw what had stopped the attacking warriors. There on both sides of the woods, two deep, stood ghost warriors, their faces painted white and their weapons in hand, ready for battle. They stood as still as statues, not one making a single move.

Where had they come from? Had they been following them all along? She recalled following Ewan into the woods and wondered if he had brought them with him.

Patience guided her horse beyond the edge of the woods, out into the open, and Hunter and Edward followed, flanking her.

One of the ghost warriors stepped forward and shouted his words. “No blood will be spilled on the Dark Dragon’s land or you will feel his wrath. Return now to your lands and you will live. Fight and you die.” The ghost warrior stepped back in line and resumed his solid stance with the other warriors.

Dark Dragon land
. The words repeated themselves in Patience’s head. This land belonged to the Dark Dragon? Did that mean his home was nearby or was his land holdings vast? She had to find out. She could not leave here without knowing if her sister was being held close by.

She kept the thought in mind as Greer approached with his brother Rab at his side and they were joined by Hew McDolan, a short, man with a wide bulging middle.

Greer looked directly at the ghost warrior who had spoken and was about to speak when the ghost warrior raised his hand, stopping him.

“The Dark Dragon will hear no excuses. Do as he has ordered or suffer the consequences.”

The first line of ghost warriors stepped forward and the second line moved up behind them and more warriors dropped out of trees to join them. And they all turned still as statues, staring straight ahead, waiting.

Greer attempted to speak once again when McDolan laid a hand on his arm and whispered something to him. Greer nodded, turned his eyes on Hunter, and said, “I wanted to make certain you were safe and that the Macinnes did not plan on making herself a widow when she had only become your wife.” Greer sneered. “Good journey, brother, and I will see you soon.”

Patience remained where she was watching both clans ride out of sight. The ghost warriors vanished into the woods as soon as the last retreating warrior disappeared from view. Patience was quick to gather her warriors and be on the way, the McLaud and McDolan clan heading back in the direction of McLaud land, but for how long she could not be sure.

Ewan appeared with Una, Beast at their side, and Patience could not help but wonder if it was because of him the ghost warriors had intervened.

Little was said as Patience ordered a faster pace and everyone obliged readily, the ghost warriors having intimidated all.

After Hunter had seen that his mother had survived the ordeal no worse for wear, he joined Patience.

She was quick to say, “Not for once do I believe that Greer will not attempt another attack.”

“It would be foolish of him since he desperately wants the Dark Dragon to side with him in this conflict that he intends to escalate. He may have failed his mission to take my life, but Greer’s message was clear. He wanted it known, false as it was, that he was worried for my life and so he had followed with enough warriors to see me safe. Of course the truth was that he planned to slaughter every one of us. Then he could have laid the blame where he wanted it... on the Clan Macinnes.”

“Bloody hell,” Patience mumbled. “So all he has to do now is send a small troop to see it done as soon as we are off the Dark Dragon’s land.”

“Or have McDolan send men to see it done.”

“The Dark Dragon has only prevented the inevitable.”

“It would seem so,” Hunter agreed. “We will need to be on guard, though I believe the Dark Dragon’s land extends far, so I do not think we will be seeing them anytime soon.”

“How far?” Patience inquired, curious.

“I do not think anyone knows for sure and I have wondered if he has not purposely spread rumors so no one knows his exact location. Some say he has two or three castles, one supposedly holds those he imprisons, others disagree since it is said he never takes captives.”

“He took my sister,” she reminded.

“And why he did is a mystery. I doubt he has a problem attracting women since he is a man of immense power and wealth. There probably is not a chieftain in Scotland who would not trade a daughter in marriage to such a formidable warrior.”

“My father would not,” Patience said annoyed at the thought that fathers used their daughters to garner them more land, wealth, and power.

It was his turn to remind. “Sometimes a proposition leaves no alternative, just like ours.”

Patience shook her head vehemently. “My father would never be so callous. Besides, there would have been no reason to attack us and abduct Heather. She would have simply been turned over to the Dark Dragon if that was so.”

“Simply turned over?” he asked, questionably. “You would not have objected?”