Page 36 of A Fearless Rebel

The sense among the lairds was that Alastair Mackenzie was learning his way but would eventually be as untrustworthy as his father. Except for perhaps the Sutherland, the lairds kept their distance while keeping watchful eyes on the volatile clan.

“The harvest is not done, so it makes little sense for anyone to burn fields,” Keithen said. “We should go see about it.” He turned to Broden and another guard who rode behind them. “Return and inform my father that Ewan and I are going into Mackenzie lands to investigate what is going on with the distant smoke. Do not tell anyone else.”

The men did as they were told and rode off.

Urging their horses to a gallop, they rode for several hours before stopping at the site of Mackenzie Keep under siege.

“Who is attacking?” Ewan asked and narrowed his eyes to get a better look. “I do not see any colors displayed.”

Gallant, Keithen’s horse, pawed the ground. The animal sensed war and expected they’d be joining.

“It is getting too dark to see. If I were to guess, I would say the MacDonnells. They’ve been waiting for this opportunity after their villages were burned to the ground.”

The sounds of war carried to where they stood. No one would come to the Mackenzies’ aid except for perhaps the other Laird Mackenzie to the north, who was much too far away to arrive promptly.

“Do ye think they will send a messenger to request our help?” Ewan asked.

“Aye, they probably already have.”

Gallant neighed and kicked up his huge hooves, alerting them that riders were approaching. Keithen drew his sword, noting that Ewan did as well.

Four riders came near with swords drawn. They were Mackenzies. “Why do ye lurk about our lands?” one of them said with a sneer. He motioned toward the keep. “Unless, this is yer doing?”

“What would we have to gain?” Keithen replied, pulling back on his horse to keep it from charging.

The men exchanged looks and one spit on the ground. “Nothing good comes from a Fraser. Ye have been wishing for revenge. We know it is one of ye that has been killing our guardsmen.”

Rage surged through Keithen’s veins, but he managed not to show it. “Perhaps yer guards needed to spend more time training?”

The men charged, swords clanging as each swung against the other. Keithen and Ewan each fought two, which proved unfortunate. Although he’d face similar odds several times and Keithen knew how he had to block one while striking toward the other, within minutes, he was becoming winded.

Thankfully, Gallant managed to crush one of the men’s legs, which gave Keithen a bit of a reprieve.

One of Ewan’s opponents fell to the ground, but both of Keithen’s continued to fight. He held up a short sword with his left arm, just as the man sliced across, the blade cutting through his sleeve and into this skin.

“Augh!” Keithen growled and managed to turn in time to block a strike from the other side.

Suddenly, a rider came through the woods. On a fast and lithe horse, the masked rider circled them, disconcerting the fighters who tried to figure out which side would have a new advantage.

When one of the men Keithen fought fell to the ground from a strike of the masked man’s sword, Keithen took advantage and fought against the other one left.

He managed to throw the man off balance before striking him down. The one who’d fallen on the ground now fought with the masked rider. Ewan and his opponent continued to fight as well.

Finally, the masked rider overcame the one on the ground and Ewan’s opponent fled into the forest.

“If he goes to the Mackenzie, they may declare war on yer clan,” Ewan said, looking to Keithen. “Should we go after him?”

“No. They have enough on their hands. I doubt the idiot will come after us. We are evenly matched now. We may even have an advantage after this battle.”

“Who are ye?” Keithen turned to see that the masked rider was riding away.

He and Ewan exchanged looks. “Have ye seen him before?” Ewan asked.

Keithen nodded. “Aye, once. Almost the same place. He must be someone who lives near here. Whoever it is seems to take sides against the Mackenzies.”

They dismounted so that Keithen could wrap his injured arm. After a cursory check on the horses to ensure they were not injured, they rode closer to Mackenzie Keep to find out exactly who had attacked.

From the lack of activity, the battle was ending. The falling sun and long shadows made it almost impossible to distinguish between enemy and ally.