“André’s lookouts have been taken care of,” Magnus reported as he joined them. “As we figured, he’s been setting up his stronghold verra close to the lass’s kin.”
Bastard. She would see him dead before he hurt them.
“Aye then,” Fraser replied to Magnus before the three of them climbed a ladder down into a skiff. They rode with several others including Audric and Fraser’s man-pet Broddy. Audric’s eyes flickered knowingly between her and Fraser before he smiled and nodded at her. It seemed he was glad they had finally resolved their issues.
She nodded in return before she looked toward shore. The seas were still choppy but fair enough that an expedition like this wouldn’t be too difficult. Thanks to Broddy, Fraser had a good idea where André might have positioned his tent within the encampment.
Nearly everyone was ashore and in position by the time they arrived and snuck into the woods to join Innis and Douglas.
“My swindling devious cutthroat wee lassie,” Innis whispered, beaming as he pulled her into his arms and finally greeted her. “’Tis so bloody good to see ye again.”
“Aye, my old friend,” she whispered. “Ye too.”
He kept smiling as he looked her over then nodded with approval. It seemed he liked her new look. She rolled her eyes and gestured at Fraser in explanation as she crouched alongside him.
Estienne was currently leaning against a tree with Douglas’ blade to his neck.
“I’m sure your da will be glad to see ye, Estienne,” she whispered and offered a wicked grin. “Right before he dies that is.”
When his eyes narrowed, she kept a grin firmly in place and was sure to look unaffected. His days of having any sort of control over her were long gone.
“Signal the men.” Fraser looked to Innis and Douglas as he unsheathed his sword. “’Tis time.”
Blade in hand, she nodded she was ready when Fraser’s eyes met hers. She was eager to fight and finally free her village from this ongoing threat. He nodded as though he agreed with her unspoken vow before they made their move.
For all appearances, things went very well as Fraser’s men began sneaking into tents and slitting throats before any could call out. She kept her eyes keen as she snuck along, looking for any sign of André. According to Broddy, he was too smart to put himself in an obvious spot. His tent would look like all the others.
As expected, it wasn’t long before someone called out that they were under attack, and people started scrambling. The pre-dawn light made it easier to see as she fought and kept searching for the enemy. Taking advantage of her slight size and how rivals underestimated her, she cut down two in a row.
Soon after, she tripped a third man before he got Magnus from behind. Fraser’s first mate spun and nodded his thanks before he finished off his opponent.
Her fourth combatant was a bit more of a challenge. He was quick like her, and they circled a few times before she finally got her blade past his defenses and sliced his calf. When he roared in pain and fell to a knee, she ended him then froze.
André had just ducked out of the tent ahead and locked eyes on her.
“To the village,” he roared to his men. “Kill them all!”
“I dinnae think so,” Fraser called out as he appeared with a blade tight against Estienne’s neck. “Not unless ye want me to cut your son’s throat.”
Nothing was so glorious as seeing the shock on André’s face.
The absolute horror.
Yet she should have known things were going too well. That he would have some sort of trick up his sleeve.
“Nay,” she whispered, equally horror-stricken as someone tried to dash out of his tent.
“Very good. Très bon.” He grabbed her hair and yanked her back against him, meeting Fraser’s eyes as his blade met her neck. “Now then, Captain MacLomain. If you let Estienne go, I might just consider letting little Greer go.”
Chapter Fifteen
Fraser and Andre’s eyes remained locked as he tried to figure a way out of this. The man was as greasy as his son and easily twice as evil.
Estienne wore a Cheshire grin, and Greer sobbed.
“If ye have done anything to her I’ll shove your ballocks down your throat,” Elspeth warned, glaring at André.
“Oh no, she is not my type. Too weak.” He grinned and winked at Fraser as he referred to Elspeth. “I prefer a woman with a bit of…what is the word? Bats toi,” he bared his teeth, “fight in her.”
Fury raged inside him, but Fraser never let André see it. Instead, he kept his face devoid of emotion as he dug his blade into Estienne’s throat enough that he drew blood. “Ye would do well to set her aside, André.”
The battling continued to roar not only around them but deeper into the woods. Under strict orders to give no quarter, Fraser’s men were taking down those heading for the village. If by chance any made it past his men, they may be surprised by what they found.
“As I said, remove your blade and I might just…”
That’s all André managed to get out before a blade slammed into his upper thigh and he roared in pain and outrage. The man Fraser and Elspeth had thrown their daggers at the day before grinned and nodded at Fraser.
He had just enough time to nod his acknowledgment before mayhem ensued.
André used Greer as a shield and shoved her at Fraser before his men fell in around him and he began to flee. When Elspeth pursued, Fraser handed Estienne off to the man who had helped them, ordered he be tied to a tree and raced after her.
As a whole, André had accrued more men than he anticipated. That meant more than he would have liked were still left to battle. Which slowed Fraser and Elspeth down enough that the bastard slipped away. But not for long. Not wounded like he was.
His trail would be easy to follow.
He fought by Elspeth’s side the entire time, yet again impressed with her skills. It was clear based on the fury on her face that she knew many of the men she cut down. It was also clear that she found a great deal of satisfaction in finally taking revenge on the world she had been thrust into.
As they closed in on the village, she slowed then stopped when she saw what else he had in place. Men dressed as villagers who had been living amongst her kin and people since they relocated here. Ruthless mercenaries all. Which made him wonder how André got his hands on Greer.
“Ye hired them then?” Gratefulness lit Elspeth’s eyes as they met his. “Thank ye.” She whipped a dagger into a man who rushed her as she kept talking. “They must have cost a fortune!”
They did, but he had managed it. After all, he wasn’t known for his cleverness and ability to sniff out treasure for no good reason. Coin was to be had. You just needed to know where to look for it. And men like these were hand-picked and expensive not only because they could fight well but because they would not step out of line in Fraser’s absence.
“Why not tell me about them sooner?” She shook her head and dodged a man, letting Fraser have this one as they kept chatting. “To put my mind at ease?”
“Because it could have done the opposite,” he pointed out as he snapped the man’s neck. “Ye might have worried about why I thought they needed such protection.”
“Och, verra true,” she allowed and shrugged, tossing him a winning smile before she side kicked one more man then took him down altogether.
Moments later the last of André’s men fell.
Elspeth’s eyes lingered on Fraser’s for a long triumphant moment before she finally turned and raced into her family’s waiting arms. The reunion was tearful as Greer joined them followed by the villagers. Though her little sister had been in André’s tent, his words proved true. She had not been harmed. She was merely there in case something went wrong.
Apparently, she had been collecting berries and wandered beyond the outskirts of the village without Fraser’s mercenaries knowing. One had already lost his life trying to get her back. So it was good that Fraser arrived when he did before more fighting broke ou
t between his men and André. Because talented warriors or not, his mercenaries would have been far outnumbered.
Fraser waited respectfully as Elspeth reunited with her kin but would not linger much longer. He wouldn’t risk André getting away for good.
“Audric is standing guard over Estienne,” Douglas informed as he and Innis joined him. “Whilst we havenae had time to explore much yet, it seems André has been stockpiling so there’s plenty of loot to be had for the men.”
“Aye.” Innis grinned. “And plenty of whisky as well.”
Fraser nodded, pleased. “Tell them to enjoy and take what they like.” He gestured at his hired men. “I’ll be taking some of them with me to finish André off.”
“We’re coming too,” Douglas said.
“Aye,” Innis agreed.
He nodded, understanding well that they wanted vengeance every bit as much as him.
“Will ye be going soon then?” Greer asked, worry in her eyes as she looked to the land behind them. “There are people up that way. Another small village that keeps to themselves.” She shook her head. “I dinnae know if André knows about them but ’twill not be good if he does.”
Fraser glanced at Douglas and Innis in question, but they only shrugged.
“Many folk come and go in these parts,” Innis reminded. “The woodland is thick enough and the hills and caves aplenty so ’tis likely there are villages we dinnae know about.” He shook his head. “Hopefully that means André doesnae know of them either.”
“Then we should get going.” Elspeth blinked away the moisture from reuniting with her kin and stood up a little straighter as she readied for battle once again. Her eyes met Fraser’s, and she nodded with determination. “I’m ready to end the bloody bastard once and for all.”
He could not agree more. “Aye, then.”
Fraser gestured for his men to follow and they headed out. As he knew would be the case, it wasn’t long before they picked up a blood trail. Better yet, several trails.
“He’s trying to throw us off his tracks,” Fraser muttered as he ordered everyone to split up.
“We should go that way.” Elspeth pointed in a direction that was steeper than the others. “He would go the least obvious route.” Her eyes narrowed. “And he might just be inclined to follow that plume of smoke I see up there.”
He agreed as he caught sight of it. If there were vulnerable people about he would use them as either a human shield or a bargaining chip. So they started in that direction. At first, it was simple enough but soon became more of a challenge as the way steepened.
“I’ll go first,” Elspeth declared.
“Ye will do no such thing,” Fraser argued.
“I will. I must.” Her eyes widened. “Did ye not know I’m afraid of heights and climbing isnae my strongpoint?” She looked at Douglas. “Go on. Tell him.” Her eyes shot back to Fraser. “So I would feel much safer with ye behind me to catch me if need be.”
He turned narrowed eyes her brother’s way. “Is it true then? Does she fear heights?”
Douglas frowned. “I didnae think so.”
“How little ye remember then, Brother!” She shook her head. “We havenae time for this.”
She set off without a backward glance, leaving no room for further argument. He sighed and followed, hoping for the best. Just as he knew would happen, certain areas grew more perilous and far thicker with spruces, birches, and shrubs. And just as he forecasted, those areas stole Elspeth from his sight. Though the moments were brief and they moved swiftly, it still left him uneasy. She was more vulnerable than he would like.
“It seems ye climb just fine, after all, lass,” he muttered as he joined her on a ledge and eyed the next small climb. “I dinnae like this.”
“’Twill be fine,” Elspeth assured. “And just look,” she continued innocently as she tied her hair back more securely with the bandana. “It seems climbing comes more naturally to me than it once did.” She shook her head, quite sure of herself. “So dinnae worry. I’ll be careful and keep my eyes open.”
“’Tis a merry chase the bastard’s giving us, aye?” Douglas grumbled as he joined them and peered up. “It looks like we’re nearly to the top.”
Fraser eyed their surroundings, somewhat familiar with the area. “André definitely chose the most difficult route.”
“Aye,” Douglas agreed. “Which means he must be tiring.”
“That’s right,” Elspeth agreed as she grabbed a bush root and started up the next incline.
“Och, and where’s that fear of heights she claims to have had?” Fraser muttered as he pursued her. He knew what she was up to.
She wanted to catch up with André first.
However understandable her reasoning, she was letting her vengeance get the better of her. Because the enemy did just what Fraser figured he might. Or so he assumed when moments after she vanished up the next bend, a dagger whipped by his face.
“Bloody hell,” he growled, gesturing that Douglas hold back as he assessed the situation.
That meant becoming more vulnerable as he hoisted himself up the rest of the way. No sooner did he make it to the top when another blade whipped his way. He dodged it then leapt to his feet moments before a man rushed him.
The two came together near the edge and teetered for a moment before Fraser got the upper hand and drove him back. Meanwhile, Douglas scrambled up and started battling another. If he were to guess based on their skills, these were some of André’s best men.
Four of them to be precise. Two were after him and the other two Douglas.
The battling was fast and vicious, but at least they were holding their own. Yet as he fought, a knot of dread formed in the pit of his stomach. There was no sign of Elspeth. Where was she? Was she all right? Moments later, a breath away from driving his blade through his opponent’s gut, his question was answered.
“If you kill my men,” came André’s dark, threatening voice, “I will kill Elspeth.”
Shaking with rage, Fraser pulled his blade back when André dragged Elspeth into the clearing. Remarkably calm, her resolved eyes met Fraser’s. She knew she had rushed into this. That her long hatred of the man had blinded her to logical thinking. But who could blame her? André had ruined her life in so many ways.
“Dinnae listen to him, Fraser.” Her fearless eyes narrowed. “Finish off his men then end him.” She both challenged and begged him. “Do it for me.”
It would not happen. He would never give her up. Not for anything.
“Nay.” He shook his head. “I willnae let ye sacrifice yourself.”
Because that is exactly what she offered to do.
He swiftly took in the entirety of the situation. Though he could take down the men that stood in his way, it would still allow enough time for the enemy to swipe his blade. Then there was always the chance he could get a dagger into André, but with the wind shear, it was risky. He might hit Elspeth. Worse yet, André might jerk his knife in reflex and kill her.
When André pressed the blade tighter, Fraser looked at Douglas and shook his head. They had no choice. He had not come all this way for her to be taken away from him now. Her life was far too important.
They had to surrender.
Though Douglas hesitated for a moment, his need to end the enemy substantial, he, at last, nodded in agreement and they tossed aside their blades.
“Ballocks, no,” Elspeth whispered as a wide smile started to split André’s face.
A smile, as it turned out, that soon turned to shock when a perfectly aimed arrow suddenly ripped through his neck.
Fraser wasted no time but took advantage of André’s men’s momentary confusion and opened their throats with one efficient swipe of his sword. Douglas moved swiftly as well and handled the other two.
As they fell, Fraser glanced up at the ledge to see who their silent hero was.
Who he saw there, however, was most certainly the last person he ever expected.
Chapter S
ixteen
The moment the arrow hit André, Elspeth spun and knocked his blade free. A blink later, Fraser’s dagger hit his sword arm as he fell to his knees. Now he was utterly useless. In a position she had long dreamed he would be.
Time slowed.
This was her moment.
The end of so much torment.
Blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth as he gurgled something indiscernible. She didn’t care what it was. His words were pointless. Not worth hearing. Never to be heard again. The sound of fighting behind her faded away as she stared down at him with frigid indifference.
As she recalled all the harm he had done.
He might not have been there that fateful night years ago, but it was his orders that resulted in so much death. The loss of her kin. The loss of a life that had meant so much to her. She cared nothing for the physical suffering she had endured at his hands, but what he’d done to those she loved.
“This is for them,” she growled, a venomous bite to her voice. “For the villagers that lost their lives both times.” She leaned close and narrowed her eyes. “And most especially for my husband and daughter.”
As slowly and painfully as possible, she dragged her blade across his throat then stepped back as he finally fell to his death. She stared at him, relishing the moment for all it was worth. Wishing it could go on for far longer.
When Fraser’s gentle hand landed on her shoulder, her eyes drifted to his.
“Look, lass,” he murmured.
Her eyes followed his to where the arrow had come from.
A girl perhaps a few years older than Greer aimed an arrow at Douglas as she glanced nervously between him and Fraser. Yet her curious eyes went to Elspeth as well.
Eyes that matched her own.
Features so very similar.
Elspeth blinked several times. It could not be, could it? Was she seeing clearly?
“Aileann?” she said hoarsely, sure she must be seeing a ghost. “Is that ye, Daughter?”
She had died. That had been confirmed.
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