Page 34 of A Flawed Scotsman

“An alliance with ye means falling under yer rule,” her father pronounced. “I have an alliance with the other Clans Fraser. I have no need for more. I ask ye one last time. Leave us in peace. There is no need for strife.”

The Mackenzie did not look away from her father, sending a trickle of fear through Esme. Keithen angled his horse to move in front of his father, protecting him from the guards who flanked the other laird.

The Mackenzie threw his head back and laughed. It was without mirth, more maniacal than joyful. “Everyone needs allies. Ye more than anyone who is surrounded by my allies must realize it. What of yer people? Do ye not care they are in constant danger?”

They’d met on semi-neutral territory, on lands between the two clans. Laird Fraser arrived with a guard contingency of fifty. And as if showcasing how much larger and stronger he was, the Mackenzie had traveled with at least a hundred men.

Her father was first to turn away, guiding his horse back toward their home. Esme itched to ride alongside him. She threw glances toward him and her brother as they spoke. It was then she caught a strange interchange between Laird Mackenzie and Calum. The laird nodded at Calum, who glanced first toward where her father was and then returned the gesture.

It was also noticeable that the constable did not hurry to ride alongside Keithen or her father as he always managed to do.

She waited for him to catch up and gave Calum a worried look. “I fear we will all be killed. Father would rather go to war than fall under Mackenzie rule.”

“There is no need for ye to be fearful. I will see that nothing happens.”

Esme shook her head. “There is nothing ye or any of us can do. My uncle will send his men, so will the Frasers of the south, but still it will be a slaughter if they do not arrive in time.”

“Certainly, battles will not begin so quickly. Ye do not know the ways of negotiations.” Calum became impatient with her and craned his neck to search out her father.

Not wanting to lose his attention, she sniffed loudly. “Reassure me. How would ye keep our clan safe?”

For a moment, he seemed to ponder how to reply. Finally, he shrugged. “I am a man who is always prepared. A smart person ensures to have good plans set in case things go badly.”

“So ye have a way to escape or avoid battle? Perhaps ye can share with father.”

His gaze narrowed and his lips curved with distaste. “I doubt yer father or brother would do anything that I suggest. They would prefer to lead men to certain death than to do what is best for the clan.”

Despite bile in her throat, Esme forced a look of sadness. “We Frasers are a stubborn but brave people. Ye should know that by now. I cannot agree with ye. We have lived in peace, with no conflicts with our neighbors. The Mackenzie’s only interest is growing more powerful at the expense of people like us.”

“Remain close to me. Ensure that I know where ye are at all times. I will keep ye from harm.” Without another word, he kicked the sides of his horse to get away from her and toward where her father and brother rode.

Esme did the same but remained just a few feet behind. Once they returned to the keep, she’d speak to her father. Something was not right. If the constable was Laird Mackenzie’s spy, there was little anyone could do to save him from her father’s ire. The only time Laird Fraser didn’t touch his heart was when punishing a traitor.

Chapter Eleven

Even before arriving at the top of a ridge, Ruari knew the Fraser keep was under attack. Archers atop the ramparts shot flaming arrows down at the approaching warriors. There were so very many. It was hard to count as the columns of men stretched quite far.

“What is happening?” Ewan asked, coming up to stand beside him. He peered across the field to where the Fraser keep was. “I will say that we may have a hard time getting inside.”

“Aye, I am sure it is surrounded on all sides. Although it seems to be early in the battle, so there may be a chance they have not discovered the back entrance as of yet.”

He motioned the men ahead. They were a small group of only fifty, twenty-five of them archers. They rode fast and hard, rounding the ridge, having to travel farther than necessary to avoid being seen.

Ruari’s heart pounded, the air rasped in an out of his lungs. His entire body was tense with anticipation. Each time he went to battle, it was the same. The sounds of nature disappeared and were replaced by a keener sense of smell and the only things he heard were the pounds of the hooves on the ground and the harsh breathing of the men astride.

When they arrived at the rear of the keep, the opposition had not yet reached it. Since the Mackenzies traveled from the opposite direction, they would have had to ride in plain sight of Fraser archers to get to where Ruari and his men were.

“I am sure they will be coming soon,” Ewan said, seeming to read his thoughts. “I pray the Fraser’s men recognize ye and allow us in.”

The Ross banner was lifted and, moments later, a man with torches signaled for them to come forward. They had to ride in a single file to reach the rear gates. Guards hurried to open the narrow opening to allow them in.

“Ye returned?” Laird Fraser hurried over to where Ruari was and he dismounted. Together, they watched as the Ross warriors rode in.

“Of course, I did not leave of my own accord.”

“I know.” The Fraser looked to the front of the keep where archers continued releasing arrows and guards atop the keep gates struck at opposers attempting to climb ladders and scale the tall walls.

“We will not be able to hold them off much longer.” The laird looked to the Ross warriors. “I am indebted to yer cousin. Will yer men fight for us?”