Chapter Eighteen #2
Loki had worked his magic on the men near the boats, who had begun to argue and grab the backs of their heads.
Braden moved close to Maggie and helped Cairstine dismount.
“I’m leaving you behind in this small group of trees,” he said to her, stroking her back.
“You’ll be safe. Maggie and I will stay on our horses, the others will fight on foot.
When we grab the bairns, we’ll bring them back to you.
Just keep them hidden and safe until this is over. ”
She nodded, wringing her hands as she watched the activity by the loch. He understood how difficult it was for her to stay put and not go chasing after Steenie.
His cousins let their famous Grant war whoop loose, and chaos descended as they dismounted and went after the four bastards who’d smuggled the children.
All of them were now on foot. He glanced at Cairstine one more time, the trust and hope in her gaze humbling him, then flicked the reins of his horse and flew into the middle of the clearing.
The first thing he noticed was a wee lassie running in circles, so he headed straight for her, but she was too low to the ground for him to reach her.
Then he saw Kenzie running toward him with a lass in his arms. “Here,” he yelled. “Hand the lassie up to me.”
Kenzie helped both lassies get settled on the horse.
“This way,” Braden said to him. “Run on this side of my horse so the archers won’t catch you.
” He turned his horse back toward the trees while Kenzie raced along next to him.
Once he was out of range, he handed the two lassies to Cairstine and spoke to Kenzie.
“Help her, lad. Maggie is bringing more.” Then he turned back and headed toward the loch again once he noticed an older woman running with more bairns around her.
He saw Steenie at the same time Cairstine’s scream carried to him. A man was running behind the lad, his sword arched over his head.
“Circle, Braden!” Gavin’s instructions gave him exactly the information he needed, telling him how to approach and leave a shot for the archer.
He headed toward Steenie, who’d finally noticed him, and yelled, “Arms up, Steenie.” Fortunately, the wee laddie understood him.
He stuck both hands into the air and Braden leaned over and grabbed him by the waist. He feared he was going to lose him, but he said, “Grab my neck, Steenie.” Then he circled around the attacker while Steenie grappled for balance on the horse.
A second later an arrow sluiced through the air and caught the fool now in front of them square in the neck.
Steenie clutched him so tightly he had to say, “Let go, lad. I need to breathe.” The look of relief on the lad’s face released a knot of tension in his chest. The wee laddie was away from the kidnappers, and he’d soon be safe with his mama.
Aside from Steenie loosening his grip, Braden could breathe again knowing that he’d fulfilled his promises to Cairstine.
He’d show her he was a man of his word time and time again, starting with his latest vow to get to know her better once this war was over.
Braden headed to the trees and dropped Steenie into Cairstine’s waiting arms.
“Mama! You’re safe,” Steenie said as she grabbed him and hugged him tight.
Braden’s chest puffed out as he watched the two together. Cairstine glanced his way, such gratitude in her eyes that he was humbled.
But he couldn’t wait any longer, so he swung back around. They really had no idea how many bairns were there. The number of enemies still swinging their swords was down from nine to five, though two had decided to give up and fled back to their boat.
Braden saw Maggie grab one of the small lassies, but he noticed one of the older ones was spinning around in a panic of confusion, gripping a young girl in her arms. It was obvious she didn’t know where to run or who to trust. He shouted, “Hand her to me.” The girl, crying furiously, held the wee lass up so Braden could grab her.
Then he slowed, “Give me your hand and you can climb on behind me.”
The lass stopped crying and let out a piercing scream unlike anything he’d ever heard before. Braden had no idea how to calm her. Then Cairstine’s voice carried across the distance to him and the girl. “Edith, trust him.”
Hell, but Cairstine knew the lass?
Edith must have recognized Cairstine, too, because she offered her hand to Braden and he tugged her up high enough that she could slide her leg over the horse behind him. Once she was steady, he led his horse away from the few battling men and over to the trees.
Once he set her feet on the ground, Edith, still in a panic, screamed, “Eva, where are you?”
Cairstine stepped out and said, “Here, Edith. She must be here.” She pointed to the three lassies behind her, all of them now sobbing.
Edith shot over to the group, picking up her sister and holding her tight, sobbing uncontrollably. Then she turned to Cairstine and looked at her, but there was no recognition in her eyes.
“Edith,” she said, “I’m Cairstine…your cousin.”