Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
The attackers came fast and furious, with no intention of taking prisoners. Their fury seemed unmatched, more like banshees raining down death. Knox and Phelan made sure the enemy didn’t get anywhere near the woman tied to the tree, but it wasn’t easy. They were intent on seeing her dead.
The fighting continued, men falling to their deaths or heavily wounded on both sides.
“We’re outnumbered,” Phelan barked, striking a man down with one swing and turned to Knox fighting close by. “My men are being slaughtered. Who are these ruthless warriors?”
“They’ve come for the woman,” Knox said grimly, slicing clean through an attacker’s leg and spinning to meet the next.
“They can take her. I’ll lose no more men,” Phelan said and heard her scream.
A warrior lunged toward her and Knox dove forward, knocking the man aside and driving his blade into the enemy’s chest. She was trembling, barely able to hold her head up, but she met Knox’s eyes with a fierce, silent plea—don’t let them take me.
Knox turned, chest heaving. The campsite was chaos. Bodies lay strewn about, the wounded groaned while some screamed in agony. Knox barely avoided losing his arm from a swinging blade, turning just in time to run his sword through the warrior. More of Phelan’s men lay dead and wounded than the attackers. He had hoped to capture at least one of them alive to find out who sent them but from the looks of it they might be the victors here today.
The thought of never seeing his wife again drove him to fight more fiercely.
Then came the sound—faint at first but rising above the din like a promise.
A vicious roar as if an army was about to descend on them. It cut through the sounds of battle like a blade through silk.
And then Star came thundering through the trees, Dru in her saddle her red hair whipping like flames around her head and slinging rocks at the warriors, hitting her mark every time.
Behind her rode four raging Highland warriors, broad-shouldered and grim-faced… the MacTavish brothers in full battle fury.
Dru went straight for the woman tied to the tree.
The MacTavish brothers fell upon the attackers like wolves let loose. One brought down two men with the same stroke. Another barreled through the enemy ranks like a battering ram, scattering them like leaves. The tide turned.
Phelan caught Knox’s eye. “Your wife is bloody crazy.”
Knox grinned through the blood. “That’s why I love her.”
By the time the sun dipped behind the hills, the attackers lay broken. The camp was quiet but for the harsh breathing of the living and the soft whinny of Star, nudging Knox’s shoulder.
He looked for Dru.
She stood a few paces away, breathing hard, and blood on her chin that wasn’t her own. She caught his gaze and started toward him.
He didn’t hesitate this time. He rushed to her and pulled her into his arms and kissed her, grateful to feel her snug against him and know she was safe.
He gripped her face. “You don’t obey me and now you have my horse not obeying me.”
“We weren’t about to desert you when we knew you needed us.”
He shook his head. “I should be angry at you, but you feel too good in my arms to be anything but relieved and grateful.” He scrunched his brow. “How did you get the MacTavish brothers to help you?”
“They enjoy fighting others more than fighting each other.” She smiled, “But I sealed the deal when I promised I’d get them four barrels of ale from the monks, one for each of them.”
“Dru, we found one alive,” Quim said, hurrying over to her. “You don’t need us anymore, so what about that ale?”
Knox turned to Star, his mare remaining close to him, and ran a gentle hand along her neck. “Good work, Star.”
He continued to soothe her with a soft touch while he slipped his hand into his rolled bedding and extracted a pouch. He pulled a few coins out of it and tucked the pouch into his plaid.
“You gave your word Dru, and you never renege on your word,” Fyre reminded, joining Quim, Atley and Olin hurrying over to join them.
“Here you go,” Knox said, holding the coins out to the four brothers. “This should buy you six barrels of ale.”
Quim scooped the coins out of Knox’s hand before his brothers could reach for them. “You’ve got a good man there, Dru. Anytime you need help we’re there for you, with payment of ale, of course.”
“How come you get the coin? Why can’t I hold on to them?” Atley asked.
“Or me?” Olin chimed in.
“It should be me,” Fyfe said. “I’m the least drunk of us all.”
“The ride and fight sobered us. We need more ale,” Quim said and grinned. “And with these many coins I wager the monks would be glad to tend our wounds, feed us, and shelter us for the night.”