Page 23 of Wendy Meets the Highlander Hamish (Scottish Highlander I Never Knew #5)
T he sun was high in the sky, and they were standing on the edge of the loch, just on the other side of the copse of trees debating what they should do.
Wendy was of a mind that one of them needed to stay and watch the bandits while the other went to get the rest of the guards and then ride in like gang busters and decimate the bad guys and free the beautiful white kelpie.
"We cannae just charge down there, love. Too many risks. Our guards are good, aye, but that lot down there is no ordinary band of brigands."
"I get that, but we can't let them keep harming the kelpie. We need to get that iron bridle off of her as soon as possible. She’s not going to survive if it stays on her much longer, I can feel it."
Hamish scratched his beard in contemplation, his mind working through the intricate web of possibilities. "We need a diversion, something to draw their attention away from the captive kelpie. Then, we strike."
Wendy nodded. "Okay, a diversion. But what kind? We don't want to risk the lives of your men." She frowned. “I don’t care what happens to those bandits, but I don’t want to see any of our men killed or injured even.”
Wendy’s attention was drawn to a shadow moving along the shrubbery further down the shore of the loch, making its way toward them.
As the sun moved from behind the clouds, the shadow became more clear, and Wendy realized that it was a man.
And not just any man, but the man who had greeted them on the road to Aine’s home.
“Hamish,” she murmured, drawing his attention to what she was seeing.
Hamish turned and then put a cautioning hand on Wendy’s back. He watched the man approaching them warily.
The man, his long black hair still dripping wet, stepped forward, acknowledging their presence. He stood in silence a few feet from them.
Wendy gave him a gentle smile. “Hello. You’re the kelpie, aren’t you?” she said, keeping her voice low so as not to draw the attention of anyone who might be wandering around the area. The man seemed skittish enough and she didn’t want him more frightened.
The man responded with a nod, acknowledging the truth of her words. "Aye, I am. I appreciate you following me here and to the other camp. I am called Kier." His tone was melodic, almost mesmerizing.
"We want to help you, but I need your word you will not harm us," Hamish said, his grip on the hilt of his sword unwavering as he held onto Wendy at the waist as if trying to keep her from leaving his side.
Kier, with an otherworldly calm, met Hamish's gaze. "You have my word." The solemnity in his voice held a weighted promise in the mystical atmosphere surrounding them.
“I appreciate you finding a way to speak with us, Kier.” Wendy knew from her studies that she should never ever thank a Fae, because they then would take that to mean you owed them something in return, so she’d chosen her words carefully.
I’ve been trying to understand why you would do what you’ve done, and now we know. "
He nodded, but said nothing.
“The white kelpie, is she your mate?” Wendy asked.
"Nae. Tis my beloved sister, Fionnuala. She has a gentle nature. But her gentle nature left her vulnerable to those human men, and while I was hunting deer for us one day, she was captured and dragged away."
Wendy, touched by the sorrow in Kier's tale, offered her sympathy. "That's awful, and we will do whatever we can to help get her free."
“We are trying to make a plan. The leader of those bandits who captured your sister is known to us. We’ve been hunting for him for many months. He’s caused much strife among both our clan and the Campbells, and the Laird is keen on his capture.”
Kier's eyes narrowed as he listened, a flicker of curiosity dancing in his gaze.
“His name is Malcolm MacDonald, and though he shares the name of our kin, he’s been banished from our clan for his treacherous activities.
We are allies of all the Fae, and Malcolm covets power, which is why we removed him from our clan.
As you’ve discovered, he is still trying to gain that power we’ve denied him. ”
“I have seen his cruelty in his treatment of my sister, and others,” Kier acknowledged. “Though he is nae the only malicious and cruel one. Those I attacked; they were of the same ilk. I admit I thought you more of the same when first we met.”
The weight of the revelation hung in the air.
Kier’s gaze bore straight into Wendy’s. “T’was only this lass who spared you and yours from my wrath.
I could see from the moment I caught sight of her that she was different.
As I communed with her, I understood from her feelings for you and yours that you were attacking me because you did not understand my wrath.
My attacking you in such a way would make me no better than you or those who took my sister. ”
Wendy glanced from Kier to Hamish who had wherewithal to look slightly ashamed.
Hamish cleared his throat and said, “I admit we didnae handle our encounters with you well, Kier. We should have realized sooner that something was wrong and not immediately jumped to conclusions.”
Kier gave a nod of acceptance. "I tried to help my sister on my own, which was why I was attacking where I could. However, it seems I cannae rescue Fionnuala alone. The bandits now wear iron armor, and it tis my weakness, as you well know."
“Aye, we are well aware, and I promise I will destroy the bridle, if’n you will stop these attacks against us.”
Kier’s brow furrowed. “As I said, I attacked those who attacked my sister or ally themselves with those who hold her captive.”
Wendy injected, “So the men you killed, they were working with the bandits?”
“Aye, I saw them together. Trading goods, or taking part in their activities.”
“Did you know that?” Wendy asked with a frown, looking at Hamish.
“Nae, lass. We suspected that Malcolm has had help, but we were nae aware of who or where that help was coming from. It seems Kier has seen what we have nae.” Hamish sighed.
“I’ll inform our Chief of what you’ve said and explain everything once this is finished, and I will destroy both the bridle I made and the one on your sister once we free her. ”
“Then I will do what I can to help you free her and once this is over, I promise that we shall return to the loch and cause no more trouble here.”
Hamish nodded. “I know that you want vengeance for what’s happened to your sister, but Malcolm must be brought before the Laird and face the charges that are against him.”
Kier kept quiet for a moment and Wendy held her breath wondering if he was about to disagree, but eventually he nodded and said, “Very well. He faces justice with your Laird.” He turned to leave, but Wendy stopped him.
“Wait, Kier, how will we let you know when we’re ready to act?”
Kier looked over his shoulder at her. “I’ll know. I’ll be nearby.”