Page 12 of Wendy Meets the Highlander Hamish (Scottish Highlander I Never Knew #5)

“ H amish," Wendy said, her voice resolute, “how long before you finish that bridle?”

“I can give you a week, lass, but nae more. Cam will nae have it.”

Wendy nodded. “Even if I don’t come up with something, I want to go with you to hunt it down. There has to be a better way to handle it. I think that might be why Dub Sith brought me here. He asked me for help, this has to be why, don’t you think?”

Hamish turned to her, frustration in his eyes. “That may be lass, but tis much too dangerous to have you out with us. You saw what it did to me, and I was wearin’ armor. You’ve got nothin’ but your dress. It could kill you and I will nae see that happen.”

“I don’t want it to kill me either, Hamish,” Wendy said archly.

“That’s not the point. Yes it hurt you, but you were trying to hurt it first. I’m not going to do that.

I promise I will wear whatever you want, I’ll put on an entire suit of armor if that’s what it takes, but I want to go and see if I can figure this out.

For the sake of both the clan and the Fae.

I don’t want to see there be a war between us. ”

Hamish sighed, his expression conflicted. "You truly are stubborn, lass. Fine, you can come along, but only if you agree to have Jen or myself train you, and if you wear some armor beneath your dress. I will nae have you at risk.”

A triumphant smile crossed Wendy's face. "I agree, Hamish. I’ll wear whatever you want and I’m a quick learner so whatever you want to teach me, I’ll learn it.”

Hamish nodded, a touch of admiration in his gaze. "Very well, then. We'll start training tomorrow morning at sun rise. Sort out your attire with Jen, she’ll have something suitable for going into battle.”

Wendy's eyes sparkled with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to help, and I'll follow your lead."

The next morning, as the sun rose and painted the practice grounds with a warm, golden hue, Wendy arrived to meet Hamish. He was already waiting, his tall and powerful form an imposing figure against the backdrop of the training area.

After leaving Hamish yesterday afternoon she’d gone looking for Jen who had fitted her out with one of her own outfits for training and fighting.

It was a dark colored quilted top with metal plates sewn between the layers of fabric.

It fit like one of the martial arts tops from the twenty-first century, crossing over and tying at the sides.

There was a belt as well, that a sword’s sheath could be added to.

Instead of a skirt she now wore wide legged, dark pants and a pair of sturdy boots.

In a way, she felt like a ninja without the hood.

Wendy kind of liked it and hoped she could have a set of her own made by Bridie.

As Wendy approached, her eyes fell on the two gleaming daggers he held out to her.

The first was a small iron dagger, finely crafted and so sharp she could probably cut a coconut with it easily.

The other was a steel dagger, gleaming like a river in the sunlight.

She accepted them with a sense of awe, their weight feeling strange yet oddly comforting in her grasp.

"Thank you, Hamish, these are really nice," she said as she studied them.

Hamish smiled, a rare warmth in his eyes. “You’re welcome, lass. I forged them myself just for you.”

“You made them especially for me? When?”

“Aye, I started them shortly after you arrived here, an’ planned to gift them to you at some point. But seeing as you want to go hunting with me an’ my brothers, I felt you should have them now and we can train with them.”

“Hamish, that is so sweet, I don’t know what to say,” Wendy replied feeling at a loss for words, which was rare for her.

“Say you will use them well, lass.” Hamish grinned. “Come, let us get started.”

Hamish began by showing her how to properly hold the weapons and how to wield them.

At first, she fumbled, her movements awkward and uncertain, but Hamish's patient and firm hand steadied her.

He showed her the proper grips, the stance, and the fluid motions required to defend herself against a foe.

Under Hamish's watchful eye, Wendy's determination pushed her forward. With each pass, her movements grew more confident and graceful. She could feel the daggers becoming an extension of herself, an extra limb meant for protection.

The hours passed in a blur, the warm sun climbing higher in the sky. Wendy, now perspiring and breathless, felt a sense of accomplishment. She could see the satisfaction in Hamish's eyes, a spark of pride for his diligent student.

As the day drew to a close, Hamish clapped her on the back. "You've done well today, lass. You've got potential."

Wendy beamed, feeling a new sense of confidence and readiness to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Her training had only just begun, but she was determined to become a force to be reckoned with, for her own protection and for the task of dealing with the elusive and dangerous kelpies.

The morning of their departure finally arrived with a soft, misty light, and the world still shrouded in the calm of the early hours.

In the castle's courtyard, Hamish, his brothers, and Wendy busied themselves with preparations for the journey.

Provisions were meticulously sorted and packed into saddlebags, ensuring that they would have what they needed for their venture.

“Are you ready, lass?” Hamish asked as they each mounted their horses.

Wendy nodded. “Where should I ride? I mean what order are we going in?”

“Stay behind Hamish, and I’ll watch your back,” Artair replied. “Crisdean will take up the rear.”

“Aye, that’ll do,” Hamish said as he headed out of the gate.

Wendy pulled her horse into line behind him, with Artair following her and Crisdean just behind him.

They rode down the hill and past the small village.

The horses' hooves clattered on the dirt road as they ventured into the rolling hills that led past Loch Ballygrant, toward the town of the same name. As they rode, she couldn’t help but marvel at the landscape.

The wild lush beauty of Scotland was one to behold.

The surroundings were unlike anything she had ever experienced, a world apart from the modernity of her previous life.

The sights, sounds, and scents of this ancient land washed over her, and she felt a deep connection to the landscape she was now a part of.

The journey was an adventure into the unknown, a path that would lead her closer to confronting the elusive and dangerous kelpies.

They reached Ballygrant and Hamish suggested they take a break to eat and have a drink.

With everyone in agreement, they headed for the tavern.

As they dismounted and went inside, Wendy noticed it was a haven of warmth and laughter.

She was struck by the lively atmosphere.

Wooden beams overhead, adorned with dried herbs and colorful flowers, gave the room a rustic charm.

The hearth blazed with a comforting fire, casting a flickering glow that danced upon the stone walls.

A jumble of mismatched tables and chairs filled the space, and a collection of patrons, their voices filled with laughter and songs, populated each nook and cranny as they ate their morning meal.

They found a table by the roaring hearth, and soon a young woman who said her name was Katy, arrived to take their orders.

She had a flirtatious nature, which was evident in the twinkle of her eyes and the sultry lilt in her voice.

As she took their orders, she engaged in a playful banter with Hamish, her smile mischievous and her glances laden with innuendo.

Wendy sat there, her heart heavy, unable to hide the pangs of jealousy that swelled within her.

It seemed irrational, considering the limited connection she and Hamish had shared—a single stolen kiss and some hand holding.

However, seeing him respond to Katy's teasing advances stirred something within her.

She was caught in a whirlwind of longing, confusion, and straight up envy.

The tavern served hearty dishes, and their table was soon laden with a feast that would sate even the heartiest of appetites.

Plates of seafood stew, steaming with the rich aroma of herbs and spices, were set before them.

Freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven, was accompanied by creamy butter.

The roasted potatoes glistened with butter and herbs, and a platter of cheese and fruit added a touch of sweetness to the meal.

As the four of them dug into their respective dishes, Wendy said, "I've been doing some more reading in the evenings and I found out more about kelpies in one of the books in your library.”

Hamish looked up, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Aye, lass, did you now? T’was there anythin’ that might help us to send them back to the Fae world?”

"Well, I don’t know if we can do that, but I did find that kelpies are shape-shifters of great intelligence and well, unfortunately cruelty. They have a penchant for mischief, though that mischief often turns deadly when they seek their favorite prey—humans."

“Aye, we’ve heard that as well, lass, tis nothing new I’m afraid,” Artair said from across the table.

“An’ I’m not so sure that will be of help to us,” Crisdean added.

“Go on, lass, I’m sure you’ve got a point,” Hamish encouraged.

"I do, and yes I know you probably know all of this having grown up around the Fae, but some of it is new to me. Kelpies weren’t my main topic for my book, so I didn’t do a lot of research into them before coming here, which was why I was glad to have found this book in your library.

Anyway, it said they can take on many forms, often a magnificent horse," Wendy explained. "Which again, we’re already aware of since it attacked you in that form, but some tales speak of them assuming a human guise as well.”