Page 5 of Taken By her Highland Enemy

Chapter Three

Eamon’s sword clanged against his brother’s, and after a moment’s pause, he swung around to meet Sean’s blade once again. His brother was an excellent swordsman, and even months hiding away in the woods preparing a village had done little to dull his skill. Eamon tried a new trick he had learned while among his men. He waited for Sean to swing at him anew, and then he dodged it, planting a punch to his brother’s ribs.

Sean bent over, coughing for a moment, and Eamon stood tall, proud of his achievement, and glanced at the other men surrounding them, all in practice, preparing for battle. He wiped the sweat from his face with his forearm. Sweat glistened in his dark hair as it hung to his shoulders. Once Sean had caught his breath, he said, “Brother, ye have improved, and I have weakened, I see.”

Eamon chuckled and helped Sean to his feet. “It is something we’ve learned among my men. We dinnae always play by the proper rules.”

Sean grinned, and then raised his sword high, ready to fight again. Eamon’s eyes opened wide in surprise, and then he fell backward, as Sean’s heavy sword, clanged hard against his own, pushing him to the ground. Eamon lay back, laughing. “I suppose it is nae a laughing matter, brother, but I cannae help but feel I deserved that.”

“Aye,” Sean said, and not unkindly. He paused and looked around at his men. “They are good, Eamon. I think they will hold. But first, we will have tae use the bows and arrows, or we couldnae defeat them. What are swords against bullets?”

Eamon stood up, brushing himself off. “The arrows will decrease their numbers, tae a manageable level. Like I said, we dinnae ken how many soldiers he will pick up from Fort Augustus. I only wish I could meet with my spy before we travel tae the men tae start the journey towards Cutler. I will try tae get word tae him somehow.”

Sean blinked up at the bright sunshine. “I had a thought. We are nae far from the MacManus clan.”

Eamon nodded. “Aye, I met with them on my way here, tae get word of ye.”

“I trust the MacManus laird. He is a good man. We could call upon them tae aid us. They could at least give us a few of their men. They are good swordsmen, good fighters.”

Eamon nodded. “I think it is wise. Perhaps we should begin the journey taenight and meet them. Then, we could prepare weapons with them before we begin heading back towards the Loch.”

“Aye.” Sean waved to Donovan, who was in the middle of a rather heated battle with another of The Scots members. Donovan turned toward him and then had to duck out of the way as a sword moved over his head. He rushed to Sean’s side.

“Sean?”

“I think we will leave taenight, Donovan. Ye may begin preparations.”

Donovan nodded and headed towards the village to speak to Rose before starting what needed to be done.

“Come, brother. I think it is time we eat. We have been at it for hours now.” Sean stalled the other men from fighting, and with wet brows, they gratefully walked back towards their homes for refreshment.

Eamon sheathed his sword. “Brother, I am glad tae return tae ye. Although I’d hoped it would have been under better circumstances.” Sean nodded, but he did not reply, and they walked in silence back to the cabin and were met with a distraught Rose. She rushed from inside and wrapped her arms around Sean.

“Sean! Donovan tells me he must prepare the men tae leave taenight! I didnae realize it would have tae be so soon. Is there time enough tae get all ye need?” She looked up at him, her eyes moist with tears, and Eamon stepped back slightly and looked down, reluctant to intrude upon so intimate a moment.

Besides, he could not look at it any longer without feeling that familiar pang of desire. A woman had never looked at him so, with both yearning and true love in her eyes. There had been no one to care anything for him these past years, save his men, and while he had been with many a woman, nothing had come close to what he saw in Rose’s expression. It irked him the way it opened up his heart to yearn for something he knew could never happen. He was a broken man and had done many horrible things. There was no chance for love now.

Sean gripped Rose by the shoulders. “We must, my dear. Does it nae comfort ye that we go for aid?”

Rose continued to cling to him, but she nodded in understanding. “I know. It is wise, Sean. They are good people. I am sorry. It is the baby that makes my nerves feel frayed. I dinnae know what I would do without ye if ye were tae fall.”

Sean locked eyes with his wife, and Eamon was touched by the strength and confidence in his brother’s voice. “Ye will be strong and take care of our little one. That is what ye would do, Rose. Now, come, my love. There is nae time for tears and sadness on my behalf. We must prepare and think brightly of the future. Once this Cutler is out of our lives, our village can be made complete.”

Rose nodded and smiled once Sean wiped a tear from her cheek. “I shall assist, Sean, and make sure all the weapons ye need are taken with ye. But we will keep some here tae defend against any extra attack.”

Sean chuckled. “That is why I love ye, Rose. Ye are a fighter. I only wish ye could join me in this battle.”

Rose sighed and glanced at Eamon. “Aye, I wish that too. Sean, Eamon, there is food inside the cabin. Take yer fill. Ye will need it. I will go tae speak with Donovan.”

Eamon nodded sharply. His new sister’s leadership was evident. While she was concerned for her husband and for her unborn child, there was a strength there that Eamon could see in the set of her jaw and the flash of her eyes. He respected that. Sean took Eamon by the shoulder and led him indoors.

* * *

A few hours later, Eamon left the cabin to go make himself useful in preparations. He inspected swords for damage, counted the supply of arrows, and filled leather water pouches. He even counted those who would accompany them, and twelve made up that number, a mixture of men and women. Some stayed behind to watch over the young families.

He would have griped at the inclusion of women, but in this group, he knew what sort of reaction he would receive if he made any complaints. He had never seen a woman fight before, and so he had no idea what to expect. The uncertainty scared him. He pushed it aside and ended up in the stables, brushing and readying his horse. He smoothed the bristles over her chestnut coat and spoke to her in hushed tones.

He loved his horse, but it was also an excuse to give Sean and Rose more time to have a proper goodbye. He did not want to be the one to prevent his brother from a last moment with his new wife if that was what it would be. He whispered, “Aine, we will be off tae another battle. This time it’s a right bastard of a man. I hope we can crush him under yer hooves, lass.” He laughed and laid a soft kiss on her nose.

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