Chapter Seven
Mounted in front of the entire Ross army, flanked by the other leads and just behind their laird, Hendry couldn’t keep from admiring the perfectly lined up warriors, archers, and guardsmen.
Every face was taut with expectation. Across their backs and on their hips, weapons capable of bringing death to the enemy. There was little doubt that the cowards they sought would be captured.
From where he was, to the laird’s left, he caught sight of Alexander’s set jaw as his keen gaze traveled over his men.
He’d known Alexander and his brothers since they were all lads.
They’d played in the forest whilst their mothers traveled between their homes visiting.
It seemed now those peaceful happy times as a child where he’d mostly known safety were fleeting.
He also now understood that the reason he’d felt secure was because of the sacrifices of men like him. Warriors.
“Remain vigilant,” Alexander called out upon finishing his speech. As always, he spoke in a way that made the men sit straighter, shoulders squared, knowing they make their laird proud.
The warriors broke apart into ten teams. Each team consisting of twenty warriors, six archers, and two scouts.
Hendry guided his horse forward planning to go to his team but stopped at Alexander holding an arm out to stop him.
The laird’s emerald green gaze was direct, no hint of what the man was to say. “It will be upon ye to decide their punishment. Ye have time to consider it as ye go with yer men.”
Usually punishment was dealt by the laird, but Hendry understood that after being close to death, Alexander would grant him this. Despite all they’d done, and having taken lives in battle, deciding a man’s final fate beforehand was not easy task.
However did Alexander do it, when required? Making such a decision weighed heavily on a man.
Hendry nodded. “Thank ye Laird.”
“Dinnae thank me. The decision could be a burden.”
“I am aware,” Hendry replied, leaning over to place his hand on Alexander’s shoulder. “Nonetheless, I do appreciate yer confidence in me.”
At midday, Hendry and his men dismounted near a babbling creek, the sound of the water moving through the rocks too tempting to pass by. They led their thirsty horses to the water’s edge, and the men drank alongside their mounts.
Some men sat on the ground, others lay flat resting their backs, still others wandered the forest intent on finding any sign of those they sought.
Hendry and his men were about to mount when the unmistakable sounds of horses approaching got everyone’s attention. It was Liam and a few of his men, riding toward them at a leisurely pace.
It wasn’t like his friend to break away from his group and even rarer still for his approach to be so casual.
Upon arriving, Liam and his companions dismounted. Like Hendry and his men they took their mounts to the creek’s edge. One of them took Liam’s horse as the archer walked to Hendry, pulling him aside.
“We’ve got yer men. I am sure of it. They are just as ye described. One of them still has yer leather purse, the one with yer initials on it.” Liam blew air through his nose. “The bastards had the nerve to say we could nae prove it. They believe ye dead.”
It took effort to force a smile as Hendry patted his friend’s shoulder. “Yer men are to be commended.”
Liam’s shoulder lifted and lowered. “’Tis the scouts who do most of the work. The rest of us do the battling and the killing.”
At the statement, Hendry had to laugh. “True, vera true.” He looked toward the road. “Where are they?”
“Being brought. We rode ahead to find ye. Already one of my men has turned back to tell them ye and yers are here.”
Despite the fact that everyone, including Ailith, would be safer, Hendry didn’t look forward to dealing out their sentence.
If it was the right ones Liam’s men had captured, and he was sure they had, then he’d have to make a very hard decision. Not only give sentence but be witness to his orders being followed.
“Something weighs heavy on yer mind?” Liam asked, his keen gaze meeting Hendry’s. “What is it?”
He had to swallow past the dryness in his throat. “Alexander has decreed that I am to decide on the punishment for them.”
Liam’s eyes widened and shook his head seeming to understand how Hendry must feel. “Have ye thought on it?”
“I have thought of little else,” Hendry replied. “Their death will make the families of their victims feel vindicated, for that I am glad.”
The screech of an owl sounded in the nearby trees. The piercing sound declaring it had found its prey. It was almost as if nature sent a message. Every living being must live according to a code. When the balance was offset, there was a price to pay.
It wasn’t long before Liam’s men crested the hill and rode toward where Hendry and his men were.
Liam turned to him. “I have every reason to think this is them. They tried to escape upon seeing us, throwing items into thickets. I ordered my men to look for whatever they tried to get rid of. I expect it to be items that will tie them to the attacks.”
The trio were bound to saddles on very tired and gaunt horses. They’d obviously not been cared for. Despite the men’s bloody noses and split lips, Hendry felt worse for the horses.
It was obvious by their open mouths and wide eyes that they’d never expected to see him alive. Much less standing before them as they were yanked from the horses and made to kneel before him.
“Is this them?” Liam asked loudly as their men formed a circle and looked on.
One by one, he met each of the men’s gazes, noting no sign of remorse. Instead they sneered as if daring him to say something against them.
“Aye,” Hendry replied loudly.
“See that the mounts are watered before ye head to the keep,” Liam called out and met Hendry’s gaze as the horses with their prisoners were taken toward the creek.
“I will send men to inform the relatives of those harmed. They will wish to be there to see the trio punished.” His friend hesitated for a moment. “Take time to yerself. Alexander will expect a decision upon yer return.”
“I am going to fetch Tobin. The ride will give me time alone to think,” Henry said, looking toward the creek where the gaunt horses drank their fill. “Their horses will benefit from all this. One can tell if a man is honorable by the way they treat their animals. There is no honor in any of them.”
Teller’s happy barks made Ailith smile. Since Tobin’s arrival, the dog and young man had formed a bond. From the garden, she saw Tobin running in circles, holding a stick, with Teller chasing him. When he threw the stick, her dog dashed after it and returned, dropping at Tobin’s feet.
It was obvious the young man had a heart for dogs, and Ailith wondered if he had one of his own. She imagined life at the keep provided little rest, but at the same time a dog would be a relief from the doldrums of each day.
Both Tobin and Teller walked to the rain troth, and she watched as he dipped the dog’s bowl into the water and placed it on the ground, before dipping the cup that hung from twine taking some for himself.
“I will miss him,” Tobin said softly, reaching down to scratch behind Teller’s ears. The dog leaned into the touch, tongue lolling in bliss. “I best go walk about and ensure all is well.”
“Be with care,” Ailith stated. “I best go inside then.”
Tobin gave a crooked smile and tilted his head toward the road. “I will, but ye can remain outside. And as fate would have it, here comes my master himself.”
Her stomach gave a traitorous flip. She turned to see a rider approaching, the thud of hooves rhythmic and steady. Before she could speak, Teller took off in a flurry of excited barks, tearing across the path and nipping at the horse’s legs with wild abandon.
“Teller!” Ailith called, her voice sharp. The rider pulled his mount to a halt and dismounted in one fluid motion.
Then something changed.
The dog’s stance softened, hackles lowering as he sniffed the man’s boots and cloak. Within seconds, Teller’s tail was wagging furiously, and he was circling Hendry like an old friend returned from war.
“Traitor,” Ailith muttered beneath her breath.
Tobin chuckled, a low, warm sound. “Yer dog’s becoming friendlier. He’ll be wanting belly rubs from the next intruder that crosses yer path. I fear that may be my fault.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “He’ll snap back into guardian mode once ye and Hendry leave. I’ve always believed dogs can sense cruelty and those who carry none.”
Then Hendry stepped fully into view, and her breath caught. Dressed in worn leather and thick wool, his hooded cloak dusted with road and wind looking every bit an intimidating warrior. The sword strapped across his back spoke of danger; the shadows in his hazel eyes, of things he’d seen and done.
Ailith swallowed, unsure of the fluttering in her chest. It seemed more a foreboding sense that she was about to tread dangerous waters.
Hendry neared greeting Ailith with a slight nod. “Ailith, how fare ye?”
“I am well,” she replied automatically, looking him over for any sign of pain or distress. It seemed that in just a few short days, he’d made almost a complete recovery by the smooth way he moved and walked.
“Tobin, ye are free to return to the keep. Ensure to bathe and get rest. Ye can return to yer duties the day after tomorrow.”
The squire turned to Ailith. “Be with care.”
“Ye as well,” Ailith replied, watching as Tobin hurried away, Teller racing after him with a stick in his mouth.
“Teller will be disappointed at losing the attention Tobin gave him,” Ailith said, a hint of sadness slipping into her tone.
Of course the young lad would be glad to return to his own bed and not sleep in the cold every night. Still, she was selfish in having enjoyed the company and sense of security at night.
“The men have been captured. There is nae need for ye to be worried that they will return here.”