Page 13 of Highland Flame

“Damn it, lass, stop thinkin’ about yer guids and start thinkin’ about yer lives instead.”

“I am. But everythin’ I own is in this cart. Help to protect it, please.”

Cam found the woman exhausting, but decided if she didn’t think he’d help her that she’d never be quiet and hide from the English. He didn’t want her or his daughter to be attacked.

“They willna get a thing if I can help it,” he assured her. “I’ll take them down, one by one, before they get anywhere near the wagon.” He pulled out a few items to make room, throwing the things to the ground. “Get in,” he commanded. “Quickly!”

“But I –”

“I dinna have time for ye to disagree. Now, in!”

Yvaine climbed intothe wagon, hiding in the hole under the tarp that Cam had cleared out for her.

“Take the girl, and keep her quiet,” he instructed, pushing Avianca in next. “Whatever ye do, dinna let the English ken ye are here.”

“I’m scared,” cried Avianca.

Cam reached out, lifting the little girl’s chin, looking directly into her eyes. “I need ye to help keep Yvaine quiet, Avianca. Can ye do that favor for me?” he asked the girl. “She has a habit of never shuttin’ up.”

“I can,” said Avianca, nodding slightly even though she looked like she was about to cry.

“Guid.” He pulled a dagger off his weapon belt and handed it, hilt first, to Yvaine.

“What is this for?” asked Yvaine.

“Just in case ye need it.”

“I dinna like weapons. I dinna ken how to use them.”

“Ye’ll like it fine if it saves yer life. To use it, ye just aim and stab. There’s nothin’ to it. Now, stay quiet and dinna move from here until I come back to get ye. And . . . both of ye, keep yer eyes closed. Also, dinna let anythin’ ye hear frighten ye. Ye need to stay quiet under all circumstances. Understand?”

“Aye,” said Yvaine, pulling the little girl to her in a hug, gripping the hilt of the dagger tightly. She prayed to God that Cam and his friends wouldn’t get killed by the English. She also prayed that she and Avianca would be safe and that she wouldn’t be required to use the dagger, after all. The last thing she wanted was to kill a man . . . again.

Cam tied the tarp back down, but Yvaine could still see out through an open crack.

Shouting was heard, and then the sound of men yelling. Metal clashing against metal resounded in the air, making her realize that Cam and his friends were fighting off the English in a very dangerous battle.

“I’m scared,” whispered Avianca, clinging to Yvaine. Yvaine was frightened, as well, but couldn’t show it. She needed to remain strong for Avianca . . . and for her own unborn child.

“Shhh,” she whispered. “Close yer eyes, lass.” She held the girl’s head against her chest, feeling the trembling of both their bodies. The sounds of fighting grew louder and louder around them. Through the small opening of the tarp, she could see Cam. He was on foot, fighting off the Englishmen, one after another. He killed one, his sword sinking into the Sassenach’s chest. Yvaine closed her eyes, seeing the blood on the sword as Cam removed it. It only made Yvaine think of Dun’s lifeless body lying in a puddle of blood at her feet. She couldn’t push that image from her mind.

“Cam, behind ye,” she heard one of his friends call out. Her eyes snapped open to see an Englishman at the foot of the wagon, about to stab Cam in the back. Cam spun around and sank his sword into the attacker’s chest.

The air under the tarp became thick, and she found it hard to breathe. Anxiety coursed through her and her head spun. Still, she couldn’t leave. She had to stay there and protect Avianca, as well as herself.

Then something shook the wagon, and she realized someone had hopped aboard. She looked up to see the tip of a knife slitting the tarp right above her head. Ducking down lower, she cradled Avianca in her arms, holding her hand over the little girl’s mouth.

As much as she tried to keep the girl quiet, she still let out a soft whimper. The tarp ripped open right above their heads, and was pulled back to reveal their hiding place.

“Well, well, well, what have we got here?” An Englishman with blackened teeth stared down at her with lust in his eyes. “I’d say this is a treasure of the best kind.”

He reached for her and she instinctively lifted the blade. It was sharp and cut the man on his hand. His blood dripped down on her face.

“Nay! Please, dinna hurt us,” she begged, pulling Avianca closer.

“Oh, there are two of you,” he spat, rubbing his injured hand.

“She’s just a child. Please, leave her alone,” begged Yvaine, thinking their lives were over.