Page 17 of Highland Dove

“Release her,” he commanded. “Dinna hurt her.”

“Dinna worry yer head about her, MacLean. She’s no longer yers,” said Eideard.

“Duncan, I dinna want to go with them. Please, help me!” begged Mari.

Duncan loved Mari too much to ignore her plea for help. He reached out and punched the guard, knocking him to the ground and taking his sword.

“Mari, stay back,” shouted Duncan, as Eideard and his other man drew their swords. Angus shot forward out of nowhere to help Duncan. Even in bare feet, and still weak from their time in prison, it would have been a fair fight if three more of Eideard’s men hadn’t emerged from the stable with drawn swords to join him.

“Nay, stop this!” cried Mari. “Too many people have already died.”

“I’m no’ goin’ to let him take ye, lass,” Duncan promised, fighting against Eideard. Swords clashed and it was all Duncan and Angus could do to try to fight off the men since they were outnumbered.

“Drop yer swords, now!” came a booming voice from behind them.

Storm MacKeefe rushed over with one of the madmen of the clan, Aidan, at his side. Their swords were drawn and they were ready to fight. Old Callum came running over from the tavern.

“Stay out of this, MacKeefe. This isna yer fight,” growled Eideard. “Besides, ye are still outnumbered.”

Aidan answered. “Hah! I could take ye all on by myself with one arm tied behind my back,” he boasted. “I havena had a guid fight in a long time, so I’m ready.”

“There will be no’ fightin’ at my tavern,” yelled Callum, rushing over. “Blethers, this isna goin’ to be guid for business if someone gets killed.”

“I’ll no’ warn ye again,” shouted Storm. “Leave here now before I’m forced to stop ye.”

“Did ye forget the MacKeefes and the MacLeans are aligned?” asked Eideard, his sword clashing against Duncan’s.

“Did ye forget that Duncan and Angus are still part of yer clan?” asked Storm in return.

“I’ll go, but I’m no’ leavin’ without my wife.” Eideard continued to fight. “And if I have to kill Duncan to do it, so be it.” He managed to slash out with his sword and nick Duncan on his shoulder. Blood dripped down his arm.

“That’s the last I’m goin’ to take from ye, Eideard,” warned Duncan, raising his sword again.

“Nay! Stop it. All of ye,” screamed Mari, rushing in between Eideard and Duncan.

“Mari, what are ye doin’?” asked Duncan. “Get back before ye’re hurt.”

“Nay. I’m goin’ with Eideard,” she told him. “I willna see ye hurt or killed because of me.”

“Dinna do it, Mari. I dinna care if ye’re his wife, I willna let him take ye,” said Duncan, reaching out for her.

“Leave her,” Storm instructed.

“I canna do that,” said Duncan.

“If she’s his wife, ye canna stop him,” Storm told him. “Now go, before I’m forced to step in.”

“Let’s go, Wife, before I take my hand to yer behind.” Eideard’s hand slashed out, grabbing Mari around the wrist. He yanked her toward him, still holding his sword, nodding at his men as they headed for their horses.

“Go find my faither, Duncan,” Mari called out as Eideard mounted his horse and pulled her atop it as well. “Find a way to get this marriage annulled so I can marry ye instead. Please.”

Duncan watched in desperate sorrow as his enemy rode away with the woman he loved.

“No more fightin’. Today is Christmas,” spat Callum, turning and heading back to the tavern with Aidan.

“Why did ye let him take her?” asked Angus, sheathing his sword.

“She’s his wife now,” said Duncan, his eyes still fastened to Mari and Eideard as they disappeared, riding down the road with Eideard’s men.