To Dream of a Highlander(67)

Finn moved behind them. “Ye lead, Logan, I shall bring up the rear and protect the women.”

Logan nodded and Catriona raised an eyebrow as she studied Finn’s shackled hands. But then, she had seen Finn and Logan fight. Weapons or not, both were skilled warriors. Though her pulse drummed rapidly and her stomach churned, she did not doubt they would do their best to see them out of the keep unscathed.

They hastened down the stairs, Lorna behind Logan. Catriona nearly stumbled into her back when Logan stopped at the bottom and pressed a finger to his lips. Cautiously, they stepped out onto the gallery and Logan peered over the railings. He indicated for them to follow but no matter how carefully they trod, there was no disguising the creaking wood or footsteps.

The two men-at-arms were easing Gillean into the large chair in the corner of the Great Hall when they descended the stairs. Finn moved in front of them, forcing Lorna and Catriona back.

Gillean, a hand to his head, waved vaguely at them. “Get them,” he commanded.

With a scrape of steel and cautious footsteps, the two men came for them and Lorna clutched Catriona’s hand.

“Get to the passageway as soon as ye get the chance,” Finn murmured as he lifted his hands in surrender.

“But...” Catriona protested.

“Go!” Finn growled.

Lorna glanced at her and tugged her hand. Catriona offered her a smile of understanding. Neither of them had any intention of abandoning the men. In a swift movement, they stepped around the men and inserted themselves in between them and the steel points. Catriona held her shoulders firm as she eyed their swords and the momentary flicker of confusion on the men’s faces.

Gillean groaned from the corner. “Damnation, don’t kill my bride! Just the others.”

The delay was enough. Finn and Logan pressed through while their blades were down and kicked the men to the ground.

“Move!” Logan barked.

Finn snatched Catriona’s hand and they ran for the passageway. The steps proved slippery and Catriona struggled to keep her footing as Finn forced her to move swiftly. Soon her slippers met damp ground, slowing her pace. The dark confines of the passageway made her eyes go wide and she concentrated on the faint outline of Finn’s shoulders and Logan and Lorna’s breaths and squelching footsteps behind her.

A pale glow sent shadows frolicking and she stifled a sound of alarm. “They’re following us,” she cried out.

Finn grunted and tugged her hand and urged her to move faster. Her skirts felt heavy, weighed down by mud probably and the cold confines of the passageway chilled her skin. Lorna stumbled into her several times and Logan cursed. The golden light of torches grew, bathing the dank walls and a bitter tang seeped into her mouth. Metal clanged against stone and Catriona pictured the men with their swords drawn and thrust out in front of then, ready to slice them down.

The slender strip of light ahead made her head swim with relief. It seemed to her Finn barely even slowed as they hurried up the stairs and burst through the door into daylight. Catriona blinked in the light and Finn dragged her to one side as they watched Lorna and Logan emerge. Logan slammed the door shut behind them and Finn released her hand to help him haul a water barrel in front of the door.

Glancing up at the walls, she noted a few of the men-at-arms turning to view them. A cry suddenly went up, though she couldn’t distinguish what it was and one of the men flung himself at one of the others. Within moments, fighting had broken out—Gillean’s men against Lorna’s. Shouts and muffled curses rang out. Some men fought with their fists, others with whatever they could find. Catriona winced as a man was tossed from the walls. The brawling spilled into the courtyard and Finn urged Catriona and Lorna behind him. Logan waited and darted into the mess to snatch a sword from a fallen man. He grinned, clutching the weapon between his bound hands as he made his way back over to them.

“We must get the women out. Whatever happens, Gillean is still laird.”

Finn nodded. “Aye, we can take them out of the rear entrance.”

Hacking at anyone who came near, Logan carved a path through for them. Catriona fought the rising bile as blood stained the dirt and men fought for superiority. How would it all end? Lorna’s men outnumbered Gillean’s but they were still unarmed. She glanced at Lorna—who usually appeared so strong—to see her ashen-faced and wide-eyed.

They came up to the small door, hidden behind a cart and the men urged them toward it while they fended off anyone who approached. Lorna fumbled to open it, pausing to call to the men, “Are ye coming?”

Logan paused and glanced around. “I cannae leave the men.”