The Highlander's Servant: Book One of the Highlander Possession Series (19 page)

             
Mrs. Croft had shrieked at that and asked, “Why must we go a different way?” Which in turn would only evoke another grunt or short reply from Lachlan.

             
The entire trip was strenuous for Kirstin, both physically and mentally because she had to put up with her mother. At some points, she felt that they had reversed roles in the parent to child relationship. Other times, she found herself longing for her father.

             
By the fourth day of traveling, and stopping only in small towns during nights, the terrain became rockier and the elevation increased tremendously. They were in the highlands, and definitely taking a rougher route, because everyone had to get off their horses. Lachlan had taken Jack’s reins and guided him between the rocks, as Mrs. Croft struggled, falling slowly behind them with the brown mare. Kirstin stayed between them, as if keeping them together.

Nevertheless, they continued on.



             
Graham and his men had camped between the borders, awaiting Lachlan’s arrival with Kirstin. Neil had informed him that one of his spies saw Mrs. Croft joining them, and Graham had grinned at that.

             
Now they waited like a pack of hungry wolves with the need to kill, and take what they desired most. In this case, it was Kirstin.

             
But, they never came.

             
For nearly a week, they had not come and only after the seventh day did Graham begin to wonder if Lachlan knew of his plan. The thought struck him, making Graham flee from his tent and demand loudly, “We go east! Laird Bateson is east!”

             
Lachlan must have been taking a path to the east, for Grahams land was of the west and the entire south border had been cleared.

             
Graham watched his men nod in acknowledgment and pack their things. Others saddled their horses and began to ride towards the eastern horizon, and Graham did not hesitate to lead them.



              “We stop just over this hill.” Lachlan said to the two women. Mrs. Croft had given in to her exhaustion and sat atop of the brown mare, and not soon after had Kirstin done the same, with Lachlan still guiding Jack.

             
As they approached their final destination, just coming over the peak, they could easily make out a large number of men. They were fashioned in leather and some of the men had claymores in their hands. Other men held shields with a crest that represented the Bateson Clan.

             
As they closed the distance between the men, Kirstin looked up to Lachlan and asked, “What are yer men doing here?”

             
He glanced at her and then stared straight ahead. Lachlan did not respond.

             
When they reached the large amount of men, Roderick came out from the crowd and nodded to Lachlan, “We are ready.”

             
“Good.” He replied lowly, patting Roderick’s shoulder.

             
Kirstin looked between them both and asked, “Ready for what?”

             
“Bradan and Farrel!” Lachlan yelled out to the men, once again ignoring Kirstin.

             
“Aye?” Farrel asked, coming out from the group with Bradan shortly behind him.

             
“I trust ye to take care of Kirstin and Mrs. Croft. Donna let them out of yer sight.” It was an order from their laird, one that could not be disobeyed.

             
“Aye.” the two of them confirmed.

             
Lachlan finally acknowledged Kirstin by grabbing her waist and taking her down from Jack. He embraced her, cradling her small body and then he kissed her sweet lips.

             
“I will be back for ye.” He whispered.

             
“What are ye talking about? Lachlan,” Kirstin pressed, “What is going on?”

             
He gazed upon her eyes seriously, “Laird Ruskin is going to ambush us.”

             
Just like that, Lachlan kissed her forehead and motioned for Bradan and Farrel to take her away.

             
“What do ye mean he is going to ambush us?” Kirstin asked breathlessly as she tried to dig her heels into the ground. She struggled against Farrel, “Lachlan!” Kirstin yelled finally, before she was forced atop of another horse, with Farrel behind her steering it.

             
It had happened all so fast. Bradan and her mother were on the brown mare, and they were all galloping away from the men. Kirstin became teary eyed, as she stole a last glimpse of her beloved who had begun to give instructions to his men.

             
“Donna worry,” Mrs. Croft said from behind her, “Everything will work out in the end.”

             
Her words did not stop Kirstin’s tears from falling.

Chapter Twenty-Three

             
Roderick handed Lachlan his claymore as his men encircled him. Lachlan felt the heaviness of it in his hand and felt the smoothness of not only the handle, but of the slick blade that could break skin upon just touching its edge.

             
“This is what we are going to do.” Lachlan said, looking up to his men, “We are going to make the Ruskin Clan pay for the damage they have caused to our lands and our families!” His voice rose above the two hundred men who were yelling in approval to his words.

             
“Aye! We will slaughter them!” cried out a burly man who caused more yelling in agreement.

             
“Aye!” Lachlan roared.



              “Neil!” Graham called as they rode towards the east.

             
“Aye?” Neil asked, directly behind him on another horse.

             
“Ye go after the girl and her mother. Bring Kirstin back to me unharmed.” Graham ordered. Neil was hesitant but Graham did not notice because Neil finally responded, “Aye.”

             
As several of the men continued to ride their horses behind Graham, Neil cut away from them. Graham’s orders meant that Neil had to go onto Lachlan’s land, and if caught trespassing he could very well die.

             
Nevertheless, Neil followed his orders and went after the two women.



              Kirstin and Farrel had rode ahead of Bradan and Mrs. Croft, who lingered behind. They were getting closer to Lachlan’s manor but something off in the distance to the left took them off-guard. It did not take long for that something to get closer, and Kirstin could vaguely make out the man who had helped her only a little over a week ago.

             
“Stop!” Kirstin yelled, grabbing the reins from Farrel and abruptly stopping the horse, whose hooves dug into the ground as they skidded to a complete halt.

             
“Have ye lost yer mind?” Farrel yelled, trying to take the reins from Kirstin. As Farrel focused on retrieving the reins, Kirstin took her chance to slide off the horse, almost losing her balance as her feet touched the ground. Farrel took her moment of weakness to grab her arm and keep her from running towards the man in the distance.

             
“Who is that?” Mrs. Croft asked, her tone neutral.

             
“’Tis Neil, a man who helped me in the forest when I got lost.” Kirstin retorted, trying to get out of Farrel’s grasp, but he had the upper hand and picked her up with his strong arm, and putting her back in her seat.

             
“No!” she had shouted, but when she had looked across the fields she saw that Neil had also stopped his horse, as if watching them. As Farrel and Bradan began to guide the horses back to the manor, Neil followed them. It alarmed Kirstin that the two men with her did not think much of Neil, almost like they were acquainted with him.

Though, Kirstin at one point caught a frightened look on her mother’s face, and asked, “What is the matter?”

              “Naethin’.” She said with firm lips, but Kirstin caught her staring off at the man, too.



              Lachlan riled up his men, making them excited with speeches of encouragement and victory. Lachlan began to beat his shield to his body, and soon they all were beating their shields to their bodies in rhythm, making a consistent pace with one another to fuel their energy all the more. It had begun with one man and gradually collected into the whole.

             
As the rhythmic beats resounded, they could hear the yelling of men from a distance. Not soon after were Graham and his men visible to the eye, and they were approaching fast on horseback.

             
Lachlan and his men grouped together in a disordered rush, making a human shield with their real wooden ones. The men who held bows shot arrows when Graham got closer. It seemed that every arrow missed Graham, but they had surely taken down others.

             
Piercing through flesh, the arrows had practically thrown men off of their horses and onto the ground. Many of them yelled out in pain and agony, as the ones who had survived carried on.

             
The use of archery did not stop but maybe twenty men, out of his hundred or so, and Lachlan was still at the advantage, until Graham got closer that is.

             
Since they were on horseback, they easily knocked over Lachlan’s men but Lachlan fought back hard. He used his shield and slashed at their horses, making them tumble over and break the legs of their riders.

             
Like barbarians, the men fought. Graham and Lachlan as the two stronger men. They were the famed leaders who would become legendary for their opposing natures, and their even more foul history. As highlanders, they killed mercilessly.

Chapter Twenty-Four

              When Farrel stopped the horse at the front of the manor, Neil was nowhere to be found. He had remained a fair distance from them and disappeared as soon as the manor came into sight.

Kirstin slid off the saddle and ran straight for the doors. She opened the heavy doors with both hands, and upon entering she yelled out for Alana.

             
“Kirstin?” the old woman asked, appalled, “Oh dear, child, I thought I would never see ye again! The laird had given orders for all the men to leave for battle.”

             
Alana spoke so rushed that Kirstin could barely make out what she was saying, and then Kirstin replied, “Aye, I ken.” Sweat coated Kirstin’s face and then she spluttered out in a choked sob, “Do ye think he will be all right?”

             
“Oh,” Alana noted the way Kirstin’s face had contorted into sadness and worry, and she wrapped her arms around Kirstin in a comforting gesture, “I do.” Alana said, embracing Kirstin, “For the man has survived much worse.”

             
Just then, Mrs. Croft walked in, followed by Farrel and Bradan.

             
“Kirstin,” she snapped, “Donna weep over a man if he has chosen to fight the battle himself.”

             
“But Ma!” Kirstin cried, “’Tis my fault they are even battling.”

             
Mrs. Croft waved a hand in the air nonchalantly, “The men would have found an excuse to do so either way. ‘Tis no’ yer fault, my daughter, and I am quite positive Graham and Lachlan will survive. So, stop yer fretting.”

             
“How can ye be so sure they will be all right?” Kirstin pressed, with worry written on her face.

             
Her mother kept a firm stance and replied, “For I have known both of them since they were mere babes. Now shush!” A wry smile touched Kirstin’s lips, but it did not keep her from worrying.