Page 30 of Highlander the Conqueror

The stag calmed as well, though didn’t take his eyes off the men, and pounded his hoof now and again to warn them he was ready to charge if necessary.

“A few careful tugs and it will be all over,” Sky said, knowing careful was what she needed to be, or things could go terribly wrong.

When the doe cried out, the stag got upset, snorting and pounding his hoof.

Slayer was ready to charge the beast, but his wife’s strong, encouraging words stopped him.

“Worry not, she does good, and the fawn will birth soon.”

It got quiet after that, and it was as if the forest held its breath in anticipation and surprisingly Slayer and his warriors did as well.

Sky’s head suddenly could be seen above the bushes, and she smiled at the stag. “A fine fawn that will grow into a mighty stag like his da.”

The men unexpectedly cheered, and the mighty stag pounded the ground with his hoof and nodded his head proudly.

“You all must leave now and give the doe time to tend her newborn,” she said.

The warriors turned to Slayer, awaiting his command.

“Go and the stag and his family are to be left in peace,” Slayer reminded and when he looked back at Sky, she was gone.

“She is headed to the stream,” Ross said.

“Remain at the longhouse tonight. There is something I need to discuss with you tomorrow,” Slayer said and did not wait for a reply.

He hurried after his wife.

“Are you completely mad, woman?” Slayer scolded loudly when he reached the stream to see his wife washing her hands and arms in the stream.

She turned her head and smiled at him. “There is no reason to yell. I can hear you well enough.”

“Evidently not since you failed to obey me,” he reminded, dropping down beside her.

“The stag needed help,” she said as though it was explanation enough.

“Don’t ever do something so foolish again,” he warned.

“I cannot promise that,” she said, not giving her quick response a second thought. “The animals are my friends, and I will help them when in need.”

People would think her foolish, perhaps even insane, if they heard that, or worse that she was evil. After all, if she could understand those animals, what diabolical creatures could she understand and make do her bidding?

It annoyed him that she did not even give thought to the possibilities of her unusual actions.

“Friends or not, you will not put yourself in harm’s way for them,” he ordered.

She spoke softly without a trace of anger in her voice. “Friendship is important to me. So, please understand that I would put myself in harm’s way for any friend and that includes you.”

Her remark fired something fierce in Slayer and he grabbed her arm, yanking her to her feet as he stood. “NEVER, will you put yourself in harm’s way for me.”

“But you would for me, wouldn’t you?” she asked and knew what his reply would be.

“It is my duty.”

“It is not a duty to me. I would do so because you are my friend and I care for you.”

Slayer had suffered endless punches in his life, but the impact had been nothing compared to what he felt now. It hit him so hard he almost expected his legs to give way, and never had he suffered a punch that had almost knocked him off his feet. But never had a woman ever told him that she cared for him and never had he expected it to matter.

“My lord, are you all right?” Sky asked, resting her hand on his chest and worry filling her eyes.

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