Page 5 of The Bells of Triumph (Highlands’ Lost Valley #3)

4

BATTLE PLANS AND brAVE HEARTS

T he aftermath of the meeting was what could only be described as organized chaos. Seamus' impressive speech had lit a fire inside of everyone close enough to hear it. Everyone wanted to do their part to help.

Inundated with volunteers, Flora and Errik took on the task of organizing the warriors. Together, they picked out the leaders and created smaller groups of men, each being given their own specific set of orders. Half of the groups would report to Errik while the other half reported to Liam, but they all considered themselves to be a part of Seamus' army.

“Rolland would be proud,” Flora remarked as she wrote another man's name down on the ledger.

“Huh?” Errik asked, not having heard her over the volume of the tavern.

“Rolland,” she repeated. “He would be proud. To see so many rise against Campbell, to see the Murray Clan united again. This was all he ever wanted for us.”

Her words caused Errik to pause his efforts and turn his head in Flora's direction.

“Aye,” he answered gruffly. “Aye, he would be proud. Verra proud, indeed. Ye both have much to be proud of. Rolland always kent that he would never be the man to lead the clan. He kent someone else was going to have to come along. And he kent that someone was Seamus. Ye two have done a fantastic job of making this happen.”

She looked across the tavern to the window. Just outside it, Seamus and Liam were working in tandem to equip each of the men who had volunteered to fight. Distributing horses and weapons alike, Flora watched for a moment, amazed to find that Seamus seemed wholly unaware and unfazed by all the adoring eyes on him. Though she knew he felt the weight of what they were doing, she doubted it had occurred to him just how much these people respected him, valued him as a leader.

“Mairi Kerr.”

Flora blinked, refocusing on her task at hand.

“I'm afraid I dinnae understand yer meaning.”

“Mairi Kerr,” her cousin repeated as though that explained everything to Errik.

“I ken who ye are. What is it that ye are doing at the warrior's table?”

“I want to fight.”

Flora blinked in shock at her cousin's claim.

“Mairi,” she questioned, “what are ye doing?”

“I want to help,” Mairi answered. “We all do.”

With a gesture sweeping behind her, Flora noticed the sizable gathering of women who stood with Mairi, nodding.

“These are our homes too. Our lands, our families, ye are defending. We want to do our part.”

Errik looked at her wearing a face that shouted “good luck” before he turned back to the rest of the men still waiting to sign up.

Flora stuttered and stammered for a moment, horrified at the thought of any one of them getting hurt on the battlefield.

“Nae all of us wish to carry a weapon and ride into battle. There are some who wish to travel with ye to be healers and cooks and do whatever else might need to be done. We are happy to be an extra set of hands and legs if that is all ye need. But we demand to be put to work,” Mairi continued on with great passion.

Flora looked at her cousin, dumbfounded at the request—no, demand. Mairi had never been the one to go looking for a fight, let alone go against anything her parents might want, and going to war was undoubtedly against their wishes. But Flora couldn't deny her cousin this. Nor could she deny it to any of the other women. She knew what it felt like to be kept on the sidelines, watching helplessly as the people you love are slaughtered. She had felt the desperation that demanded she join in on the fight; it was what prompted her to leave her uncle's house all those years ago.

“Flora?” Mairi prompted, as though she could sense Flora's hesitation.

With a deep breath, Flora let out a singular, “Aye.”

She cleared her throat, pushing the wave of emotion down, and looked the rest of the women in the eye.

“Aye. Of course, ye all are more than welcome to join our ranks. Those who wish to fight, give Errik yer name, and then we will go outside to see ye fitted for battle. Ye will be expected to train along with the rest of the men from here on out. In fact, ye might get a few extra lessons since ye will have to catch up on things. As for the healers, Brid will be in charge. Ye will be stationed in Glenkirk Castle as soon as we have overtaken it. In the meantime, gather yer supplies and prepare yerselves as best as ye can.”

The words had barely left her mouth before the women scurried to do just as she said. Errik dutifully took down their names without a moment's hesitation. She guessed he had gotten so accustomed to her fighting that he didn't blink an eye at the others wanting to join in.

As soon as they were all listed, Flora led them to the barn outside, where Seamus had been storing all the weapons they had been making and collecting. He stood outside, watching her with curious eyes as her group of women followed her.

“See that each of these lasses has something sharp,” she told him, loud and proud, trying not to let it show that she was truly worried about them. “They want to do their part in defending their families and homes.”

Seamus arched an eyebrow, giving her a wide grin, before he turned his attention back to the others.

“Right this way,” he said with a dramatic bow, throwing his arm behind him.

Flora swallowed a laugh, amazed that even at a time like this, he had been able to find the humor in things. He always seemed to know just how to lighten her mood.

“I wish to help too.”

Flora spun around, her heart hammering from the sudden voice behind her.

“Iona,” she said a bit breathlessly. “I did nae hear ye approach. Ye frightened me.”

The girl gave her a sheepish look of apology.

“Sorry. I just saw what ye were doing with the others, and I did nae wish to be left out of things. I ken that this is nae my clan, but Seamus is my cousin. He has been so gracious in having me, in trying to protect me. I want to return his kindness. I want to repay my debt.”

With a look of determination, of a mind made up, Iona looked so much like Seamus that Flora had to blink. Of course, Iona had rich brown hair and matching eyes, unlike Seamus' bright red hair and sky-blue eyes. But the gentle uplift of the corners of their eyes, a bottom lip that was a bit fuller than the top, and the nose that came to a strong point at the end all looked the exact same.

“Och, Iona, ye must ken that we dinnae consider it a debt at all. Ye are kin; some of the only kin he has left. It would be a greater kindness for ye to stay here, out of the way. It would be one less thing for Seamus to worry about.”

It was unfair to say, Flora knew. But the truth was so often unfair. Just as she knew that Seamus would go to nearly any lengths to keep his cousin safe. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Iona was nearly all he had left in the way of family. It would be the greatest test of Seamus' ability to focus during the fight if he knew Iona was there as well.

“He may nae consider it a debt, but I do. I cannae sit by and do nothing when everyone else here is helping in some way. I must be useful.”

Flora sighed, knowing there would be no talking her out of this. But perhaps she could try to keep her out of the fight, at the very least.

“If ye insist,” Flora hedged, “then we could use yer help in the castle. There are bound to be countless wounds that will need tending. Would ye be willing to be with Brid there?”

Iona's entire face lit up in delight.

“Aye! That would be wonderful. I promise I will nae let ye down.”

“There is a group of other women who will be stationed in the castle once we take it. I last saw them in the tavern, making a plan to gather supplies. Ye might see if they need yer help with anything.”

“I will! Thank ye!”

Flora didn't have the chance to say anything more before Iona was flouncing through the village in search of the women she had mentioned, a renewed spring in her step. Flora couldn't help but think of how different life felt when one had a purpose. As horrible as this war was, she knew it had given so many a new purpose, a new chance to do something helpful.

For a moment, Flora stood in the middle of the village, watching everyone buzz around town, everyone doing their part to prepare for what the coming days would bring. They all carried the same renewed sense of purpose that she had seen in Iona. After decades of sitting under tyrannical rule, of being afraid to have their own thoughts and goals and dreams, unable to do so much as farm their land without being taxed to poverty, it was clear to see how much they were ready for change. Campbell had taken his toll on everyone, perhaps more than even Flora knew. The realization pushed her to move once more, leaving her spot in the center of the village, and to go off in search of Connor and Brid.

They weren't hard to find, having taken up space on the training field with the handful of others who had volunteered to go to Glenkirk and were about to leave. From the looks of it, she had stumbled onto what was turning into quite the argument between Connor and Brid.

“Ye cannae go back! Ye just left. They will hang ye if ye are caught.”

Flora's eyes went wide at Brid's dramatic and passionate plea.

“Brid, I am nae some green warrior doing the most dangerous thing I can think of merely to make a name for myself. I ken what I am doing.”

“What are ye talking about?” Flora asked, having come close enough to see just how distressed Brid was.

“Tell her,” Brid demanded, crossing her arms over her chest angrily.

Connor sighed as he scrubbed a hand over his face, as though he was exhausted by the conversation already.

“We are trying to plan just how we will infiltrate Murray Village or Campbell Village as that tyrant calls it. We cannae simply show up, the five of us, and expect for things to go well. We need guards stationed there, some of Campbell's men, who are on our side.”

“And ye think ye can find these men?” she asked, surprised at the idea.

“Aye. I ken that I can. When I left, there was some unrest in the castle, men who wanted to abandon Campbell altogether, but did nae ken how. They did nae ken where to turn to.”

“He wants to sneak back into Murray Castle, Flora!” Brid interrupted, her voice strained. “He wants to go to the guard's tower by himself and convince those who wish to leave to go with him.”

“Ye make it sound like it is sure death.”

“Is it nae? Then why can I nae come with ye?”

“It is nae dangerous for me. I ken what I am doing and where I would be going. Ye would have nay idea. They would spot ye in a heartbeat.”

Flora was shocked to see moisture gathering in Brid's eyes. It was becoming more and more clear to Flora just how much these two cared about each other. They both wanted to keep the other safe above all else, even in the midst of war. Flora would have never expected this from Brid, especially considering just how hostile she had been towards Seamus and Connor when they had first arrived.

“Ye are being unreasonable,” Brid cried in outrage. “Ye admit that it is dangerous for me, but claim ye will be fine. It what world does that make any sense?”

“What is dangerous?” Seamus asked, interjecting himself into things as he walked up behind Flora and put his hand on her back.

“Connor thinks they need to turn some of Campbell's men and have them stationed in Campbell Village to make our invasion easier,” Flora explained, removing the emotion from the situation. “He wants to go back to Murray Castle to do just that and then go to the village.”

Seamus nodded seriously before offering his hand out for Connor to shake.

“If ye think that is what is necessary, then I dare say it is. Take every precaution and nay needless risks. I would rather have ye fighting on our side than a dozen of Campbell's men.”

“What?” Brid screeched. “Ye are going to let the man ye claim is yer brother walk into such dangerous territory? When ye cannae say for yerself for certain that it is worth the effort?”

Flora opened her mouth to say something to soothe Brid's worried, but Seamus beat her to it.

“I did nae say that I do so easily, Brid. But ye must remember—this is war. We will all have to take risks to try to gain the victory over Campbell. And the thing about risks, is that there is never any certainty involved. If I had it my way, I would seek out Campbell and kill him myself without ever needing to get any of ye involved. But wars are nae won that way, at least this one will nae be. So aye, I trust that Connor understands what must be done to free this clan from Campbell. And having trained with him my entire life, I trust that he is more than capable of carrying out the task.”

“But…” she stammered a bit weakly, Seamus' speech taking the fight out of her words, leaving her with only her fear.

“Dinnae think for one second that it will be an easy thing for me to do,” he continued. “I will worry about ye both every minute that ye are out of my sight, as will Flora. But I will nae allow my fear of death stop me from living, or those around me from doing what they feel they must.”

Brid opened her mouth and snapped it shut again, her mind clearly occupied with mulling over everything Seamus had said. After another minute, she simply sighed and looked at Connor. With a nod, she signaled that she was ready.

“Will ye see us off then?” Connor asked as he started to walk towards their already saddled horses.

Seamus nodded, and the two men sauntered down the hill, their heads bowed as they started to discuss their plans. Flora turned to Brid and gestured after them.

“Shall we?”

“Before we go,” Brid jumped in, stopping Flora with a hand on her arm. “I-I wanted to apologize.”

“Whatever for?”

“The way that I treated Seamus and then ye in the Lost Valley. I should nae have been so harsh, so judgmental. I ken ye well enough to ken that ye were worth the benefit of the doubt, and I did nae offer ye even that. I was so blinded by my hatred of all things Murray that I did nae stop to really get to ken who Seamus was. And then I let that hate seep into how I saw ye. I was so angry with ye for?—”

“Brid,” Flora interupted. “Ye dinnae need to apologize.”

“But I do. I could nae understand how ye could fall for a Murray but now?—”

“But now we understand each other much better, aye?”

Flora looked over to where Seamus was waiting with Connor, still both engrossed in their conversation.

“We have all come such a long way from then. It is hard to imagine life before they came into the picture.”

She looked back at Brid, giving the girl a knowing look that made Brid blush. It was a sight that made Flora smile. Brid looked good with some color in her face and life in her eyes. And she was grateful for the man who had put it there. Throwing an arm around Brid's shoulders, the two walked down to meet their partners.

“We will all meet again soon,” Seamus said, as though it was a demand rather than a hope.

Flora engulfed Brid in a hug, holding her tightly.

“Be safe,” she whispered, unable to keep the emotion out of those two words.

When Brid pulled back, Flora turned to Connor and gave him a hug as well. Only this time, she whispered, “Keep her safe.”

“With everything inside of me,” he promised.

And then they were off, the rest of their group trailing behind them, every single rider determined to make the trip worthwhile.

“The next time we see them, Glenkirk will be under our control, and we will be one step closer to defeating Campbell,” Seamus told her as he tucked her into his side.

She nestled herself in, needing his closeness, needing his comfort. Turning her face into his chest, she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. For a moment, she could stop thinking about the war. She stopped planning and strategizing. For only a moment, she wasn't a fighter or a warrior or an archer. She was merely a woman clinging to her husband, letting his scent and the sound of his heartbeat wash away the stress of the day.

Her shoulders relaxed as the tension there dissipated. Only then did she pick her head up to look at Seamus.

“I could nae be more proud of ye, ye ken,” she told him, her hands still wrapped around his waist.

“Me? Why?”

She scoffed at his modesty, knowing there was nothing false about it.

“Ye say that as though ye did nae accomplish something great today.”

“Remind me,” he answered with a cheeky grin.

She couldn't help but smile back at him while she recounted the day.

“Ye stood in front of who kens how many men and women, who until recently verra likely hated ye, and ye inspired them. Ye gave them purpose, a chance to protect their homes, their freedoms once more. Ye showed them what a true leader looks like—something many of them have nae seen in years. This is yer destiny, Seamus. I have never been more certain of anything in my life. Ye were born to do this.”

“Ye give me too much credit, love. I could nae do it alone, certainly nae without ye.”

“Well, I hope ye ken that ye are nae alone. All of those men made a pledge to ye today, they made a vow that ye would nae be alone in this fight. If ye would allow me to, I would like to remind ye that I have also made a vow to ye.”

She tilted her head back, her gray eyes locked with his bright blue ones. She wanted him to hear just how much she meant what she was saying.

“When we married, I vowed to be yer wife nay matter the circumstances. I vowed to stand by yer side come what may. That vow includes my sword. I will fight beside ye, I will guard yer back, I will cover ye with my arrows. I will do whatever it takes to see that ye are safe, that we come through this fight together, in one piece.”

Seamus' only response was to bend his head and kiss her for a good long while. Her toes tingled, and her stomach flipped as she held on tight and let him show her all the things he felt but couldn't put into words. When he pulled back, her face was flushed and warm, but still wore a loving smile.

“Today went better than I expected, I must admit,” he said at last, his chin resting on the top of her head, neither of them ready to let go of the other just yet.

“Aye. More people attended than I had dared to hope. I am still so sorely disappointed that Finn did nae come. I wish he and Brid would have been able to work things out before the fighting begins.”

“Nae to mention, we could use the support of his men. Every sword counts, and those are skilled fighters. They could have made quite the difference.”

Flora sighed heavily.

“I ken that he is important to ye,” Seamus told her, with an edge to his words. “But I am done trying to prove myself to him. He is so convinced that I am tainted with my father's blood, that I am a coward by nature. I have spent countless hours trying to get him to think differently. I went after him in Murray Castle in the hopes that I would be able to win him over. But it is clear now, there is nothing I can do to change his mind. I will nae try anymore.”

“What are ye saying?” Flora questioned, her brows furrowed.

“I am saying,” he pressed a kiss to her forehead, softening his tone as he went, “that we will simply have to carry on. These are the cards that have been dealt to us. We will win this battle and take down Campbell once and for all, with or without Finn's help. But I will nae hold my breath for him any longer.”

Flora loosed a deep breath and settled back into Seamus' arms.

“Nay. Nay, we cannae.”