Page 2 of Highland Steel

“Attacked?” Logan’s head snapped up. “Are ye all right, lass? Who attacked ye?”

“I – I’m not sure. I couldn’t see them well,” she answered. “My traveling companions and I were down by the water when the bandits accosted the rest of our group on the road. Six guards were killed in the fight as well as my father.” Tears filled her eyes and leaked down her rosy cheeks.

“It was awful,” the girl name Blaine cried, looking very frightened.

“Did they take anythin’?” asked Logan, lacing up his shoes.

“Aye. They took everything including her father’s sword. We need to get it back,” said Newell.

“Well, I’m sorry to hear this,” said Logan, standing up and strapping on his weapon belt next. “But if ye’ve been robbed by bandits, dinna ever expect to see yer things again. Especially no’ a sword. That is every man’s prized possession. So, Lady Rhoswen is it?” he asked, looking up at the girl who now sat straighter atop her horse. “Who are ye and why are ye in Scotland at all?”

“I’m Lady Rhoswen of Yorkshire, daughter of the border lord Sir Joseph Asquith,” she relayed the information, holding her chin high and proud. “With me are Newell, my father’s . . . squire, and Blaine. She’s my handmaiden.”

“I see,” said Logan, thinking the younger girl looked suddenly nervous. They all did. But mayhap it was just his imagination since they were still spooked from the raid. “I am Logan MacKeefe,” he introduced himself.

“Logan MacKeefe,” said Rhoswen, studying him from head to foot. “Are you a Highlander?”

“I am. However, my clan has also claimed Hermitage Castle on the border in the Lowlands. Have ye heard of us perhaps?”

“I’m not sure,” she said, her eyes darting over to the other two and then back to him. “Have you heard of us?” she asked, which seemed like an odd question to ask since she was from over the border. “Or perhaps did you know my father?”

“I’m sorry, but I am no’ familiar with yer family nor with too many Sassenachs at all. I spend most of my time in the Highlands.”

Her body stiffened and she looked down her nose at him, which made Logan realize he shouldn’t have called her a Sassenach to her face.

“Go back to the road and follow the noise and music,” he told her. “It’ll lead ye to the Horn and Hoof Tavern. Take cover there until I return. Seek out three men named Hawke, Ethan, and Caleb MacKeefe. They are my friends. Tell them what happened and that I’ve gone to the attack site. And whatever ye do, dinna leave the tavern before I return.”

“A tavern?” sniffed Rhoswen. “I’ll not have my handmaid and my father’s squire occupy such a place and neither will I.”

“If ye value yer lives, ye will.” Leather creaked and his horse snorted as Logan pulled himself up into the saddle. “Seek out my friends. They’ll make sure ye arena harmed. Do ye understand me? The roads are dangerous out here. Two lassies and a lad will quickly be spotted by any bandit or thief and marked as easy prey.” Logan’s wolf let out a small growl.

“Is that a wolf?” Blaine squeaked out, her face turning white at first noticing the animal.

“That’s Jack and, aye, he is wolf,” said Logan.

“I’ll kill it,” said the boy, starting to get off his horse with his sword clutched in one hand, but he stopped with Logan’s next words.

“That’s my pet and ye willna touch it! Besides, if ye even tried, Jack would rip off yer head before ye had a chance to strike.”

“Nay!” Blaine screamed and held her hand to her throat looking terrified now. Logan rolled his eyes. Once again, he seemed to have said the wrong thing. This just wasn’t his day.

“My wolf isna goin’ to hurt ye, lass,” he said, trying to calm the girl.

Highlanders and Lowlanders were often seen intermingling in Glasgow, and occasionally even an Englishman or two passed through. The Horn and Hoof welcomed everyone, and was considered common ground. This idea was initiated by the MacKeefes. The tavern at the crossroads was known to be a neutral place where people could meet and visit while having a drink or a bite to eat. They could even stay overnight in one of the tavern’s upstairs rooms without confrontation. Or at least, most of the time that was true. Logan’s father, Aidan, had told him about more than one brawl that happened in the place before Logan was even born. Aidan and his friends, Onyx and Ian, who were Ethan and Caleb’s fathers – were known as the Madmen MacKeefe. They had a reputation of sometimes being the center of trouble.

“Come, Jack,” Logan called to his wolf, riding up the hill. He stopped and looked back over his shoulder. “How far down the road did they attack?”

“Not far,” said the boy. “It’s just past the large Rowan tree that hangs over the path. Some of them dropped down upon our traveling party while the others were hiding in wait in the thicket.”

“I’ll take you there and show you,” Rhoswen offered, riding up next to him meaning to lead the way.

“Nay,” protested Logan with a raised hand. “Stay with the others. I’ll handle this on my own. Now, go to the Horn and Hoof like I told ye and do no’ tarry.” Logan turned and rode away before Rhoswen had a chance to answer. He approached the Rowan tree. Underneath it, he found the dead bodies, just as the girl had told him. His eyes shot upward to the branches, and then moved down as he scanned the thicket on either side of the road. Drawing his sword, he cautiously looked around for any attackers who might still be lurking in the bush. His wolf inspected the dead men curiously. When Logan was sure the attackers were no longer here, he dismounted, and sheathed his sword.

“God’s eyes, this isna guid, Jack,” he said to his wolf, approaching the first guard, checking for life signs. The man was dead. Jack sniffed around and followed on Logan’s heels. Sure enough, all six guards had been killed and robbed. Even their horses were missing.

Seeing a man face down on the ground still wearing the cloak of a noble, Logan figured it must be Rhoswen’s father. Walking up to him, Logan shook his head at seeing the puddle of blood around the man. His clothes were sliced and ripped while the guards’ clothes weren’t. It almost looked as if the attack were directed specifically toward him. Wanting to check for life signs, he flipped the man over. With a dagger gripped in his hand, the wounded man sat up and swiped at Logan. Logan jumped back, out of the way of the blade.

“I’ll kill you!” shouted the man with vengeance in his eyes. His face was slashed and his body gashed. His clothes were almost torn to shreds.