Page 15 of Taken By her Highland Enemy

Chapter Eight

Sean, Eamon, and the men stayed hunched down in the forest abutting Drumnadrochit. They hid their horses further back, tying them to the trunks and hiding them behind heavy foliage. They did not want the extra worry of them making sounds as they approached Cutler’s men unseen. The river was between them, and Eamon watched the flowing waters with concern. At least at this section of the river, it was lower than the rest. They had followed along its path for a few miles before they found the right spot.

Eamon turned to Sean. “First, I will rush tae the tannery tae see if there is any message, and then we will see if we can find any villagers tae join our cause. But ye will remain here.” Sean wanted to protest, but Eamon had to be vehement. “We cannae have ye go, for ye may be recognized. Donovan or Gareth can stay with ye. We will return.”

Sean nodded, albeit grimly. “Be careful, Eamon.”

Eamon nodded and led the way, his sword in hand. Behind him followed Dirk, Errol, Gareth, Lukas, and Harold. He was confident he had the best men with him, and he felt a little bit lighter that he would not have to worry about Sean. Lukas sidled up to him and whispered, “Ye sure about this plan, Eamon? I am with ye all the way, but with Cutler there in the light of day, things could get messy.”

“Aye, but messy is what we wanted, I thought? We will enter the town and find a way tae speak tae those in charge. But first, if the boy has left me a message with the tanner, I need tae see it. It could change our course.”

The men trudged through the knee-deep water, and it was shockingly cold. Eamon didn’t care. His mind was on his task, and with the dawn, he had grown ever eager to catch Cutler and be rid of the English vermin. To his side, Harold said, “Ye sure trust this boy, lad. I hope ye are right.”

“So do I, Harold. And if I am, then we can have more riches than we have ever dreamed of.” The men laughed quietly as they made it to the other side of the river and walked past the outer edge of the town’s stone wall.

“Sheath yer swords, men. I realize we dinnae want tae look like we mean tae attack. We wish only tae act as drifters, asking innocent questions tae the townspeople.”

He could hear the movement of metal as they filtered in through the entrance of Drumnadrochit. It was a small town, but it was busy. His eyes searched for the tannery. He hoped the spy had some good news for him. He was trying to be confident for his men, but he had no idea what he was about to do. He clenched his jaw and tried to keep doubt from ruining his own morale.

“Tae the tavern, men. I will meet ye there.” The men left him alone. Off in the distance, he spied the tannery. But he could smell it first, and that’s what had drawn his eye. Amidst the other varying smells of the town: cooked meats, smoke, and refuse, he could smell the sharp scent of urine as the man worked to seal his animal skins.

Eamon tried to keep his pace calm as he walked to the man. He turned one way and then the other, his dark eyes searching for any Englishmen watching him. But he was in luck. He ducked inside and surprised the wizened old man.

After the man took a breath, he said, “Och, lad, ye must be here for that message of yorn.”

“Aye, sir. I have come for that very purpose, but how did ye know?”

The man reached inside of his work smock and pulled the message free. “I was told tae keep watch for a man of yer description. I wish ye luck, young lad. I wouldnae wish tae get betwixt lovers and the plans they make taegether.” The man grinned, and Eamon could spot a few missing teeth.

Eamon’s mouth was open to reply, but he just laughed instead. “Thank ye, sir. I will let ye know if I have a message tae send back.” He tore open the letter and glanced over it, his heart beating with a new fervor.

“Kidnap Cutler’s daughter?” he whispered aloud.

“What was that, boy?” The old tanner asked, stretching his head forward to get closer.

“Oh, ‘tis naething.” He pocketed the note. “Thank ye. I am much-obliged tae ye.”

“Ye are most welcome.” He saw Eamon turn away towards the center of town, and he called out once more.

“Boy, I would be careful when going that way! I can tell ye are nae from these parts. That way, an Englishman has come tae divvy out justice tae the villagers who killed his men. They are next tae the tavern, but the supposed execution comes soon in the main square.”

Eamon nodded tightly. “Thank ye again. I will be on the watch.”

The tanner returned to his work, and Eamon walked forward. The spy had told him to kidnap Cutler’s daughter. He was incredulous, but after each moment that passed, he thought about the brilliance of the plan. That would keep Cutler on their tail, and with such few men, they could ride hard and fast. They could move him as far away from the village as necessary and then try to do battle. The only problem was, he needed to speak to his men first.

He had watched the path they took towards the tavern, but they had seemed to have no trouble. He hoped he wouldn’t find them slumped behind the tavern wall, their throats cut. But then he remembered. Why should Cutler know about him or these men at all? He most likely knew nothing of Eamon’s existence as a brother to ‘The Wanderer’. That thought strengthened him as he edged closer to the center of town, where a large crowd had begun to gather.

He slid up to the crowd and watched as a tall, dark man, dressed in English garb, spoke to the gathered masses in a loud voice. Eamon could barely see him above the swelling crowd. He whispered to the man next to him, “Who is this man? Why has he come?”

“He gives his name as Lord Tiberius Cutler. He comes for revenge. A few British soldiers came the evening before. They got drunk at the tavern, and an all-out brawl occurred because the soldiers were beginning tae rough up some of the townspeople. So some of the men killed the soldiers in the fight. Cutler wishes tae find those men and kill them now.”

Eamon nodded and then left, slinking back towards the entrance to the tavern. He was comforted by the openness of the townsperson. That meant others might be just as willing to talk to him and perhaps even join their fight. He pushed his way inside the low building while Cutler’s voice rang out in the square. He had no wish to watch an execution, but the faster he moved, he might be able to prevent it. Once he was in, his eyes watched over the crowd until he spotted his men crammed into a side table. He walked over, and Lukas pushed a pint in front of him.

Eamon was hesitant, but Lukas said, “Good tae keep up appearances, lad. What was the message?” He pushed the note across to them to avoid speaking too much out loud. The tavern was noisy, but who knew what eyes and ears were watching?

Lukas nodded solemnly in agreement. “Then, what shall we do?”

Eamon leaned forward over his pint. “I propose we begin a brawl of our own. We may perhaps even get the chance tae take weapons from Cutler’s men. We must spread out around the circle and call out tae Cutler, defying his words.”

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