by Barbara Bard
Finlay smiled. “I’m sure ye dae, little one.”
Isla approached Finlay and gave the subtlest of nods, the two of them desperate to show each other some kind of affection but keeping their reserve.
Isla looked around the village and saw the hustle of Riley’s men coordinating the plan that he had crafted with Finlay.
“What is going on?” she asked.
Finlay divulged the basic plan and then guided her and Denholm to Riley’s quarters.
“Me Lady,” Riley said. “It is a pleasure to finally meet ye in person. I was a frien of yer father.”
“I hae heard nothing but good things about ye, Riley.” She gestured to Finlay. “I hae been made aware of the plan ye two hae concocted.”
A nod. “Indeed, my lady. Obviously, it will be a matter of yer approval before we can go aboot executing this plan. This will put a great many of both of our clans in significant danger.”
“I hae naw quarrels with said plan. We must dae something if we are ever tae be free of the Sassenach.”
“I can gae over it with ye in greater detail, my Lady. It is a ruse if there ever was one.”
Riley set about laying out the plan he had set with Finlay, walking Isla through every part of the plan before they departed his quarters and Isla set about addressing the members of the clan. They stood at full attention, all of them eager to participate and listening with intense gazes and open ears.
“This is where we make our final stand,” Isla said, standing on top of the wheel wagon and projecting so her voice would carry.
“All of ye able bodied men and women who wish tae fight will be of great asset tae us. Fer those of ye who are unable to participate, we will make sure that each and every one of ye will be giving shelter and protection during this fight.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “So, to each of ye willing tae fight, I need ye tae take a step forward.”
One person stepped forward. And then another. And then another. Smiling proudly, Isla then said: “Then let us prepare. We hae naw time to waste.”
***
Denholm stood beside Finlay a half-hour later with Lachlan’s apprentice and several of Riley’s men, a barrage of steel weapons and armor set up in small groupings and sorted by size. Standing at attention in front of them were male and female members of Isla’s clan, all ranging in ages from twelve all the way up to fifty, intense gazes on all their faces coated with a nervous air of anticipation.
“We hae to train fast,” Denholm said, pacing back and forth.
“I will work with each and every one of ye to determine where yer skill sets lay. We will need archers, swordsmen. We will carefully coordinate the plan that Finlay Baird has laid out fer us. We shall rehearse this as many times as possible tae make sure that each and every one of ye will ken their positions and be able tae execute yer tasks with the highest proficiency.”
From the front gate, one of Riley’s men shouted out that his scout had returned. Denholm made his exit and joined Isla and Riley at the front gate to meet the rider.
“What news dae ye bring?” Riley inquired.
The scout, out of breath and dripping with sweat, said: “Lord Henry of Sanford and his men hae gathered two days ride fae here. They were still coordinating their forces when I left. A few looked pished. They hae definitely delayed themselves with their timeline.”
Finlay grinned. “Good news fer us, I would say.”
A nod from Riley as he looked at Finlay and Isla. “We hae time,” he said. “At the rate we are working, we will be able tae be fully prepared by the time they arrive.”
“Donovan,” Finlay said, “should be returning with more reinforcements and supplies soon.”
He looked overhead, the sun beginning to set and the hectic nature of the day’s events finally making him feel fatigued.
“We should feed everyone within the hour. We are losing the light.”
“Ye also need tae be shown yer quarters,” Riley said to Isla, pointing to the floor above his own quarters in the building directly behind him.
“Me wife has already prepared the chambers fer ye, my lady.”
Isla nodded. “Many thanks, Riley. If ye don’t mind, I’d like tae take a moment tae wash up.”
Riley gestured to the quarters. “By all means, my Lady.”
Isla bid her thanks once again and headed for her quarters, casting a quick look over her shoulder to Finlay when the other heads were turned to follow after her. He followed Isla carefully and surreptitiously into her quarters.
Finlay entered her room, closing the door behind him slowly, as Isla set about rinsing her hands in a bowl of water that Riley’s wife had set out for her. The two said nothing for several moments as Finlay stood at attention like a dutiful soldier. A few minutes passed as Isla dried her hands and face.
Finlay then clearing his throat to break the silence before he said: “I hope ye are satisfied with this plan, my Lady.”
She said nothing, but her mouth was open, her lips trembling as she turned and faced Finlay with a wide set of eyes.
“Is all well, my lady?” Finlay inquired.
Isla could feel the fire once again burning inside her, the yearning, and the sheer lust that she still felt for Finlay even though she was trying so desperately to avoid her true feelings. Being away from him, even for a few hours, had left her panicked and worried that it would be the last time she ever saw him.
Finlay squinted as she wringed her fingers from the nerves. “Are you all right, my Lady?”
She parted her lips. “How much time dae we have?”
“What dae ye mean?”
“Ye said we should feed the clan. We hae much to attend tae.”
Finlay thought about it and shrugged. “If ye need tae take some time tae rest, I am sure that ye can be spared the hour.”
“Good,” Isla said as she slowly slipped her clothing from her shoulders, the garment falling to the floor and revealing her naked body underneath.
“That is mair than enough time.”
Finlay didn’t question it—he rushed forward and scooped Isla up into his arms. The two locked their lips, dancing with a renewed and fiery passion as she tore at his tunic and belt like the world would end if she did not.
She moaned, once more allowing herself to give her mind and body completely over to him as he carried her to the small cot in the corner and gently laid her down. Stripping off the last of his clothing, the two embraced, the warm sensation of their naked flesh pressing together offering immediate relief as Isla wasted no time, grabbed a firm hold of his manhood, and placed it inside of her.
Finlay thrust as Isla dug her nails into the flesh of his back. Finlay did not mind due to the fact that his sinewy and broad back could withstand it, his hips rotating and causing her eyelids to flutter before placing his lips tenderly on her neck. He moved his lips from her neckline to her mouth, Isla’s moaning reverberating inside of his mouth as their tongues then danced and teased one another.
Showcasing her own strength, Isla then pushed Finlay off of her, told him to lie back, and mounted him. She placed her palms on his bare chest to balance herself and began rotating her body in a way that made his legs feel like they were no longer of use.
The minutes felt like seconds as they became lost in one another’s touch and taste, both of them gritting their teeth and feeling like animals in the wild as they traded off laying on top of one another. It became a slight competition at one point, with both of them seeing how fast they could gyrate and please the other with a playful laugh being exchanged as the sun began to descend in the west.
For a brief moment, Isla was reminded that her people were awaiting her orders, that even though it was a splendid use of her time to be riding on top of Finlay, they needed to finish and tend to their duties.
“Finish with me,” she said. Finlay nodded in reply as they worked fast and in sync with each other, that overwhelming sensation between their legs finally exploding with the fo
rce of an earth-shaking tremor. Finlay and Isla cried out in ecstasy as they finished, and then held each other for a long moment, saying nothing in fear of ruining the moment.
They dressed and made no sound or eye contact. Once finished, Isla moved to the door and flattened the wrinkles in her garb before turning back, grabbing Finlay’s hand, and tracing her fingers down his palm.
“Stay with me tonight,” she said. “Aye?”
Finlay smiled, uncertain as to what would play out next but knowing that it was a fool’s errand to try and question it being that his demise was most possibly imminent.
“Aye, me Lady,” he replied. “Aye.”
The sun had completely fallen by the time they emerged from Isla’s quarters. They were greeted by Denholm, who seemed not to suspect a thing, as he said: “We should break and set about eating. We can resume the training as soon as we hae.”
“Aye,” Isla said. “Make it so. I assume that Riley has stated where will be dining?”
A nod. “Aye.”
“Good.”
“And what of Donovan?” Finlay asked.
Denholm motioned over his shoulder. “He returned a short while ago. He is working with the blacksmith and his apprentice as we speak. He said that they will have tae work through the evening to finish forging to weapons.”
“So be it,” Isla said. “Make sure he is brought the proper nourishment.”
“Aye, me lady. Also, Riley said that it may be a smart play to send a scout to the most eastern edge of the village tae keep a close eye. I would like to escort them there while the rest set about partaking in the meal.”
Isla nodded. “Be quick. I must converse with ye as soon as ye have.”
“Aye.”
“Isla!” the voice of Gavina called out. “Can I gae? Can I gae with Denholm to the eastern part of the village?”
Isla shook her head. “Naw, Gavina. The hour grows late.”
Gavina groaned and opened her mouth to start in on one of her intelligent retorts, but Denholm held up his hand to cease her.
“It will nae take long, sister,” he said to Isla. “Let her ride with me. It will be a short one at most.”
He lowered his voice so Gavina would not make him out. “It will tire her proper. I promise.”
Isla contemplated the proposal for a moment and then gave her approval, Denholm then recruiting two men to take up the scouting duties as he mounted his horse with Gavina and set about riding toward the eastern part of the village that Riley had informed him about. As they rode off, a sickly and uncertain feeling came over Isla and Finlay that a mistake had just been made.
Chapter 23
All of those gathered in the dining hall had finished the meal within a half an hour. No real words of depth were exchanged. Most ate in silence. The air was wracked with nervous tension at the prospect of what they were about to engage in.
After finishing the meal, everyone set about resuming their duties—training, planning, prepping the village, commiserating with their fellow clan members. The hour grew late, and Isla stood near the front gate, desperately awaited the return of Gavina and Denholm.
“I’m sure they will be arriving soon,” Finlay said from behind her. “Gavina has probably already worn down Denholm good and plenty.”
Isla smiled. “Ye are right. I just cannae help but worry about all that is happening right now.”
“This is the right plan, my Lady. I promise ye that.”
The silence held sway, the clinking of swords and shouts from the men and women training take hold for a brief moment.
Finlay cleared his throat. “Should we talk?”
Isla turned and faced him. “What about?”
He looked her in the eyes and spotted the proverbial look that Lachlan had spoken to him about earlier that day. Finlay couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.
“What?” Isla inquired.
Finlay stepped in and lowered his voice, ready to take the bold step that he knew he needed to take.
“I love ye,” he said. “And ye love me.”
Isla was dumbfounded as her eyes went wide and she took on a pale expression.
“I-I…” she stammered. “I dinnae ken—”
“Naw, my lady. It is true. Ye ken it tae be. We both ken this tae be true.” He grabbed her by the hand. “I love ye, ye love me. We just keep pretending that we don’t.”
Isla shook her head, not knowing what to see as the feelings inside of her began to make her feel overwhelmed. She prepared to offer up protest—and then a shout rang out from just past the front gate, one of her men that was dispatched to scout the ravine returning with haste and a blood-stained tunic—and Gavina and Denholm were not with him.
Finlay and Isla rushed to him, the man dismounting his horse and collapsing to the ground as small crowd began to gather to help him to his feet.
“What happened?” Isla asked.
It took a moment for the man to gather his bearings.
“Me lady,” he said. “I am sorry. I am so sorry…”
She took his head in her hands. “Look at me! What happened? Speak!”
A fearful look overcame the man as Finlay spotted the laceration in his arm from what was most definitely a blow from a sword.
“They took her,” the wounded man said, “they took Gavina!”
***
While the members of the clan had congregated in the dining hall, Denholm, riding with Gavina, escorted two members of the clan toward a lookout point settled about two miles east of where the end of the village laid. It was a spectacular view, with the moon full and bright and shining brightly along the highlands.
“It is bonnie!” Gavina remarked, her mouth open as she stared in incredulous wonder at her surroundings.
“Aye,” Denholm concurred. “A bonnie sight to hold indeed.”
“Can we nae settle here, Denholm?”
He shook his head. “Naw, little one. Our aspirations lay far outside of this place. We are but guests here for the time being.”
One of the riders, dismounting his horse, took a scan of the surroundings.
“I believe that only one man should be necessary to scout this location. We should nae spare any more men than what is required.”
Denholm nodded. “I believe ye tae be correct, Seamus. If ye see fit, perhaps ye can be the one who holds down these grounds.”
“Aye, Denholm. Should I spot any sign of incoming Sassenach, I will return with haste tae inform ye.”
“Very good.” He sighed. “Well, Gavina. It is time we return to Isla.”
“But I wish tae stay!” she protested.
“I ken, me dear, but we must—”
Seamus fell to his knees before Denholm could finish speaking, gurgling and clutching at his throat as an arrow protruded straight through his neck.
“Seamus!” Denholm hollered. Gavina, now pale white and shaking with fear as Denholm turned to the left and spotted two incoming Sassenach riders—one with a broadsword, and one mounting a fresh arrow in his bow and taking aim at the other rider escorting Denholm, Benson.
“My God!” Benson remarked as he drew his sword.
Denholm passed off Gavina to Benson. “Gae!” he ordered. “Take her back to Isla! Now!”
Before Benson could take a firm hold of Gavina, another arrow from the incoming riders flew and nearly hit Benson in the head, Benson falling from his horse as Denholm withdrew his sword.
“Denholm!” Gavina screamed.
“Stay back!” he ordered.
The two riders then engaged, both of them circling the group as Benson was pulled to his feet by Denholm. The rider with the bow on the right quickly scooped up Gavina and stowed her away, Denholm attempting to strike at the rider as he fled and an arrow from the other rider buried itself in Denholm’ leg. He fell, clutching at the wound as the rider pulled another arrow from his bag.
Benson, striking the rider’s horse with a blow of his sword, knocked the man from the saddle and attempted
to behead him with his blade. The rider, quickly rising to his feet, parried the blow and then countered with a strike that tore at Benson’s tunic and left a gash in his arm. The rider then came in for a blow to Benson’s head, but was tackled to the dirt by Denholm as he yelled to Benson: “Gae! Gavina! Ye must retrieve Gavina!”
“Denholm—”
“Gae!”
Benson wasted no more time and mounted his horse, fleeing in the direction the other rider had fled in as Denholm threw blow after blow with his fist on the fallen rider. By the third blow, the rider got wise and took a firm grip on the arrow planted in Denholm’ leg and twisted, Denholm hollering out in pain as he fell to his back and the rider gave him a few feet of distance.