Page 37 of Fearless Heart
“Here I am,” one said when he got close enough to see him. “Och ye tricked us. You’re the auld clootie. Stay back or I’ll skewer ye.” The lad held up a makeshift sword of wood and backed up but bumped into Brodin who grabbed hold of his tunic.
“Rest easy there, lad, we won’t hurt you,” Brodin said.
The other ran at him. “Let my brother go, be ye devils or nay.”
Heath snatched the other and forced him to stand still. “We’re not the devil, lads, but are just a wee bit … dirty.” Heath grinned, but the lads gasped.
“Our ma never lets us get that dirty,” one said in awe.
“Nay for she makes us take a bath at least once a sennight.”
Heath would’ve laughed at the lad’s astound, but there was no time for merriment. “Lad’s we’re here to take you home. Can ye be quiet enough whilst we leave this place? Many are about below.” They nodded.
“Do ye promise to take us to Lillia?” one asked.
“Aye, we will.” Heath signaled to Brodin, and he picked up the closest lad. He snatched the one closest to him and held him. “You must do as we say. The men who took you will be ireful and may want to harm you. Be still and quiet and we’ll get out of here sooner.”
In the hallway, Brodin set the lad down. “We cannot leave the same way we entered.”
Heath nodded and turned to peer down the hallway. “Nay, the climb is too great for the lads. We’ll need to leave by the front door then.”
“If we can make it to the entrance,” Brodin said, his expression grim.
“Lads, you need to stay betwixt us. Brodin will lead us to the door, and I’ll follow to ensure no one tries to ambush us from behind.” Heath motioned to his comrade, and he ambled forward.
Once they reached the end of the hallway, two men ran at them from the steps. Brodin swung his sword, but the walls too tight for him to get a strike. He used his foot to toss the men downward and sheathed his sword.
“Be a mite too big to use in these small confines.” Brodin pulled a dagger free and forged ahead, down the stairs. He ensured the men were incapacitated and advanced past them.
Near the bottom, Heath watched his comrade disarm four men. Beyond them, he noticed Liam and Graeme, both fighting off a band of men who tried to get past them. Heath followed Brodin and they reached the door.
Outside, they ran for the trees. As soon as they reached the horses, the lads’ eyes widened with fear. Heath took a moment to calm his breath. He’d gotten them to safety thus far, but their excursion was far from over.
“Brodin, you should stay here with the lads. I’ll go back and aid Graeme and Liam.”
His comrade shook his head. “Nay, you stay with them. I’ll be back.” Brodin unsheathed his sword as he trotted toward the keep.
While they waited for his comrades, Heath pulled the tartans from his saddle bag. “Here, to keep you warm. Stay quiet, lads.” Fortunately they’d tethered their horses in a dark area where they wouldn’t be seen even if the adversaries stood five feet from them.
Heath shifted from one foot to another and kept his gaze directed toward the keep. He listened for sounds of his comrades and grew leery that something woeful must’ve happened. His comrades were taking too long in coming. He was about to command the lads stay put and set off to give aid when he heard a groan.
Brodin helped Liam to the clearing. “He’s been pricked. Got a good amount of blood seeping from his arm. Graeme’s coming, but his leg is injured.”
Heath yanked an old tunic from his bag and tore it into strips. He knelt next to Liam who graciously lay in a stream of moonlight, and assessed the wound. It wasn’t as bad as Brodin led him to believe. The prick was in the fleshy part of his upper arm. He tied the strips around the bloody wound and secured it. It’d have to do until they got home and could tend the injury properly. “Might need a stitch, but it can wait.”
Graeme hobbled forward. “We need to get moving. There are followers, they’re on my arse. Arm yourselves.”
Heath tossed the lads onto the horses and helped Graeme mount his horse. Brodin helped Liam. “Set out and get them to safety. We’ll meet you ahead. Go.” He slapped the rump of Graeme’s horse and turned to face the danger.
Heath and Brodin pulled their swords free. Six men rushed the clearing with their blades held at the ready. The attackers came at them at once. Heath fended off two, easily thwarting their blades. He almost didn’t make it out of the way when a third swung his sword in a large arc, but he ducked in time. Now having the advantage, he dropped his sword and flung his dagger. The heavy blade struck the target’s neck and the man fell to the ground.
Heath rasped from his labor and retrieved his word. When he turned to see how Brodin fared, he found his comrade standing aside, watching him with a grin.
“Are ye about done?”
He flashed a grin and smirked. “Aye, let us leave this stinking place before the rest of the rats converge on us.”
Brodin bellowed with laughter. “We should send a message to James and let him know where Valence is staying. He’s been searching for him.”
“Mayhap, but for now it doesn’t appear Valence is departing. We’ll tell him when next we see him.” Heath suspected James wanted to kill Valence more than any other foe for the English knight vexed James Douglas time and again.
Heath retrieved his horse and took one last look at the carnage in the small clearing. They’d accomplished what they set out to and rescued Lillia’s brothers. The killing was warranted and at least meaningful. The lads were safe for now. Although, he realized he’d have to tie five more strings to his boot when he reached home.