Chapter Six
Colin wanted to take Kristina back to the castle posthaste. He didn't want her to have to spend the night in a cave. But since it was autumn, gloaming arrived early.
Ethan and Rusty had climbed up the cliff so they might peer down from the top toward Bearach in the distance and see if the battle was over.
Ethan strode toward Colin where he stood before the cave entrance. "It appears the fighting is over, sir."
Colin was glad to hear that, at least. "Could you tell who the victor was?"
"The MacDonald standard remains flying from the gatehouse tower. Just from their movements and the color of their tartan, I recognized some Camerons and MacDonalds walking around down there."
Relief relaxed his muscles a bit, but all was not resolved as of yet. "Did you happen to see the chief?"
"We were too far away to identify him."
Warton and Lawrie rushed up the hill, breathing hard. "We heard a sword fight and yells down below," Warton said. "We're thinking Patrick and Thorburn were ambushed by the enemy. We ran to their aid but couldn't find them."
Fury and alarm surged through Colin. "Damnation, surely not! How many attacked?"
"We couldn't tell. Do you want us to go search for them?"
Hell, normally he would have a couple dozen men with him, but he hadn't planned on hiding in a cave. "Nay, I need all of you here to protect the lady. They may try to reclaim her to exchange for any prisoners."
He cared about Patrick and Thorburn. They were his clansmen, distant cousins, and friends. But, as soldiers, they had known the risks of their duties, especially after a battle where some of the enemies had survived and scattered. They should've been more canny.
"Since gloaming is upon us, we'll stay the night in the cave and be extra vigilant. We'll have to fight our way back to the castle in the morn. 'Twill be dark soon, and we don't know how many enemies are lurking in the wood. We may be outnumbered."
The men nodded gravely.
Colin prayed that Neacal would send out a search party for them, especially since only five of them remained to protect Kristina, if Patrick and Thorburn had been killed. He prayed they were only injured. If not, he would miss them sorely. Both good men.
"Ethan and I will take first watch," Warton said.
"I thank you. I'll take the lady into a deeper chamber where she'll be safer." Colin entered the cave again.
Kristina turned toward him. "What's happened? Did someone get ambushed?"
Colin figured she must have heard them talking. "Aye, two of my men, Thorburn and Patrick."
A troubled frown crossed her brows. "Oh no. Do they yet live?"
"I have no inkling. I pray they do. Enemies are lurking about the wood. We'll stay in the cave this night and protect you."
She averted her face. "I'm sorry to be the cause of all this."
"'Tis not your fault. Blackburn and his men caused it when they kidnapped you and then showed up here making demands."
"Still, if your two men died, they did it while protecting me." She lifted her face again, her tears sparkling in the dimness. "And the rest of you could be in danger. Do you think they will find us?"
He didn't want to scare her, but chances were their hiding place would be discovered. All of them had to be prepared. "'Tis possible. I'll take you deeper into the cave where you'll be more protected. There are two more caverns."
"I didn't know that."
"Aye, well, 'tis not a very pleasant place, but safer than out here. If you'll give me your hand, I'll help you stand." After she lifted it, he took her small, delicate hand in his, alarmed at how cold it was, and tugged her up. He would have to warm her again, and though it made him feel like the worst rogue, he could not deny he looked forward to it.
Carrying the plaid in his other hand, he led her across the cave floor. "The second chamber is dark and low. And the third contains a small river flowing down from the lochan on the mountain. After the rain, the river will no doubt be more swollen than usual. The passage between the last two caverns is especially narrow."
"I won't mind as long as we're all safe."
