Page 3 of The Bells of Triumph (Highlands’ Lost Valley #3)

2

GATHERING FORCES

T he weight of the sword in her hand was as familiar as the sun shining on her face. She welcomed the feeling of it, letting the blade slice through the air with practiced precision. For the first time in a long time, she wasn't training to ease some panicked worry or convince herself that she was contributing to the cause. She was training because she wanted to; because people truly depended on her.

“Like this?” a young man questioned, clumsily holding his weapon.

Flora gave him a gentle smile and repositioned the sword in his grip.

“Try it now,” she suggested.

He did as she asked and within a few seconds, she could already see his confidence growing. Something close to pride bloomed in her chest as she watched him explore movement with the blade. It was an odd thing to consider herself a teacher on par with Errik, Liam or even Chief Rolland. She had spent years admiring them, looking up to them and their skill level. On more than one occasion, she had given them the same look of gratitude that the young man offered her now. The thought had her nodding and then turning away bashfully.

The feeling followed her as she wove through the training field. She recognized nearly every face she passed. She had grown up with many of them. A good many of those now looking to her for guidance were people she once looked up to as a child. Men twice her age and size studied her with awe as she taught them different fighting maneuvers. They headed her orders as though she were some great lady of the clan, rather than the orphaned fighter she was.

“I think they are ready for the next move,” Connor told her, striding towards her with one hand in his pocket and the other on the hilt of his sword.

Just as she did, he studied the crowd, taking note of who needed a bit more help and who was doing well. She was more grateful for his aid than she had let on. While she put up a confident and self-assured air for the sake of the village, she knew she was out of her depth when it came to training an entire army. At least Connor had the benefit of having been properly trained within an army. He had his fair share of experience in training others, too, and he didn't seem too concerned with teaching someone older than he was. Of course, he didn't share her history with the villagers, so it made it a bit easier for him to correct those who needed it.

“Aye,” she answered at last. “I think they are.”

With a nod, Connor called for the attention of the field, creating a makeshift stage in the field with the others circling around him and Flora. She cleared her throat and steadied her nerves, knowing that she needed to speak calmly and clearly.

“I want all of ye to find a partner. Today we will be working on a defense move,” she announced, waiting only long enough for the field to pair off. “We have spent a fair amount of time learning how to attack yer opponent, but it is more important that ye ken how to defend yerself and others. Of course, ye all ken how to protect yer bodies and ward off attacks, but the best way to defend yerself is to disarm yer opponent. Take away his chance at attacking ye, and ye have much better odds in winning the fight.”

They all nodded their heads, taking in every word she said with intense focus. And for good reason. The information she was giving them could be the thing that saved their lives, or the life of a loved one in the not too distant future.

“Face yer opponent and raise yer swords.” She looked to Connor to do as she said, lifting his sword until they clashed in the air in front of their faces. “To disarm him, spin your blade to the right and take a step forward. As ye move, hook yer arm over yer opponent's sword, trapping it under yer arm.”

Flora moved slowly as she demonstrated the move.

“With their sword stuck, take yer sword and press it into their wrist. If the pressure on their hand does nae force them to let go, the edge of yer blade certainly will.”

Connor let go of the hilt, leaving his weapon sticking out from under Flora's arm. She took a quick step back while pulling his sword out to point at him.

“Shall I show ye again?” she suggested after seeing the still confused looks on the faces of the crowds.

Handing Connor his weapon back, she nodded, and their swords met in the air once more. She moved through the motion slowly once, twice, and then sped it up.

“Now ye try,” she commanded.

She waited, allowing them all enough time to practice the move a few times each. Some needed a bit more time, but it was time they couldn't spare.

“Show us in a real fight,” a voice called out from the back of the crowd.

With a cheeky grin, she looked at Connor and cocked an eyebrow.

“Are ye sure that ye are unbothered by the thought of losing yer sword to a woman in front of the entire village?” She teased in a low voice.

He chuckled, loosening his shoulders with a devilish look of his own.

“Who says that I will be the one to lose a sword?”

With that, their fight began. She made sure to move her feet and body through the moves she had already taught the villagers, while throwing in a few others she wanted them still to learn. Connor was a worthy opponent and didn't bother holding back his strength. She took it as a compliment that he fought her as he did any other man.

They danced around each other until her forehead beaded with sweat. Still, her smile remained. Every now and then, she would catch glimpses of the enthralled expressions of those watching. That moment morphed into one beyond learning a survival skill, but of enjoying the show. She was harkened back to the days when she looked up at the great warriors of the Lost Valley as they fought and trained between themselves. She understood now the weight that Rolland had carried for so many years, sharing bits and pieces of it with Liam and Errik, as they worked tirelessly to prepare the next generation of warriors. He had always known the day would come when the clan rose up against Campbell, and it was because of his efforts that she was able to prepare these villagers for the fight that lay ahead of them.

A pang of grief rippled through her, giving the fight a bittersweet taste. Wanting to end it, she sidestepped Connor and moved like lightning through the disarming move she had just taught the crowd. She didn't stop until Connor's own sword was aimed at his head, hers poised at his throat. His chest heaved with the effort it took to catch his breath. A bead of sweat rolled down his neck, gleaming in the afternoon sun. No one moved. No one even seemed to dare to breathe.

“That's my Flora!”

Her uncle's proud voice rang out through the air, dispersing the tension and eliciting cheers from the crowd. The moment broke and Flora stepped away from Connor, lowering her weapons as she went.

“That shows me for taunting ye,” Connor said good-humoredly. “I can only imagine that it goes much the same for Seamus when he tries to do the same.”

She shot Connor a smile and held out his sword.

“Here ye go.”

Connor opened his mouth to say something, but before any words could get out, she turned from him and towards the sound of horses thundering towards them. Her fingers tightened around her sword, already preparing for the worst. It took a split second before she relaxed again, her scowl melting into a smile.

“Go,” Connor urged, standing beside her. “I will finish here and then find ye and Seamus later. Ye can fill me in there.”

She sent Connor a grateful look, amazed at how quickly he had turned into a genuine friend, before she jogged towards the horsemen.

“I hope ye gave him a run for his money,” Liam said by way of greeting as he swung down from his saddle. “I dinnae like to think that Campbell trains his men better than we do.”

She laughed as she threw her arms around the bald old man and squeezed.

“Dinnae fash,” she answered. “I had him disarmed and sweating before too long.”

Liam let out a bark of a laugh as he returned the hug. It was short and friendly, but she knew that they both needed it.

“What are ye doing here so early? The meeting is nae until tonight.”

“I thought it was time I brought the rebels here with me. We can help train and rally the forces. Errik and Iona will join us soon with their own reinforcements. The last thing we need is another sneak attack, letting Campbell weaken us more than he already has.”

She nodded solemnly, any enjoyment she might have gotten from fighting Connor long gone.

“Dinnae look so worried, lass,” Liam chided. “They are watching ye.”

Flora met his eyes that held only fatherly pride and warmth. Taking her strength from him, she squared her shoulders and picked up her head.

“Would ye like to see the village and the progress we have made while the others settle in?” she offered, glancing back to the group of rebels who had ridden with Liam.

“Aye. The men can see to the horses before they go off searching for something to eat and somewhere to sleep,” he answered, half speaking to her and half giving orders.

With a tilt of her head, she and Liam headed off into town, passing the training field as they went.

“They are nowhere near the skill level of Campbell's men, but they can at least hold a sword and protect themselves,” she told Liam quietly as his eyes brushed over the villagers who were still working with Connor.

Liam let out a grunt, but she couldn't tell if it was one of approval or disapproval. She didn't dare ask.

“We have our headquarters set up in the back room of the tavern. Seamus and Connor have reconstructed a map that we have been using to help us plot out our strategy. Meanwhile, those who are nae training are doing what they can to help prepare materials.”

As she spoke, they walked the length of the village, winding up at the door of the blacksmith. The echoes of a hammer slamming into red-hot metal cut her off as they stepped inside the stuffy room.

With his back turned to them, Seamus didn't notice that Flora and Liam had walked inside. She took advantage of his momentary distraction to study his form as he raised his arms over his head only to bring them down, letting the force of the movement mold the sword he was beating into place. His hair, the same color as the flame, crowded the corners of his face, though she didn't need to see it to know he would be wearing a stern and focused expression, his bright blue eyes honed in on his task.

Liam cleared his throat in between swings, cutting into her thoughts and interrupting Seamus's rhythm.

“Ye made it,” Seamus proclaimed as he wiped his damp brow with the back of his arm.

He could hardly be heard over the other two men, who were still furiously working on the swords sprawled out across their awls. Seamus gestured to the door and the trio left the blacksmiths only to be greeted by two familiar young women standing just outside the door.

“Brid! Iona!” Flora cried out in surprise that both girls had appeared. “Is Errik with ye?”

“He is tending to the others, setting them up to help the patrol. He will be along shortly,” Iona answered, her voice tired and soft.

“I saw them arrive and thought I would show her around the village. I did nae ken that ye were here too, Liam,” Brid offered as explanation, moving just as quickly into the old warrior's arms as Flora had.

“I am verra glad to see ye made it safe,” Seamus told Iona, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

He stepped away quickly and then looked at Flora, as though he needed assurance that his greeting was all right with her. Flora's cheeks threatened to turn pink as she recalled the misplaced jealousy she had once held for Seamus' cousin. She had let the other woman's beauty and Seamus' honorable sense of duty cloud her judgment. Seamus hadn't quite let her forget about it, creating an air of awkward tension between the mismatched bunch.

“Have ye gotten the grand tour?” Seamus asked no one in particular, dispelling some of the tension. “I would love to show ye what we have been able to accomplish so far.”

Liam fell into step beside Seamus as the five of them walked through the village once more, this time with Seamus offering explanations along the way.

“A great many men have journeyed here from the surrounding villages. Once word got out about Campbell's attack on the Lost Valley, people started to see our side of things. Flora and Connor have been training them every day. They are mostly farmers and tradesmen, but we still want to give them a fighting chance.”

Liam grunted, having already heard a version of this from Flora.

“Where do ye think that puts our numbers now? If ye arrived with men and Errik brought more, surely we must be putting together quite the army.”

“The numbers dinnae matter if they dinnae have weapons to hold or the knowledge of how to use them,” Liam answered a bit gruffly.

“We've made progress there, too,” Flora chimed in. “Seamus and the blacksmiths have been working on making as many weapons as they can. Those joining us are also showing up with weapons of their own—pitchforks and scythes and daggers. Nae to mention all the horses they have brought. Every barn and pasture is full. We have more than an army, we have a cavalry.”

Liam grunted again, this time a bit more thoughtfully. Seamus continued explaining the progress they had made, his hopes for how things would go, and the beginnings of the plans she and Seamus had started. Flora didn't hear a word of it—she was too busy fretting over what they had all come for. In just a few short hours, they would see who all was on their side, who would stand with them. She desperately hoped that Finn would be among them, but after hearing all Brid and Connor had said on the matter, she doubted he would be.

“What news of Finn and those at Drummond castle?” Liam asked, as though he could hear Flora's train of thought.

He directed the question at Brid and as soon as the name was out, she stiffened. Flora knew that something had been amiss when Connor and Brid had shown up several days ago, long before they were supposed to.

“I am afraid it is nae good news,” she conceded with a sigh.

Flora braced herself for the story she knew was coming. Seamus had insisted on hearing it twice over when Brid had first made it to the village. It had not gotten any easier to hear, and Flora doubted that it would be easy for Liam to hear either.

“I dinnae ken what has gotten into him. When we left the monastery, I was so convinced that he was the only one thinking clearly. Perhaps I did nae give enough credit to all he has endured and the…effects that can have.”

“What do ye mean, 'effects'?” Flora asked, trying to help her tell the full, unadulterated truth. It was what Liam deserved.

“It is difficult to put into words. Almost as soon as we left, it started. He was so erratic and nonsensical. He took us through the woods to get to Drummond castle, but we circled our way there. The entire trip took twice as long as it should have because he was convinced that someone was following us. I dinnae think he slept the entire time. It only got worse once we got to the castle. He insisted on being in charge, but he refused to listen to anything anyone had to say. I questioned him once, and he accused me of being a spy for Campbell, of nae caring for him.”

Brid's voice broke, thick with emotion. Flora didn't hesitate to reach out to Brid, putting her arm around the girl's shoulder in what she hoped was a comforting gesture. Brid looked up at Flora with tears in her eyes and a look that closely resembled guilt.

“I did nae ken what to do. He was aggressive to Connor, threatening him countless times a day. Finn was so convinced something would happen to me, that I would betray him or get hurt, I could nae tell ye which. But when he locked me inside one of the rooms and refused to let me out, I kent that I could nae stay there.” Brid sighed heavily. “Connor and I left that night. He brought me to Errik and then came here to help ye.”

Flora hardly knew how to respond to Brid's story. She was at just as much of a loss as she was the first two times she had heard it. It sounded as though Finn had put Brid through quite an ordeal. Things had to have been worse than even what Brid admitted to. There was very little that would cause her to question her loyalty to her brother, let alone abandon him. And there would be no telling how Finn responded to the betrayal.

“Whatever madness Finn is wrestling with,” Liam said at last, “we must take heart that his purpose remains the same. He wants to see Campbell fall. He is smart enough to ken that he cannae do that on his own. So we will continue to hope that he will attend the meeting and agree to fight alongside us. We must wait and see what the next few hours bring.”

They all nodded, but Flora didn't feel that she could put much stock in Liam's point. If what Brid said was true, and she felt sure it was, then Finn was becoming a loose cannon and would only get harder to predict.

She sent Seamus a knowing look, one that he returned as though he could read her thoughts. But before anyone could say anything else, Errik's booming voice carried through the air, prompting them all to turn, searching for the man and the others he brought with him.