Page 19 of A Fierce Archer

There was a knock on the door. “Catriona,” Flora called out. “It’s me.”

Flora walked in to find her sitting on a chair, arms around her waist and head bent.

“I’m fine, just startled,” Catriona said before Flora could ask.

Knowing better than to touch her, Flora sat on the bed. “The man ye ran into is Laird Chisholm, here to see Laird Fraser.”

“Oh, no! I hope I didn’t offend him,” Catriona exclaimed, but still refused to look at Flora. “I hate this.”

“Ye did not. He asked that someone ensure ye were not hurt.”

Catriona let out a breath and opened her eyes. “I will eat here. Would ye mind bringing my meal here whenever ye finish yer own meal?”

How she hated the pitying look on her friend’s face. Catriona couldn’t think of what to say at the moment. So, she stood and went to the window. The sun had disappeared behind the horizon, but rays of varying colors of amber, yellow and orange painted the sky. It was beautiful, and yet the only thing Catriona could think was that, at the moment, she was to be a spectator and not a participant when it came to life.

“I will fetch our meal and eat here with ye.”

When Flora left, Catriona remained at the window determined to see every color until darkness fell.

Chapter Five

It had been two weeks since his attack and Ewan felt well enough to ride. Needing to test his endurance, he’d mounted and rode his steed short distances without much discomfort. Upon returning to the stables, his men had already gathered and waited for his instructions.

Until the threat from the Mackenzie was over, the Ross had agreed to keep fifty warriors at Fraser Keep to protect the keep in case of attack for the foreseeable future.

“I hope everyone is well rested,” Ewan said, earning snickers as many of the men had stayed up late the night before drinking around a bonfire.

Ewan waited for the men to quiet. “In three days, I will return to Ross lands. The rest of ye have another sennight before yer time is up. There are some things to discuss...”

He stopped talking when he spotted Keithen walking toward them. “Perhaps he has something to say on this matter,” Ewan finished.

Keithen Fraser walked to them, his gaze taking everyone in before settling on Ewan. “How many are leaving with ye?”

“We have not actually come to that question,” Ewan replied. “Replacements will have to be sent back.”

Unsure what his cousin’s reaction would be, Ewan considered that not too much time was left between the exchange of guardsmen. He turned to face the men. “Who wishes to return to Dun Airgid?” he asked, referring to Ross Keep. He continued, “Remember that once we arrive, others will be sent to replace ye.”

Less than half the men lifted their hands. Many of the single men had already made it known that they planned to remain there for as long as needed. The warriors were settled in new and spacious rooms. The guards’ quarters back at Dun Airgid paled in comparison.

“Very well,” Keithen called out. “On behalf of Laird Fraser, we thank ye for yer assistance. Please come to the great hall for tonight’s last meal.”

The men dispersed and Keithen turned to Ewan. “When do ye leave?”

“In three days. Is there anything I should take to yer sister?”

The man shook his head. “No, but I do have something to tell ye.”

Ewan frowned. Whatever it was, he hoped it wasn’t going to annoy him.

“My mother is requesting to travel with ye. She wishes to visit with Esme and see her grandchildren.”

The news was unexpected. Ewan wasn’t prepared to escort the laird’s wife. “I am traveling with fifteen men. Will ye send more?”

“Aye, an additional twenty-five Fraser men will go with ye. They will escort Mother back, when she returns.”

Ewan nodded. “I am going to the village today. I need to gauge my ability to ride.”

“I must tell ye something else,” Keithen added, meeting his gaze. “Despite whatever reason ye had for killing Laird Mackenzie, we owe ye a great deal.”