Chapter Four
Colin and six of his men slipped out Bearach Castle's postern gate and down to a couple of two-oared boats at the shore, on the back side of the castle. Strong wind from the west blasted them as they boarded the rocking boats.
He had to rescue Anna's blind sister before the battle broke out and before the impending gale struck. He glanced up. The clouds were as dark as gloaming, predicting a fearsome storm.
What clawed at his soul like great talons was that Lady Kristina was probably terrified, and not being able to see would make that fear a hundred times worse.
"We'll row around behind that wee island. They won't see us approaching the shore of the mainland around the bend behind those bushes." Colin pointed. It would take longer, but it would allow them to slip in unseen. "The approaching MacKenzies on their galleys will keep their attention."
Warton, looking rough and ready for battle, shoved the boats from the shore and into the water of Loch Moidart, then leapt aboard one of them. Warton was the son of his father's sword-bearer or war leader. They had grown up together and he would one day serve in the same position for Colin.
A man on each boat rowed, propelling the wherries through the turbulent water, which was rapidly rising from the tide and the storm surge. They traveled around the small, bush-covered island.
Soon they arrived at the mainland shore, around the bend from the battle. They quietly alighted, their weapons and targes in hand. He hoped that the MacCromars would be so engaged in the battle they wouldn't notice Colin and his men. They ran through the bushes, then crouched behind gorse and peered out.
"She is there." Colin pointed. On horseback, one of Blackburn's men held her, a dirk to her throat. He was a large, burly man with bright-red hair and a matching bushy beard. "I'll need two of you to circle around behind her captor, then each of you grab an arm. He looks strong. Don't underestimate him. At all costs, make sure he doesn't cut the lady with that knife. When you have his arms pinioned, I'll take Lady Kristina from him." Colin placed his targe on the ground, for he wouldn't need it, and shoved his sword into the scabbard. "The rest of you, fight off the other men and serve as reinforcements."
"Aye." Warton put his weapons away. "I'll grab the bastard's knife hand. Rusty, you grab his left arm."
"Aye."
These two were just as strong and braw as Blackburn's man. Colin had much confidence in them. They crept around through the bushes behind the lady's captor. When Colin saw them slipping closer to the whoreson, he proceeded in that direction.
Rusty and Warton leapt onto the man, grabbing his arms before he knew what was going on. Once the knife was well away from Kristina's throat, Colin ran forward and caught her as she slid from the man's lap. The horse danced beneath them, almost stamping on Colin's foot.
He leapt out of the way.
Lady Kristina screamed and struggled within his arms. Colin threw her over his shoulder and ran with her, away from the battle. He glanced back to see Warton and Rusty dragging the ginger-haired man from his horse. The other Camerons hung back, defending Warton and Rusty from enemies.
"Unhand me!" The woman over his shoulder kicked and elbowed him.
Once they were behind the bushes, Colin pulled her from his shoulder and held her in his arms. "I'm sorry to treat you like a sack of oats, Lady Kristina, but I'm here to help you. I'm Colin Cameron. I'm to take you to your sister."
She gasped and stilled. "What? Anna? Where is she?"
"Inside the castle."
Tears sparkled in her blue eyes. "Oh, thank God she didn't come out."
"The chief wouldn't allow it." Colin peered out from between the bushes and saw that the large force of MacKenzies had fully joined in the battle, fighting on Neacal's side. The MacKenzie chief's younger brother was Neacal's brother-in-law. Thank the saints the MacDonalds of Moidart were no longer outnumbered.
Warton and Rusty approached, slipping quickly through the bushes with their weapons and targes.
"Damnation," Warton growled. "They've discovered our boats."
Colin followed his gaze to see that three enemies waited on the shore where they'd disembarked. "Hell." Likely they had been patrolling the area. The bastards had already shoved one of the boats out into the rough water. They couldn't go back the way they'd come.
"Sir, you could keep her hidden here while we take care of them," Warton said.
Even if his men did defeat these enemies, the water was becoming extremely choppy because of the storm. It was too great a risk for Kristina.
"Nay, leave them." Colin glanced up at the ever darkening sky. "The storm is coming in quickly. The water is too dangerous now. Retrieve the rest of our men. I'll need all of you to help protect her. Rusty will stay with me."
"Aye." Warton trotted off to get the other men.
"The battle is raging," Rusty said, looking between the gorse limbs toward the sandbar causeway linking the castle to the mainland.
"Aye." Colin peered out, seeing that more and more warriors from both sides were joining the fray. He had no quick and easy way to get the lass back inside the castle and out of harm's way.
