Page 21 of The Highland Heir

“Ho there,” the shorter, stockier mancalled.

Kieran held up his hand in greeting, thoughhe wasn’t sure they could see him in the darkness with only themoonlight seeping through the trees.

“Good eve, I am Kieran Sinclair, just passingthrough to home.”

“Kieran Sinclair. What would have the laird’sheir out alone in the night? I’d assume ye would travel with adozen retainers.” The men chuckled at their clansman’s joke.

“The Sinclairs and the Oliphant are at peace,so I have no need for extra protection. Unless I am wrong onthat?”

Kieran placed his hand on the hilt of thedirk on his belt. His daggers were lined up the leather sash acrosshis chest that spanned the width of his back and held his sword.His muscles bunched at the ready.

One aggressive move from them would launchhim into action.

“Seems ye have more horses than ye have arsesto ride them.”

Kieran nodded. “Aye, is often the way whenI’m bound for home after having delivered my burden.”

The men looked him over, then they turned tothe man who had spoken as if waiting for him to give the word.

“Mayhap you wish to leave one of them behindto ensure safe passage.”

Kieran reached up and slowly slid his bladefrom his back.

“I’ve other means to ensure safe passage, ifit were to come to that.”

“Ye think you could take us all?” The manchuckled as if he hadn’t a doubt he would live through thenight.

Kieran took his time as he examined each manbefore giving a slow nod and a steady, “Aye.”

There was restless movement from theirquarter, but none had drawn a weapon.

“But if ye wish to act, I’d ask ye to get onwith it, for I’m late for my bed and wish to be home.” He slid oneof his smaller blades and flipped it casually between his fingers.Hoping the display of his skill with a blade would deter themenough to give up on this farce.

Despite his calm outward appearance, he wastensed and ready on the inside. His mind had formulated a plan. Thelargest of the group would need to go down with a blade to histhroat. Kieran hoped the lad would be scared off on sight. If not,he would wound him. The thin man would be taken down with Kieran’sblade. And then he would face the leader, who would only fight ifhis other men were bested. He seemed round and slow fromlaziness.

Kieran thought of Ellie’s prediction of whatwould happen to his middle if he ate too many tarts. Perhaps thislout had a best friend who supplied him tarts, but Kieran guessedhis girth was likely due to drink.

“Seems a lot to lose for the possibility oftwo horses,” Kieran added.

Kieran was waiting for the leader to act, sohe was caught off guard when the thin man raised his sword and cameat him first.

Kieran countered with his sword, taking theman down easily. The pudgy leader had drawn his sword as well, andKieran flicked his blade into his neck, and he dropped a foot fromKieran’s boot.

The largest man and the lad didn’t move. Theyhadn’t drawn their weapons. Still, Kieran waited to see if theyplanned to.

The lad turned to the man. “What do we do,da?”

“I’ll not lose ye for a bit ofhorseflesh.”

“It seems you’ve gained two extra horses asit is,” Kieran said, nodding toward the two bodies and the horsesthey’d left behind.

“Let’s be on our way, Matty.”

The two remaining men gathered the horses asKieran collected his blade and wiped down his weapons hastily inthe grass.

“You should not tarry on Oliphant lands,Sinclair. ’Tis not safe.”

And even less so now that Kieran had slaintwo of their men.