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Walter paid Quint no attention, he hurried inside the cottage and Shade followed, sending Quint a nod.

He waited until she entered the cottage, and the door closed, to peruse the farm. He had to be cautious here, the area more familiar to him than he would let anyone know. Then there were those who knew his face and he was not ready to make his presence known. It would not go over well.

He saw a portion of a fence that needed mending and decided to keep himself busy as he waited. It would also help clear his mind. Though he doubted it would help him make sense of what Shade had told him about her secret skill. He did not know how that could be possible, yet he believed her, and he wanted to talk with her more about it first chance they got. He rolled up his sleeves and got busy repairing the fence.

Hollin was a large man,his size taking up most of the bed. It was a good thing his wife, Galen, was petite or there would be no room for her. Fear filled her eyes and Shade could see why. Hollins leg was double its size with a dark bruise encompassing his shin.

“Thanks for coming, Shade,” Hollin said.

Shade took off her cloak, Galen was quick to take it from her and place it near the hearth. “What happened, Hollin?”

Hollin shook his head. “I did nothing more than step off some rocks, I’ve stepped off endless times before. Only this time my leg twisted, I felt a sharp pain, and I went down. Walter had to help me to the cottage. It’s painful when I try to walk on it.”

“Let me have a look and see what I can find out,” Shade said and gently ran her hand over his bruised leg while her eyes scanned inside the leg to see if she could see if anything was broken.

The crackling fire was the only sound heard as she took her time, wanting to see things clearly. Just when she didn’t think she could see anything it came into view. A slight break so minor she might have missed it, and, with rest, it would heal nicely.

“You’re lucky, Hollin. It is barely a break. If you stay off your leg and rest for two full moon cycles you will heal without a lasting problem.”

His eyes rounded with fear. “That is too long. Winter will set in by then. I need to tend to the farm.”

Walter hurried around Shade, smiling. “Shade is sending me with a message to her step-da, Rawlin, that we need help. Shade says that he will gather some men to come help us finish the few things that need doing.”

“Don’t you dare let your foolish pride get in the way of help, Hollin,” his wife cautioned when seeing him scowl, ready to refuse the offer. “You would do the same for Rawlin, if necessary.”

“And he would appreciate the help from a friend,” Shade said. “If you fail to heed my advice, Hollin, the break will worsen and leave you unable to walk properly or possibly not at all, never mind what other problems it could cause.”

Galen crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her husband. “He will do as you say, Shade.”

Hollin’s wife might be petite, but her look was powerful enough to have her husband say, “I’ll do as you say, Shade, and I appreciate any help Rawlin or others are willing to give me.”

Shade smiled. “Wise choice, Hollin. Let me give your son a message to take to my step-da, then I will show your wife how to tend to your leg while it heals.”

“I’m ready to leave,” Walter said eagerly.

“You need to be careful, son,” Hollin cautioned. “I have heard that Lord Torrance’s men are in the area scooping up men and even young lads to help with the battle. Stay off the worn paths and speak to no one.”

Shade’s stomach knotted at the thought of what such a battle could bring for not only her best friend but many others. “Has the battle started?”

“There is talk that Lord Torrance is on the verge of marching his men toward Clan MacLeish,” Hollin said. “God pray Chieftain Ryland is wise and strong enough to stop him. If he doesn’t, Lord Torrance will not stop at Clan MacLeish.”

Shade stepped outside with Walter and gave him a quick message to deliver, knowing the lad was eager to leave.

“It will take me a while to reach the Rawlin farm, but I’ll go as fast as I can,” Walter assured her.

“Remember to heed your da’s warning and do not dally once there,” she said and looked to the darkening sky. “A storm brews, and you don’t want to get caught in it.”

With a nod, Walter took off running.

Shade, seeing that Quint had repaired a portion of a fence, went to him and shared everything that had been said in the cottage.

“I can follow the lad and make sure he returns unharmed,” he offered.

“It might be wise to do with Lord Torrance’s men in the area.”

“You will remain here until I return,” he ordered, unrolling his sleeves.

“I will not leave without you,” she said and glanced up at the sky again. “It appears that a strong storm is brewing. I hope we can make it home before it hits.”