“One of the mercenaries has been injured,” Piper whispered. “Septimus and a few of his men wait in the woods for us to tend him.”
“Wait for me in the usual spot while I gather what we need,” Terese instructed and looked around for Rowena. She would need one of Rowena’s healing baskets to take with her and while all looked to be in use, one would need to be spared.
Lachlan’s unexpected approach and battle-ready expression stopped her in her tracks.
“I leave Andrew and most of the other warriors here to protect everyone. Boyd and Evan go with me,” Lachlan said.
“Why?” Terese asked. “The battle doesn’t concern you, and what can three men do against so many?”
Lachlan ginned. “Such confidence you have in me.”
She bristled, knowing full well the sizeable force of the mercenaries. “It is concern I have for you.”
He took her hand. “I am not foolish. I wish to track the mercenaries and see if I can find their camp and hopefully spy upon it.”
“This is about your brother Ronan, isn’t it?” she asked.
“I need to know if he is among them and needs freeing.”
“If he is?” she asked, shaking her head. “You have so few men to be able to help him.”
“Again, I am not a foolish warrior,” Lachlan reminded. “I have coins to offer for his release and if not…” He shrugged. “I send word to my brother Cavan and he will lead a force of men here to free our brother. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of Angus Bunnock’s men joined him. It would be his way of showing gratitude to our clan for helping him and having his own men ascertain that his daughter was dead and buried on hallowed ground.”
Terese blanched and her legs grew weak. That couldn’t happen; her father’s men would recognize her and forcibly return her home.
Lachlan slipped his arms around her. “You pale and shiver. What—”
She hugged him tight. “I don’t want anything to happen to you…to us.”
He kissed her gently. “Nothing can ever happen to us. I promise you that.”
She watched him disappear among the mayhem and knew he had given her a promise that he didn’t know he would not be able to keep. If he ever discovered the truth, they would no longer be friends.
Terese pushed the worrisome thought from her head and found Rowena, secured a healing basket, and joined Piper with less worry of discovery since Lachlan had already taken his leave. His men paid her movements no heed, too busy scouting the perimeter of the convent.
It didn’t take long for Piper and her to reach the injured man and at first glance both of them knew that he would need more care than either Terese or Piper could give. And his formidable size would be a problem. Piper could stand behind him and not be seen.
Terese looked at Septimus. “We need to get him to Rowena. She is the only one skilled enough to stitch such a severe wound and tend him if he is to have any chance of surviving.”
Septimus didn’t argue. “Two of my men will get him there for you.”
Terese nodded and then did something she didn’t want to do but knew she had no choice. “Tell your leader that Lachlan of the clan Sinclare and two of his men are tracking your group. He intends to spy on you.”
Septimus nodded. “He was right. You are good to have as a friend rather than a foe.”
Terese felt like no friend betraying Lachlan, but her survival depended on it. And she didn’t fear for Lachlan’s safety, for she knew the leader would never hurt him or his men.
“Piper will keep you informed of your man’s condition,” Terese said.
“Your help is greatly appreciated,” Septimus acknowledged with a bow of his head.
“You don’t seem the kind to be a mercenary,” Terese couldn’t help but say.
“There was a time none of us were,” he said and with another bow of his head, turned and left.
It was late evening when quiet returned to Everagis. Everyone was settled and fed and the injured had been cared for and were resting comfortably. Rowena continued to tend Talon, the wounded mercenary. His leg injury had required thirty stitches and she now sat with him, worried that he would develop a fever. Though his size and rough features would have most fearing him, he was grateful and polite to Rowena. Once again Terese wondered over the origin of the mercenaries.
Terese lingered around the grounds later that evening in hope of Lachlan returning. When it grew late and exhaustion finally took hold, she gave up and, disappointed, went to bed. She woke with a start when it was still dark and anxiously threw on her skirt and blouse. With hurried though quiet steps she made her way up the narrow hall into the large room of the common house and rushed to the door. She halted, her hand on the metal latch, and took a deep breath.